TEST: Wilson C200 irons

They look great and promise forgiveness, feel and distance. Read what our testers thought of these new irons.

MODEL AND SHAFT PLAYED: Wilson C200 4-iron to sand wedge, fitted with regular-flex steel shafts.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: They’re good to look at and I’m happy with the way they sit on the ground at address. I don’t take a lot of notice of design features; what I prefer is to feel confident over the ball – and these irons give me that feeling.

VERDICT: It was a hard day to get a sense of comparison because it was so windy but I felt like I was hitting the Wilson C200 irons further – not much further but just enough to notice, and even into the breeze. Impact felt really solid. I can’t say it felt fantastic but it was very solid. When you hit one out of the middle it flew well. That said, on two shots the club really dug in and the sole didn’t move through the turf like the rest. Overall, the ball flight was slightly lower and I normally hit a little draw but the C200s were very straight. I found myself aiming straight at the flag instead of allowing for a draw.

WHAT I LIKED: When I hit a good shot, there was a lot of self-satisfaction. I often thought, “Gee, that was good” after impact.

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE: Just those couple of shots where the club dug in.

MODEL AND SHAFT PLAYED: Wilson C200 4-iron to sand wedge, fitted with regular-flex steel shafts.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: My initial impression is these are slightly heavier in the head than my current irons. I like the peripheral weighting and they look sharp at address.

VERDICT: It only took until about my second or third shot with the Wilson C200 irons to adjust my swing slightly for the extra weight of the clubhead. Impact sounded and felt good, almost ‘soft’. You can swing easy with the C200s and still get results. They were a little longer, perhaps ten metres, but I definitely carried shots higher through the air and the ball seemed to hold better and generate more spin on the greens than my current irons. Accuracy was a plus, too. The peripheral weighting meant you could feel more control at contact. I hit these irons really well and didn’t mis-hit many but when I did, the outcome wasn’t very penal. I can see why they are aimed at golfers of my handicap level – it was well worthwhile hitting them.

WHAT I LIKED: The weight and feel, once I adapted to them. That, plus the feel of impact, extra height and carry.

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE: I struggled a bit with the sand iron, which seemed to have a different feel on the clubface.

FACTS & FIGURES

SUITABILITY: These new irons fit perfectly between the feel and distance player; someone wanting a better looking iron with less offset but still seeking forgiveness and distance.

SHAFTS: KBS Tour 90 (steel) and Aldila’s Rogue Iron (graphite).

SET COMPOSITION: 3-iron to sand wedge.

LEFT-HANDED MODELS?: Yes, except for the 3-iron.

HOW MUCH?: $139.95 per iron (steel shafts), $149.95 each (graphite).

WILSON SAYS: “The new C200 has three key features that give the club its unique design. FLX Face Technology means the club has an ultra-thin face and minimal contact points between the face and head. Power Holes are another key feature, where only 24 percent of the head is welded to the face of the club, giving the club lots more flex at impact. And finally there’s the urethane that fills these holes, providing a dampening effect along with improved sound and feel.

“Ball speed, launch angle and carry distance are all improved, and compared to our C100 7-iron we have increased the overall distance by 4.6 yards. Against competitors we average an extra four yards.”

Contact Wilson on (03) 8586 6666 or visit www.wilson.com