Launch Monitor Tested: Wilson Staff Model CB Iron 2024 Review

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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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