Launch Monitor Tested: Wilson Staff Model CB Iron 2024 Review
Last updated:
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At a glance
- TG Rating
- Owner Rating
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Pros
- The price is a lot more attractive than some of the competition.
- Feel and feedback are right up there alongside the best.
- Wilson has a serious pedigree in the forged iron market.
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Cons
- A very difficult iron to fault, so long as your game warrants a modern players' model.
What we say...
The Wilson Staff Model CB is a traditional cavity back players’ iron for great ball strikers and golfers who demand ultimate feel.
Wilson has more heritage than most when it comes to making brilliant forged blades and tour cavity irons. The company started out back in 1917, and legends like Gene Sarazen, Sam Snead, and Arnold Palmer have all played versions of the Wilson Staff Model blades since. Wilson irons have been used to win more majors than any other brand. With the current trophy count standing at 62. Impressively at least one major has been bagged in every decade since the company was first founded. Any reveal of a new Wilson Staff Model CB iron then is a huge deal to those in the know.
Wilson’s last major victory came at the 2019 US Open. An event played at Pebble Beach Links with Gary Woodland lifting the trophy. Woodland’s win while playing the brand’s previous Staff Model blades has come to mark a serious renaissance for the company. Once again Wilson has become well-known for making great quality forged irons for serious golfers. A point backed up by Padraig Harrington winning on the Champions Tour with the brand new CB model. Part of this switch also comes down to the prices of most of the best irons available rising to well over £1K a set. Wilson models though have continued to hover around £800, so despite their lofty reputation, they represent excellent value for money.
Everything you need to know about the Wilson Staff Model CB iron
Designed as a family
Forged iron families are all the rage right now within the arena of the best players’ iron models. Not wanting to be left behind Wilson has taken great care to design the new Wilson Staff Model CB iron and blade to fit together seamlessly as one family. The idea gives golfers the option of playing either iron individually or creating their very own personal combo set using both models.
Fluid feel with extreme toe weighting
Fluid feel technology has been part of Wilson’s best-forged irons for many decades. The idea removes inefficient mass between the hosel and heel of the iron and redistributes it to the toe. The new Staff Model CB cavity back area is extremely biased towards the toe. Wilson insists the new shaping helps the very best ball strikers hold the face square through impact. Which on the golf course prevents smothered shots left of the target.
With so much weight located in the toe, the center of gravity is also placed more accurately behind the center of the face, so expect an increase in feel and improved sound.
CNC Milled
Precision and accuracy are absolutely paramount to the best ball strikers and shot-shapers and the best way to manage tolerances when making irons is to precision CNC Mill. The Staff Model CB like the PXG 0317 T and TaylorMade P7MC has a CNC-milled face and grooves which ensures shot-to-shot consistency.
Muted sound with a softer feel
Feel and sound are paramount to very good players. Even though this version is created from the same 8620 carbon steel as its predecessor Wilson’s research shows thanks to the new shaping impact vibration and sound are deadened by 8 decibels. Essentially delivering golfers a softer more pure feel sensation.
Details: Wilson Staff Model CB iron
RRP: $1199.99 / £1,050
Availability: 4 – PW (Custom Order 2 and 3 iron)
Stock shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid 115
Stock grip: Golf Pride Z Grip
7-iron loft: 34°
Category: Players’ Iron
Forgiveness rating: 2/5
Video: How does the Wilson Staff Model CB compare to other leading 2024 Players’ Irons?
Verdict: Wilson Staff Model CB 2024 iron
Wilson has a history longer than most when it comes to forged irons and since doubling down on its Staff Model franchise the brand has seen a real resurgence among ‘players’ over recent times. Bear in mind the Staff Model has been developed with input from players like three-time major champ Padraig Harrington, so if you truly can say hand-on-heart you are a consistent ball striker who doesn’t need to keep an eye on distance the new Staff Model CB should be factored into your purchase decision in 2024.
The CBs have very traditional lofts, which means in our test the model gave up 5 yards of 7-iron carry distance to our test average but also a massive 13 yards to the very longest in the category. That’s an equation that won’t work for too many club golfers. However, it doesn’t stop this model from being a very attractive traditional forged tour-level cavity back option in the right hands.
I love the head shape, our test pro really enjoyed the feel but the super shiny high-polished finish is highly likely to split opinion. Even Padraig Harrington plays his set raw without a plated finish to maximize feel and spin control.
Also don’t fall into the trap of thinking weaker lofted players’ irons launch shots higher, as that’s not always the case. Our data highlights how thanks to the lack of offset the center of gravity is further forward and thanks to a heavier lower flighted shaft this model peaked shots out lower and hit the green at a shallower angle than our test averages. Definite food for thought.
Data comparison: How does the Wilson Staff Model 2024 compare to leading competitor players’ irons?
| Iron | 7-Iron Loft | Ball Speed | Launch Angle | Backspin | Height | Descent Angle | Carry Distance | Carry Distance Drop Off | Shot Area |
| PXG 0317 T | 32° | 125 MPH (1) | 15.6° | 5343 RPM | 32 YDS | 45.1° | 182 YDS (1) | 6 YDS | 118.2 SQ YDS |
| PXG 0317 CB | 33° | 122.8 MPH | 16.6° | 5568 RPM | 32 YDS | 45.7° | 179 YDS (T2) | 7 YDS | 142.1 SQ YDS |
| Vega VDC | 31° | 124.4 MPH (2) | 14.8° | 5703 RPM | 30 YDS | 44.4° | 179 YDS (T2) | 8 YDS | 236.8 SQ YDS |
| Srixon ZX7 MK II | 32° | 122.9 MPH (3) | 16.7° | 5757 RPM | 32 YDS | 46.1° | 178 YDS | 7 YDS | 57.4 SQ YDS |
| Sub 70 659 CB | 32° | 122.8 MPH | 15.3° | 5683 RPM | 30 YDS | 44.2° | 178 YDS | 8 YDS | 70.4 SQ YDS |
| More MOD 1 | 32° | 121.5 MPH | 15.9° | 5370 RPM | 30 YDS | 44.1° | 178 YDS | 2 YDS (1) | 48.4 SQ YDS (2) |
| Ping Blueprint S | 33° | 121.3 MPH | 16.7° | 5498 RPM | 31 YDS | 45.1° | 177 YDS | 9 YDS | 188.1 SQ YDS |
| Titleist T150 | 32° | 122.6 MPH | 17.5° | 5686 RPM | 34 YDS | 46.8° | 177 YDS | 4 YDS (2) | 53.6 SQ YDS (3) |
| Takomo 201 | 32° | 122.6 MPH | 15.7° | 6070 RPM | 31 YDS | 45° | 176 YDS | 9 YDS | 119.7 SQ YDS |
| Cobra King Tour | 32° | 120.9 MPH | 15.4° | 5534 RPM | 29 YDS | 43.1° | 176 YDS | 9 YDS | 253.8 SQ YDS |
| TaylorMade P770 | 33° | 122.3 MPH | 17.8° | 6143 RPM | 34 YDS | 47.5° | 175 YDS | 9 YDS | 200.7 SQ YDS |
| Mizuno JPX923 Tour | 34° | 121 MPH | 16.2° | 5704 RPM | 30 YDS | 44.6° | 175 YDS | 9 YDS | 171 SQ YDS |
| Vega VSC | 31° | 121.7 MPH | 15.2° | 5943 RPM | 29 YDS | 43.8° | 175 YDS | 14 YDS | 387.8 SQ YDS |
| Callaway Apex 24 Pro | 33° | 122.4 MPH | 16.2° | 6026 RPM | 27 YDS | 43.3° | 174 YDS | 7 YDS | 128.1 SQ YDS |
| Callaway Apex TCB | 34° | 121.9 MPH | 16.6° | 5189 RPM | 32 YDS | 46.1° | 174 YDS | 5 YDS (3) | 46 SQ YDS (1) |
| Mizuno Pro 243 | 32° | 122.2 MPH | 16.6° | 6035 RPM | 32 YDS | 46.3° | 174 YDS | 18 YDS | 387 SQ YDS |
| Ping i230 | 33° | 121.3 MPH | 16.4° | 5821 RPM | 31 YDS | 45.7° | 173 YDS | 19 YDS | 248.9 SQ YDS |
| Sub 70 639 CB | 32° | 122.3 MPH | 15.4° | 6584 RPM | 30 YDS | 45.4° | 173 YDS | 13 YDS | 266.5 SQ YDS |
| Callaway Apex 24 CB | 34° | 120.6 MPH | 16.7° | 6235 RPM | 31 YDS | 46.2° | 170 YDS | 9 YDS | 151.2 SQ YDS |
| Takomo 301 CB | 34° | 120 MPH | 17.3° | 6410 RPM | 32 YDS | 46.4° | 170 YDS | 7 YDS | 152.6 SQ YDS |
| TaylorMade P7MC | 34° | 119.5 MPH | 18° | 6226 RPM | 33 YDS | 47.2° | 169 YDS | 11 YDS | 135.3 SQ YDS |
| Wilson Staff Model CB | 34° | 118.6 MPH | 16.3° | 6221 RPM | 29 YDS | 44.8° | 169 YDS | 6 YDS | 76.8 SQ YDS |
| Titleist T100 | 34° | 118.1 MPH | 17.3° | 5677 RPM | 31 YDS | 45.4° | 169 YDS | 8 YDS | 107.2 SQ YDS |
| Ben Hogan PTX Tour | 33.5° | 117.9 MPH | 16° | 5767 RPM | 28 YDS | 43.5° | 169 YDS | 11 YDS | 335.5 SQ YDS |
| Titleist 620 CB | 34° | 117.9 MPH | 17.9° | 6127 RPM | 32 YDS | 46.5° | 167 YDS | 13 YDS | 274.3 SQ YDS |
| Average | 121.4 MPH | 16.4° | 5853 RPM | 30.9 YDS | 45.3° | 174.2 YDS | 9.1 YDS | 174.3 SQ YDS |
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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’s a specialist in all things metal having 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 made todays-golfer.com the most reliable source for golf club testing.
You can contact Simon via email and follow him on Twitter for loads more golf equipment insight.
Product Information
Wilson Staff Model CB Iron
RRP: $1199.99 / £1,050
Availability: 4 – PW (Custom Order 2 and 3 iron)
Stock shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid 115
Stock grip: Golf Pride Z Grip
7-iron loft: 34°
Category: Players' Iron
Forgiveness rating: 2/5
Visit the Wilson website here
