Equipment Review:
Wilson Staff Zip Golf Ball
by Jeffrey Reed, Editor, London Ontario Golf

Wilson Staff is one of the most storied and respected names in golf. A rebirth of Wilson Staff in 2004 has seen annual progression in equipment offerings. In fact, thanks to a crack research and development team, the name Wilson Staff is once again synonymous with some of the best balls in golf.

We’ve applauded the Tx4 tour ball here at London Ontario Golf. Quite simply, it’s one of the longest all-around tour-type balls you’ll ever hit, thanks in part to Wilson’s patented, unique proprietary Pan Head Dimple (PhD) design. That same dimple design is part of Wilson’s latest golf ball – the Wilson Staff Zip ball.

A three-piece ball offering the best of both worlds – outstanding feedback and long distance – the Wilson Staff Zip is a shining example of why Wilson is to be applauded for helping lead the industry in low-compression golf ball technology.

What’s especially unique about the Zip ball (I love that name) is, it boasts the world’s first zero compression core. At the centre of the Zip’s trio of technology is a core which Wilson says gives this ball “the softest feel of any golf ball available on the market today.” After testing this ball around the greens, with the flat stick, and off the tee, I concur. This is the softest ball available today – yet it doesn’t hold back on any of the other features today’s discerning amateurs demand in a three-piece ball.

The zero compression core not only brings amazing soft feel (you really do need to test this ball – it’s softer than John Daly’s stomach) – but it also features low spin off the driver for straighter shotmaking. A high-velocity Neodymium Catalyzed Polybutadiene (now that’s a mouthful) is used to achieve the zero compression. That’s zero. Nada. Zilch. The core is made using a minimum of curatives, producing a soft – or very low – compression core with premium resilience.

The second layer of the Zip, surrounding the ball’s core, is a patented DuPont HPF Speed Mantle layer which offers maximum initial velocity off the club face allowed by the USGA. In total, this second layer helps promote greater distance, enhanced feedback and appropriate spin rates, depending on which club you’re hitting. As soft as this ball is, I was shocked at the distance it produced on long irons and woods. It’s softer than, say, the Titleist DT SoLo, but much longer and with a lower trajectory on longer clubs.

The outer layer of the Zip is a soft, thin, pliable ionomer which Wilson says “bites to the grooves of scoring clubs” for greater spin, and therefore added control and accuracy. I spun wedges to the flag for a half-hour and was pleased with the results. Putting was a pleasure, too: outstanding feedback off the face! 

The PhD dimple design is said to promote a significantly higher launch to maximize flight. This is true, but the ball does not balloon off the clubface. This is due to the sharp joints between the steep dimple walls and flat bottoms, which help maintain ball flight at lower speeds, while energizing air flow around the ball. The result? reduced aerodynamic drag for amazing distance. Who knew so much technology went into a golf ball?

Here’s a very solid point raised by Wilson’s manager of golf ball R&D, Frank Simonutti. He says, “As golfers get closer to the green, their swing speed slows and the performance is more affected by the cover. The core and mantle combination is designed for long distance and low spin, while the cover offers higher spin and more control around the green.” Makes perfect sense.

So does the price: $29.99 per dozen. The new Wilson Staff Zip is available in December 2007. Check it out. Until then, visit www.wilsongolf.com for more information on all of Wilson’s offerings.