Question

717 viewsMay 3, 2025

jpdiy2000 16 May 2, 2025 0 Comments

A lot to digest here I know, any/all thoughts appreciated. Trying to learn as I go. I’ve been playing for 3 years, high hcp still chasing 100. Struggle w/ inconsistent strikes (for me i think more often then not its more face to path issues than hitting center face). Had a nasty slice, had some lessons, have worked on my swing a bunch and now dance the whole spectrum between slice and hook…but starting to see more draws and fades. Im 6’2”. Ive been playing a set of +.50” Titleist DCI gold stiff flex steel shaft irons from (cough cough) ‘93 I bought used for next to nothing. I just now noticed they say upright lie on shaft but no clue on degree. Clubs feel heavy as hell, and I don’t love how they feel at contact even when I hit clean. Seeing that Im starting to play more often and Id like to take game to next level…I want to invest in new set. Inventory in used custom clubs just not there for my specs, esp value-wise. At few folks suggestion I finally went and got a fitting. The club that jumped out to me was Ping G440. Fitter recommended +.50”, 3 degree upright (though I dont think they had me hitting upright lie), Ping AWT steel shaft Reg flex. Start of session I was hitting 10-15 yard dispersion with that setup (amazing for me), but then my swing fell apart. What I also liked about that setup in addition to the soft feel at contact was how light it felt. While I know lighter isnt always better…I have back, hand and elbow issues & lightweight seems to fatigue me less.

First foray into buying new clubs Im not looking to go crazy. Maltby seems a perfect match. Im considering KE4 Max or TS3. Im in MA, not close obviously so my only option was to order one of each. This next step was foolish logic I now realize, but I was trying not to break the bank and tried to kill multiple birds with one stone….so I ordered two +.50” 7 irons both Reg flex – a KE4 Max with 2 degree upright lie (the most upright golfworks will do) and TT AWT black shaft, and a TS3 with standard lie and TT Score LT shaft. Not apples to apples I know. Tested both at range and in a sim.

Takeaways:

Old 7I I hit 140-150 (160 if flush). I increased distance 10-15 avg & 25-30max yds w/ both Maltbys, hit 190 max in sim with both, little more distance on average with the KE4 i think. Big jump yes, but distance nothing more than nice to have for me, my main goal is consistency, and neither seemed to standout more than other.
I want to believe that had all things been equal the KE4 (being a GI iron) would have stood out?
KE4 produced much more roll (15-25 yds at times). Ive also heard about “fliers & hot spots” with GI irons, saw that its heavily debated….some folks say thats just product of the lie/swing. I noticed variance in the sim w/ KE4s. Maybe my swing? Either way Im wondering if potential for fliers/hot spots plus the obvious extra roll with the KE4’s would drive me nuts with my game / trying to hit greens.
KE4 setup felt a bit lighter which I liked, but almost felt just slightly more erratic at times. Wondering how much of that due to AWT shaft or upright lie?
2 degree Upright lie on KE4 felt strange. Felt the need to stand closer to ball & taller, def felt need to change my swing to more of an upright swing path which was odd, thumped the ground more than once. But im guessing i could get used to it over time? Was easier on my back though which i liked. Ive heard of fitters just reccomending hcp’s with + upright lie angle and/or +length to help fix a slice, but does more harm than good. That said I am on taller side and playing .50”

Questions:

As of now Im thinking of going with KE4s due to them being GI iron and low cost. And going with 1 degree upright to strike happy medium (that might be what my old clubs are already?). If I hate the KE4’s over time then I can pony up for TS3’s/different shafts etc. But Im not married to KE4’s. Thoughts?

Regardless of head, thoughts on the better shaft if Im looking for consistency? Sidenote like most hcp I usually dont hit lower loft irons well (though ive been in the zone before and was confidently reaching for my 4I for short stretch last summer).

statechamp Answered question May 3, 2025

2 Answers

Answer 1 · 2025-05-03T14:10:13+00:00

It seems like my last answer was deleted?

graphite shafts are such high quality now don’t buy into all those past preconceptions. Providing you’re not buying real low end graphite everything will be really consistent.

Go to your fitter and try light weight and heavier weights. See what you hit the best and go from there. I suggested 90-100 gram due to it being not to far from what you’re playing now.

Answer 2 · 2025-05-03T08:52:01+00:00

degree Upright lie on KE4 felt strange. Felt the need to stand closer to ball & taller, def felt need to change my swing to more of an upright swing path which was odd, thumped the ground more than once. But im guessing i could get used to it over time? Was easier on my back though which i liked. Ive heard of fitters just reccomending hcp’s with + upright lie angle and/or +length to help fix a slice, but does more harm than good. That said I am on taller side and playing .50

this part of your post I’ll address specifically. I believe the way the top of the Ke4 max is designed is a bit different than most heads. To me it looks more upright when looking down at address.

if you’re having elbow, hand, wrist pain, then you need to be seriously looking at graphite. Look at heavier graphite options not the lightweight shafts. 95 grams and above would likely work for you. Aldila NV 95, UST 95 dart, MMT 90. Initially it’s a higher cost up front but it’s well worth it on your body. That soft contact you liked in the pings will be even better with the TS3 in graphite and probably pretty close to the ping with the KE4 max in graphite.

Do you have a local fitter or club repair shop nearby that could reshaft these clubs for you? You could also send these off to me and I could do the work.

Thanks, I like the idea. Pain issues not caused by golf, but certainly not helped by it. At my fitting they recommended Alta CB Blue (R flex I think) as an alternative option. Ultimately I think they recommended steel because I was just a bit more accurate with it, but it was close. I just found a fitter nearby, will call them , would be nice to avoid hassle of shipping. If they won’t do it I’ll touch base.

I’ve heard that graphite can be whippy/promote slices/hooks. Prob old or faulty info I’m sure. But if any truth to that at all…would you have a preference on brand, weight, flex?
State champ – I saw both of your last 2 responses over email. Odd they’re deleted here. Anyways everything you said makes sense and is appreciated. Will give some of those graphite shafts/weights a try. I assume you’d reccomend Regular flex?
If you’re hitting the 6 or 7 irons Ke4 or TS3 190 yards you need to be in most companies stiff flex, or even stiff +

Not every shaft manufacturers flexes line up across the board either. Stiff in one might be more of a regular in another. That’s why a fitting with a qualified fitter could benefit you greatly and save you money in the long run.