For a new golfer should they strictly look to the ultra game improvement irons as those have the most forgiveness or can they get away with using the super game improvement line too? The MPF rating on them is close and I’m undecided between the STI2 and the KE4 MAX Iron models.
Again, Britt dropping knowledge on us above. Technically, everything offered by Maltby at this point is either Super or Ultra Game Improvement. Even the TS4 falls into the SGI category, so it all needs to be taken with a grain of salt. But as mentioned by Britt, when you compare a KE4 Max at 959 to a TS4 at 755, you’ll notice that type of difference and we all know the TS4 is not a newbie iron in spite of it’s SGI badge.
KE4 Max, KE4 Tour+, KE4-S, and M890 are your UGI irons currently offered by Maltby today. Then you get into the STi2 and others down the line into the SGI range. A newbie should definitely try to max out their forgiveness as they start and then progress into something lower on the SGI scale that is more better player like.
As much as we believe looks shouldn’t matter and it should be based purely on what performs best, looks do matter. If you have an iron that is the best performing in a fitting but you hate the look of it, it’ll never play well in real life. So there is some give and take there. The Max may be too big, even for a beginner. That’s where the S and Tour+ come into play, easier on the eyes but still that nice UGI rating.
So use the MPF scale as a strong starting reference, but looks do matter now matter how much we want to say otherwise.
A new golfer (or any golfer) can use Super Game Improvement or Ultra Game Improvement to realize the benefits of a stable design (mainly forgiveness). We have always stated that it is difficult to notice a 100 point difference once you get into the Super Game and Ultra Game levels of the MPF. That being said, the difference in the STi2 and the Max irons is 187 points. I think you would find the MAX is a little more forgiving, although both are very forgiving and stable. Do I think a new golfer would have success with either? Yes. But if the person wants the maximum forgiveness and that is the primary goal, then the MAX would be the choice. If they they like the look of the STi2 better, and that does matter, I don’t think the amount of forgiveness that will be given up is worth not liking the look. Again, both are excellent designs and I have fit beginning golfers with both with great success.
Britt Lindsey