50 Words or Less
The Wilson D9 Forged irons use Power Holes to make the longer irons more forgiving. Players look and feel. Not super long but very consistent.
Introduction
Wilson’s popular D9 irons finally got the partner they deserve. The D9 Forged irons use the same Power Holes technology as the standard D9, but in a package geared toward the lower handicap player. In this review, I’ll answer the question, “Which players should be putting the D9 Forged in the bag?”
Looks
The address look of the Wilson D9 Forged irons is clearly more player-ish than the standard D9. This set has a thinner top line, less offset, and a more compact blade length. Overall, I would rate the top line as a touch thinner than average but boxy. Most OEMs are beveling the top line to hide its size, but Wilson opted to let it be what it is. In terms of offset, there’s very little in the 8-GW, but it becomes more apparent in the 5-7.
In the bag, the D9 Forged irons look very sharp. I love that Wilson sticks with their traditional shiny chrome. Some might complain about glare, but I like that Wilson is keeping to their own aesthetic rather than trying to look like everyone else. The cavity is well balanced with a lot of interesting geometry but no colored paintfill. My eye gravitates to the Wilson Staff shield, the rightful focal point.
Sound & Feel
I started my testing with a few wedge shots and found the D9 Forged irons to be extremely soft. On gentler shots, they have that “ball melting into club face” feel that is most often associated with boutique forgings. This feel is paired with a quiet “thud” on pure strikes.
What shocked me about this set is how stark the feedback is. Even with the wedges and short irons, small misses are very apparent. Mishits are louder and harsher sounding, and the feel gets quite firm. When it comes to feedback, these irons earn the “Forged” in their name.
The other focus of my feel testing was looking for differences within the set. As you can see above, the Power Holes stop at the 7I. I was pleased to find that, despite the difference in construction, there was not a huge difference in sound or feel. The long irons are a bit louder, but that can be attributed to the greater speed as much as the Power Holes. Also, I’d emphasize that the difference is not one you’re going to notice unless you’re looking for it. All the irons have the same satisfying soft feel on well-struck shots and clear feedback.
Performance
The Wilson D9 Forged irons have the looks, sound, and feel of a players iron, but I couldn’t help but think that the Power Holes would push their performance into the game improvement category. I was eager to get them on the launch monitor to get some answers.
Overall, my findings are that the D9 Forged irons provide a level of consistency and forgiveness that merits the “game improvement” label. To be clear, that’s a compliment. When I hit numerous good shots in the row, the launch monitor numbers barely moved. If a shot got away from me, the penalty was quite moderate. I hit a 7I shot off the toe (nearly off the grooves) that lost just 4 MPH and 10 yards of carry.
Additionally, the benefit of the Power Holes is apparent on thin strikes. Hitting the 8I thin was surprisingly penal. Those shots would still be on the green, but they lost quite a bit of launch and speed. However, thin shots with the 5, 6, and 7 irons were much less affected. If you want that forgiveness throughout the set, check out the standard Wilson D9 irons HERE.
While the forgiveness of the D9 Forged irons pushes them toward game improvement, their ball speed and distance lean toward the players category. The lofts are moderately strong, but the ball doesn’t explode off the face. This may sound like a negative, but I don’t believe that it has to be. For players more interested in consistency and predictability than simply having the longest 7I, the D9 Forged is great.
Finally, Wilsons states that these irons are built with a low center of gravity. This produces higher launch angles and steeper descent angles. I found that the low CG was an asset in the numbered irons but may be too low in the wedges. From the 5I-9I, these irons launched and spun in what I consider a normal range for players irons. However, the PW and GW launched higher with less spin. This may be desirable for high spin players, but those seeking lower launching, higher spinning wedge shots may want to replace those clubs with higher CG specialty wedges. Learn more about the importance of wedge CG HERE.
Conclusion
While Wilson may not have the expansive Tour staff that they had in their heyday, they continue to produce excellent irons. The D9 Forged irons are an interesting blend of elements from the players and game improvement categories that should please the skilled golfer looking for additional consistency.
Visit Wilson HERE
Wilson D9 Forged Irons Price & Specs
Matt Saternus
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I purchased the D9 forged irons on looks alone from a PGA Tour Superstore, not the best way to purchase any club but it worked out well for me in this case. They came with DG 95g R300s which was somewhat surprising. I believe in playing with the stiffest driver shaft I can still feel (Graphite Design Tour AD stiff) and the softest iron shafts I can still feel. The DG shafts were to light and to soft. I switched out the shafts to Modus 105 Rs and Tour Velvet midsize grips…..and now have a set of irons that I love. I was hesitant to read your review because I thought it might plant a “bed seed” if it. was negative. I Iove my D9 irons and found your review to be spot on for the most part. The irons are very forgiving and buttery soft and set up and frame the ball nicely. I took my fairly new Ping 525s to the local golf shop and put them up for sale. Mishits didn’t stray to far off line. Your review did confirm one thing for me…… pitching and gap wedge misses tend to fly high and short but hold the line. I’ve found the best way to combat this miss is to “hit down” on the ball and take a divot on the short irons. This resulted in shots that felt great, held the line and “flew” as far as they were supposed to. I love the irons. To bad golf shops don’t carry Wilson hats, I’d buy a couple
Should’ve said I hit the softest iron shafts I can still control, not feel.
Hi Matt,
I was excited when I saw this review this morning (thank you).
With the Wilson D7 Forged irons I left your review feeling you felt a wow factor and were impressed. I love the Wilson D7 forged irons.
I can’t decide how you feel about the D9 forged set? I think you conveyed attributes you respect. However, I couldn’t decide if you were impressed or unimpressed.
I was curious if you felt they were a nice upgrade from the D7 forged irons or if they took a direction with the D9 forged irons and are focusing on a different audience.
Thank you for the great reviews and club knowledge you share!
Michael,
Thank you.
I think the D9 Forged is a solid iron, but not a huge step forward from the D7 Forged. With the rest of the iron market continuing to evolve, I think I was a little less wowed by the D9 Forged than the D7 Forged.
Best,
Matt
I don’t play with them anymore but I still have my 1957 Wilson irons, with the reminder grip, that I purchased while stationed in the Navy at Cecil Field, Florida.
We were fortunate to have a 9 hole golf course on the base!
Just played my second round with the D9 Forged clubs….3 iron thru Gap wedge. I moved up from the FG Tour V6 set, looking for a little more distance and forgiveness. These are beautiful, and deliver on both…I’m a club longer and they are very forgiving. I am over the moon happy with them.
Has anyone hit both the forged D7 & the forged D9 and can compare the two?
Hey Matt, really good and extensive review. You‘re saying this iron could be partly considered as game improvement irons. For whom exactly would you therefore consider them?
I am playing since three years beeing a bogey/double bogey player, shooting around 90. Would you say they are good fit? My teacher is a Wilson fitter and is pushing towrds those irons. Whats your thoughts?
Many thanks!
Alois,
Yes, I think these are a fine choice for the 90 shooter, if they’re well fit.
Best,
Matt
Thanks Matt, for the quick reply. Would you therefore not recommend the regular D9 (or the Dynapowr for that matter, which are probably replacing them) for a 90 shooter as they are more suited for the even higher shooter? Sorry, don’t actually know if you have reviewed them as well.
Best, Alois
Alois,
Either of those sets would be fine. There are scratch players gaming SGI irons and 30 handicaps playing blades. Play what works well for you and what you enjoy.
-Matt
Cheers Matt, much appreciated.
Best, Alois
Matt, I just want to say that I’m currently in the market for some new irons and your reviews are absolutely the best – thank you!
I’ve narrowed it down to these Wilson D9 Forged irons, the Apex 21s or the Apex 21 DCBs. I’ve read your reviews of all 3 sets, but I’m wondering: do you have a personal preference between these options? Would your answer change based on the player?
For reference, I’m looking to add some distance, but also am a relatively low launching player. I’m thinking of getting fitted (for the first time in my life!) but am interested to hear your opinion as well. Thanks from a fellow midwesterner!
Ben,
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoy the reviews.
My recommendation would definitely change based on the player, based on what I saw in the fitting. For me, I would be between the Apex 21 and the D9 Forged.
Best,
Matt
Wow I appreciate the quick response, Matt!
One quick follow up question just because I’m curious and would love to learn more: what are the things you’d be looking for in the fitting to help with a recommendation? As an example, “x” player characteristic might be a better fit for the slightly weaker lofts and lower offset in the D9s, as opposed to “y” tendency indicating that the Apex 21s could be a better choice. Thanks again!
Ben,
There’s not a specific trait that would lead me to push one over another, it would just be as simple as: hit both, let’s look at how they worked.
Best,
Matt