Free agent Gary Woodland puts Wilson blades in bag
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NASSAU, Bahamas -- Gary Woodland, a longtime equipment free agent with his irons, has stuck a set of Wilson Staff prototype blades in his bag for this week’s Hero World Challenge. While he hasn’t yet made a full-time commitment to the clubs, he’s certainly looking forward to seeing how they perform this week in the Bahamas and likely at next week’s QBE Shootout in Florida.
Following his practice round Tuesday at the Albany course, Woodland discussed the irons and whether his free agency will soon end.
ON USING THE WILSON STAFF IRONS: “Obviously it’s a good time in the season to start testing some stuff. I had a bunch of stuff sent to my home. I hit these and loved them. They’ve been really good.”
ON WHAT HE LIKES ABOUT THE IRONS: “It’s a new blade I believe they’re going to come out with next year. Through the turf has been phenomenal. Ball flight, trajectory all have been very consistent and what I’ve been looking for. … The big thing is consistent trajectory. When I look up, the ball is coming out of the window I want it to.”
ON THE NUMEROUS CLUBS HE’S TRIED OUT: “I’ve been a free agent and I haven’t had an iron deal for a long time. It’s been nice. I’ve kind of tinkered over the last couple of years with a bunch of different sets. I’ve tried pretty much everything so it’s been nice to kind of just get one in play. I haven’t switched in competition the last couple of years. I’ve played the same ones (Titleist 716s). It’s nice to come down here. You’ve got four rounds to put ‘em in play.”
ON WHEN HE RECEIVED THE WILSON IRONS: “A couple of weeks ago. I’ve been off for the last two weeks so it’s been good. I think they look phenomenal. So traditional. Very clean. I haven’t signed a deal with anybody but they definitely stick out.”
ON THE WILSON FG TOUR V4 2-IRON ALSO IN HIS BAG: “It’s a little bit more forgiving. I haven’t switched a 2-iron in a couple of years, either. That’s a club I really trust, so it’s a big step for me to put something else in the bag because that’s one I’ve had in the bag for a very long time. But this one’s been very good, very forgiving – probably a little bit more forgiving than what I’ve been playing with, which is nice.”
ON WHETHER HIS FREE AGENCY WILL END: “Free agency’s been nice. It’s been, really, since 2015. I’ve obviously been under contract with TaylorMade with the driver and fairway woods. Having the flexibility to play what you want is awesome until you find something you really like, then you can maybe make the change. It’s been nice the last couple of years to have this freedom.”
ON THE BEST TIME TO SWITCH: “The start of the year is a good time. It’s weird with our wraparound schedule, but now is the time to go out. I’ve had a couple weeks off. Playing this week, playing the Shootout next week. So it’s a good time to go test stuff under the gun.”
As for Wilson’s reaction, a company spokesman said that Woodland “expressed some interest in a new blade and we are happy to supply product for him, or any other TOUR player, for their personal testing and evaluation.”
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