Interesting. I ordered a 52* 090" about 2-weeks ago and got it within a week. A few days later I ordered a TS3 to try and it likewise came within a week.
Why aren't there any Maltby club reviews?
Wantacigar
Well-known member
Attachments
I'm probably a broken record as this point but my biggest gripe is their lack of lefthanded options. I think the TS4, TS1 IM, TS3, TS1, and maybe even TE+ all look good enough that I'd happily own them over a major OEM.
I do, however, see they added the KE4 MAX irons to their lefty section. Progress!
I also think I might get the KE4 TC Pro 5W. Anyone have any experience with it?
I do, however, see they added the KE4 MAX irons to their lefty section. Progress!
I also think I might get the KE4 TC Pro 5W. Anyone have any experience with it?
Knot Right
Well-known member
My TS3 irons arrived today. A six day turnaround (Sept. 24-Sept. 30) from placing my order to arriving at my front door which is pretty awesome IMO.
I do my own clubwork, but I had Maltby assemble these because I'm slammed with club repairs and some home remodeling right now.
I am very impressed with the attention to detail on their club assembly as the grips, ferrules, labels, and shaft wipe down are all done as well or better as the big OEM's and myself.
I do my own clubwork, but I had Maltby assemble these because I'm slammed with club repairs and some home remodeling right now.
I am very impressed with the attention to detail on their club assembly as the grips, ferrules, labels, and shaft wipe down are all done as well or better as the big OEM's and myself.
Would love to hear some feedback once you’ve had a chance to take them out a few times.
Knot Right
Well-known member
Keep in mind that you're talking to a career 8-11 handicapper who happens to be a lifelong club tinkerer. You might get a better review from a more accomplished player.
I've walked 72 holes so far with these at my short 9 hole walking course and they perform right about as I expected. I came out of a older set of modified Ping i5 irons into the TS3's. The Ping i5's have had a 1/2 dozen shaft and length configurations since I've owned them and I love them.
TS3 Looks: One of the best looking irons I have ever played with. Simplistic and elegant. Maltby hit it out of the park with these and the website pictures do not do them any justice.
TS3 Feel: Absolutely sweet feel in the center of the face, and a dull vibrating feeling on off center strikes. Like any players single billet cavity back, they suck when you hit them off center.
TS3 Appearance at address: Maltby irons seem have a different look at the hosel transition than I'm used to but I forgot about it within a few holes. The TS3's have a blade appearance when sitting at address, but you can see that they have a slightly longer face profile than a players club which might serve as a confidence builder for a lot of players. They have a longer toe to heel profile but not very deep from the sole to top line.
TS3 Playability: Point and shoot....... or pick a flight and curvature. You can do anything you want with the TS3 irons. They are fun. In comparison, my i5 irons are more forgiving on a off center strike than the TS3, but not overly so. The sole radius from heel to toe, and the sole bounce angles are a nice compromise for a wide variety of players. I'm a digger from the 7-W and the TS3 got through the turf really nice for me............pretty close to how my i5 irons play.
TS3 Height & spin: Medium high with the Score LT shafts in (S) flex. I played them with a 10-15 MPH wind in my face wind with no ballooning. I played the Titleist ProV1, Vice Pro Plus, and the Pinnacle Rush ball so far. I have a fairly low ball flight so I rely on spin, and the TS3 works about the same as any other club for me. You can really control the spin.
Distance: About as long as the Ping i5, TM R7's, Titleist T100's I have played this year. My normal 7 iron is about 155 yards and they are pretty much on the mark give or take. I'm not a simulator numbers guy and I go off what I see and feel. They are not rocket ships.
Conclusion: The TS3 irons can be played by any handicap. There is enough forgiveness and playability to suit almost any type of player. If you are looking for distance, go somewheres else. These heads are better suited for finesse over power with my skill level. I can pound away on my i5 irons and get away with it, but the TS3 irons like a more controlled swing with a little finesse. You can go anywhere you want with the TS3 heads with lighter or heavier shafts. As for myself, I would love to match these TS3 heads up with a set of KBS tour 110-115 weight shafts, and I just might do that over the winter.
Last edited:
Knot Right
Well-known member
The i5 irons are probably the most forgiving irons I ever played Alan, but my misses tend to be high and low on the face versus toe to heel, so the I5's were more forgiving in that respect. The i5's were a little more forgiving on toe hits as well.
Knot Right
Well-known member
Correction to my earlier post. I have played these 54 holes and not 72.
@Knot Right - Great report, thank you for writing up your experience with the TS3s! BTW, although I have played Ping G710s for the last four years, before that I played (and still have) i5s for years and despite my high index, loved the clubs and found them forgiving.
I recently bought a TS3 GW (when I placed my order only the GW and 4i were available) shafted with a Kuro Kage senior flex shaft to test and was able to hit it earlier this week. I was very pleased with the results. Although when I first saw the club in hand, I was concerned that it was probably "over my pay grade" despite the high MPF, after actually hitting the club, I found it quite forgiving.
I guess that’s kinda what I’m wondering as I consider these clubs. They are designed to have a high mpf, but don’t look like a sgi type club.
For reference I’m playing to a 10 rn. I’ve played i20s in the past but my current irons are g25s. I have no complaints w them, but if I could find a club w a softer “forged” feel, maybe just a touch more spin and slightly tighter gapping at the lower end of the bag, I think that would work. I will also say I didn’t really consider the harsher feel on off center hits.
For reference I’m playing to a 10 rn. I’ve played i20s in the past but my current irons are g25s. I have no complaints w them, but if I could find a club w a softer “forged” feel, maybe just a touch more spin and slightly tighter gapping at the lower end of the bag, I think that would work. I will also say I didn’t really consider the harsher feel on off center hits.
I think that the MPF focuses mainly on the club's center of gravity, with lower COG resulting in a higher MPF (an oversimplification; Maltby experts feel free to correct me here). I tend to hit irons with too low a trajectory and thus have a hard time holding greens with them, despite 8i being my longest one. This is a big reason I use so many hybrids.
I really liked that my trajectory with the TS3 GW was higher than that with my Ping (visual observance on the range). Also, I would not describe off center strikes as being particularly harsh, but you definitely feel the difference from center strikes because of how good well struck shots feel.
IMHO the best way to figure this out is to order one iron and try it.
I really liked that my trajectory with the TS3 GW was higher than that with my Ping (visual observance on the range). Also, I would not describe off center strikes as being particularly harsh, but you definitely feel the difference from center strikes because of how good well struck shots feel.
IMHO the best way to figure this out is to order one iron and try it.
Is anybody playing the TC Pro IST Hybrids? Any feedback on them? Need to experiment with a shorter hybrid and see if I can keep them straight. I'm struggling with my STi2 hybrids and think it's a shaft issue with me. As cheap as the heads are I may just buy on eof the TC Pro ISTs and build it up for a head to head comparison.
Knot Right
Well-known member
My Maltby TS3 irons 2 week review......
Played 6 rounds on my home course (daily blitz) with these so far and I absolutely love them. Actually, I have played them a lot more than that when counting my early morning loops on my little walking course....... but I don't get a chance to play the mid and long irons there.
Quality control...........I had ordered these at 1/2" long but cut them back to standard length two days ago. After trimming all clubs came in between D1-D2 on my swingweight scale with the Score LT shafts. As good a tolerance as you will find with any of the big box OEM's. Loft and lies were pretty much as Maltby spec'd them throughout the set with the exception of the 6 iron which reads 1 degree flat on my scale.
Playability......... The TS3 irons are a very nice blend of forgiving and workable. I'm actually fading the ball just for fun during my rounds. The sweet spot is fairly generous but they do have that predictable dull vibrating feel when you get closer to the toe which has to be expected for being a single billet players cavity iron. Anyone from a beginner to scratch can play these. My little walking course has beautiful turf/grass and the ball sits like it's on a tee, where the course I play with my golf association is mostly hardpan. The TS3 sole grind works well on both types of farways. I've been a lifelong a lower ball flight player, but I'm hitting the TS3's more of a medium height. I can hit the 8-GW as high as anyone else when I need to. I think most other players will find them to be mid-high using the stock Score LT shafts.
I'm at the age where a 4 iron is getting a little harder every year to get up in the air from the fairway. I almost didn't order it. I'm glad that I included it in the set because I'm getting a medium ball flight with about a 175 yard carry. ( I'm sure the Score shaft characteristics has a lot to do with it ) Tee'd up, I can get about 210-215 with combined carry and roll. I can keep my 4 & 5 hybrid in the garage for another year. Another reason for me wanting to carry the 4 iron is the ability to hit low slices when I'm in trouble, which is something I really struggle with using hybrids.
Distance......... I made a earlier post where I said these irons aren't particularly longer than any other iron for my swing. I still hold to that opinion but I didn't order the TS3's for getting more distance. Players with different swings and shafts might find other results I suppose.
The only exception would be the 4 iron which turned out to be a really nice surprise because it's so easy to get the ball up in the air from the turf. It's even more fun off the tee.
Conclusion...........I can see these irons being in my bag for a very long time. I might play around with fitting them with lighter shafts in the future but the stock Score LT is performing pretty nice for me at this point. The Score LT is a very underrated mid weight shaft in my opinion.
Played 6 rounds on my home course (daily blitz) with these so far and I absolutely love them. Actually, I have played them a lot more than that when counting my early morning loops on my little walking course....... but I don't get a chance to play the mid and long irons there.
Quality control...........I had ordered these at 1/2" long but cut them back to standard length two days ago. After trimming all clubs came in between D1-D2 on my swingweight scale with the Score LT shafts. As good a tolerance as you will find with any of the big box OEM's. Loft and lies were pretty much as Maltby spec'd them throughout the set with the exception of the 6 iron which reads 1 degree flat on my scale.
Playability......... The TS3 irons are a very nice blend of forgiving and workable. I'm actually fading the ball just for fun during my rounds. The sweet spot is fairly generous but they do have that predictable dull vibrating feel when you get closer to the toe which has to be expected for being a single billet players cavity iron. Anyone from a beginner to scratch can play these. My little walking course has beautiful turf/grass and the ball sits like it's on a tee, where the course I play with my golf association is mostly hardpan. The TS3 sole grind works well on both types of farways. I've been a lifelong a lower ball flight player, but I'm hitting the TS3's more of a medium height. I can hit the 8-GW as high as anyone else when I need to. I think most other players will find them to be mid-high using the stock Score LT shafts.
I'm at the age where a 4 iron is getting a little harder every year to get up in the air from the fairway. I almost didn't order it. I'm glad that I included it in the set because I'm getting a medium ball flight with about a 175 yard carry. ( I'm sure the Score shaft characteristics has a lot to do with it ) Tee'd up, I can get about 210-215 with combined carry and roll. I can keep my 4 & 5 hybrid in the garage for another year. Another reason for me wanting to carry the 4 iron is the ability to hit low slices when I'm in trouble, which is something I really struggle with using hybrids.
Distance......... I made a earlier post where I said these irons aren't particularly longer than any other iron for my swing. I still hold to that opinion but I didn't order the TS3's for getting more distance. Players with different swings and shafts might find other results I suppose.
The only exception would be the 4 iron which turned out to be a really nice surprise because it's so easy to get the ball up in the air from the turf. It's even more fun off the tee.
Conclusion...........I can see these irons being in my bag for a very long time. I might play around with fitting them with lighter shafts in the future but the stock Score LT is performing pretty nice for me at this point. The Score LT is a very underrated mid weight shaft in my opinion.
Nice write up. Glad they are working well for you.
Nice review of the TS3, sounds like a good iron for most people.
@Knot Right - Great review!
Wantacigar
Well-known member
@Knot Right wrote a fantastic review of the TS3.
My quick review of the Maltby Max Milled Wedges (54* .90 & 58* 1.05) I received about a week ago and have 3 rounds in with them:
1. The spin on these wedges is Fantastic! I'm coming from the TSW DRM which had very good spin but the Max Milled got them beat. FOR ME, the TSW were fantastic around the green on chipping and pitching. I really like them but out of the sand, they are meant for the better player IMHO.
2. The 58* out of the sand is Magical. I have the 56* TSW and I can't get out of the sand with it. Obviously it's me but no matter what I did. I'm a 15 hcp and can't get a consistent swing with it because I constantly tweak to try to get out of the bunker in less than 2. The Max Milled just pops out even on less than perfect swings or sand contact. I've gotten out of about 8 greenside bunkers in the 3 rounds with 2 sandies.
3. The 54* .90 I primarily use for longer chips or pitch shots 50-80 yards. The sole is just wide enough that not so perfect contact (maybe a little fat) does not result in a complete chunk. I had a 77 yard pitch shot I got a little heavy and the ball got up into the air nicely but about 15 yards shorter, hits the top of the DEEP greenside bunker. I had a short sided pin from a deep bunker running away from the pin. The 58* 1.05 bunker shot had enough spin to check up and only run about 12 feet from the pin. Sank the putt for a Sandy.
My quick review of the Maltby Max Milled Wedges (54* .90 & 58* 1.05) I received about a week ago and have 3 rounds in with them:
1. The spin on these wedges is Fantastic! I'm coming from the TSW DRM which had very good spin but the Max Milled got them beat. FOR ME, the TSW were fantastic around the green on chipping and pitching. I really like them but out of the sand, they are meant for the better player IMHO.
2. The 58* out of the sand is Magical. I have the 56* TSW and I can't get out of the sand with it. Obviously it's me but no matter what I did. I'm a 15 hcp and can't get a consistent swing with it because I constantly tweak to try to get out of the bunker in less than 2. The Max Milled just pops out even on less than perfect swings or sand contact. I've gotten out of about 8 greenside bunkers in the 3 rounds with 2 sandies.
3. The 54* .90 I primarily use for longer chips or pitch shots 50-80 yards. The sole is just wide enough that not so perfect contact (maybe a little fat) does not result in a complete chunk. I had a 77 yard pitch shot I got a little heavy and the ball got up into the air nicely but about 15 yards shorter, hits the top of the DEEP greenside bunker. I had a short sided pin from a deep bunker running away from the pin. The 58* 1.05 bunker shot had enough spin to check up and only run about 12 feet from the pin. Sank the putt for a Sandy.
Wantacigar
Well-known member
Gabe from "Lets Play Thru" YouTube channel just did his top 10 irons of 2024. Maltby irons were 3 of the top 10!
Good review of the max milled wedges, I have been think about new wedges.
Knot Right
Well-known member
Hey guys, do any of you have any experience with the Maltby MPF Pro Series graphite fairway wood shafts?
I heard they play "stiff to flex" ?
I heard they play "stiff to flex" ?
Wantacigar
Well-known member
I have it in my 3W and 4W I play S in Driver and the R in the MPF and the R flex is perfect. It does play a stiffer and closer to a S flex. If you regularly Play a R flex shaft I would consider the A flex. I'm 57 and hit my 3W off the tee 210-220 and the R flex is good.
I have that shaft (R flex) on my 4w but unfortunately, don't have much insight in comparing the stiffness to other fairway shafts. I can get some decent height with a moderate-slow SS if that helps.
Last edited:
I've got a dozen brand new Aldila NV black 95 gram iron shafts just waiting to be used. I've already built a set of STi2 irons, so as a lefty my only option is a set of KE4 Max heads. Have any of you guys tried them? If so, what are your thoughts on them? Thanks in advance.
I bought a set with the Score LT shafts for my son and took a couple swings with a mid iron. Not really enough to get used to them or have an opinion. There’s been a good deal of positive feedback by others though. Easy to hit, launch high.