ArizonaLogan

YouTube golf has made me way better. I'm tying my opinion pretty closely to my approximate handicap during my 4 years of high school golf. In my freshman year, I was probably around a 36 handicap (about double bogey per hole), and I don't think I scored below 100. I had a pretty flat handicap during my sophomore and junior years, at about 30 for the sophomore and 27 for the junior. In December 2022, I decided to get super serious about my upcoming final golf season. I was watching a ton of videos while also comparing my swing footage (GoPro high speed) to PGA Tour Pros to find out what moves to make and not to make. With all of the extra practice and swing changes, I was able to drop about 7 strokes in one month and enter January 2023 with an estimated 20 handicap. I booked my first ever lesson in late January and mid February of 2023. I did make some improvements, but not at the same pace as when I could learn as fast as I was able. My senior season was upon me, so I didn't make any more swing changes. I sarted and ended the 4th season with about an 18-19 handicap. When the season was over, I decided not to take anymore lessons after the first two, and I instead bought a Garmin R10 launch monitor. I went back to my schedule of thousands of shots with high speed footage and YouTube, but also with the aid of swing data. The ability to see data like club path, club speed, and attack angle made my handicap drop again by 5 strokes to 13 in two months (July 2023). TL:DR My handicap dropped by about 1.2 strokes per month in the past 16 months, mainly due to YouTube. I ended last year with an 11 handicap, but recently I've been scoring only 6-7 strokes over par. So, if I continue this trend to a single-digit handicap, I might end up being a college player that was coached exclusively by a GoPro, YouTube tutorials, and later a Garmin R10.

I need to add an 18-19 degree club, and my Adams 3 wood has a slight draw bias that I believe causes slightly "hooky" shots. So, I'm planning on eventually ending up with full PXG woods (driver, 3 wood, 5 wood/3 hybrid). I'm not planning to, but I anticipate having to replace my golf shoes and golf bag if they continue wearing at their current rates.

Here is a spreadsheet I made of some weight information about the Haywood MBs/CBs and My Maltby TS4s. Both iron sets have stiff flex steel shafts, and an extra 0.25 inch of length. They also have nearly identical grips (the only difference is a Lamkin logo on the TS4s). What prompted me to do this test was that I could tell that the Haywoods had a "lighter" swing weight but about the same (if not slightly heavier) "handling weight". What I didn't know is that I was dealing with 1-4 gram differences. To answer your question simply: I personally prefer the heavier average swing weight that the Maltby TS4s have when paired with True Temper Score LT shafts.. I calculated the swing weights using the tool and exact methods linked here -> https://www.hirekogolf.com/golf-clubfitting-assembled-swingweight-calculator. I verified the numbers with a second calculator here -> http://www.leaderboard.com/SWINGWEIGHT. Note: I use an AD-Blocker so click at your own risk. Here are some line charts. The lines about weight show similar "peaks" and ranges. Balance point measured from the bottom of the grip. The Haywoods appear to have a smoother curve. The "shoulder steps" on the shafts of the TS4s made it a little bit harder to measure. All the swing weight numbers have a "D" pre-fix. I like the consistent trend upward that happens in the Haywoods. Also, the line chart makes it easier to see the pattern in Haywood Irons. I think that the TS4s would also have a nice trend if the 4 and 8 irons were a little more in range. I will likely re-measure the TS4s on some sort of "tight rope" to get more accurate data for the "Show Us Your Maltby" thread. Sorry if the charts are too nerdy.

Thanks for the information. I'll add a note to my post.

Cut: +1 Lowest scoring amateur: Stewart Hagestad. This is the first time in a few years that I haven't added Tiger to my roster, so he'll probably win the whole thing.

I've amended my post to include first impressions. I'm quoting it here to bump the thread.

I changed my plan to post the first impressions today so that I could get 2-3 days of initial testing besides just one. But it turns out I wasn't even signed in while I was typing. I lost my progress like 2 minutes ago, I will rewrite and post tomorrow despite the fact that I could retype 450-500 words relativity fast (right now I have college assignments to finish instead).

There has been off and on rain in my area for the past 3 days. If it finally stops tomorrow I should be able to form my complete first impressions by Thursday. Windy Radar is not showing my accurate location.

It looks like the milling stood out to you as well. So in the "looks" department, The milling might be the most impressive and aesthetically pleasing feature of the haywood iron.

Here is my unboxing and aesthetic impressions video. I didn't want to post it too late at night. I also linked to it in the main post.

Here are some photos of the irons behind the ball. I included my current TS4s as well as a CB 7 iron. I know that MyGolfSpy doesn't prefer "living room" photos, but today an indoor photo shoot was the best way I could contol the setup and lighting. I have already noticed a few things just by handling and "waggling" with them, but I'm going to save those statements for my full first impressions post.

Here are some more teaser photos. 7 iron. 8 iron.

Here are some brief notes I have after playing the TS4 4-PW irons for 6 months. They are probably the most forgiving irons within their category of construction and materials. Despite the forgiveness, they take the shot shape very easily. I hit fairly neutral, but when I swing more than 1° to the right or left, it is possible that I will miss the green (even if not by much). I don't feel like I am losing any distance compared to hollow body irons of similar loft. Other iron models I've been able to test ( Apex TCB, C722, CB) have a tendency to fly "straighter" on miss-hits. They feel just as good or better than any other iron (including ) with the exception of some and irons. The durability might not be as good as some non-forged irons and irons forged from harder steel. This might not be an issue if you don't hit 400-500 golf balls a week. Since I do, I am having trouble imagining that these faces will stay consistent and last longer than 18-24 months. The blend of feel, looks, distance, distance consistency, and dispersion (despite miss-hits being slightly more punished) is what makes me believe that this iron will be tough to beat for a while. Note 7 was reinforced when, exactly 1 month ago, I was able to buy a set of new 2021 model CB irons for only $549. Feel, looks, and everything else were good, but for whatever reason I wasn't as consistent with strike and distance control. I think the Wilson's were slightly smaller top to bottom and heel to toe, so that could be a factor. Another factor might be the fact that I am more custom fit for the TS4s since they have an extra 0.25" of length. I will likely post another update here once I see how the TS4s compare to the Haywood MB/CB combo set. It will be an interesting battle since the Haywoods also have a relatively "large" overall footprint like the TS4s do.

The irons were delivered, I filmed an unboxing and aesthetic impressions video. I will post some pictures tomorrow once I get some daylight.

It appears that all the UPS packages were scanned in the States about 40 minutes ago. My package is in Seattle, and expected to be delivered Thursday.