Speed, feel, and distance? Wilson Dynapower Forged Iron Review
Last updated:
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At a glance
- TG Rating
- Owner Rating
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Pros
- Competitively priced in the current market.
- Every bit as good as the top-performing players' distance irons on the market.
- The KBS Tour Lite shaft is decent quality.
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Cons
- The traditional polished chrome finish is just a little old hat and prone to glaring in bright sunlight.
What we say...
The Wilson Dynapower Forged Iron is fast, forgiving, and designed for 6–15 handicap golfers who crave feel, speed, and distance.
Wilson has made huge steps to become a credible force in the forged players’ distance iron over the last five years. Keenly priced models like the D7 and D9 Forged have been strong, powerful options for club golfers looking for a blend of ball speed, distance, and forgiveness within a player’s iron chassis. The company hopes the new Wilson Dynapower Forged Iron will build on this legacy.
Wilson has created some of the best irons available for a while now. My data-powered tests have regularly seen the brand’s models rank among the top-performing irons over the past few years. As one of the best players’ distance irons see the Dynapower Forged as an alternative to the TaylorMade P790, Ping i525, and Srixon ZX5 MK II and you’ll be thinking exactly along the right lines.
Everything you need to know about the Wilson Dynapower Forged Iron
New Power Hole and Face Thickness design
The Dynapower’s ancestors might be the distance-focused D7 and D9 Forged, but the new Dynapower Forged is set up to perform for a slightly different audience. Research cited for the D9 Forged iron showed a livening up of the heel area (with a longer Power Hole in this area). As above-average ability players tend to hit more shots here. The opposite is true with the Dynapower Forged.
This time around Wilson says 90% of the shots hit by the Forged’s intended audience will impact somewhere towards the toe. So a new larger AI-designed Power Hole has been located on this side of the sole. Along with a slightly biased face thickness golfers can expect increased ball speed retention on real-world mishits.
The story makes me think, the shift in the center of gravity position now opens the iron up to a slightly more mass-market audience. So if your game sits on the fence between mid-handicap and players’ distance irons, this could be an excellent option for you.
Additional adjustability
Custom fitting is an ever-growing area of the game. It’s become super popular amongst serious club golfers looking to drop £1K+ on new sets of irons. Thanks to an increased hosel length over the previous D9 Forged the Dynapower Forged can be dialed more easily into custom build requests.
This is because the additional hosel length makes it easier to bend each head for loft and lie adjustments. Well worth bearing in mind if your spec is a long way from standard.
Low center of gravity and high MOI
Wilson has worked hard to get involved in the forged players’ distance iron arena, so tagging this model onto the Dynapower family is a little surprising. As this sibling model is all about speed and distance.
Yes, they’ve done it before with the D7 and D9 Forged. But look at the real successes within this category. And it’s usually models like the TaylorMade P790, Ping i525, and Callaway Apex 21, that stand apart from any brand’s mass-market game improvement irons that really hit the spot with golfers.
Perhaps some of the thinking comes down to the brand’s insistence that the model boasts a low center of gravity and high MOI, traits normally more associated with mid-handicap irons. Wilson is confident though golfers can expect a higher launch, and more stopping power without giving up any forgiveness, which might just be their own USP within the crowded players’ distance iron market.
Details: Wilson Dynapower Forged Iron
Availability: 5 – PW, GW (with custom order 3 and 4 iron)
Stock shafts: KBS Tour Lite (s) UST Recoil Dart 75 (g)
Stock grips: Lamkin Crossline 460
7-iron loft: 30.5°
Category: Players Distance Iron
Construction: Forged with a thin fast face
Forgiveness rating: 2.5/5
Video: How does the Wilson Dynapower Forged compare to other leading 2024 Players’ Distance irons?
Verdict: Wilson Dynapower Forged Iron
The Players Distance Iron category was only really created in 2014 when Callaway reintroduced the forged but strong lofted Apex marquee which golfers went gaga for. Just ten years on it doesn’t sound quite right to say there’s a traditional Players’ Distance Iron out there, but if there is the new Wilson Dynapower Forged is it.
What Wilson very cleverly does though is build some ball speed and distance tech into this forged beauty, they also deck it out in a traditional shiny, high-polished finish that gives a timeless classic appearance. Some golfers will say the finish glares in very bright sunlight but there’s no getting away from the Dynapower Forged blending tech and tradition seamlessly into a single desirable model.
I can’t say the Forged was the fastest or longest in the category, but that doesn’t stop it from offering itself up as a very attractive Players’ Distance package in 2024. To me based on the data we created I see the Dynapower being a great option for slightly better golfers than those who might be attracted to a TaylorMade P790 or PXG 0311 P.
My thinking is the head is pretty compact, and our test pro didn’t feel there was quite as much forgiveness or ball speed protection on offer as a hollow body alternative. Our data also highlights a slightly lower, less hanging ball flight which tends to be desirable for more serious golfers than those just wanting to look the part of a low double-digit handicapper with a great set of irons in their bag.
Costs have sky-rocketed over recent years and where £900 for a set of Wilson irons would have been inconceivable just five years ago, today versus the £1200 plus prices of many of the competition the Dynapower Forged is a really good solid players’ distance iron option in 2024.
Data comparison: How does the Wilson Dynapower Forged compare to leading competitor Players’ Distance Irons?
Iron | 7-Iron Loft | Ball Speed | Launch Angle | Backspin | Height | Descent Angle | Carry Distance | Carry Distance Drop Off | Shot Area |
Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Pro | 28.5° | 124.1 MPH (1) | 14.6° | 4881 RPM | 28 YDS | 41.8° | 186 YDS (1) | 22 YDS | 741.4 SQ YDS |
Srixon ZX5 MK II | 31° | 122.8 MPH (3) | 15.8° | 5292 RPM | 30 YDS | 44° | 181 YDS (T2) | 18 YDS | 392.4 SQ YDS |
Callaway Paradym | 29° | 123 MPH (2) | 14.2° | 5120 RPM | 27 YDS | 41.5° | 181 YDS (T2) | 15 YDS | 360 SQ YDS |
Mizuno JPX923 Forged | 30° | 122.4 MPH | 14.5° | 5117 RPM | 27 YDS | 41.8° | 180 YDS | 7 YDS (1) | 210 SQ YDS |
PXG 0311 P GEN 6 | 30° | 122.2 MPH | 14.6° | 5520 RPM | 28 YDS | 42.6° | 178 YDS | 10 YDS | 199 SQ YDS |
Vega Mizar Tour | 30° | 122.3 MPH | 13.5° | 5381 RPM | 26 YDS | 40.8° | 178 YDS | 13 YDS | 360.1 SQ YDS |
Sub 70 699 Pro | 30° | 121.8 MPH | 14.9° | 5349 RPM | 28 YDS | 42.6° | 178 YDS | 10 YDS | 166 SQ YDS (1) |
Yonex Ezone CB702 | 31° | 122.6 MPH | 15.6° | 5820 RPM | 30 YDS | 44.4° | 177 YDS | 23 YDS | 533.6 SQ YDS |
TaylorMade P790 | 30.5° | 121.6 MPH | 15.1° | 5932 RPM | 29 YDS | 43.7° | 175 YDS | 8 YDS (T2) | 180.8 SQ YDS (2) |
Wilson Dynapower Forged | 30.5° | 120.8 MPH | 13.9° | 5482 RPM | 26 YDS | 41.1° | 175 YDS | 9 YDS | 188.1 SQ YDS (3) |
Ping i525 | 30.5° | 120 MPH | 15° | 5666 RPM | 28 YDS | 42.7° | 173 YDS | 11 YDS | 217.8 SQ YDS |
Titleist T200 | 30.5° | 119.7 MPH | 15.4° | 5760 RPM | 28 YDS | 43.3° | 173 YDS | 13 YDS | 331.5 SQ YDS |
Cobra Forged Tec | 29.5° | 119.4 MPH | 14.7° | 5558 RPM | 27 YDS | 41.9° | 173 YDS | 20 YDS | 612 SQ YDS |
Mizuno Pro 245 | 30° | 119.3 MPH | 16.1° | 5481 RPM | 29 YDS | 43.6° | 173 YDS | 14 YDS | 271.6 SQ YDS |
Takomo 101 T | 32° | 116.7 MPH | 16° | 6383 RPM | 28 YDS | 43.9° | 165 YDS | 8 YDS (T2) | 203.2 SQ YDS |
Average | 121.2 MPH | 14.9° | 5516.1 RPM | 27.9 YDS | 42.6° | 176.4 YDS | 13.4 YDS | 331.2 SQ YDS |
Where does the Dynapower Forged Iron sit within the Wilson family?
Wilson Staff Model Blade
RRP: $1199.99 / £1,050
Category: Muscleback Blade
Forgiveness rating: 1/5
Handicap range: Four and below
Construction: Forged from a single piece of 8620 carbon steel
7-iron loft: 34°
Who are they for?
Gary Woodland won the 2019 US Open playing a predecessor of this model which pretty much says everything you need to know about who should be playing this super-punishing muscleback blade. Superb ball strikers and serial shot shapers only need apply.
As far as blades go the Staff Model is a cracking head shape with some old-school detailing. In the current climate, they also represent excellent value for money.
Wilson Staff Model CB
RRP: $1199.99 / £1,050
Category: Players’ Iron
Forgiveness rating: 2/5
Handicap range: Six and below
Construction: Forged from a single piece of 8620 carbon steel
7-iron loft: 34°
Who are they for?
The CB is a brand-new model for 2024. Players like Padraig Harrington play the CB on Tour so it’s not unreasonable to see the model as a strong choice for consistent strikers within the players’ iron category.
A 115g Dynamic Gold Mid stock shaft spells out very clearly this model is for stronger golfers. Do not be tempted by the CB should your game need iron shots to launch higher to increase carry distance. This is not a forgiving mid-handicap iron.
Wilson Dynapower Forged
RRP: £900 (4-PW) Steel shafts, £834 (5-PW) Graphite shafts
Category: Players’ Distance Iron
Forgiveness rating: 2.5/5
Handicap range: 15 and below
Construction: Two-piece forged 8620 carbon steel
7-iron loft: 30.5°
Who are they for?
The Dynapower Forged is tailored to less consistent ball strikers than the previous D7 and D9 Forged. Hence the face optimization for toe-side impacts. See the model as an alternative to the TaylorMade P790, Srixon ZX5 MK II, and Callaway Paradym and you’re thinking along the right lines.
If you’re a slower-speed but consistent player the extra loft might help flight and carry shots further than the strong lofted (and cast not forged) standard Dynapower.
Wilson Dynapower
RRP: £700 (s) £800 (g)
Category: Mid-Handicap Iron
Forgiveness rating: 3.5/5
Handicap range: 10 and above
Construction: Cast stainless steel
7-iron loft: 27°
Who are they for?
The Dynapower is the brand’s catch-all iron, as it’s designed to perform for 10+ handicappers. Thanks to the sleeker aesthetics it might also appeal to single-digit players looking for more distance and mishit control.
The model is seriously strong lofted, the 21° 5-iron would be a 3-iron in many other sets. Inevitably that means it’s the brand’s fastest and longest iron of 2024. There is though a higher launch and spin KBS Max Ultralite stock shaft to help reasonable speed players launch shots high enough (with good levels of spin) to stop on the dancefloor.
Just make sure you can launch the mid and long irons from the turf before taking the plunge.
Wilson Launch Pad
RRP: £600 (s) £699 (g)
Category: Moderate Speed/High-Handicap Iron
Forgiveness rating: 5/5
Handicap range: 28 and below
Construction: Cast hollow body
7-iron loft: 30°
Who are they for?
With new and returning golfers flooding into the game lots more players are willing to accept the benefits of hybrid irons. Brands then are more so than ever, happy to put considerable resources behind developing irons within the moderate speed and high handicap category.
The Launch Pad will be a brilliant fit for those who suffer from spraying shots all over the face of the iron and generally struggle for club speed. At below-average speeds, thanks to the extra loft, this will be the longest and most forgiving iron within the Wilson family.
About the author
Simon Daddow – Today’s Golfer Equipment Editor
Having tested and played more than 10,000 clubs in his life, what Simon doesn’t know about golf clubs isn’t worth knowing.
He spent a large part of his career as a golf club maker and product development manager, and has worked in the golf industry for more than 30 years. He joined EMAP Active (now Bauer Media) as Equipment Editor in 2006 and has worked for both Today’s Golfer and Golf World.
You can contact Simon via email and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) for loads more golf equipment insight.
Product Information
Details: Wilson Dynapower Forged iron
RRP: £900 (4-PW) Steel shafts, £834 (5-PW) Graphite shafts
Availability: 5 – PW, GW (with custom order 3 and 4 iron)
Stock shafts: KBS Tour Lite (s) UST Recoil Dart 75 (g)
Stock grips: Lamkin Crossline 460
7-iron loft: 30.5°
Category: Players Distance Iron
Construction: Forged with a thin fast face
Forgiveness rating: 2.5/5
Visit the Wilson website here