MyGolfSpy Ball Lab is where we quantify the quality and consistency of the golf balls on the market to help you find the best ball for your money. Today, we’re taking a look at the 2022 Wilson Triad. To learn more about our test process, how we define “bad” balls, check out our About MyGolfSpy Ball Lab page.
About the Wilson Triad
Like Wilson’s other premium offering (Staff Model), the three-piece Triad is manufactured by Foremost in Taiwan. As we’ve noted before, while our testing shows that Foremost is the quality leader among the Asian factories (at least among those we’ve tested balls from), it’s not always perfect.
That said, both Wilson and Maxfli (owned by DICK’S Sporting Goods) have told us they have a higher quality standard than other Foremost offerings and, while that’s the kind of thing we hear a lot, the data suggests they might just be telling the truth.
The Wilson Triad features three-piece construction and offers a soft cast urethane cover. While swing speed and target score are often overblown as fitting factors, Wilson suggests the Triad is an excellent choice for golfers looking to break 80.
Compression
On our gauge, the Wilson Triad has an average compression of 86. While Wilson has compared the Triad to the Chrome Soft, TOUR B RX line and the Q-STAR Tour, those balls are 10 to 20 points softer than the Wilson offering. In our estimation, it fits better alongside the Pro V1 and the long list of other balls that fall on the softer end of Tour-level compression.
With that in mind, one could argue the Wilson Triad offers soft feel (or at least softer feel), but within the entirety of our database, the Triad qualifies as firm.
Diameter and Weight
With Foremost-made balls, weight can sometimes be an issue. Fortunately, it wasn’t an issue with our Wilson Triad sample. All of the balls were conforming for weight. Of note, with an average weight of 1.5995 ounces, we’d classify the Wilson Triad as an ultralight golf ball.
We’re dealing with small numbers here, of course, but only one ball in our database is lighter. As a heavier ball tends to be a longer ball (it’s the reason why there’s a weight limit), the data suggests Wilson may be leaving a little bit of distance on the table.
With respect to diameter, all of the sample met our standard for roundness and none of the balls fell below the USGA minimum size threshold. Relative to other balls in our database, the weight of the Wilson Triad falls within our average range.
Inspection
Centeredness and Concentricity
With respect to concentricity and general layer consistency, we found no issues of note. Zero balls were flagged as bad.
Core Consistency
In a couple of cases, we found small amounts of visible regrind but, generally speaking, nothing in the core composition was of concern.
Cover
No cover defects were noted.
Wilson Triad – Consistency
In this section, we detail the consistency of the Wilson Staff Triad. Our consistency metrics provide a measure of how similar the balls in our sample were to one another relative to all of the models we’ve tested to date.
Weight Consistency
- While not a perfectly flat line, at the time of review, the weight consistency of the Wilson Triad falls just within our Good range.
- Note: because the Triad runs light, we had to widen the axis of the Weight portion of the chart.
Diameter Consistency
- Diameter consistency for the Wilson Staff Triad falls within the average range with no particularly noteworthy outliers.
Compression Consistency
- Compression consistency qualifies as Good (above average)
- A couple of balls in the sample are perhaps slightly soft
- In context – across s the sample, the compression range is less than 8-points, which is better than the average
True Price
True Price is how we quantify the quality of a golf ball. It's a projection of what you'd have to spend to ensure you get 12 good balls.
The True Price will always be equal to or greater than the retail price. The greater the difference between the retail price and the True Price, the more you should be concerned about the quality of the ball.
Wilson Triad – Summary
To learn more about our test process, how we define “bad” balls and our True Price metric, check out our About MyGolfSpy Ball Lab page.
Limited though it may be (Staff Model, Staff Model R), we’ve come to expect good things from Wilson’s premium lineup. You can add the Triad to that list. At $39.99 a dozen, it loosely qualifies as a value ball and while many value offerings bring with them a quality compromise, with the Triad, you’re getting exactly what you pay for.
The Good
- Consistent across all of the quality metrics we measure.
- A semi-value priced offering for bargain hunters and contrarians alike.
The Bad
- Weight is well below the market average.
- Diameter consistency rating is just inside the Good range and may fall to Average as new models are added.
At the time of review, the Wilson Triad gets an overall grade of 89.
MI_Vandal
10 months ago
Tony, why is the score a 85 in the chart and an 89 in the graphic in the article?
Scott
9 months ago
I wondered the same thing.
HikingMike
8 months ago
I came here to ask this same question. They both say 2022 as well. Unless there is another reason, something is incorrect – the article text and the graphic say 89 score, so I think the 85 in the table must be wrong.
Tony Covey
8 months ago
I should probably add an FAQ section to address this. You may notice that in more recent Ball Labs, we’ve added the phrase “at the time of testing…” The Ball Lab database (and the charts it populates) is kind of a living thing. Quality grades are based on proximity to the database average for a given metric and as that average changes (as it can when new balls are added), balls that are close to the line between average and good (for example) may see scores increase or decrease a bit based on the quality of the balls being added. For most metrics, falling from Good to Average (or Excellent to Good) is worth 5 points, so that’s what you’re seeing with the Triad.
So no, the score isn’t *wrong* in the table it simply reflects the dynamic nature of the database.