50 Words or Less
The 2024 Wilson Staff Model CB irons offer almost everything that better players love about the Staff Model Blades but with greater consistency in the long irons. Sensational feel.
Introduction
The Wilson Staff Model Blades [review HERE] and CB irons [review HERE] put the historic OEM back on the map for better players. After five years – an eternity in the golf industry – Wilson has updated both models. The new 2024 Wilson Staff Model CB irons promise to give skilled ball strikers much of what they love about true blades without the stinging penalty on mishits.
Looks
The first thing I noticed in comparing the 2024 Wilson Staff Model CB irons to the original is how much the cavity has been cleaned up. This new version still has visual interest with several levels and a matte finish contrasting with the chrome perimeter, but it relates much more closely to the Staff Model Blade. Longtime Wilson fans will note that the iconic shield logo is now blank inside, which I think puts a modern twist on the classic emblem.
At address, the new CB irons have a slightly thinner top line than the previous version. This, too, brings them more in line with the Staff Model Blades. The 2024 Wilson Staff Model CB irons also have a compact heel to toe length and very minimal offset. Finally, the leading edge of the pitching wedge it noticeably more rounded than that of the longer irons.
Comparing the Staff Model Blades (above, left) to the Staff Model CB irons, you can see that the top line of the Blade is slightly thinner. Both are fantastic looking irons, but players who fret over every millimeter of the top line will certainly prefer the blade. There is virtually no difference in offset between the two – the maximum gap is 0.01″ in the longer irons.
Sound & Feel
Just like the Blades, the 2024 Wilson Staff Model CB irons are made from forged 8620 carbon steel for a soft, traditional feel. On center, they’re extremely soft and give you a feeling of connection to the ball. Blindfolded, I’m not sure I could tell the difference between the CB and Blades. This soft feel on center is complemented by a quiet “thud.”
Much like the Blade, the CB also gives players precise feedback on strike location. There’s a gradient of feels and sounds as you move away from the sweet spot. Small misses firm up a bit and are slightly louder than pure strikes. Big misses will feel hard and can produce a noisy “clack,” especially if they’re thin.
Performance
Everything so far hints at the idea that the 2024 Wilson Staff Model CB irons are very close to their brother, the Staff Model Blades [review HERE]. That continues with Wilson’s tech overview which mentions the same Precise Toe Weighting and Fluid Feel Hosel that are featured in the Blade. The one key difference, of course, is the “Precision Milled Cavity Back,” and I was eager to see how much that changed the performance.
Hitting the Staff Model CB on the range, the ball flight was very similar to the Blade. The CB has the same “weak” lofts, so it launches the ball fairly high. Launch monitor testing revealed that there is a little less spin in the CB, but that difference was not noticeable on the course. The CB still has above average spin, providing ample stopping power.
The shot control that the Blades offer is present in the Staff Model CB, too. Mortals may not be able to flight the CB quite as low as the Blade, but it’s more than capable of hitting a satisfying stinger. Shaping the ball right or left takes minimal effort.
Where the CB excels over the Blade is in forgiveness. In the scoring irons, this gap may not be meaningful for the lower handicap players. However, in the 4I, 5I, and even 6I, mishits are noticeably more consistent with the CB. My launch monitor testing showed that where the CB really shines is in retaining launch angle to keep those carry distances predictable on mishits. Both sets have the same loft specs, so you can easily create a blended set if you want more help with the long irons.
Conclusion
If you want to move into an iron with beautiful looks, spectacular feel, and loads of shot control, but aren’t ready to jump all the way into blades, the 2024 Wilson Staff Model CB irons are for you. This set does a great job in making the long irons more playable without removing the fun of shot shaping.
Visit Wilson Golf HERE
Support Plugged In Golf, Buy HERE
2024 Wilson Staff Model CB Irons Price & Specs
He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
- Secrets of a Master Club Builder - October 10, 2024
- Mustard Golf App Review - October 9, 2024
- Podcast Episode 228 – In Depth with Titleist on the New GT Line - October 9, 2024
7 Comments
How would you say the forgiveness on the CB compares to other non-blades? Closer to an Apex CB or Apex Pro? T100 or i230?
They are definitely not on the level of the PING i230, but they are comparable to the Apex CB.
Best,
Matt
Thank you for being honest here, as I was intrigued by the review but man….Ping is just so hard to beat out in the forgiveness category with their i-series irons
How do they compare in forgiveness to the 2021 Wilson CB?
Alex,
They’re very similar.
-Matt
Matt,
Again, very fine review. A bit of a “subjective” question…these irons, per your review, seem to really have it all at a reasonable price, yet they never seem to get any real “love” from the public. Might that be due to lack of advertising, a sense that these are “your dad’s irons” and not in a good way. Do they lack status?
In your review these irons would seem to compete favorably with the Mizuno JPX 923 Tour or most of the CB brand irons…Srixon, Taylormade, Callaway, etc.
David
ps I am loving my 0317T irons…I did indeed strengthen the loft 2 degrees and it is working very well. The 0317T have a lot of bounce, so the strengthening didn’t seem to affect much other than incresing the distance a bit…a bit that I really needed :)
pps Hope you are well
David,
I think it’s all of those things. Lack of Tour play is huge. I also think that golf opinions change glacially. Once people decide they like (or dislike) an OEM, good luck getting them to change. If you need any evidence, scroll the comments section and check out the furious fanboys whenever we say something is less than A+/#1/the best ever. :)
I’m very happy to hear the 0317 Ts are treating you well. I love mine, hard to imagine changing right now.
Best,
Matt