First, everyones view of what a “thin” topline is different. If you want something like a 1970’s era Wilson Staff Blade (.377mm topline thickness), you won’t see it from us, or anyone else I would suspect. Most of the Mizuno blades like the MP37 and similar were around 4.5mm. Our TE Players Cavity is 4.35mm. The MMB 17 that was very successful for us was around 5.0 mm. Our PTM was around 4.65mm. Personally, I don not like too thin as it gives me the perception of a less solid mass. The new TS4 I am working on will most likely be around the 4.5-5.0 mm measurement, but we are still working on it. The main thing is to have the mass and dimensional characteristics the way we want it, but understanding that the “look” at address is what we want as well. With managing the radius of the topline we can create a solid looking design that still appeals to the “thin” topline guys, like yourself, I believe.
Secondly, the blade length is critical to the playability and we pay very close attention to that element. The PING BLUEPRINT has the shortest blade length of any design they have done in the last five years, so anything we do will be longer.
Lastly, no offset is not a good design feature, both in function and appearance. Minimal I understand and depends on what each designer considers minimal. The TS4 will have what I consider a minimal progressive offset (1.25mm to .090mm). The TS-1 is basically the same. Our TE and DBM forgings both have .100mm. That would be about the minimum I would go on long to mid irons. We might go to an .080 offset in a short iron design, but I can’t see going less than that.
Thanks for the feedback. Always appreciated.
Britt Lindsey