Maltby TS2

[canuker]

On 6/12/2025 at 6:58 AM, runpuddrun said:

the wishon new line of hybrids are the closest thing to zero offset that I can find. I really like them for that reason.

 

FWIW I have the Wishon EQ1NX hybrids (and irons) and they do not want to go left. I have to try and hit a draw with them. Least left biased irons I have ever played.

The whole EQ1NX line, for whatever reason, seems fade biased. For all of May I played Ping G irons (the original ones) and I had to work hard to keep my left miss in order. I switched back to the EQ1NX irons and hybrids and now my miss has been right.

[kleydejong]

I recently put the KE4 Max irons back in the bag.  I played them for most of last season.  I switched to a set of Mizuno MP-20 MMC's.  The Mizuno's looked much sleeker and feel a lot better.  My handicap is 1.3 right now so I can hit them.  I had a stretch where I wasn't playing that well though.  I had some limited time to practice.  I randomly saw the KE4's sitting in my old cart bag in the garage and they called out to me.  I took them to the range and immediately felt back at home.  Compared to the MP-20's the KE4's are noticeably more forgiving.  As expected they launch higher, but I noticed fewer iron shots where I apply a touch too much sidespin and it gets away from me - or if I catch it thin the MP-20's would probably come up a club short where the KE4's are more likely to help the ball carry just onto the green.  They're point and shoot.  They gave me a little boost in confidence as well to help me get back into a groove.  Played some of my best golf of the summer including shooting 72 (+1) at my course's open tournament and 34 (-2) at men's league this week.  

 

I haven't really tested or thought this through, but one thing I notice is that they're loaded with perimeter weighting - but don't do the hollow head thing that most major OEM's super game improvement offerings are hollow head.  So my perception is that I'm getting plenty of forgiveness on off center strikes, but I'm also NOT getting the unpredictable front to back dispersion from the thinner face of the hollow head irons.  

 

So from a long term review perspective I'm quite thrilled with these KE4's in an unexpected way.  The Mizuno's are going up for sale!  I'll be that low handicap guy playing shovels that nobody has ever heard of!

[Popeye64]

1 hour ago, kleydejong said:

I recently put the KE4 Max irons back in the bag.  I played them for most of last season.  I switched to a set of Mizuno MP-20 MMC's.  The Mizuno's looked much sleeker and feel a lot better.  My handicap is 1.3 right now so I can hit them.  I had a stretch where I wasn't playing that well though.  I had some limited time to practice.  I randomly saw the KE4's sitting in my old cart bag in the garage and they called out to me.  I took them to the range and immediately felt back at home.  Compared to the MP-20's the KE4's are noticeably more forgiving.  As expected they launch higher, but I noticed fewer iron shots where I apply a touch too much sidespin and it gets away from me - or if I catch it thin the MP-20's would probably come up a club short where the KE4's are more likely to help the ball carry just onto the green.  They're point and shoot.  They gave me a little boost in confidence as well to help me get back into a groove.  Played some of my best golf of the summer including shooting 72 (+1) at my course's open tournament and 34 (-2) at men's league this week.  

 

I haven't really tested or thought this through, but one thing I notice is that they're loaded with perimeter weighting - but don't do the hollow head thing that most major OEM's super game improvement offerings are hollow head.  So my perception is that I'm getting plenty of forgiveness on off center strikes, but I'm also NOT getting the unpredictable front to back dispersion from the thinner face of the hollow head irons.  

 

So from a long term review perspective I'm quite thrilled with these KE4's in an unexpected way.  The Mizuno's are going up for sale!  I'll be that low handicap guy playing shovels that nobody has ever heard of!

Lol. Love this!!

[Cwebb]

1 hour ago, kleydejong said:

I recently put the KE4 Max irons back in the bag.  I played them for most of last season.  I switched to a set of Mizuno MP-20 MMC's.  The Mizuno's looked much sleeker and feel a lot better.  My handicap is 1.3 right now so I can hit them.  I had a stretch where I wasn't playing that well though.  I had some limited time to practice.  I randomly saw the KE4's sitting in my old cart bag in the garage and they called out to me.  I took them to the range and immediately felt back at home.  Compared to the MP-20's the KE4's are noticeably more forgiving.  As expected they launch higher, but I noticed fewer iron shots where I apply a touch too much sidespin and it gets away from me - or if I catch it thin the MP-20's would probably come up a club short where the KE4's are more likely to help the ball carry just onto the green.  They're point and shoot.  They gave me a little boost in confidence as well to help me get back into a groove.  Played some of my best golf of the summer including shooting 72 (+1) at my course's open tournament and 34 (-2) at men's league this week.  

 

I haven't really tested or thought this through, but one thing I notice is that they're loaded with perimeter weighting - but don't do the hollow head thing that most major OEM's super game improvement offerings are hollow head.  So my perception is that I'm getting plenty of forgiveness on off center strikes, but I'm also NOT getting the unpredictable front to back dispersion from the thinner face of the hollow head irons.  

 

So from a long term review perspective I'm quite thrilled with these KE4's in an unexpected way.  The Mizuno's are going up for sale!  I'll be that low handicap guy playing shovels that nobody has ever heard of!

 

These are the best kind of reviews, because it cuts right to the bottom line for what matters the most.  Better dispersion/accuracy and the ball closer to the hole.  Everything else is secondary.

[enfuego]

4 hours ago, kleydejong said:

I recently put the KE4 Max irons back in the bag.  I played them for most of last season.  I switched to a set of Mizuno MP-20 MMC's.  The Mizuno's looked much sleeker and feel a lot better.  My handicap is 1.3 right now so I can hit them.  I had a stretch where I wasn't playing that well though.  I had some limited time to practice.  I randomly saw the KE4's sitting in my old cart bag in the garage and they called out to me.  I took them to the range and immediately felt back at home.  Compared to the MP-20's the KE4's are noticeably more forgiving.  As expected they launch higher, but I noticed fewer iron shots where I apply a touch too much sidespin and it gets away from me - or if I catch it thin the MP-20's would probably come up a club short where the KE4's are more likely to help the ball carry just onto the green.  They're point and shoot.  They gave me a little boost in confidence as well to help me get back into a groove.  Played some of my best golf of the summer including shooting 72 (+1) at my course's open tournament and 34 (-2) at men's league this week.  

 

I haven't really tested or thought this through, but one thing I notice is that they're loaded with perimeter weighting - but don't do the hollow head thing that most major OEM's super game improvement offerings are hollow head.  So my perception is that I'm getting plenty of forgiveness on off center strikes, but I'm also NOT getting the unpredictable front to back dispersion from the thinner face of the hollow head irons.  

 

So from a long term review perspective I'm quite thrilled with these KE4's in an unexpected way.  The Mizuno's are going up for sale!  I'll be that low handicap guy playing shovels that nobody has ever heard of!

I've noticed the same great forgiveness and distance control/dispersion. I've played the ke4max into plus cap territory a few different times since switching to them. I hate the hollow head goo feel but love the perimeter weighted feel.

[MN Moose]

Okay, I'm not reading through 402 pages of Maltby chatter, lol.

 

I need new irons, looking for something more forgiving than my 20 year old Snake Eyes 600B/600C combo set.  Playing off a 12 these days and not the ball striker I once was.

Thinking the TS3 is the answer but I just want to get the expert opinions from this forum.

[gdb99]

25 minutes ago, MN Moose said:

Okay, I'm not reading through 402 pages of Maltby chatter, lol.

 

I need new irons, looking for something more forgiving than my 20 year old Snake Eyes 600B/600C combo set.  Playing off a 12 these days and not the ball striker I once was.

Thinking the TS3 is the answer but I just want to get the expert opinions from this forum.

Once you open this thread, the “Search” box at the top will search for key words in this thread only. Type in TS3, and you see all the posts for the TS3, as well as pictures.

Also, if you go to Golfworks, you can see the forgiveness ratings of Maltby irons as well as Golfsmith.

I think any of the TS line would be more forgiving than what you are playing. The TS1 is a great hollow body head that will give you good looks and forgiveness, and is a little cheaper. 

https://www.golfworks.com/head-mpf-ratings/

 

[Jtgavigan]

1 hour ago, MN Moose said:

Okay, I'm not reading through 402 pages of Maltby chatter, lol.

 

I need new irons, looking for something more forgiving than my 20 year old Snake Eyes 600B/600C combo set.  Playing off a 12 these days and not the ball striker I once was.

Thinking the TS3 is the answer but I just want to get the expert opinions from this forum.

I went from the SE 675B's to TS1's and they have been great.

[Minarets]

This was interesting to me.  Kind of concerning for Maltby to make the CG so close to the hosel in the DRT wedges 

 

 

https://youtube.com/shorts/fwVbw0UbJ7M?si=eX9GqxEiAuL3mmfs

Edited June 24 by Minarets

[runpuddrun]

1 hour ago, Minarets said:

This was interesting to me.  Kind of concerning for Maltby to make the CG so close to the hosel in the DRT wedges 

 

 

https://youtube.com/shorts/fwVbw0UbJ7M?si=eX9GqxEiAuL3mmfs

maybe because I live on the toe. no wonder I couldnt get them to work with me. 

[runpuddrun]

to add to that, I nearly always open my wedges a touch. 

[ChaosTheory]

On 6/22/2025 at 1:39 PM, kleydejong said:

So my perception is that I'm getting plenty of forgiveness on off center strikes, but I'm also NOT getting the unpredictable front to back dispersion from the thinner face of the hollow head irons.  

That is my goal for irons.  I definitely see benefits in the hollow irons I’ve played.  But for short Irons especially, I think solid is better.

[ChaosTheory]

8 hours ago, Minarets said:

 

Edited June 25 by ChaosTheory

[Nels55]

I remember that Ralph Maltby was talking about short hosels to help move the COG away from the hosel back in the 70s.  It is hard to understand why their wedges have long hosels and sweet spot close by?

[ThinkingPlus]

2 hours ago, Minarets said:

This was interesting to me.  Kind of concerning for Maltby to make the CG so close to the hosel in the DRT wedges 

 

 

https://youtube.com/shorts/fwVbw0UbJ7M?si=eX9GqxEiAuL3mmfs

That is tragic and exactly matches everyone's experience posting in this thread. The Maltby design team should be appalled.

[achappy]

So I’m going to get on soapbox here.  Why is everyone taking this guy as “gospel” for his take on the DRT wedge?  He compares to a single wedge and tries to sound knowledgeable as if he has some industry or design experience.  

 

I’ve played numerous wedges over the years. My current set is a Callaway Mack Daddy 4 and previously the MD3 and Callaway Jaws CC.  I had the DRT 50, 54 and 58*.   I didn’t have any “real world” issues.  The 50 and 54 were great and the 58 was magic out of the bunkers.  Shots that were hit dead center (based on grass) felt absolutely amazing and the little I could open up the 58 I had no issue.  

 

The only reason I don’t have them is simply the 58-A sole isn’t versatile enough for opening on tight lies.  I like to hit this shot where I open the face, play it back in my stance for a low spinning skipper.  I can’t do it with the 58-A because of the sole.    I like to have my wedges match so I switched back to the MD4.

 

But never once was I sitting there “This CG is off”???”  And if the CG is off, then every wedge I’ve had before had a similar CG.  If the DRT sole works for you, they are fantastic wedges.

 

OK, I’m stepping down now..

Edited June 24 by achappy
Spelling

[Southside Seminole]

So I’ve stalked this thread since I came across it last year & have always been intrigued. I’ve built & used 2 Maltby putters previously. They were great to tinker with but I had to go back to my LAB. I started practicing everyday & ultimately I just got bored with what I had. Enter TS4s & DRT wedges on a whim:
 

I guess I’m in the minority because I’m loving the DRT DBM 54A & 58A so far. I had 12 bounce in my 58 vokey & hated it. This DRT 58 suits me way better. I’ll hit 58 for every wedge shot under 95 yards & in. The 54 is a beautiful tight draw every time with a full swing & flies the # I need it to. The feel is unreal & paired with a DG black onyx x100 it has no business looking/playing as good as it does. I don’t think I’ll ever buy another brand again if I can help it. 
 

But I’m in agreement with everyone else that the TS4s are stupid good. Dare I say unicorn irons? They fly just as good as my Mizunos (with $125 axiom shafts) do & somehow I think they feel better??? It’s crazy. I can’t believe I waited this long to stumble into Maltby components because I’ve been doing all my own club work for 10+ years. 
 

Predictably I have a KE4 Max driver, TC pro 7W & center shafted PTM-5+ putter on order. Now I’m just waiting on the TS-UI & a mini driver & my bag will be full Maltby!

[runpuddrun]

1 hour ago, achappy said:

So I’m going to get on soapbox here.  Why is everyone taking this guy as “gospel” for his take on the DRT wedge?  He compares to a single wedge and tries to sound knowledgeable as if he has some industry or design experience.  

 

I’ve played numerous wedges over the years. My current set is a Callaway Mack Daddy 4 and previously the MD3 and Callaway Jaws CC.  I had the DRT 50, 54 and 58*.   I didn’t have any “real world” issues.  The 50 and 54 were great and the 58 was magic out of the bunkers.  Shots that were hit dead center (based on grass) felt absolutely amazing and the little I could open up the 58 I had no issue.  

 

The only reason I don’t have them is simply the 58-A sole isn’t versatile enough for opening on tight lies.  I like to hit this shot where I open the face, play it back in my stance for a low spinning skipper.  I can’t do it with the 58-A because of the sole.    I like to have my wedges match so I switched back to the MD4.

 

But never once was I sitting there “This CG is off”???”  And if the CG is off, then every wedge I’ve had before had a similar CG.  If the DRT sole works for you, they are fantastic wedges.

 

OK, I’m stepping down now..

My issue is the grind is terrible for me as well. I didn’t get along with it at all. 

[runpuddrun]

14 minutes ago, Southside Seminole said:

So I’ve stalked this thread since I came across it last year & have always been intrigued. I’ve built & used 2 Maltby putters previously. They were great to tinker with but I had to go back to my LAB. I started practicing everyday & ultimately I just got bored with what I had. Enter TS4s & DRT wedges on a whim:
 

I guess I’m in the minority because I’m loving the DRT DBM 54A & 58A so far. I had 12 bounce in my 58 vokey & hated it. This DRT 58 suits me way better. I’ll hit 58 for every wedge shot under 95 yards & in. The 54 is a beautiful tight draw every time with a full swing & flies the # I need it to. The feel is unreal & paired with a DG black onyx x100 it has no business looking/playing as good as it does. I don’t think I’ll ever buy another brand again if I can help it. 
 

But I’m in agreement with everyone else that the TS4s are stupid good. Dare I say unicorn irons? They fly just as good as my Mizunos (with $125 axiom shafts) do & somehow I think they feel better??? It’s crazy. I can’t believe I waited this long to stumble into Maltby components because I’ve been doing all my own club work for 10+ years. 
 

Predictably I have a KE4 Max driver, TC pro 7W & center shafted PTM-5+ putter on order. Now I’m just waiting on the TS-UI & a mini driver & my bag will be full Maltby!

TS4 are amazing. I actually called them unicorn irons earlier in the thread. I can’t see myself ever changing. In fact I’m going to get another set for backups. They’re the best irons I’ve ever used. 

[Southside Seminole]

Just now, runpuddrun said:

TS4 are amazing. I actually called them unicorn irons earlier in the thread. I can’t see myself ever changing. In fact I’m going to get another set for backups. They’re the best irons I’ve ever used. 

Yessir. Totally agree. I’ll be building a blacked out set of TS4s to match the wedges next. Now I just gotta keep an eye for some black iron pulls. 
 

This was my 1st experience with DG x100s & they feel great. I was unsure if I could

handle them or not but I don’t get it because they fly exactly like my axioms 105s. I have been in the gym tho 💪

[mustang]

A quick report on my son's TS-4 irons.  I built him TS-4,  4-GW in FST 125 trimmed to X flex.  +.5 @ the  #7 iron.  +3/8 length to #4 iron.   I maintained the +.5 down to his gap wedge.   He is ecstatic about how well they help him with posture and swing.   I gripped them with midsize Sidewinder--- against his protests-- He hates change.   He is converted.  He has long fingers and good size hands and really appreciates them more each time out.

 

He played three rounds with them before we departed for St. Andrews--My retirement bucket list trip!  Royal Dornoch, Cabot Highlands, Jubilee @ St. Andrews, Old Course-We made the ballot Tuesday to play THURSDAY!!  , Kingsbarns and Carnoustie.

 

He loves them!   I had a caddie for myself and his sister.   Every course at least one caddie-- usually two---commented on his irons.   "what are those"-- "those are so sleek, classic, spectacular, etc..   They were smitten with them.  

 

HIs iron play has never been better.    They really are all that and a bag of chips!!

[runpuddrun]

1 hour ago, Southside Seminole said:

Yessir. Totally agree. I’ll be building a blacked out set of TS4s to match the wedges next. Now I just gotta keep an eye for some black iron pulls. 
 

This was my 1st experience with DG x100s & they feel great. I was unsure if I could

handle them or not but I don’t get it because they fly exactly like my axioms 105s. I have been in the gym tho 💪

I have the DBM's. I'm using MMT 105's in them. I have all my playing partners looking for black clubs now

[Southside Seminole]

9 minutes ago, runpuddrun said:

I have the DBM's. I'm using MMT 105's in them. I have all my playing partners looking for black clubs now

I bet those look killer

[mustang]

My DRT wedge experience has been positive.   I have had them for a month.   I just finished six courses in Scotland with them.   I am not looking to take them out of the bag.   

 

Sand play with the 58 A grind is becoming a strength!   I never had this level of sand play with my previoius two sets of TSW..  ironically we had a 4th at Carnoustie who had the TSW wedges in his bag.   Here are two highlights..

 

#11 at The Old Course is called high-- a famous deep bunker, (deepest on the old course) called "Strath" guards the front...  YEP-- I was in it.. opened up the 58 and I had a 12 foot par putt I just missed.   

 

#13 at Carnoustie- "Whins"   Another par three where I felt like I had carried it-- but no--I am in the bunker-- another deep bunker- riveted face--  I open up the 58 and once again-- 12 feet.  I make this one..

 

#15- "Lucky Slap"--- I have a 200 yd play and catch the first of a triange of three bunkers gaurding the right side-- I need to get up over the face--my ball is less than 2 feet from the front-- and carry the other two bunkers.   I would never have dreamed of attempting this before the DRT 58.   I make it onto the green!!   Par -- on of the toughest par 4's around.   Crazy good results.

 

I used the 54 several times from areas with a bit more grass where I was not comfortable rolling a putt considerable distance. I was able to open it slightly to get a good "nip" on the ball and had great results.. 

 

These wedges may not be for everyone and I am very interested in trying the S- grind when it comes out.   For me... I really like them.    They have good versatilty and I am beginnng to really trust the results.   

 

FWIW-- these are my first graphite shafted wedges also..   The 58 is in a 115 gram wedge shaft from AXE RT.   The 54 is in the 105 gram AXE RT..     so far- I am more than satisfied with the performance..

[aiyyer]

My intro to Maltby was the TSW 56* wedge. Something magical about that sole for my swing. 
ignoring all the CG angst regarding the DRT wedges and sticking to the TSW. 
I have the TS4 set with the PX LZ  black shafts and love them. Sometimes I feel the ball flight is lower with a less committed/lazy swing. 
I have a set of Recoil 95s to ease the aches but don’t want to mess up the mojo yet. 
 

[Minarets]

I had just read a lot of people that were not loving the DRT wedges.  When I saw that video, it certainly shocked me where the CG was on that club. Regardless, if they work for everybody or not, it just seems like an odd placement for the CG. Maybe his wedge is way off compared to most?  

[Minarets]

Anyone have TS4 bent 2° strong? Curious how they play and turf interaction bent strong.  

[Ger21]

9 hours ago, Minarets said:

Kind of concerning for Maltby to make the CG so close to the hosel in the DRT wedges 

 

Unless your like me, who typically makes contact where the CG is on the DRT. And when you open the face like he shows in the video, for a flop shot, the CG has a much smaller effect than when the face is square.

I played Fourteen RM-4's for the last two years, and when I got the DRT, my strikes immediately felt more solid, and the ball seemed to jump off the face. Because I hit the DRT on the CG, and I didn't with the RM-4. 

I also think the DRT looks far better at address than the RM-4. And it's much better out of the sand than the RM-4. But it also does not have the versatility, due to the sole grind. Everything is a tradeoff.

 

[ChaosTheory]

On 6/22/2025 at 1:02 PM, canuker said:

The whole EQ1NX line, for whatever reason, seems fade biased. For all of May I played Ping G irons (the original ones) and I had to work hard to keep my left miss in order. I switched back to the EQ1NX irons and hybrids and now my miss has been right.

 

That's really interesting.  I have played Maltby TS2 irons for a few years, and my miss was left.  I just started playing eq1nx irons, with the same shaft as my TS2s, and I'm getting a lot of pushes.  Lie angles are correct.  The eq1nxs have long hosels, and I've added weight into the hosel weight ports.   I'm wondering if I need to pull out that weight and use lead tape instead.  Hmmm.

 

Maybe irons work opposite of woods as far as weight in the heel or toe? 

OTOH @canuker, maybe you just need lie angle adjustment.   Heck maybe I do too. 

[NRJyzr]

6 minutes ago, ChaosTheory said:

Maybe irons work opposite of woods as far as weight in the heel or toe? 

 

Nothing about irons that would change that aspect.

 

However, the human element is a huge wild card.  How each of us reacts to differing weight distribution is far from the same.  😉