Equipment Review:
Wilson Staff Ci7 Irons
by Jeffrey Reed, Editor, LondonOntarioGolf.com

Wilson Staff irons are legendary in the world of golf. From the Dyna-Powered muscle back blades of the 1950s and ‘60s, to the instant classic Pd5 Tour-inspired irons of 2005 with innovative progressive perimeter weighting, Wilson Staff’s name ranks amongst the best when it comes to irons.

In late 2007, Wilson Staff released what I believe to be the most attractive iron set amongst its modern offerings: the Ci7 Control irons. In fact, these mid-size clubs are even more forgiving than their predecessors, the Ci6 Control irons.

Are you a mid-handicapper needing a boost in the control and distance departments? Or perhaps you’re low-handicapper like me, wanting a Tour-like club with high-tech forgiveness? If you are, then the Ci7 Control iron is for you.

First of all, I must comment on the Ci7’s aesthetics. These are, quite simply, the prettiest sticks amongst the Class of 2007 or 2008. And, I must add, I’ve never seen a more attractive cavity-back club. 

But most importantly, the Ci7 irons deliver outstanding game-improvement results while still providing plenty of opportunity to work the ball. It’s a mid-handicapper’s club, but as Wilson Staff’s Tour player, Padraig Harrington, proclaimed on the range, “I just wish I was a 10-handicapper so I could play this club, it’s so powerful.”

Low-handicappers, consider the Ci7 for your game, too. You can’t go wrong – and here’s why.

A forgiving, game-improvement iron, the Ci7 iron is all about control. Tour-inspired and midsize in shape, the Ci7 delivers maximum head stability. It’s long and powerful, too. A thin face plus undercut cavity are balanced with a unique perimeter weighting design – two notch extensions at the back of the heel and toe. This gets the ball in the air quickly, but with long-distance control, too – the best of both worlds.

The Ci7 irons feature a central notch which, combined with the perimeter weighting, increases MOI for accuracy and even more control. The thin face offers explosive distance, while the undercut cavity provides even more head stability. I’m a big fan of Wilson’s Elastomeric paint in the cavity, which reduces vibration even on mis-hits. I’ve played with the Di5, Di6 and Ci6 irons, all of which feature Elastomeric paint, and I caution you: don’t underestimate this feature. It really does offer better shot making via the inspiration of confidence.

The Ci7 irons feature a new shaft in the True Temper TX 105 lightweight shaft. Now, I am a huge fan of the True Temper Taper Tech CL shaft, found in the Ci6 irons. There wasn’t much of an adjustment necessary, though, and I really found the TX 105 shaft to suit the Ci7 clubhead. The lightweight steel TX 105 generates increased swing speed for longer shots. It features a low torque .450-wide tip to reduce twisting on off-centre hits for straighter shots. Can’t argue with that.

Just like the TXS 105 lightweight steel shafts, the graphite option in the Ci7 irons – the UST Proforce V2 shafts – feature a Progressive Tip Design with a softer tip (lower kick point) in the long irons for higher ball flight, progressing to a stiffer tip (higher kick point) in the short irons for lower ball flight and added control.

The Ci7 iron set runs from 4 through GW, with 3-iron, SW and GW availability. Depending on the state of my game, I’ll sometimes play with a Dd6 Distance 3- and 4-iron, then 5- through 9-iron in the Ci7 set – with a hybrid in the bag, of course, substituting for a 2-iron.

Wilson Staff’s Ci7 iron set in LH and RH models retails less than $600 steel, $650 graphite. That’s plenty of club for the dollar.

For more information on the Ci7 irons, visit www.wilsonstaff.com.