So with all the hype, does the Triton perform? We demoed a 9-degree
Triton in its stock configuration: the 9-gram carbon fiber sole plate
with the 12-gram weight in the rear and 6-gram weights on the wings,
and the stock Aldila Rogue shaft in stiff. Wilson’s fitting chart says
this is a neutral bias, higher launch setup. I compared it to my
current gamer, the Nike Vapor Flex 440 with a Fujikura Pro Tour Spec
73 shaft, also set to 9 degrees with the flight pod set to low flight.
Swing speeds with both clubs averaged just under 100 MPH.

We can say with all certainly, the Triton is very much low launch and
low spin, is plenty long and with its closed face creates an almost
automatic draw.

With the Nike, we averaged a 13.5-degree launch angle, 2,325 RPM spin,
240 yards carry distance and 261 yards total distance.

With the off the rack, non-optimized Triton, we averaged a 14.3-degree
launch angle, 1,980 RPM spin, 247 yards carry distance and 270 yards
total distance.

Performance-wise, it’s fair to say the Triton is legit, and we’re
curious to see what a full-fledged fitting would bring to the table.

Much has been made of the Triton’s sound at impact, but in reality,
the sound is very similar to Wilson’s FG Tour F5 driver. It is,
however, very different from virtually every other driver out there.
It’s an almost hollow-block type of sound; not loud in reality, but it
is so different that it may appear loud to some.

One last item we learned over the weekend: the Triton has not yet
received USGA approval. Wilson’s local rep told us that the company
didn’t send samples to the USGA until just before the finale aired
last week, preferring to keep the winning design secret for as long as
possible. Wilson is confident the USGA will give its blessings to the
Triton, with full approval expected within the next couple of weeks.

What’s In It For Wilson?

Make no mistake, while Driver Vs Driver produced an actual
crowd-sourced driver that you can buy (and Wilson has committed the
Triton to MyGolfSpy’s 2017 Most Wanted Driver Testing), the program
was first and foremost a branding exercise. For the first time in a
long time, Wilson is elbowing its way onto the main stage.

“It doesn’t have to be the number one selling driver in the
marketplace for us to be successful. If it happens, that’s wonderful.
The goal is to build the brand, sell some drivers and let people know
and understand what Wilson Staff and Wilson Golf is all about.” –
Michael Vrska

Wilson’s irons lineup can compete toe-to-toe with anyone’s. Its driver
lineup has been solid but, to be blunt, unspectacular.

For better or for worse, drivers drive market share. It’s a halo
product. When your driver sells, fairway metal woods, hybrids, irons
and wedges follow. A challenger brand, such as Wilson, can grow
incrementally without an attention-getting driver, but there’s only so
far you can go with that big of a hole in your lineup.