Wilson Staff Fluid Feel Tour Model Blades

I was browsing one of the local golf shops yesterday, my eye was initially caught by a set of TM MB TP Smoke irons. Gorgeous, more blade-like than many pure blades, despite the small cavity. In pretty good shape, hit well, and a good price at $450, but I didn't need another set of irons, especially for any significant amount of money. I moved over to the lower priced used clubs, and amongst the sea of PINGs and Callaways I found a set of Wilson Staff Fluid Feels 3-PW (appears to be the 1984-1986 model according to the internet). They were filthy (unrelated question-what golf shop doesn't bother to clean any of its used clubs?), and in desperate need of new grips, but appeared to be in good shape otherwise. I hit the 3 iron, 5 iron, 8 iron, and PW in the hitting bay, and they felt about 98-99% as good as the TM MBs. The price? $39! I brought them up to the front and said I wanted them re-gripped with red 2G Tour Wraps. The salesman said "$39? The grips will cost nearly as much." I said I couldn't pass them up at that price and the grand total with new grips, installation, and tax was $72.

The salesman said "these are really hard to hit," and I couldn't help but respond "unless you're swinging them right!" We agreed that a "new" set of blades with brand new grips for less than the cost of 1 used club was a more than decent deal. They certainly don't look forgiving, but I figure if I can handle 1982 Titleist Tour Models I'll make due with these (if anything they look slightly more forgiving than the Titleists). I cleaned 'em when I got home and they look like forged irons that have been used for about 5 seasons, so a screaming deal in my opinion for clubs that are a real piece of history. I'm not jingoistic about my golf clubs, but the complete lack of new American forged (or cast) irons makes these extra special. I have zero need but now want a vintage set of MacGregors and Hogans to fill out my collection. I guess there are worse and more expensive hobbies...

Thanks-I'm taking them to the range this afternoon so we'll see how it goes.  My absolute lowest rounds have been with cavity backs, but my average round is about the same cavity back versus blade.  But the range usually tells the story.  When I first got my Titleist Tour Models I went to the range immediately and hit more than my share (much more) of hosel rockets.  I'm an advocate of blades and GI clubs, but I will agree that blades certainly mandate a ball first strike.

You are absolutely correct, took 'em to the range and they weren't very hard to hit, certainly more forgiving than the Titliest Tour Models.  Really, really soft-I got no "blade vibration" even on slightly thin shots.  Shaft labels are mostly rubbed off, so I can tell that they're Dynamic Golds, but not whether they're regular or stiff.  No matter, my shots went straight, they felt great, and they're in the bag now.

 

I hit 'em at the range again today, just incredibly soft feeling irons.  For some reason my swing was grooved for long irons-I hit the 1 iron and 3 iron better than the PW (couldn't stop chunking).

Played my first round today with the Wilson Staffs, 18 hole executive course.  Honestly, they were very, very easy to hit.  Easily the softest-feeling irons I own, and alignment was a snap.  Nearly had my first hole in one twice today, both holes were about 145 yds, 8 iron, tap in birdies.  My two bad holes (double bogey) were directly due to flubbed shots with the lob wedge.

 

I feel kind of stupid bagging a $39 set of irons while my Mizunos and MacGregors sit in the closet, but I see myself sticking with these for at least a month or two (which is a long time for me to go between an iron rotation).

Honestly, it doesn't take me 3 months to dial in a set of irons-maybe 1 round and a couple range sessions.  If the maximum lowest possible score/handicap was my only goal it would probably make sense to stick to only one set.  But I'm no pro and never will be, and my love of golf extends to many, many facets of the game.  One of which is playing different irons, or a different driver every once in a while-even a different putter now and then.  I keep track of my distances with every club I use, saved in a Word document (which I also weirdly enjoy) so switching 1 or 14 clubs doesn't really affect my shot/decision making out on the course.

 

I've been playing with persimmon and blades lately, cause it's harder, it feels great, and it's fun.