Help Please- Wilson Staff Buttonback Lofts

Davewn · May 10, 2017

Hello All,

I've recently reverted to playing an old set of Merit Fusion irons I bought new in 1992 or so- think original Hogan Edge inspired, not really copies. Great set, with one exception- always hated the 48* PW. Like many sets of that vintage, the Japan forged PW has always set up oddly offset compared to the rest of the set. Always bugged me for some reason. I recently found a couple of replacement candidates at the local Goodwill, a Staff Buttonback 9 iron and PW. The 9 showed some promise in its one brief audition yesterday- just wondering if a Wilson fan can provide lofts for the 9 and PW.

Thanks in advance!

HoganApexBlades · May 10, 2017

Dave - those look like '71 Buttonbacks. I'm sure Rex or Texsport will know something about them.

Davewn · May 10, 2017

Dave - those look like '71 Buttonbacks. I'm sure Rex or Texsport will know something about them.

Thanks- I hope so. Google sure didn't, lol

jslane57 · May 10, 2017

I believe the PW would have been 51 degrees and the 9 iron would have been 47 degrees. Of course these old forged clubs could bend over time, so I'd get them checked just for fun...

Davewn · May 10, 2017

I believe the PW would have been 51 degrees and the 9 iron would have been 47 degrees. Of course these old forged clubs could bend over time, so I'd get them checked just for fun...

Thanks! I was thinking anywhere between 46-48, but as you said, they do tend to move over time.

Swingingk · May 11, 2017

I have several sets of these and they're very, very good irons. The shafts should have either a black (regular flex) or red (stiff) band painted around them about a foot up the shaft from the hosel. I find the regular flex to be fairly stiff. I haven't played the red banded shafts but they have a reputation for being a stout shaft.

I've tried dozens of vintage blades and I keep coming back to my button-backs cuz they feel so great. It's cool that you have the 9 and PW - they are amazing tools for around the green with a very soft feel.

gsea33 · May 11, 2017

Wilson Dynapowers

2i 21* 38.5" 57*

3i 24 38 58

4i 27 37.5 59

5i 31 37 60

6i 35 36.5 61

7i 39 36.25 62

8i 43 35.75 63

9i 47 35.25 63

P 51 35.25 64

S 55 35.25 64

kaboboom · May 11, 2017

Don't want to highjack, and the OP seems to have a Lie & Loft in his pic, but I've read a couple of quotes saying David Graham could adjust the loft of an iron (with precision!) "in a door jam". My Equalizer seems to have gone a bit upright, and I have a gap between it and the 9...not comfortable hitting it 100 yds out. Got quite a few 52-56 wedges. Question: is there a reasonable, common tool way to lower the loft? I've seen vids where DIYers look like they are bending the shafts at the hosel, and that just seems wrong... like the bend should be between the blade and the hosel...within the head. Apologies to the OP, but he's also likely to be able to answer.

Davewn · May 11, 2017

Thanks gsea! It seems to fit in nicely so far and if it's still 47*, that explains why.

birly-shirly · May 11, 2017

Don't want to highjack, and the OP seems to have a Lie & Loft in his pic, but I've read a couple of quotes saying David Graham could adjust the loft of an iron (with precision!) "in a door jam". My Equalizer seems to have gone a bit upright, and I have a gap between it and the 9...not comfortable hitting it 100 yds out. Got quite a few 52-56 wedges. Question: is there a reasonable, common tool way to lower the loft? I've seen vids where DIYers look like they are bending the shafts at the hosel, and that just seems wrong... like the bend should be between the blade and the hosel...within the head. Apologies to the OP, but he's also likely to be able to answer.

Believe some old timers would adjust clubs by bending the shaft as close to the head as possible, but I've only really heard of this being done with woods, whose necks would splinter rather than bend. Irons should be bent in the hosel.