Drivers

Tested: 2019 Wilson Cortex vs. PING G400 LST Review

BY Tony Covey
Nov 15th 2018
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You watched Driver vs. Driver 2, and even if you didn’t, you almost certainly haven’t been able to escape the hype behind the winning design.

The 2019 Wilson Cortex is a fantastic looking (and sounding) driver. It’s perhaps Wilson’s best working in the driver category since the Whale. How’s that for playing to nostalgia during a time when Wilson is attempting to reemerge as a serious player in the driver space?

The internet is already grumbling about the $500 price point and while we think the Cortex looks every bit the part of a premium driver, the entire Driver vs. Driver 2 effort will be for naught if Cortex doesn’t perform.

To find out if the Wilson Cortex can hold its own against the best, we put it up against the best. At a viewer’s request, we hit the Cortex head-to-head against the 2018 Most Wanted Driver – the PING G400 LST.

Here’s what happened.

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Tony Covey

Tony is the Editor of MyGolfSpy where his job is to bring fresh and innovative content to the site. In addition to his editorial responsibilities, he was instrumental in developing MyGolfSpy's data-driven testing methodologies and continues to sift through our data to find the insights that can help improve your game. Tony believes that golfers deserve to know what's real and what's not, and that means MyGolfSpy's equipment coverage must extend beyond the so-called facts as dictated by the same companies that created them. Most of all Tony believes in performance over hype and #PowerToThePlayer.

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scott

5 years ago

Your asking the wrong question about Wilson’s price tag , Why would anyone want to spend $500 or more for a driver. Ping is by far the most ugliest drive on the market, you can make it sound cool by using the word dragonfly tech but it”s ugly at address and performs no better or less then the other over price drivers. Just bought a brand new still in the rapper Callaway XR 16 for $170 it has the cheap-o-fly tech head …

HDTVMAN

5 years ago

Ping G400 series won 65 tournaments world wide last year. Current cost is $299 for the LST, SFT, & standard models. This driver is the real deal.

Randy Morgan

5 years ago

I enjoyed this review. Everyone seems to be concerned that Sam’s Ping G400 LST had the EvenFlow shaft and the Cortex had the Atmos Blue. Most are also worried about the price point being $499. I agree that any driver at this price is high but with great performance comes a cost. Sam clearly shows that the Cortex performance is very good compared to his gamer. Yes different shafts and the Cortex is not dialed in as he is just showing us a comparison. I have not hit the Cortex yet but will very soon. And just for anyone that reads this I play all Ping including the G400 LST with the EvenFlow Black and have a Cortex with the EvenFlow Black to compare with on the golf course first. I will then hit on my launch monitor to see numbers. Again MyGolfSpy keep up the great work.

Todd

5 years ago

Thanks. Please don’t let the naysayers and complainers change what you’re doing. Wilson has a good driver. It can hang with the others and looks great too. $500 for any driver is beyond me though.

Plaidjacket

5 years ago

I got interested in the Cortex initially after seeing a few photos. It’s beautiful. Then I put one in my hands the other day at the pro shop and again… I liked it more as it looked even better in person. Then I watched a lot of the DvD series replay yesterday. My interest in this driver is even higher. Then last night I watched the above video with Adam & Sam and enjoyed it. Lastly, I starting reading the comments here and said to myself… “social media sucks.” All the people nit-picking from the bleachers is ridiculous. Adam and Sam never said this was any sort of deep review – testing or analysis of the Cortex. It was merely entertainment and a reader request to test it against the Ping G400 LST and see what happens. That’s it. So, I say too all you guys in the bleachers – get off Adam’s and Sam’s back! Geeesh. I don’t see any of you sticking your neck out everyday doing anything remotely close to what Adam and MGS do. Adam and Sam were simply making/demonstrating a basic comparison. That’s it! No different than you or me trying our buddy’s new driver on the range to see what we think or how it compares to our current gamer. Two different club heads, two different shafts, different grips, different settings, etc. This was not a deep analysis as it wasn’t intended to be. It was more akin to an OTR experience like you and most people (including me) might do. Besides many commenters carping about the different shafts used there were many more bitching that Wilson can’t or shouldn’t sell a $499 driver. Well they are. It’s a premium product so why not? If you don’t want to pay $499 for the Cortex that’s your business as nobody said you have too. Personally, I’d rather not either as I’m like some commenters that’d prefer to wait for a price drop. But will I? Honestly, right now I’m trying to talk myself out of buying a new driver at any price. I’m a big believer in getting properly fit as all of the clubs in my bag are professionally fit. Except my DRIVER!! I was selected by MGS back in 2014 to review the Taylormade 14* SLDR. So basically my driver is an OTR club like most of you experts play. But I got lucky with this club as it’s turned out to be the longest, most reliable, and accurate driver I’ve ever owned. Go figure. I also tried to self-fit myself this past year into a 2015 Cobra Fly-Z+. This was a brand new driver I found and paid $100 for. I tried 4 different shafts (again guessing) but could never replicate the performance of my SLDR. I even purchased the same shaft as my SLDR but it didn’t work either. (so much for using the same shaft in different heads.) So the trusty old SLDR remains in my bag. I want to take a shot at the new Cortex as well as the LST and perhaps the newest Cobra F9 when it arrives; and I’ll go through a fitting for each. Then we’ll see.
Thanks again MGS. Keep up the good work.

MAJduffer

5 years ago

Wow another driver trying to break the average golfer’s budget. The manufacturers are just tweaking their product with gadgets and weights. They still cant change the max COE which has been the same for years. If you hit a 10 yr old driver and a new one on the screws they will perform the same. The key is the right shaft, technique, and practice. Everyone is looking for the perfect driver without doing any work. I bought a used Ping G30 driver a year ago. The first year, I could only hit it about 200 yds. I had a R shaft and changed it to a SR flex. I messed arouńd with face angle and now hit hit 220 yds. With my swing speed of 80-8t mph, I know I am maxed out as I have gone to pro shop and got roughly same stats with other drivers. I am a senior golfer.

Pretty soon with all these manufacturer’s inflated prices, you will see an even larger migration away from golf. Add to this the abundance of green fees over $60, then soon you will see a great recession in the golf industry solely fueled by greed.

HDTVMAN

5 years ago

Learned today that Cortex is a limited item and our retail outlet will not have demos, unlike last year with the Triton. Let’s face it, this was a marketing stunt, no different than the reality shows on TV, with Wilson thinking they could reignite their brand. Wilson was golf and won many many tournaments, but that was decades ago. They are no longer relevant in this industry.

Randy Morgan

5 years ago

I’ve not had the chance to test the Cortex yet but fully intend to as I ordered one with the same shaft I game in my G400 LST. As to your local retail shop not being able to get one they should have agreed to bring the driver in when Wilson sales rep visited back in the summer. It was made known then that only those accounts that were bringing in the product could order the Cortex. I could understand some not taking the chance with the failure of the Triton but it is not Wilson’s fault they did not bring any in. It’s Wilson’s way of insuring that retail shops will be behind the product and give it a fair chance when talking with customers and fitting them as well.

Damien Hickey

5 years ago

Hotvman, I think you need to research things before spouting generic random nonsense like “with Wilson thinking they could reignite their brand. Wilson was golf and won many many tournaments, but that was decades ago. They are no longer relevant in this industry.”
In 2018 Wilson was one of the top 3 manufacturers in terms of increased sales YOY. The other 2 being Callaway and Titleist. These 3 were also in the top 5 in terms of sales in 2018. They had several tour wins last year in Europe, and have just signed a golfer that many believe is one to watch for your wins and possibly a Major in 2019 in Gary Woodland.
In his 1st tournament in 2019 playing the new Wilson blades (tournament of champions) he led from the 1st round and it took someone to shoot a course record of -11 (62) on the final day to edge him out by a shot. He shot 67 himself which was his worst round of the four.
Wilson are also one of the few manufacturers to not only grow sales YOY, but to be PROFITABLE YOY.
They don’t waste money paying your players millions to play their clubs but instead reinvest in R & D. So if that’s your idea of a company/manufacturer not being “relevant” I think you need to get yourself a dictionary and look up the meaning of “relevant”. ?

HDTVMAN

5 years ago

Don’t know where your information comes from, but Wilson is owned by Amer, a Finnish equity company. Total sales I’m sure is huge, but in golf sales I’d bet they are not anywhere close to the A and B brands. I can tell you that in the last two years since DvsD started, in my store, one of the largest golf retailers, no one has asked me to show them anything made by Wilson. Sorry, but they are not relevant.

JAH2024

5 years ago

Not true about Wilson. I don’t like this driver, and the F5 was meh, but their irons are once again butter. Had progressives in the 90s, and have had v2, v4, and f5 now. Irons are top notch. PMP Wedges are as well. New tour blades are gorgeous.

Adam

5 years ago

Just so everyone has an idea. I have several friends that are PGA professionals and one of them is a Wilson Staff rep. He told me that they only made a certain number of cortex drivers so once they’re sold they are out. If you’re waiting for a Cortex to drop in price next year you might not be able to buy one. I have tested this driver and the $500 price tag is absolutely warranted. The numbers on a flushed drive were as good, if not better than the best drivers this year. On off-centered hits, this driver performs above and beyond anything else. I’m so tired of reading that “Wilson can’t be serious with this price or that they’re not a good brand”.They have 61 majors to their name…One more thing, if any of you have been fitted you’ll know that a premium shaft outperforms a stock shaft. Wilson is putting an excellent, premium shaft in this driver. This is where most of that price is coming from (~$300).

TenBuck

5 years ago

The problem with test like these are that the golfers who do the tests really do not represent the “typical” golfer. I understand the marketing behind this but really a scratch or close to scratch golfer can replicate the same results and just looking at the numbers alone thinking, ‘If I had one of these drivers I can hit it 300 yards” which we all know that’s not the case. The Cortex is a nice driver but I would like to see tests done with “typical” golfer scores/handicaps.

Dave

5 years ago

I stopped by Golf Galaxy yesterday. They had the Cortex up front, but no drivers in the demo area. Does anyone know when they will be shipping demos??

Doug

5 years ago

Dave, Roger Dunn (Worldwide Golf) has them. I tried one out, and I compare the look and feel to a red-themed Callaway Epic. It is pretty and sleek, but for me (the basic average player), with the exception of extremely low flight (this was a good thing), I really got nothing else special from it. I’m pretty sure the Atmos shaft wasn’t my friend here, and I would have done much better with a different kickpoint.

Comparing it to all the other current offerings, I’d say it is competitive in offering to all the other new $500 drivers, and it will have an edge for looks for some people. However, I’m in that group who just won’t pay that kind of money for a driver no matter what just on price point, especially when there’s a slew of 1-3 year old high quality drivers available used for half and a 1/3 of the price.

I’m keeping my eyes on it, but it doesn’t have a prayer in my bag until it comes down in price in a year, and that’s assuming something else better doesn’t present itself first.

Andy

5 years ago

Seems Wilson should have undercut everyone and sold the Cortex for 389.99, then folks could at least say they got a steal that could hang with the best. This test just told folks “why buy the Cortex when you could by the Ping for the same price? ”
If Wilson had done that, I would have bought one and others would have done the same, and there would be a whole lot of Wilson Cortex Drivers out there. They would have gotten a much bigger foot in the door. Instead, at that price, I will wait.

mackdaddy

5 years ago

The big question is do you guys like it?

TonyG

5 years ago

I also want to point out the obvious (although lost on some of you) that matching shaft to driver to operator can be difficult. I pulled a $300+ shaft out of my last driver (that added 10 yards) and added a Ping hosel. When my new LST arrived, I tried hitting it with the stock shaft and liked it. I then tried my $300+ shaft and liked it too. I played 9 holes hitting 6 shots on driver holes, 3 with shaft A and then 3 with shaft B. In the end, I hit the Stock Ping slightly further and a little straighter. I still have the expensive shaft, just in case my Ping starts acting irrational but have stuck with the stock shaft so far.

TR1PTIK

5 years ago

Agreed. Golfers need to understand that the same shaft in two different drivers can perform completely different and there’s a good reason for it. CG and MOI (while similar in many) are different in nearly all driver heads. I played a shaft in my previous driver to help me drop the spin down, but when i tried it in my current gamer the ball didn’t spin enough.

Also, those who complain about testing with high speed, high skill players need to understand that the purpose of a test like this is not to try and tell you what to buy. Even if it were, you shouldn’t make a purchase decision based off someone else’s test. The point of this video was to see whether or not this driver could perform in the same league as the 2018 Most Wanted Driver plain and simple. I think it proved that it was up to the task.

JSilva

5 years ago

$500 for a driver… If it’s not at a high price point it won’t be taken seriously as a quality driver. One has to be a complete imbecile to believe that bullsh*t. This is one of the reasons why golf is losing players.

Freddy

5 years ago

Thanks for this initial review! I am an equipment geek and have no problem paying 500 USD for a driver that I like.

For me an import aspect of choosing a driver is how it looks, sounds, feeling at impact, the brand (yes, I wrote brand ??) and performance. And the performance among three different OEMs driver I tested when fitted last time for driver was about the same. And there are several drivers that looks good. And feels and sounds good at impact. The Cortex driver seems to look nice. But when it comes to brand Wilson is just not on my list. Even if it performe as good as the top dogs. Positioning there brand in a contest like this is cool and I will likely try it when Cortex hits the store, but buying it even if it performe, sounds/feel/look great…. nah…I do not think so….

TonyG

5 years ago

Let me start by saying thank you for this video. I enjoy getting as much information as possible before hand but in the end will try the product myself. Unfortunately, I have a headache after reading all the comments, there is a lot of tension out there.
I am curious why manufacturers are going back to a Glossy crown (Wilson even changed some drivers during production). I really enjoy the Matte finish and it is now a major factor when shopping for not only a driver, but fairway and hybrids as well.

Les

5 years ago

Poor test. You did not use the same shaft in each driver. Testing apples against oranges.

Tony Covey

5 years ago

Hey Les – first, this was a quick test, kind of a “hey, let’s take some swings and see what we find out” deal. Secondly, there is no absolute right way to test. You may feel differently, but I can assure you that after what has to be 50+ hours of conversations with R&D guys at the highest level of the golf industry, that’s one thing everybody agrees on.

I can understand the same shaft argument, but I’d counter with one indisputable truth. The overwhelming majority of club purchases are 100% off the rack. If we widen our net to include fit from stock (fit using the handful of shafts in a given OEMs lineup), now we’re approaching massive numbers. I’d wager it’s in the 90% range. There’s very little overlap between OEM shaft lineups. Some OEM have preferred shaft partners, some are just looking for the best deal that year, and some are still using made for. My point is that when golfers go into a hitting bay at a big box store, they’re not putting the same shaft in everything. They’re hitting what the manufacturer gives them and often without any regard for something as seemingly basic as length.

Larger point – lots of ways to test, and given that we clearly stated that this wasn’t supposed to be anything remotely definitive, seeing how the Cortex holds up to what’s in Sam’s bag seems perfectly reasonable to us.

James

5 years ago

then why didn’t you use a stock shaft offering in the G400??

Tony Covey

5 years ago

James – as I said in the previous comment:

“there are lots of ways to test, and given that we clearly stated that this wasn’t supposed to be anything remotely definitive, seeing how the Cortex holds up to what’s in Sam’s bag seems perfectly reasonable to us.”

As it just happened to turn out, the shaft in Sam’s driver is a much closer match to the ATMOS TS Blue than the PING Tour and definitely the standard ALTA shaft that’s stock in the G400 lineup.

KM

5 years ago

Now wait a minute! Didnt Golf Spy offer to find the best shaft for certain heads a few weeks back! Now you say theres no true test?

Dave

5 years ago

Is there data for a comparison of a person who is a 10-15 handicapper and hits the driver ball 220-240 yards. These type of golfers make up a majority of the golf market who have the resources to pay $500 for a driver. Not sure if they will unless it is significantly better (+20 yards) than others available because it won’t reduce score that much. Better off investing in lessons and waiting a few years for price to come down.

Graham Riley

5 years ago

OK so we all agree $500 for a driver (any driver) is not on…… period. OK so let us leave the price out of the above ‘test’ (as he said himself a short version – needs a full test) and I think the Cortex did OK – apples to apples each one of those ‘numbers’ that came up from the spin rate to carry etc were pretty similar so for me, what the PING was selling for the Willson Cortex has the same right to sell it at the same price………… $500……… nah not going to happen regardless of which make PING or Wilson. For golf to get back on track prices have got to come down………. or we will continue to get the label of the elite’est sport and keep losing the youngsters to other sports!!!

Frank D.

5 years ago

Are there that many people out there willing to buy a $500 driver? Does anyone actually believe that the more you pay, the better you’ll play? Does Wilson believe that we believe that? I’ve said it before, if you can wait a year, you’ll get today’s latest and greatest at a huge discount. Patience people. Nothing to see here.

Brin Paulson

5 years ago

I’ll hit my Wilson D200 with a smile while I wait for the price to drop 50%-75%. These prices are insane! On a side note I’d take the Wilson over the Ping for pure looks and feel fine losing 4 yards but not at $500.

Mozgolf

5 years ago

That’s about the cheesiest video ever made. At the end of the day it’s over priced and not as good as the Ping. Why bother with almost 10mins of video to state the glaringly obvious.

Sam

5 years ago

How was that not as good as the ping? He was testing the club in which sits in his bag versus a club that has not been fitted. When you have almost identical carry/total numbers and close dispersion numbers to the one that you game with out being fitted….. that is impressive on Wilson’s part.

scott

5 years ago

To use your words ” glaringly obvious ” you haven’t hit it the Wilson driver so to make a statement as fact is stupid . I get your loyal to the Ping brand but to make up your mind before you try it tells me that your hdcp is about the same as your IQ

Lou Body

5 years ago

There is not a chance Wilson can sell a meaningful number of drivers at $500 per. They can’t beat Ping’s #’s on the G400 and that is selling in the $300’s now. I’m sure the Cortex is a good ( not great) driver but good does not equal $500.

Big Mike

5 years ago

I’d really like to see a comparison of the Cortex, LST and Titty TS2/3. I have found nothing more consistent or longer than the TS2 for my gme

Bill R

5 years ago

Wilson has stepped up and now can compete with TM and Callaway. The driver head looks like today’s progressive drivers and the shaft is high end to compliment the product.
$500 as a price point I will not pay but I will wait 6 months and grab it for lesser dollars. I do think that Wilson will be successful in sales for this driver.
Thanks Golf Spy for terrific reviews.

Rod_CCCGOLFUSA

5 years ago

Wilson, unlike their competitors, provided a data-driven, open process to develop a driver that performs at the highest level. Leading OEM marketing departments must be slapping each other on the back to see detractors’ comments based mainly on brand loyalty & market hype. The $500 price tag is not going to come down until there is a wider choice of genuinely competitive drivers, but busting brand loyalty is an amazingly difficult and expensive task.

scott

5 years ago

The last Wilson Driver I paid full price for was a Invex ( $200 ) the same price as a Callaway BB the year was 1997 I think , Taylormade, Callaway, Titlist, Ping and others all make drives for $500 and more so I say why not. I’d wait two years and get it for $100 but that’s me The same with way I got my Callaway XR and it’s a great driver but the distance is about the same has my Callaway FTiz the first callaway driver that cost $400.

STEPHEN PEARCY

5 years ago

The comparison was 80% subjective comments. Makes one question the objectivity of the raters.

Caroline

5 years ago

Have to agree, these guys are in business too. Someone has to pay their salaries…no matter how much or often we are told they are totally non bias you have to take everything they say with a grain of salt.. and always try things out yourself..

Tony Covey

5 years ago

We also recommend golfers try things for themselves, that’s perfectly reasonable. It’s also a far cry from what you seem to be implying. Yes, we make money. Our business model is unique within the golf media world. While everybody else suckles from the teets of the big OEMs we’ve managed to think outside the box and create a sustainable model that has allowed us to grow without ever having taken a dime from a golf company with a total market share above 3% (I’d guess the actual number is below 1%, but I’m being conservative). We’ve left a significant amount of money on the table. What we have made; we’ve take a significant portion of it and invested in things like our test facility, which is again, wholly unique within the golf media world. Furthermore, and I want you to think about how ridiculous this is, we actually pay our writers and our freelancers for every article they produce. Again, this isn’t a universal truth as it relates to others in our space. We pay people for their work. Crazy, right?

Long story short, one of our mantras here is “consumer first, and then everyone else”. That means a data-driven methodology that allows products to speak for themselves without bias. The subjective stuff…we fought it for a long time, but readers have made it exceptionally clear that they want to hear our opinions, and so we include it, but it never counts for anything more than a discussion point.

So, take it worth a grain of salt if you feel like you should. The world is a cynical place, and with good reason, I suppose. So believe me, or don’t, but I’m telling you in no uncertain terms, that everything we do here is entirely on the up and up, without bias, and without influence. That’s how it’s always been, and as long as I’m here, it’s how it will remain.

shortside

5 years ago

It’s easily one of the sexiest drivers I’ve ever seen. I was salivating when I laid eyes on the finish product. Just by seeing the numbers on the show I knew they had a first class stick.

As for some calling it a a TM please. The tech is definitely improved and Sam made mention of the impact moving the weights had. Not to mention it looks WAY BETTER. I mean no contest on the eye candy chart. Then there’s the no up charge shafts and grips.

If one chose to get fit and doesn’t have the patience to wait for the price drops I could completely understand it. But for the new transmission it would seriously tempt me. And I all but never pay MSRP.

Great work as always MGS.

Tom Duckworth

5 years ago

Well pretty cool so far. It is a very good looking driver I like that the adjustment is straight forward and seemed to work for you.
I guess it will come down to getting fit and seeing what shaft works.
There are some very good drivers out right now so it will be interesting.
I know the stock shaft is good but will there be many options at no up charge?

John Barba

5 years ago

EvenFlow Black and Blue, HZRDUS Black and Red, Recoil 440/450 are all no upcharge options. Complete grip selection from Golf Pride, Winn and Lamkin, as well as Wilson Staff branded grips, are also no upcharge, according to the Wilson Website.

WAYNE

5 years ago

Got mine already on the way should have my Cortex Tuesday next week. Very excited to hit it and very excited to put it into play. Try it you will love it its a great driver.

KP

5 years ago

I use to game old staff Wilson blades back in the day but Father Time has caught so I switched to Mizuno MP32. That being said Wilson in the past has always made tour quality products and it seems with the C300 and now the Cortex they are finally making a comeback. But I have already dropped a boat load of loot on my Ping G400STF and I love this driver. Will not be switching any time ever but cudos to Wilson.

Ryan

5 years ago

Merritt plays the D300 and every driver in the D series has been pretty excellent. It’s an advertising have that they were losing. Their technology was always as good and in some ways more innovative. They were using head materials other manufactures wouldn’t, etc.

Fozcycle

5 years ago

I would like to see the comparisons between the Ping and Wilson Staff, using the same shaft. That would tell a lot about the clubhead.

Bwpage3

5 years ago

Without using the same shaft, this data is worthless and misleading. All the marketing spin in the world isn’t going to sell this driver for $500

Nik

5 years ago

Actually putting the same shaft would still not be apples to apple, getting fit for each one and then putting them against each other would be a closer comparison. The same shaft in different heads will give different results.

Tony Covey

5 years ago

When you’re trying clubs at your favorite golf store, or walking between bays at a demo day, do you put the same shaft in each head?

As I’ve said, I understand the argument – and FWIW, the two shafts used are much more similar than commentators seem to understand – but putting the same shaft in everything doesn’t come close to replicating the consumer buying experience.

P.J.

5 years ago

So, by your logic, the whole ‘Most Wanted’ list that MGS does is “worthless and misleading” because the driver’s used don’t all have the same shaft? Give me a break…
Having said that, I don’t think selling it for $499 is the best option for Wilson Golf. If they’d priced it at $399, it might give someone the thought of getting very similar performance for $100 less.
This is exactly what Srixon is doing right now by dropping the prices on their top golf balls to compete with the ProV1. Similar performance, much cheaper.
It’s working for them…

joro

5 years ago

Give me a break, you saw the testing of an analyzer and all the shafts are good, so what do you mean other than like many you are judging something that you have net tried. Try it, then judge it.

Johnny Penso

5 years ago

Can’t agree that the test is meaningless without using the same shaft. Performance was nearly identical with the two different shafts so that tells you that this club has the ability to go just as far with the same spin numbers as the G400. The rest is mostly dispersion. The same shaft in each might be a better test but it doesn’t make these results worthless.

KM

5 years ago

Not necessarily.

Fozcycle

5 years ago

I understand that most think of the Triton as a “joke”. However, I was one of the few that actually was able to get fit correctly by a Wilson Staff fitter using the Aldila Rogue shaft. That said, I have not adjusted the head since that day. I laid the Triton aside when I received the Cobra F8 for testing all summer. At this point it is difficult to go back to the Triton, as the F9 is just as straight and a bit longer. I have the Triton as a backup. Driver now and have much confidence I. It…..especially with a Paderson Kinetix IMRT shaft.

Now, looking at the Cortex, I do not think it is a gimmick. It will surpass other drivers when properly fit. Wilson Staff has way too much riding on this to screw it up. In fact, this time, both finalists were USGA approved before the final episode was aired. Will it sell for $500? Only time will tell.

Roy

5 years ago

ubetcha

Duffy McHackster

5 years ago

Cortex is great looking driver for sure, and this test, albeit a very small sample, seems to indicate a high performance level. Looking forward to seeing some input from a proper fitting. Hopefully fitters will give it some love. I doubt I’ll see one without a few hours travel, so it will likely stay on my want to demo list. (a list currently topped by the F9 Speedback).

HDTVMAN

5 years ago

Looking at your results makes the decision easy…the Ping G400LST, (G400’s have 60 victories worldwide), has the best numbers…AND…Ping just dropped the G400, G400LST, & G400SFT drivers to $299!!! Plus, Callaway just dropped the Rogue Drivers to $399! Wilson should have introduced this driver in the spring, their timing is terrible, and I predict poor sales and another heavily discounted blow-out for next summer.

HDTVMAN

5 years ago

Just hit 10 drives with the Cortex this morning. 7 left, 1 right, 2 straight! Off the rack factory settings. Best distance 10 yds less than my G400MAX & TS3. Very hard feel off the face, as compared to my other two drivers. Not impressed!

Mike

5 years ago

Amazed at how well it did against Sam’s personal driver. Also liked that he was actually able to fine tune the flight, which the Ping cannot. Being in the R&D side of things for a product company, I can completely understand the $500 price point. There are a lot of processes and parts to this driver that would up the cost.
Wonder if the image based golf bros can finally get off the Callaway/TM bandwagon.

Ben S

5 years ago

As stated in another report: r&d dollars don’t lie. So pings whole team of experts vs a contest winner. Whole show was entertaining and well done on the heads selected and the improvements made etc. but in the end it’s hard to complete with say all those folks working together and the synergy associated with all that vs all working separately against one another in an elimination competition. Great in the test. I’d bet if you put it up against Mizuno, Titleist it would win out hahaha but not against Ping baby!

Rene

5 years ago

I’d like to see the cortex against the TS2 and the G400Max against the TS2. I’m not buying Crossfield video about how the TS2 is just as good as the Max.

HDTVMAN

5 years ago

I was invited to Titleist in CA & tested my G400MAX with the new TS on their range. I was fitted with the TS3 and my Trackman numbers showed +2.5 mph ball speed and +12 yards with the TS3. Last week I played 11 holes with both drivers w/ distances and dispersion virtually identical. The TS driver is the real deal for Titleist fans.

the club nut

5 years ago

I’m honestly not really sold on the driver. Looks great. Sounds good. I just think it really looks like the 2017 M1 as far as the makeup and adjustability (minus the front sliding weight of course). I don’t think its a $499 driver though – it really should be at the $399 pricepoint, even though it comes with an aftermarket Tour Spec Atmos shaft as stock. I’m certainly going to hit it, as i did with the Triton and will gladly eat my words. Wilson makes some really good gear and is terribly underrated in my opinon, but they’re behind on the drivers and woods at this point and it shows in the design.

Donny475

5 years ago

I, Like so many others, think golf equipment is pricing golf right out of the equation for a lot of people. There is NO driver worth 500 dollars. I play off an 8 and will never pay it. just as i have never paid it in the past. I wait until what i want is at least half the retail. Every driver has about the same MOI and ball rebound allowed by the rules. The Indian is the difference, not the arrow. Find the right shaft/ball combination for you and play it. Quit paying the ridiculous price, learn the swing. If at 61 years old, i can hit it 270, why change…..i’ll wait. Its pretty though

Thomas

5 years ago

I would like to see a manufacturer
Develop and produce a driver without all the moveable gadgits )club head & hosel). Then test it against 400 LS
All guys I know set one time or never changed from meutral. Gadgets dsliding weights and setting plus exotic materials adds $200

Sam

5 years ago

Watch this space

the club nut

5 years ago

@thomas, AFO golf does this – they did recently come out with a “bells and whistles” model, but their N7 has no moveable weights or adjustability. They have an MOI (more forgiving) and a TOUR (lower spin) head and different lofts. When they’re properly fit, they’re as good or better than most clubs out there and at a much better pricepoint for sure. I hear you.

HDTVMAN

5 years ago

AFO (Air Force One) is not on the USGA Conforming List.

the club nut

5 years ago

HDTVMAN – yes they are. They are under the PowerBilt Name. Just recently re-purchased by the original designer and will have the newer stuff under that name when it launches.

KM

5 years ago

Is it worth $500 bucks? Well if its fitted properly and you have tried other $500 clubs, maybe or maybe not…who is to say what its worth, the Atmos shaft retails for $300 so youre paying $200 or so for just the head!

Exrog

5 years ago

How can you compare drivers when you don’t even use the same shafts? It’s like putting a 4 cylinder against a v8. And $500 For any driver is just insane period.

KM

5 years ago

Back in the 1980s we were paying $200-$250 thats about $500 in 2018 dollars, the dollar isnt worth what it used to be, plus rising manufacturing costs in China dont help either.

scott

5 years ago

I know I’m being picky but the $200 price tag was in the 90s not the 80s. But a China manufactured head means we’re all over paying if your buying new golf clubs but I guess that’s the cost of Living in America by help support China’s economy.

the club nut

5 years ago

Shafts do not necessarily perform the same in each head – that being said, the stock shaft that comes in the Wilson is no slouch, and is very comparable to the Evenflow. I have clients who actually say it’s better than the EF.

I think it should be taken away that this was his gamer that the cortex went up against and did really well without a break-in period or a true fitting. Not sure what wilson will offer as far as shaft options otherwise, but if they stay with the Atmos line and don’t offer anything else, i think a lot of people will see some great numbers.

Bob Pegram

5 years ago

The Atmos shaft in the Wilson is a high torque shaft – about 5 degrees. The shaft in the ping has lower torque. That could explain the slightly larger dispersion with the Wilson.
Like others have said, testing both heads with the same shaft, or at least similar spec shafts, would have been better.

Tony Covey

5 years ago

Bob, I appreciate your frequent contributions that help facilitate meaningful discussions, but this time, I’m going to disagree.

I looked up both shafts used in this quick (and as stated, non-definitive test) in Cool Clubs S3. They’re significantly more similar than you’re implying. While the butt section in Sam’s shaft is stiffer (and the shaft is slightly stiffer overall), the 2 shafts have the same general profile shape and provide similar launch characteristics. Not sure where you’re getting your torque numbers from. Sam used the ATMOS Blue (billed as the Mid launch offering in the Cortex lineup). It has a measured torque value of 3.65°. The measured torque value for Sam’s shaft is 3.95°

I’m not saying the shafts are identical, but within the grand scheme of the marketplace, they are much more similar than most any 2 shafts you’re likely to pull at random. I’d wager they’re more similar than you’d find if you pulled 2 “mid launch” shafts from two random OEM lineups.

the club nut

5 years ago

Agreed with Tony here, the torque on the atmos is not that high. you’re looking at the wrong shaft I think – this is the Atmos Tour Spec, not the regular Atmos. The two shafts used are definitely comparable.

Tony Covey

5 years ago

Yup. I think Bob was probably looking at the non-Tour Spec ATMOS Red, which I believe was created to be a made for that didn’t look so obviously like a made for. Torque on the non-TS red is 5.57, and 3.82 on the TS version. Not a huge difference between the TS Red and Blue either.

I think it’s worth mentioning and even applauding what Fuji has done with ATMOS TS. Rather than feed it to the OEM market, devalue its product, and undercut fitters ability to sell at full retail, it left ATMOS as largely an aftermarket-only option for the better part of two years. With Ventus in the pipeline as the new hotness, it’s only now letting OEMs have at it. Fitters had a good (and largely exclusive) run, now let it loose.

This is obviously a better alternative to made for. It’s also significantly less dubious than the reverse approach that some OEMs and shaft manufacturers continue to collude on. Basically what is effectively a made for shaft is billed as ‘exclusive’ and then several months to a year later, it gets released to the wider market at a higher price than the design and materials warrant. In the first model, everybody wins to some degree, in the second the consumer thinks he’s getting something special, when in fact he’s getting the shaft.

Bob Pegram

5 years ago

Tony and Golfnut – You are both right. I assumed it was the Atmos Red. My error. The specs of the Blue do sound similar and appear to be a reasonable comparison with the shaft in the Ping head.
It would be interesting to see the specs of the Wilson head by itself like center of gravity location, etc. In your tests of head characteristics in another article, the Ping G400 Max is slightly toe weighted which makes it have a slight fade bias. I don’t remember what the G400c LST center of gravity is.

Sam

5 years ago

First of all the same shaft won’t perform the same way in two different heads from different manufacturers, it just doesn’t work that way, maybe if the mass of the heads and CGs were exactly the same…then might be close. Second the ping driver that was tested was a gamer right out of his bag vs. stock setup, that is pretty remarkable on Wilson’s part.

KCLeo12

5 years ago

It looks great and performs pretty well. Looks like it’s a solid low spin head. I don’t think I will try it unless I get one for free haha

Del

5 years ago

The LST started out at a lower price ($399) and now you can get it for $299. Why pay $200 more for something that’s about the same. I think that Wilson would be better off at the $400 price point.

Nik

5 years ago

I think what you need to take away is that Wilson is making products that can hang with the big boys. Every golfer hits clubs differently and have different results, so to not bag something just because of the name would be foolish. I would be gaming i200’s if it weren’t for reviews like this one as I had a full Ping bag. I ended up with a fully blended set of Vokey Wedges in 60*,56*,50* Srixon z765 pw-7, z565 6-4, and a u65 4 utility that is bent to 22* that swaps with my 4 iron, H85 3 hybrid @ 19*, 2015 GBB 3 wood and Srixon z565 driver (that was also confirmed to be my ideal driver using TrueGolfFit). Also of note it was down to the Wilson V6 and the Srixons when working with a local fitter. It could have been the Wilson’s but they did not have shaft options for me to try and the stock DG s300 AMT were spinning and flying a bit too high for my liking.

So after that long winded explanation you should give every brand a chance when shopping as you may pass over a club that fits your swing the best. I went in 5 times to get it narrowed down to the Srixon’s and went to the Demo day to get fitted for the correct shaft an make up of clubs.

snapjack

5 years ago

I know there must be a market for new drivers at retail prices but why or who? Just wait a year and get them for the right price.

Gary L

5 years ago

The results are in the video, just 1 guy was hitting both drivers.

Emery

5 years ago

Wouldn’t it have been a better comparison to the PING G400Max? The G400 is only 445cc and still out performed for @$299 currently.

Dubecks

5 years ago

I sadly think this will be a flop. It looks good, sounds good, but the ball speeds would need to be 2mph faster than Ping/Titleist/Taylormade/Callaway to get people to fork over $500 for a Wilson driver. The fact that those ball speeds are about 2MPH lower, which is what my friend who works at a Top 100 Fitter showed me yesterday based upon his trackman results leads me to believe that this will be a flop for all but the biggest wilson staff supporters.

scott

5 years ago

All drivers are at the max for COR so they all are about the same in distance. Why be a hater if you’re not going to buy one anyway

Ryan

5 years ago

The launch angle is two degrees higher..

Dustin Wade

5 years ago

Great review guys! I am @duskinwade on Instagram who requested this comparison. Thanks so much for listening! From your test, it appears the Cortex can definitely hang with the top drivers. I think consumers will have no problem paying $400-500 for this driver based on looks and results. I can’t wait to see it in person! You guys are the best!

Funkaholic

5 years ago

You are either nuts or you work for Wilson, nobody will pay $500.00 for this driver over the big boys.

Dustin Wade

5 years ago

I can assure you that I don’t work for Wilson. I golf with my grandfather’s old Square Two irons from the 80-90’s and an old Nike driver. I can’t afford to pay 400+ for a driver, but I think many consumers will! It appears to be a great product! I may give it a try in a few years for a lower price.

tom z

5 years ago

So you’re only willing to give your money to the companies that have all the money? That makes absolutely no sense. I’d rather give my money to Wilson for having the guts to step up.

Tony

5 years ago

I don’t see Wilson being or staying at the same price point as Ping. While results might be close the superior customer service of Ping would put it over the top.

I Cortex will probably be marked down to 399 pretty quickly.

Tony Covey

5 years ago

I don’t see how they can mark it down. If the goal is to be a serious player, you need to hold that price point for the duration. The other guys at $500 have stopped the early discounts. If Wilson doesn’t hold price, it will lose all credibility in the $500 space. Will be a long time before it can go there again.

Mike

5 years ago

I just hope it sells well enough to be sustainable at that price point. I personally felt they could really shake things up at a lower price point, then as the model progresses through the years, raise the price. Get your foot in the door and get people on your side before asking as much as more established driver brands.

Bwpage3

5 years ago

Tony, looked what happened with the Triton. Dropped all the to $89. Now ask yourself why?

GRADY WYATT

5 years ago

$400 TOP

Martin Chuck

5 years ago

I’m surprised they’re going with a $500 retail price. Tough to compete when you know that other drivers at 499 have a proven track record. An amazing driver and a value price, is the Tour Edge EXS at $299.

Vic

5 years ago

I am a Wilson product fan have been for a long time. I totally ‘get it’ with this $500. driver thing but I won’t be doing that for any driver anyway. I like Martin here, was just thinking what about the Newest model Tour Edge EXS from Illinois USA @ $299? You can read the review here. Now if I could just find a ‘deal’ on a TE cap…

Bens197

5 years ago

Looks good. What people fail to realize is that this is head to head against the WINNER of the MGS most wanted test. Wilson Cortex is holding it’s own.

Bwpage3

5 years ago

Not the same shaft. Data is worthless.

bens197

5 years ago

Hardly. This test is measuring the total package. LST is a far lower spinning head and If you were to put the same shaft in each driver the test would be pointless.

Berniez40

5 years ago

All Killer Whale jokes aside, it looks like Wilson finally has one that can hold it’s own based on raw data. If it feels as good as some of the old Mizuno’s I used to hit, and flies as straight as some of the old Adams drivers, I’d gladly give up single digits. Plus, for once, Wilson has a real player that does not look gimmicky at all.

Berniez40

5 years ago

All Killer Whalejokes aside, it looks like Wilson finally has one that can hold it’s own based on raw data. If it feels as good as some of the old Mizuno’s I used to hit, and flies as straight as some of the old Adams drivers, I’d gladly give up single digits. Plus, for once, Wilson has a real player that does not look gimmicky at all.

Glen Stainton

5 years ago

Great site. Very informative and helpful in choosing golf clubs and other equipment.

Robert

5 years ago

I wonder what the results would have been using the same exact shaft for each driver? – What shaft model was the Evenflow and what model was the Atmos? Just wondering how close the SPECS are comparing the 2 shafts
ALSO isnt the Ping 400 LST model $100 cheaper that the Cortez?

RAT

5 years ago

No way is any driver worth $500.00! Again it’s running the avg. Joe out of golf. The cost of equipment is out of control.Wilson must think we are all part of that big tax break for the top 1%…
Get Real and back to $250 drivers …

THOMAS

5 years ago

Ping LST vs Wilson Cortex
So, what the hell happened to the results??????????

Bens197

5 years ago

You should watch the video.

Chad

5 years ago

Looks like a beautiful club, I hope to try it out sometime soon. As impressive as it seems, however, I just don’t think people are going to feel good about forking over $500 for this, especially if it doesn’t OUTPERFORM the “name” brands. If it’s just similar, or if it hangs in the neighborhood, I know for me personally, I’m going with Ping, Callaway, TaylorMade, etc…Will be interesting to see how it does out there.

Bert

5 years ago

A Taylor Made driver with Wilson on it……….

Jon

5 years ago

I have a 2016 Cobra F6+, looks the same with a couple extra weights for draw/fade bias.

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