Question

2.45K viewsApril 26, 2023

sixfootamoeba 16 April 26, 2023 0 Comments

I’m considering upgrading irons and having trouble understanding the tradeoffs between the KE4 Max and the TS3s. I understand the differences in their specs (offset, loft, shape, MPF, price), but I am wondering if there are other things to consider that I am missing. The KE4 Max reminds more of what many companies market as a “Game Improvement” iron, and the TS3s look more like a “Players Iron”, and I hear how Players irons are more workable and consistent for better ball strikers. For instance, with my current modern “GI” irons, going from solid contact to absolutely flushed nets me about 10 yards and puts me frustratingly over a green. I have heard these “hot spots” are a down side to modern “GI” irons. Is there any truth to this? Would the KE4 Max have a higher chance of hot spots? Are the TS3s more workable? Or have I gone too far down the internet rabbit hole and is all this marketing nonsense?

Britt Lindsey Answered question April 26, 2023

1 Answer

Answer 1 · 2023-04-26T10:21:12+00:00

You’ve gone way to far down the internet rabbit hole on this. If you understand our MPF, and notice the difference in the two irons, the KE4 MAX would be more forgiving, being in the Ultra Game Improvement category. The TS3 is plenty forgiving being in the Super Game Improvement category, but does have a little more of a players profile and a slightly shorter blade length. Other than that, and the difference in the specs, you should be able to see and understand what the minor differences will be. The KE4 MAX also has the weight adjustment option. As far as hot spots, I’ve been doing this a long time and never found that they exist. There may be other factors that seemingly cause a flushed shot to go farther than usual, but it’s not because of a “hot spot” on an iron face. As far as working the ball, another myth that a certain type of club “works the ball” better than another. Working the ball is controlled by the club path and the face angle at impact and how the player controls those. This assumes hitting the ball in the center of the face on whatever irons you are hitting, or comparing. So a blade or a cavity back, if hit in the center of the face, both will create ball movement the same if the same technique, path and face angle are employed. However, the difference comes on the off center hits. If you hit a more stable and forgiving iron off center, the ball will move less and travel closer to the intended distance than a less stable or forgiving iron. If you hit a less forgiving iron off center (like a short bladed muscle back with a longer hosel) the ball will not go as far and will probably have more movement. So if you call that moving the ball more because it’s a “blade” then I guess the theory works. I don’t think that is what is understood. One thing I will say is that on irons with lower vertical cg’s, extremely low cg’s, it may be a little more difficult to hit those knock down shots, or may require a little more exaggerated technique. That may not be the case on some models because the lofts have become so strong, so…you just have to keep that in mind.

That’s my take on it. Hope this helps.

Britt Lindsey

This is super helpful Britt – thank you for taking the time!!