Wilson D9 Vs Wilson Launch Pad Irons Comparison Overview

The difference between the Wilson D9 and the Wilson Launch Pad irons can be summed up pretty plainly: the Wilson D9’s are game improvement irons while the Wilson Launch Pads are super game improvement irons.

Right away, that should tell you that the Launch Pad irons are designed more for 25+ handicappers while players in the 18-25 handicap range will probably like the Wilson D9’s more. Still, there is more to this story. We tested these Wilson irons side-by-side to give you the details you need to truly understand them.

Wilson D9 Irons Overview

Wilson D9 Irons

“The Wilson D9 irons have progressive offset and a face finish that helps you frame the ball.”

The extreme perimeter of the face has a polished chrome finish while the hitting zone has a matte finish. At address, you can clearly frame the ball and even get a bit of a visual cue on your downswing once you get used to these irons.

The Wilson D9 irons also have stronger lofts than the Wilson Launch Pad irons. This means you get a lower, more penetrating trajectory which will work better for players with moderate swing speeds and tempos. The Wilson D9 irons have a moderate topline width and an undercut cavity that only makes itself visible in the long irons.

The Wilson D9 irons feature the Power Holes which are cavities in the sole that are filled with soft urethane.

Wilson Launch Pad Irons Overview

“The Launch Pad irons can almost be looked at as hybrid irons.”

The soles are ridiculously wide and have been cambered so that they tend to float over the turf rather than chunk into it. So right off the bat, players who tend to wreck the turf with their iron shots will get some help.

With such wide soles, we weren’t surprised to experience much higher flight with the Launch Pads than with the Wilson D9’s. The stronger lofts and more mass in the soles of these irons are a dream for anyone who struggles to get air under the ball.

“In the end, what struck us the most was that the Wilson D9 irons are more versatile and produce better ball speeds. The Wilson Launch Pad irons are best for players who wind up in the rough frequently and who have trouble making consistent contact. The Wilson D9’s are more for players ready to start attacking pins from distance.”

Wilson D9 Irons – First Impressions

Wilson-D9-Irons2.

“We weren’t sure what to expect from these irons.”

We liked that they were sleeker than the D7’s; but again, we were put off by the matte/chrome finish on the face.

That became less important as the test session pressed on. We were very impressed with the forgiveness and distance of these irons.

While spin rates are a bit low, Wilson seems to have compromised with higher launch.

Wilson Launch Pad 2 First Impressions

We were familiar with the original Launch Pad irons as well as hybrid-irons from other manufacturers so what struck us first was how the Wilson Launch Pad 2 looked.

They look just a little but better than most of the hybrid irons we have tested in the past. The anti-scratch metallic backing and a slightly thinner topline really improve the overall aesthetic of these irons.

They just look a bit more pleasing to the eye than a lot of hybrid irons we have tested in the past. On the range, the Wilson Launch Pad 2 irons produced impressive distance almost immediately.

Wilson D9 Selling Points

Power holes
Fast face
Low Cg
Strong lofts
Expansive sweet spot

Wilson Launch Pad 2 Selling Points

Anti-scratch metallic back paneling
Thinned out rear wall
Low CG placement
Hollow-body design
Refined leading edge
Thinner topline than the precious Launch Pad irons

Who Are the Wilson D9 Irons for?

“We could see both mid and high handicappers making good use of these irons.”

You get a touch of workability and the ability to stop the ball on fast greens which is something both high and mid handicappers will love.

Wilson D Family of Irons

The Wilson D9 irons are the most technologically advanced but the D7 irons are actually more forgiving – albeit at the sacrifice of any semblance of workability.

Distance: 97/100

Accuracy: 94/100

Forgiveness: 96/100

Feel & Control: 94/100

Overall Score: 95/100

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Who Are the Wilson Launch Pad 2 Irons for?

There is no doubt in our minds that the Wilson Launch Pad 2 irons would be a great asset for high handicappers. If you are a 25+ handicapper, don’t fret. Just pick up these irons.

The Wilson Launch Pad 2’s do everything that the original Launch pad irons do but better. You will see almost instant improvements in launch angle and distance. Forgiveness is still very considerable thanks to the hollow head design that allows the face to flex to a very high degree.

As you can imagine though, stability and dispersion take a hit with an essentially unsupported face. So don’t expect too much in terms of accuracy.

The Wilson Iron Family

Wilson also produces the D9 line of irons that feature graphite shafts to help improve distance and dampen harsh iron vibration. The D9 irons produce slightly less spin than the Wilson Launch Pad 2’s but they are less forgiving overall.

The D9’s are traditional cavity back irons so they may be more appealing to players seeking distance and a traditional look.