In its most extensive robot ball test to date, Today’s Golfer - the UK’s best-selling golf magazine - has named the Wilson Staff Model X golf ball its overall winner across every testing category, while the Wilson Staff Model was awarded ‘Best Non-X 4-Piece Ball’, cementing both models as standouts in performance across distance, spin control, accuracy, and consistency.
No other golf ball in the 2025 test achieved as many accolades as the Staff Model X. It was the only ball to receive awards in every category tested, including ball speed, launch angle, backspin, carry distance, peak height, and descent angle, tested across driver, 7-iron, and wedge shots.
Conducted at Loughborough University’s Sports Technology Institute, the 2025 robot test analysed 2,232 shots and more than 50,000 data points from 62 of the world’s most popular golf balls to deliver the most comprehensive evaluation in the publication’s history.
James Hogg, Today’s Golfer equipment writer and project lead for the test, was unequivocal in his praise for the Staff Model X:
“This is arguably the best golf ball in the game. The Wilson Staff Model X is the gold medal winner for tee to green performance at 93mph and 78mph, silver medal winner for tee to green performance at 114mph, silver medal winner for off-the-tee performance, and bronze medal winner for approach play and short game spin.
“The Staff Model X has been one of my favourite golf balls to play with over the past couple of years. I have a ton of confidence in this model whenever I put it in play. It has become a go-to golf ball for me when I'm not playing my best golf because I know I can trust it to perform well and true. The Wilson Staff Model X is the full package. If you're shopping for a premium Tour-level golf ball, this is the No.1 option for golfers of all abilities to consider.”
Today’s Golfer also praised the wider Staff Model family, describing the line as delivering “long and fast performance off the tee across all swing speeds, steep descent angles into greens, and highly competitive wedge spin,” adding that Wilson’s tour-level balls are “perhaps the most underrated in the industry.”
Commenting on the results, Frank Simonutti, Wilson’s Global Director of Golf Ball Innovation said: “We are incredibly proud that the Staff Model X and its counterpart, the Staff Model, have emerged as dominant performers in the most rigorous golf-ball testing platform of 2025. These results highlight the innovation, engineering excellence, and uncompromising quality behind our Tour-level line.
“With margins at the top of the market so razor-thin, the fact that both Staff Model balls excelled across speed, spin, descent, and consistency is a testament to the years of R&D investment behind them. These results confirm that Wilson Staff balls can reliably elevate golfers of all skill levels to the next stage of their game.”
The Staff Model ball also earned high praise in the test. It captured the gold medal for tee-to-green performance at 114mph, ranked third-longest off the tee at that speed, and secured third place at 93mph and second at 78mph. Importantly, the Staff Model outperformed the Model X in approach play, winning the silver medal while the Model X placed third.
Comparing the two award-winners, Hogg said: “The Staff Model is a very strong performer from tee to green. If you don't want a high-spinning, firm-feeling golf ball, this is your best option.
“Regardless of your ability or swing speed, the Staff Model will work for you if you want a golf ball that's easy to control when playing into and around greens and competitive for distance off the tee. There's a ton to like about the Staff Model, and its softer feel compared to the Staff Model X, which is sure to please a lot of golfers.”
For more information on the in-depth Today’s Golfer 2025 robot golf ball test, click here and for all Wilson products, including woods, irons, wedges, putters, balls and accessories contact your local Wilson Golf sales representative here.
