The players’ distance iron category is hugely popular because it offers golfers a blend of forgiveness and looks, so how does Wilson’s latest challenger compare? We put them to the test…
If you’re yet to consider Wilson as part of the best golf irons market, 2026 is definitely the year that you should.
Wilson have an option for everyone in their range of Dynapower irons – which now includes the 2026 Dynapower Forged and their Staff Model iron range.
The Dynapower Forged occupies a very special place in Wilson’s entire lineup because it bridges the gap perfectly between the Dynapower and Staff Model range with its forgiveness and better player appeal.
Like the all-new Staff Model XB, the Dynapower Forged is a players’ distance iron, centred around delivering strong distance above all else.
The main differences between the XB and Dynapower Forged are price, and the extra emphasis on forgiveness in the Dynapower Forged. So, despite them both falling into the same category, it’s worth comparing this review to the Staff Model XB review to see which model will suit you best.
Price: $1,199.99 / £999.00
Pros & Cons Ratings Specs Features
Pros Strong distanceVery appealingSleek yet confidence-inspiring design Cons There can be a glare at address
Looks and Design
Technology
Performance
Overall
RRP $171.43 /£143.00 per iron Availability 3 – GW Stock shafts KBS Tour Lite – R (95g), S (100g) and UST Recoil Dart HDC – R (70g) Stock grips Lamkin Crossline 360 Black 7-iron loft 30.5° Category Player’s distance Construction Forged 8620 Carbon Steel PKR-CUPOptimized vairable face thicknessTE-031 urethane-filled cavityPolished mirror finish
Looks and Design: 4/5
I like the silhouette of the Dynapower Forged. I think it’s very sleek, stylish, and appealing. But, I don’t like the polished mirror finish as much as the brushed satin finish of the Staff Model irons because it doesn’t look as premium, and in sunny conditions, there is glare off the toe and neck to contend with.
The Dynpower Forged sits very nicely at address. It looks incredibly inviting behind the ball. Despite being smaller than game improvement irons, it doesn’t look any less confidence-inspiring.
I think it was a good move by Wilson to not include any red on the Dynapower Forged head. Not because it distances itself from the Dynapower and Dynapower Max in a bad way, but because it gives it its own identity.
Technology: 4.5/5
The PKR-CUP face design is a feature of all Dynapower irons, and it helps to maximize ball speeds across the face. As well as helping with speed, I definitely noticed how much it assists with forgiveness, because it delivers a more consistent flight – especially on low-face strikes.
The sensation from every strike is much more pleasant from the 2026 Dynapower Forged than it was with the previous generation because Wilson have dampened vibrations at impact by injecting the cavity of the iron heads (3-9) with TE-031 urethane.
An issue Wilson noticed with the previous generation Dynapower Forged was discovered using AI simulations. They found power holes that were impacting overall performance.
Wilson have removed those power holes and optimized face thickness to help with speed and energy transfer, and they say it also helps with precision and control, but there were occasions where I found the face to be too hot, although this might not be an issue for many golfers.
Performance: 4.5/5
Wilson have built a players’ distance iron in the Dynapower Forged that is very fast, and that means more yards on the golf course.
The Dynapower Forged irons are stronger lofted than the irons with which I typically play – and while that does help the ball travel farther than the players’ irons I use, it’s not all down to loft. The face and urethane injection play a big part in that, because although the ball was flying farther, it was flying in a nice window.
I am interested to see if the extra distance comes at the cost of spin because it was hard to tell on the course. However, I never felt as though I was screaming for the ball to sit – especially with the shorter irons.
With long and mid irons, the face was definitely more fiery, but I imagine that will be a positive for some golfers because it helps to deliver more speed and distance.
Final Verdict: 4.5/5
After learning that Wilson were adding four new irons in 2026, I remember initially thinking the Dynapower Forged could be outclassed by the Staff Model XB. It potentially might be, but for the price, the Dynapower Forged has to be on your radar.
The Dynapower Forged fuses distance, performance, spin, and better player appeal in one complete package to deliver, as Wilson describe it, “the ultimate players’ distance iron”.