Written By: John Barba
As spring turns to summer, golf retailers and consumers are settling in to the 2015 product cycle. OEM’s, however, are already prepping for 2016. Wilson Staff has just listed a new prototype driver with the USGA. It’s called the FG Tour F5.
Here’s what we know:
- The F5 has been in development for a little over a year.
- Wilson Staff Tour players have been testing the F5 for about 6 months now, providing input on look, sound, feel and performance.
- At least one Wilson Staff Tour pro – Kevin Streelman – really likes the F5 and wants to put it in play. He’s testing it out this week at The Memorial.
- It’s adjustable, with 9- and 10.5-degree heads.
- It’s a low/forward CG driver, and will ultimately replace the FG Tour M3 driver at the end of its 2-year cycle.
“We moved the CG and adjustable weight around to get launch conditions and a ball flight that our Tour players and our amateur testers are excited about as well,” says Michael Vrska, Wilson’s Director of Research and Development. “It was submitted to the USGA earlier than anticipated because one of those Tour players wanted the option to put it play, though there are no guarantees on that.”
Vrska says Wilson is pretty excited about the F5 prototypes, but adds it won’t be ready for release for another 6 months or so, pending further development.
What’s on the USGA’s list today, probably isn’t exactly what will be in stores later.
From the looks of it, the Wilson F5 is more of a pear-shaped head than the D200, with what appears to be a changeable weight near the face. And what of the “MultiFit System” that’s stamped on the sole? Time, of course, will tell…
The D100 and D200 drivers have been winners for Wilson over the past 2 years. The M3 wound up being discounted towards the end of 2014 and the F5 will take its play by the end of this year.
With that in mind, what are your thoughts on Wilson’s foray into the low/forward CG game?
David
8 years ago
I have played Wilson Staff Irons since I was 26 years old. My first set was the FG52 Staff Tour Blades. I know technology has improved over the past 42 years however if someone knows of a blade that has the same profile as the FG52 Irons I would be interested. My handicap is 4.3 and I just had my 68th birthday.