Wilson Staff D7 Review

Wilson Staff’s latest superlight D7 wood range features RE-AKT technology for faster club head speeds

See which category the Wilson D7 won in our 2020 drivers test

Wilson Staff’s latest range includes a driver, fairway wood and hybrid, which all feature a new lightweight crown construction and RE-AKT technology.

Wilson Golf’s new super lightweight distance driver is aimed at the player looking for extra yards and forgiveness from the tee, featuring RE-AKT technology

The Wilson Staff D7 is undoubtedly one of Wilson’s best drivers. The driver features RE-AKT Technology, a combination of Superlight Design and Reactive Face Technology, delivering faster club head speed and increased ball speeds for longer distances. It also features Dynamic Launch Control to optimize launch conditions for different player types.

TESTED: Do I really need a low spin driver?

The forgiving D7 driver features a radical lightweight crown design, removing excess weight from the club head and improving sound with a pioneering [K]omposite Crown Design. The D7 crown features a layer of Dupont Kevlar^® for vibration (sound) dampening, which is sandwiched in-between two layers of carbon, weave on top and unidirectional underneath.

“The process of creating the D7 driver started with designing the head shape and then stripping out all available weight, almost 25 grams. This weight was strategically returned to the head with the goal of improving the sound of the driver and optimizing ball flight with Dynamic Launch Control,” said Jon Pergande, Global Innovation Manager at Wilson Golf.

Dynamic Launch Control is offered in three loft options to aid different swing speeds: The 9.0^o degree for players with a fast swing speed with weighting forward in the head for lower launch and spin; the 10.5^o for those with a moderate-to-fast swing speed with weighting in the middle of the head for a higher launch and spin, and the 13.0^o is perfect for a slow-to-moderate swing speed with weighting further back and towards the heel for the highest launch and a draw bias.

READ NEXT: Why you shouldn’t chase high launch, low spin in 2020

See our Best 2019 Driver Test here

We say:

If there was ever a case of numbers and data not telling the whole story, the D7 is it. On paper, for a driver costing less than £270, performance is amazing – so good, in fact, it was among all three testers’ fastest and longest. So you need to look closely at the D7’s specs for the whole story to stack up.

D7 specifically targets lightweight performance, so the head and shaft weigh in at 249g where a typical Ping would be 268g. Such a difference in weight obviously impacts speed.

Our pro was the D7’s biggest fan; it helped him dial down spin and he was genuinely surprised at how good it was. He said his repeatable swing could keep control of the D7 on the course.

Why we use a GC Quad launch monitor

TG Verdict:

We’ve said this with all four generations of Wilson D drivers – light is great, as long as you can confidently “time” shots and get the club back on the ball without big inconsistencies between swings.

How do you know if it will suit you? Give the D7 a try for yourself – you’ll know within just a few swings if it’s the future for your own game or not. You may be surprised, too.

How does the Wilson Staff D7 compare to other leading drivers?

WATCH: BEST OF 2020 – DRIVERS 

Wilson D7 Fairway woods and Hybrid

Wilson Staff D7 fairway woods and hybrid club are a dramatic change to previous distance versions, starting with a head shape inspired by input from Wilson Tour players.

The new Lightweight Crown Construction features thin-cast pockets, saving five grams of weight, which promotes the SuperLight Design.

A Carpenter Custom 455 Stainless Steel face insert provides a thin, hot face, increasing both feel and distance.

“We’ve modified the structure where we need it and removed weight where we didn’t want it and it’s made a significant gain in performance,” said Jon. “As with the driver, the D7 fairways and hybrid can be swung faster with the same effort, resulting in more distance,” he added.

“The design of the D7 fairways and hybrids are based on comprehensive research and analysis of the golf market.  Golfers of all abilities will benefit from RE-AKT Technology, along with the confidence-inspiring looks at address,” said Doug Wright, Global Commercial Director at Wilson Golf.

The D7 fairway wood

RRP: £149 (€169).
Loft Options – 15˚ (3-wood); 18˚ (5-wood); and 21˚ (7-wood)
Shaft: UST-Mamiya Helium Series shaft and
Grip: Wilson Staff MicroLite Lamkin grip as used on the driver. Left hand models are available in 15° and 18° loft options.
Available from mid-January

D7 hybrid

RRP:  £129
Loft Options: (19˚, 22˚, 25˚ and 28˚)
Shaft: UST-Mamiya Recoil shaft in A-, R- and S- flexes at 65 grams.
Grip: Wilson Staff classic Lamkin Crossline pattern grip.
Left handed versions are available in 19°, 22˚ and 25° loft options.
On-sale from mid-January

For more information on the Wilson Staff D7 range, plus balls, clubs and accessories, visit www.wilson.com.

• RRP: £269
• Loft: 9, 10.5 and 13 degrees. (The 10.5o loft offering is available in left hand.)
• Shaft: New UST-Mamiya Helium Series shaft that's played on Tour. Lightweight with extreme stability, the shafts options are available in A-flex (45 grams), R-flex (46 grams) and S-flex (57 grams).
• Grip: New Wilson Staff MicroLite Lamkin grip maintains a traditional feel in a super lightweight construction.
• Available from mid-January.