Introduction
(Written By: GolfSpy Matt) It’s no secret that the MGS crew is a big fan of Wilson’s recent irons. In fact, the FG Tour V2 is one of the highest rated irons in the history of the Ultimate Review (and they are the iron I currently game). But Wilson golf balls? Seriously? Can they be any good? I’m here to tell you that you SERIOUSLY need to take Wilson golf balls…SERIOUSLY.
SERIOUSLY.
Feel
For this review, we looked at three different Wilson golf balls: the Wilson Duo, Wilson FG Tour, and Wilson FG Tour X. You can think of the FG Tour and FG Tour X as being analogous to the ProV1 and ProV1X: the X is supposed to be a higher compression, lower spin ball. As such, the FG Tour X feels a bit more firm than the FG Tour, but only slightly. Both balls are soft, as you would expect from a urethane-covered ball. They are not necessarily the softest tour-level balls, but they are far from firm or clicky.
The Duo, however, is a unlike anything I’ve ever tried: it feels like hitting a tennis ball with a baseball bat. And just like when you pound a tennis ball over the fence, you can’t help but smile after laying into the Duo. The one area where I didn’t love that feeling was in putting, but others may not be bothered by it.
Our test group, for the most part, agreed that the Wilson Duo was the softest ball they’ve ever hit. One tester, who has played the Wilson Zip in the past, said that guys who liked the Zip will definitely like the Duo.
Durability
The durability of all the balls tested was good. None of them scuffed before they should have, and even after lots of wedges none of them were severely cut up. If I was going to rank them, I would say that the Duo was the clear winner, followed by the FG Tour X and the FG Tour.
Data
Driver Performance
Off the driver, the three Wilson balls performed exactly as I expected: the FG Tour X was the lowest spinning, the Duo spun the most, and the FG Tour was right in the middle. The differential was greater than I expected, however, with about 400 RPMs separating each ball from the next.
I also found that the Duo cost me a bit of ball speed: 2 MPH on average. I know that Wilson is pushing the idea that low compression can help players at all swing speeds, but at my swing speed (low 100’s), I found better returns from the FG Tour balls.
4I and 7I Performance
True to the findings of our past ball tests, there was no discernible differences between these balls with the 4 or 7 iron.
This was disputed by some of our testers who felt that the FG Tour was a little spinny with the irons. Since I tend to be a lower-spin player, it’s possible that the difference between the balls is minimized in my hands and exaggerated in other’s.
PW Performance
When I got to the pitching wedge, the differences between the balls became very apparent again. Surprisingly, I found that the FG Tour X spun slightly more than the FG Tour. The Duo displayed about 3000 RPMs less backspin than the FG Tours, which is to be expected when comparing a two-piece ball to a tour ball.
60* Performance – Half Swing
Performance on a half swing wedge fell right in line the full swing: the FG Tour X spun slightly more than the FG Tour, and both spun significantly more (2000 RPMs) than the Duo.
I was happy to see that my launch monitor findings were actually echoed by our test group. Two of our testers found that, for them, the FG Tour X spun just as much or more than the FG Tour around the green.
Value
The Wilson Duo is available for about $20/dozen, and the Wilson FG Tour and Wilson FG Tour X both retail for about $30-$40/dozen. For a basic, two piece ball with a really good feel, the Duo is a B+ value in my estimation. I think the FG Tour balls are also above average in value because they give you really good performance and are a few dollars less than comparable balls from other brands.
Player Profile
The Wilson Duo will be a great fit for the recreational golfer, particularly those with lower club head speed. Either of the FG Tour balls would fit very well into the bag of a higher level player who wants low driver spin and maximum greenside spin.
“The DUO is an EXCELLENT all around ball. Bag the Duo. I did.” –MGS Tester, 14.8 GHIN
Final Thoughts
Having now tested almost every major golf ball offering of 2012, I can confidently say that if you’re not taking Wilson’s golf balls seriously, you should be.
The Wilson Duo is hands down my favorite two piece ball of the year, purely because it’s so much fun to hit. Combine the great feel with solid performance and you have a ball that one of testers immediately put in his bag.
The Wilson FG Tour and Wilson FG Tour X can easily stand shoulder-to-shoulder with any other brand’s tour ball. For me, the FG Tour X offered the best of both worlds: lower driver spin and higher wedge spin. Other testers found the FG Tour was slightly longer for them throughout the bag. Regardless of which version you end up gaming, you owe it to yourself to pick up a sleeve of these to test against your current gamer.
VISIT WEBSITE: http://www.wilson.com/en-us/golf/
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{ 36 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for the review. I will check out the Duo though the high spin rate would worry me for high handicappers with slice problems.
Thank you sooooo much for reviewing these. I’ve played the FG Tour for the past 2 seasons and had a hard time convincing my buddies that they are every bit as good as the other tour balls. They say Wilson? Aren’t they low end?
And the findings are right on through the bag. Longer for me off the tee, soft off putter and consistent through the irons. I’ve seen these spin back 15 feet, but I am consistently able to control the amount of spin. This is a very predictable golf ball.
Dude, I had no idea you gamed these! I’ve got a dozen of the Tours that I don’t even know where I got em, I think they were a gift, but everytime I get to em in my closet, I keep movin them under another box of Bridgestones, lol.
Hell, based on Matt’s review & your post, I’m puttin em in the bag. They go from my bottom pocket to my top pocket to a tee in the ground, HaHa, so I’ll be hittin em in the first month. Man. I probably woulda given em away(you know me & givin sh*t away
).
Good read!
Excellent review Matt!
Fairways & Greens 4ever
And here I thought you were going to make the magnanimous jester of shipping them up North!
LOL, the funny thing is, I almost did ship em to Nidine except they’ve got the Nittany Lion logo on em(Im notta Grad and I didn’t like JoePa before the scandal, lol). I’m not sure why the hell the logo’s on em. Whoever gave em to me obviously got em for free, HaHa. Nice to know that I’m down the food chain for someone’s gifts. This is golf’s equivalent of gettin a compressed fruit cake for Christmas, lol.
Fairways & Greens 4ever
Seriously!
Seriously!
Fairways & Greens 4ever
Same as the last poster have been using it for 2 seasons and I think you have to be to our is a very underrated, ball and I got them on sale at less than half the price of Prov
Considering you can get blem’s for $14 these things are a steal.
Yes, best deal out there by far.
I’m glad to see that others are getting great results with the Wilson DUO. I received a two-ball pack at a demo event last year and finally tried the DUO in October while I was testing 10-12 different balls. I shot several rounds in the low 60′s with this ball. The DUO is definitely the softest ball I have hit in the last several years; it fell much like an old Balata 80 ball. Although soft, the cover is quite durable and I can get 36 holes without much scarring or marking. I get 290 to 320 yards consistently off the tee and find that it has less side spin than most. The one drawback I have hitting this ball is that I get almost zero spin around the greens, but I’ve been playing mostly tight lies. Here is the important part about playing the DUO – when putting this ball, it is SOFT, and you must strike the ball with more force than other balls to get it to travel the same distance. As long as you warm up putting the DUO ball, you can make the adjustment. I did some testing against a Pro V1X on the putting green. Using the same putting force, the DUO goes about half the distance of the Pro V1X using my Corza Ghost putter. The DUO is also SOFT when chipping. On all other shots, with any other club, the DUO was just as long as any other conforming golf ball I have tested (including the Penta 5, Pro V1x, Z-Star, and HEX Black). I ordered 3 dozen DUO personalized balls over the holidays at $14.99 a dozen, free personalization, and free shipping from Golfsmith. That makes it the best ball for the value for me. Make sure to stop by the Wilson tent at your next demo event and ask for a trial pack, you might be pleasantly surprised like I was.
Dude, what are ya, the human version of Iron Byron? I mean ya gotta a driver average of 305yds/drive(290-320yds), ya got multiple rounds in the low 60s, and you’re testin 10-12 different balls?
#1, I couldn’t even name 10-12 different balls and as far as shootin in the low 60s, and I’m a rock solid 2 hdcp, but Dude, I couldn’t shoot in the low 60s if I played by myself and cheated my ass off, lol.
You ever get to The Burgh, you call me(412-897-5129) and I’ll getcha in some swats on some nice tracks, and you bust 70 from the tips, and the round, caddie, dinner & drinks are on me. If ya don’t, you better bring some coin, lol
Happy New Year & have a great season!
Testin 10-12 balls? What the hell? I can still only name seven. Man, am I a putz, HaHa
Fairways & Greens 4ever
Hmm, I’m confused, don’t you get more spin playing off of tight lies? Sounded like it would be a good ball except it only going 10′ on a putt I would normally hit hard enough to go 20′. Not good enough to make that much of a change from what I’m use to. So you really didn’t see much spin from it at all?
G4L, exactly my thoughts, lol. I think that I’d base my opinion offa Matt’s review & Manbearpig’s & Barbajo’s thoughts. They bring a lot if credibility to the table.
Two Balls? I’m thinkin he took two Top Flights to the head, hence the username and the subsequent post.
Just one mam’s opinion ;-p
The Best to Ya this season
Fairways & Greens 4ever
First putt was probably downhill, the second was a com backer
Ya, I will def be using the review for an honest opinion.
12-15 balls, several rounds in the low 60s, half the distance on putts, 290-320yrds ??? Ok I’ll say it, Stop the charades pal!
Gamed some Tours and Duo’s last year — loved ‘em both, especially the Duo. Someone said it’s like hitting a marshmallow. Played the Wilson Elite 50 last year, as well — and got a couple boxes for Christmas. I tell ya, for $10-12/dozen, those are the best balls on the planet!
Bro, are the elites a two- piece ball? Did the Duo replace them? What’s their composition?
Thanx much
Fairways & Greens 4ever
Yep, two piece and billed as the first 50 compression ball. Remember reading somewhere the Duo was replacing it, but they’re still in the stores…
Thanx Much
Fairways & Greens 4ever
I am currently gaming a -secret- version of the Duo. Love that ball.
I am also using the FG Tours for my mallet testing and the testers are really loving how the ball feels off the putter.
“…because it’s so much fun to hit.” I’m looking at 3′ of snow outside – any ball would be fun to hit.
+10…HaHa
Fairways & Greens 4ever
I have played A DUO and not impressed. I play WilsonC:25 balls and the FG Tours. Would like to try the FGX version. It has a compression of 93 Maybe 73. The FG model is better in cooler weather. The C:25 is the best all around Ball ..I have tried several different models and I keep going back to the C:25 balls and they are being dropped. Pity !!
My first set of irons that i bought back in day were Wilsons. And i played the Wilson Staff for quite a few years. Still smile when i find them from time to time. Like today a Titainum. If was scuffed up but i was playing 2 balls by myself and it flew just as far as the pro v x on a hole or two before i put it back in the bag for safe keeping and a water shot later. I am almost certain its still dry in my bag!
I am wondering if all the wilson staff players are playing wilson balls? I am no pro but man did i get a ration last summer when i was playing callaway blacks and then chromes while wearing my Titelist hat!
Anyway my favorite low cost ball currently is the noodle long and soft. Driver is 104. And it chips and putts well. I will get to putting in a minute.
Cheapest fav use to be the Pinnacle Exception and then Demension. But they simply are not round. What up with that accushnent? Yeah i know. . . But hear me out. I got tired of putts rolling off line – at the hole. I get it . . . speed slope grain and stroke. But i would drop a pro v and draino. Same putt same spot same speed. And then i would put the pinnacle down and same thing. It rolled off using the stock alignment line.
I was lets say curious and then after watching golf channel late one night in a hotel traveling for work i ended up ordering a check n go. It spins the balls up so you get the fatest (think roundest) part of the ball on its equatior. You mark it and move it slightly and spin it up again. Then mark it.
Mystery solved. Yes that alignment line is NOT on the equator of the ball.
And you know what. Doesnt matter with the brand/cost. They all deviate. Some more than others of course.
I then remembered Wilson claimed to have the highest quality balls a couple years back and actually checked them and put the alignment line in the correct position because they took the time to check them and mark them. And at that time I was like Yeah whatever. Which is why i think i am going off on this rant?
Seriously!
So if i take the time to spin and mark the balls i am playing. I know its me when i miss. And most of time it is me. i get it.
But this thing seems to help? Even if its only mental – LOL.
Bonus with the feedback on miss hit putts is with that ball mark all the way around its equator.
I will check out the fg x. The less spin off driver the better. Noodle LS Bridgestone E6 and tbe ProV1x depending on the swing that day? I was banging some TP Red refinished today on a low cost low spin tip. Then didn’t fly as far. But did like the feel and putted well.
And i will try the duo for fun – Thanks Matt for the review.
Cheers!
Thanx for the post
Cheers Mate
Fairways & Greens 4ever
Yes most balls aren’t balanced, so you’ll have the heavy side to one side unless you use a balancing machine. That way the ball will roll end over end, you should mark the ball so you hit it along the seam for better contact as well, as hitting across a dimple will move the ball off-line even with a balanced ball. As you said all balls are not created equal although I think the early Pro V1′s were pretty true (they even had a sweetspot).
Thanks GSMatt,
I picked up a 2 Dozen pack of Zips when I was in Myrtle Beach last September for $14.95…..started using them recently. Realizing that the Duo replaced the Zip, I am getting decent flight paths and distance from the Zip……Will probably try the Duo when I run out of Zips……Currently, I go back and forth between 2 piece and 3 piece balls…..when I feel like gaming it, I use the ProV1x’s. I’ll try the FG Tour X when i see a deal going down.
it think its great you would review wilson golf balls. i wish you would have included the wilson fifty elite. i’v e played the zip, duo , and fifty elite and found i liked the feel and ball flight of the fifty elite the best (i swing in the low 100s). plus you can get them in yellow and orange for $13.
Does anyone have the compression and hardness ratings for the 3 Wilson balls?
These are wonderful balls. I loved the FG Tour until I tried the DUO. They are both terrific, but the DUO is surprisingly good around the green and at $20 it is a steal.
Im a shot hitter what it do for me
John, I believe the FGX model is 73 compression check the Wilson web site. Try the C:25 ball too it goes further and putts good for feel and distance.
Tks!
The compression of the FGTOUR is 73 and the FGTOURX is 93.
I heard that Hunter Mahan is trying a Wilson ball. Anyone have a line on that?
I have read reviews on Wilson’s site and on Dick’s Sporting Goods site that say the durability of the DUO is crap. A lot of people are saying the durability is very inconsistent. They say that some dozens are good but that with some half the balls might crack.