Question

435 viewsApril 24, 2024

2wheelrolling 16 April 24, 2024 0 Comments

I’m getting back into golf after a 20+ year hiatus. I was a pretty high handicapper, 25+. I play tennis at a high level, and I’ve always been a gear head. I’m interested in the KE4 Max irons and the idea of having one length for my irons, 5i to GW. Has anyone try this set up?

I’m testing out iron shaft right now. I got a KE4 Max 7iron in standard length (37.5″) with a Kuro Kage Black 2nd Gen shaft in R Flex. I’m spraying a bit, so I might need a stiffer flex. I’m actually thinking of getting a 5iron with the Maltby MPF shaft in R Flex at 37.5″ to try. I heard that the MPF shaft plays stiffer.

My concern is that I’m adding more variables to the mix by using a new shaft. And I don’t know if I should get the lie adjusted, so that the 5i would have the same lie 63.5* as the 7i. Any thoughts?

Britt Lindsey Answered question April 24, 2024

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Answer 1 · 2024-04-25T11:00:31+00:00

I can only speak for us here at The Golfworks, but we are not advocates for one length irons. That is why we do not have any models that are designed for doing that kind of build. You can adjust the weights on the KE4 MAX some, but not enough to be able to make all the head weights the same weight (the weight of the #7 iron, if that is the length you wanted to make all the clubs). Nothing wrong with one length, but the distance dispersions are narrowed with same length clubs and in my opinion, it presents issues in the shorter clubs. Still, just my opinion. One way that is slightly more doable with a weight adjustable head might be to go with 3 lengths. Make the 5,6 the same length, the 7,8 the same length and then 9,PW the same length, progressing 1/2″ or 1″ between, whatever works for you. I still think a traditional 1/2″ progression is the best way, but experimenting never hurts if you got the time and patience.

As far as the MPF shafts, the current versions do play stiffer for the given flexes. Would be worth a try.

As far as the lie, that is part of the idea of one length, they have the same length so they should have the same lie. The one thing you need to keep in mind is that if you can’t get all the head weights the same, the shaft will not droop the same at the one length, therefore the same lie might not be proper lie. If all the head weights are the same and the lengths are all the same, then yes, the lies should be all the same. That lie should be whatever is the correct lie for you at that length based on a lie board test and how the sole contacts the ground. Might be 63.5, but might not be. Would need to do the test.

I know that’s a lot, but you need to know what should be considered. Hope it helps.

Britt Lindsey

Hi Brit,

Thank you so much for the suggestions. I was aware of the club head weights, but the differences in weights didn’t register until you mentioned it. Thank you for pointing that out.

A difference of 20 grams at the tip of the shaft is a lot in swing weight, and the clubs will play differently though having the same shaft length. At least in tennis I can tell the change in swing weight by adding only 2 grams of lead to the tip of my racquet.

I’m curious about the one length concept because I’m almost a blank slate, and from what I’ve read, it’s the best way for beginners to play and improve without having a lot of time for practicing. But your suggestion for having just 3 variable lengths with a 1/2″ progression piqued my interest.

I’m committed to testing and experimenting to find what works for me. I like journeying :) So, if I were to test out your suggestion for having just 3 variable lengths, what iron should I test? I have the 7 iron in 37.5″ length, so ordering a 5 iron in 38″ would make sense. What do you think? Am I missing anything? And should I wait to do so until I figure out the shaft and flex?

I’m having a demo session next week at a local store. I’m going to ask them to measure the club head speed and probably try out the Ping G430 irons in different shaft and flex. What else do you think I should do? You mentioned the lie angle test.

I’m curious and excited about the journey. I’m learning so much already. Thank you so much for your help. I really appreciate it. Take care.

hoang
I would wait until after you do the demo at the store. Information you obtain in that session might guide you in what the next step might be. You might discover something that changes your thinking on the one length, or 3 lengths, etc. Get back with me after the session.

Brit Lindsey
Britt, have you guys considered kicking around the idea of a triple-length set? I’ve been fuzzing around in cad where a 3,4,5 all weigh the same, 6,7,8 the same, and 9,P,G the same.

I was probably also gonna message you on your thoughts/strategies of getting a good loft from the face to the hosel since it’s an interesting geometric shape.
Hi Brit,

I just did my iron fitting earlier today. My swing speed was about 86-90 mph. I was swinging at 90mph at the beginning of the session, and as the session went on, I slowed down a bit. I found my rhythm with the lower swing speed. I hit about 70 balls total.

Based on the data, the club fitter recommended the following:
• Club: Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal High Launch (I liked the soft feel of the forged face)
• Shaft: a Nippon Modus 105 Stiff or a Dynamic Gold 120 Stiff
• Lie angle: 4 degree upright (I was hitting left of target quite a bit. But I don’t know what this means regarding adjustment)

I hit better with the Modus shaft at first because it felt stiffer. The club fitter said that my hands were very involved with the swing. I don’t know what that means, but it’s probably because of my tennis background. But as the session went on, I preferred the Dynamic Gold because its weight just made the club feel a bit more head light, so my hands weren’t as involved.

I’d love to build a Maltby 7-iron with similar specs to the Mizuno JPX 923 Hot Metal High Launch with a DG 120 Stiff Flex shaft. What do you recommend?

Thank you for your help. Take care.

hoang