Maltby KE4 Max - new and pretty clean Ultra Game Improvement iron...anybody hit it yet?

[bogey69]

MPF score of close to 1000...I've learned that not everybody is a believer in the validity of these numbers, but that's pretty high regardless.  And it is quite good looking for such a club.  Has anyone hit this yet?

Edited May 28, 2022 by bogey69

[dhen9]

Had a chance a few weeks back when they just had some demo/Proto heads with Modus 105 S. They're better looking at address than you can imagine and feel as good as forged PTM. Currently have a set built sitting uo the hill at Works but not gonna be able to hit them until Weds. 

[bogey69]

9 hours ago, dhen9 said:

Had a chance a few weeks back when they just had some demo/Proto heads with Modus 105 S. They're better looking at address than you can imagine and feel as good as forged PTM. Currently have a set built sitting uo the hill at Works but not gonna be able to hit them until Weds. 

Thanks for that...what were your thoughts on performance, forgiveness, etc.

[dhen9]

Only took a handful of cuts but forgiveness is there. The most amazing part will be how much forgiveness is in that chassis. Its a really good looking club and Britt and the crew have done a really masterful job of hiding the sole width and topline thickness. They killed the hosel transition to hide offset and topline is as clean as 0311XF, P, Titleist T300 or 921 HM and cleaner than G425. Pair that with STUPID GOOD MPF and you got a winner. As an added bonus the looks of the cavity are way cleaner than even the TS-2. I have had the Max wedges in play for a few weeks now and these will be a welcomed counterpart. I've owned/own quite a few brands and one could EASILY BE A MALTBY ONE BRAND PLAYER. 

[ode]

13 hours ago, dhen9 said:

feel as good as forged PTM

Really? .... That is high praise as the PTM feel really good!  Forged 8620 vs. cast 17/4 .... I've always suggested feel is overrated as it relates to performance and have played some clunky CB in my day, so if these have a good feel that is a bonus.  Coming from the STi to the STi2....I am really curious how these compare!

[CUBuffaloes]

Haven't tried them but they look pretty good for GI iron. I was thinking of building up the 5i (23*) as a possible replacement/alternate for my hybrid.

[Fellaheen51]

1 hour ago, dhen9 said:

Only took a handful of cuts but forgiveness is there. The most amazing part will be how much forgiveness is in that chassis. Its a really good looking club and Britt and the crew have done a really masterful job of hiding the sole width and topline thickness. They killed the hosel transition to hide offset and topline is as clean as 0311XF, P, Titleist T300 or 921 HM and cleaner than G425. Pair that with STUPID GOOD MPF and you got a winner. As an added bonus the looks of the cavity are way cleaner than even the TS-2. I have had the Max wedges in play for a few weeks now and these will be a welcomed counterpart. I've owned/own quite a few brands and one could EASILY BE A MALTBY ONE BRAND PLAYER. 

 

At your convenience, could you post a couple closeup pictures (back, top line)?  GW's stock photos never do justice to their club heads.  

 

Very intrigued by the KE4 Max. Been playing the TS1's for three years now.  Along with TSW wedges.  Both are excellent.  But I'd like to dabble into the UGI area, for the enhanced forgiveness during the inevitable erratic swing stretches.  The sole widths appear tolerable.  And the overall aesthetic is well executed.  My miss is towards the toe, and the 1.65 C-Dim of the Max (v. 1.39 of the TS1) may prove beneficial.  

 

Got no beef with longer heads or offset.  Just don't care for larger AND clunky.  They do appear to disguise it well.  Following for additional playability reports.  

 

 

Edited May 28, 2022 by Fellaheen51

[Fellaheen51]

Never mind on the photos.  Saw what I needed to see in the Maltby 2022 thread.  

[Kyfra]

I built a set of 6-GW this week. One range session and one round. Agreed that they absolutely don’t look like a sgi at address. Feel is really good. They don’t seem as forgiving as my Gmax irons but definitely forgiving. I need to play with them some more to really assess.

 

Put them on Recoil graphite shafts. I’m typically a steel player so there’s some variance there, but these have a lower penetrating ball flight than I was expecting.

[bogey69]

1 hour ago, Kyfra said:

I built a set of 6-GW this week. One range session and one round. Agreed that they absolutely don’t look like a sgi at address. Feel is really good. They don’t seem as forgiving as my Gmax irons but definitely forgiving. I need to play with them some more to really assess.

 

Put them on Recoil graphite shafts. I’m typically a steel player so there’s some variance there, but these have a lower penetrating ball flight than I was expecting.

What model of recoils?

[Kyfra]

2 hours ago, bogey69 said:

What model of recoils?

660. Took a flyer based on some reviews and didn’t want to sink a lot in to them. Figured I could swap for steel if they didn’t work for me.

[bogey69]

7 hours ago, Fellaheen51 said:

 

I ordered a test 6 iron in 110 recoil...will report back

[Klubster]

I bought the KE4 Max pak with the Rapport shafts and posted my impressions and pics here (page 4):

 

Edited May 30, 2022 by Klubster

[Colej]

Very nice design and launch is high and straight. Coming from the TS2 they’re a much more forgiving design, imo. I’m about a club longer then the TS2. The lofts are jacked on the max but they launch higher then the TS2. Just my on course findings. 

[Klubster]

Just finished my third round with these clubs on a 1400yd par-3 course (120-180yd) and I am in love with them.  Given the stronger lofts paired with the Rapport shafts, I am getting a higher launch than I expected and seems consist with what I am used to.  The spin seems fine as they held the greens well.  They feel very stable but there is not as much feedback as my 17 year old clubs gave me (no stinging hands).  They are well dampened. I did hit 8/9 tee shots pretty flush, and they did feel great.  They one shot that I knew I hit a little toward the toe still flew pin high, so there is some forgiveness there that I did not have in the old clubs.  The sound is a little more muffled than my old clubs but still sounds very good.  Still working out the distances and was windy, but seem a bit longer than my old clubs.

[dmeeksDC]

Bump. Anyone else giving these a go?

[Klubster]

It has only been 3 weeks with mine, but I do not even think about going back to my old clubs.  With these, I feel confident pulling out the 4-iron.  My normal miss is slightly toward the toe.  I missed a couple yesterday that still found the green.  That did not happen with my "players" irons.  Great deal that I would put against any OEM club.

[Bobb3rdown]

On 5/28/2022 at 10:01 AM, ode said:

Really? .... That is high praise as the PTM feel really good!  Forged 8620 vs. cast 17/4 .... I've always suggested feel is overrated as it relates to performance and have played some clunky CB in my day, so if these have a good feel that is a bonus.  Coming from the STi to the STi2....I am really curious how these compare!

Definitely finding the sti2 to be a dull feeling club. Working well through. 

[dmeeksDC]

12 hours ago, Klubster said:

It has only been 3 weeks with mine, but I do not even think about going back to my old clubs.  With these, I feel confident pulling out the 4-iron.  My normal miss is slightly toward the toe.  I missed a couple yesterday that still found the green.  That did not happen with my "players" irons.  Great deal that I would put against any OEM club.

How have you found the short irons to play vs your previous clubs? And are the Rapport shafts stable feeling? Hoping they “play a little hravier” in that regard. 

[Klubster]

19 hours ago, dmeeksDC said:

How have you found the short irons to play vs your previous clubs? And are the Rapport shafts stable feeling? Hoping they “play a little hravier” in that regard. 

I find the shafts to be extremely stable.  I am not losing shots left or right any more then with my Dynamic Golds.  I do find the trajectory a little higher on the short irons, but not dramatically different.  Spin seems to be higher as the irons are sticking and not rolling out as much.  Played our 9 hole executive course league this morning and feeling more and more confident with them.  Shot 5 over but had two 3-putts, one in the lake and one left in the trap.  Can't blame that on the new irons.  Good swings yield good results.  I would buy these again.

Edited June 20, 2022 by Klubster

[TallGuy90]

Only bought the 7 iron. But it’s a very good and better then expected looking Gi iron. To this day PTMS are my favorite Maltby iron. 

[bellairemi]

Love my set after several range trips and a fun par 3 round with my youngest daughter.  I have them with the Score LT shafts which have always been very nice for me.  They look good (mask the fact that they are pretty much SGI), feel pretty good (despite being 17-4) and are very forgiving.  I have either sold or given away my other iron sets.

 

I did get the new milled wedges for the 52* and 56* slots and am very happy with those as well.  

[TallGuy90]

If the JPX 921 weren’t such a great feeling GI Iron they would be my bag

[Sloppytypist]

you find the JPX 921 hot metal to be comprable to the KE4 max?

Edited July 5, 2022 by Sloppytypist

[CUBuffaloes]

Finally got around to placing my order. Just gonna build up a 6i with a NS Pro 950 shaft. I'm having them bend it 2* flat. If this works out I'll get the 4 and 5 irons as well and might even build up a blended set with the TS-2 for the 7 iron down.

[sui generis]

I built the KE4MAX 6, 7, 8 and 9 with Graphite Design G-Tech shafts a couple of weeks ago. So far, so good. Well, that's not quite right . . . so far, real good!

 

I was a little concerned about the advertised strong loft numbers, but, guess what, the irons are doing just what I want of them. Launch angles are what I am looking for.

 

 

[Kyfra]

Mine are firmly in the bag. Really easy to hit and love that they’ve packed sgi forgiveness in to an iron that doesn’t scream sgi. Hit 12 greens yesterday, which is really high for me.

[Rockaroo81]

43 minutes ago, Kyfra said:

Mine are firmly in the bag. Really easy to hit and love that they’ve packed sgi forgiveness in to an iron that doesn’t scream sgi. Hit 12 greens yesterday, which is really high for me.

Are you keeping those Recoil 660's in them? Or still too soon to tell?

[Kyfra]

6 minutes ago, Rockaroo81 said:

Are you keeping those Recoil 660's in them? Or still too soon to tell?

Yes, I really like them. I just ordered another GW and put a steel shaft in. I need to test it side by side, but I feel like I might prefer steel in the GW for a little more control 

[Stan018]

Just purchased a KE4Max Pak with Rapport shafts.   The looks of the club are strikingly good.  Not chunky looking at all.   I ordered them in swing weight D3, 2 degrees upright and they were delivered with swing weight D2, according to my Golf Works tool.  Fixed it with lead tape but with all the weight options available, they should get it right.  Two grams up was all that was needed.

I am not satisfied with performance after three rounds.  I can strike my JPX hot metal 919s with UST Recoil 460 shafts much more consistently and accurately - distance and direction, and they have returned to my bag.  This MPF comparison tells me the MPF isn't quite that good a club selection metric, and I was banking on it when I made the purchase.   I don't see me holding on to these KE4s.  I wish they hit as good as they look.  Hitting the green is hitting the green, and for that, my mizunos work much better!