Show us your Maltby!!!

[Shrek74]

2 hours ago, IndyBonzo said:

I am weak.

I resisted and resisted, for weeks actually.  I scanned eBay relentlessly for a deal on preowned too with no luck.  But yesterday I finally broke down and ordered two things I have been dying to try:  a Maltby TS1 7 iron head and Xcaliber RT 105 shaft to build a tester iron with a Star midsized grip and GW ferrule.

I'm super interested to hear more about these Xcaliber RT105 shafts. I've seen them around and read a little about them, but don't really have any experience with them. They're a bit pricey at $50 a shaft, but I'm still interested to see how you like them and how they perform.

Anyone have any experience with the Xcaliber RT shafts? Would love to hear about it.

[IndyBonzo]

49 minutes ago, Shrek74 said:

I'm super interested to hear more about these Xcaliber RT105 shafts. I've seen them around and read a little about them, but don't really have any experience with them. They're a bit pricey at $50 a shaft, but I'm still interested to see how you like them and how they perform.

Anyone have any experience with the Xcaliber RT shafts? Would love to hear about it.

I read about the Xcaliber here mostly.  Folks (albeit, the same folks) rave about them.  I really like my Project X LZ shafts, and have had great luck with KBS Tour shafts in the past.  But I am always seeking more distance and accuracy, like most people.  I worry about the lighter 105 weight as compared to my typical 120 range.  Swingweight will be key.  It's worth a shot I guess!

And I'm pumped to try the TS1.  

In truth, I will probably be better off if this experiment fails.  Ha.

[Shrek74]

7 minutes ago, IndyBonzo said:

I read about the Xcaliber here mostly.  Folks (albeit, the same folks) rave about them.  I really like my Project X LZ shafts, and have had great luck with KBS Tour shafts in the past.  But I am always seeking more distance and accuracy, like most people.  I worry about the lighter 105 weight as compared to my typical 120 range.  Swingweight will be key.  It's worth a shot I guess!

And I'm pumped to try the TS1.  

In truth, I will probably be better off if this experiment fails.  Ha.

I've had great luck with my DG120's, but my hands and elbows aren't happy about them any more. I fit into some Recoil 95's for my incoming JPX923 HMP's, so the weight will take some getting used to. SW will be a big part of it for sure.

At my PXG fitting, he fit me into KBS Tour Lite and Modus 105, so no doubt the lighter weight is where my swing is apparently going. That's why the RT 105's are intriguing. Sadly, just about anything good in graphite in this weight class is $50+. *deep sigh*

[snoopy79]

2 minutes ago, Shrek74 said:

I've had great luck with my DG120's, but my hands and elbows aren't happy about them any more.

Shrek this statement makes me curious. I have some slight discomfort in my upper forearms and elbows that comes and goes. Do you feel the lighter shafts are helping alleviate that for you?

[Shrek74]

1 minute ago, snoopy79 said:

Shrek this statement makes me curious. I have some slight discomfort in my upper forearms and elbows that comes and goes. Do you feel the lighter shafts are helping alleviate that for you?

It's not weight Snoopy, it's steel. Steel shafts, without any type of vibration dampening are very hard on the joints/hands. Going to graphite, regardless of weight is one of the best ways to alleviate that issue. I've seen/read/heard countless stories of guys who made that switch and most if not all of their hand/elbow pain goes away. As much as I love my steel shafts, my hands/elbows just can't deal with them any longer. I have a set of Recoil Prototype 125 shafts I'll be putting into the Maltby TS1 IM's, and they are 30g heavier than my incoming Mizuno Recoil 95's. But their swing weight will be virtually identical.

I may try out some grip options that are supposed to help with this issue in steel shafts on a test TS1 IM 7 iron I'll have handy for any type of shaft/grip testing. But only some time with my new irons will really tell me if it's a worthy switch or not.

[Willie T]

Build is complete on the "scoring TS1" irons.  Here are some photos of the completed clubs along with comparisons to the others in the bag (6&7irons are Edel SMS, wedges are INDI Flex-S (from the test last fall)).  I really like how they turned out - let's see if you can see anything "I would do different next time" (it's a visual thing - nothing structural): 

Assembled irons on bench: 

Comparison photos of the Edels to the Maltbys to the INDIs: 

Looks from the address position (Edel, Maltby, INDI):

Hanging out in the bag: 

Initial thoughts: The Golfworks did a great job on shipping the kit and having everything well packed.  Assembly of the clubs was smooth as it could be.  What I love about the TS-1 head is that in the dry fit of the shafts, it was decently snug - no sloppy feels tehere, could be an mix of the accuracy that Apollo builds its shafts and how Maltby does its heads.  Likewise the ferrules matched wonderfully with the outer diameter of the Matlby heads, only took a minimal Acetone wipedown to clean the over lap (I did use collared ferrules as the head is a multi-fit (.370/.355) shaft diameters.  Grips were a snap to install.  

Initial comparison (between brands): While not super perceptible, the Edel irons are a bit longer across the face than the Maltby irons.  I'm lookin forward to see how the sole interaction compares as the Matlby irons have more rounded shape as compared to the Edel:

This should make for good turf interaction comparisons.  The top lines are so similar (which I was concerned that one would be way different than the other.  I am looking forward to seeing how the Apollo Acculite shafts compare to the KBS TourLite shafts.  

Initial feel: If a club don't feel right you ain't gonna hit it right (then again you may hit it right, way right or way left).  These feel natural to me.  I love how the Maltby heads migrate nicely with the Edel at the top and the INDI at the bottom.  The offset is minimal and suits my eye (very similar to the TM SLDRs I had been playing and the Titleist DCI 962s I have been playing during the build).  First few swings in the backyard with hard foam balls feel promising. Real test comes later this week when I will head to the course with the clubs.  

On course perfomance:  TBD - this will have to wait to where I can update this thread to give my thoughts on how the irons perform.  As I have had really good success with the old DCI irons the past few rounds, I am looking to see what newer technology has to offer.  The lofts of the Edel/Maltby combo set are comparable to the stock lofts of the SLDR irons, I am expecting at least those distances maybe more?  Along with distance gain(s), I am looking for accuracy (once I learn the distances) and solid feel.  Going to be a fun next few rounds as I dial in this combo set...

Update to come soon...

• 23/24 May on course update:  Played these irons on the course for the first time this week, not sure what I would be expecting as I had only hit some easy pitches and a few hard foam balls with them.  Thurs was the 9 hole semi-scramble I play with some friends and the first real test of the irons and Fri was 18 holes with son, niece and her husband.  To get some "added" strokes in, I played irons where I would normally play fairways/hybrids.  Initial impressions: These irons let you know if you don't flush it and will reward you when you do.  The first couple of swings on the course, I was too timid and caught them off the sweet spot and they let me know.  I was starting to think have I built irons I cannot play, but by hole three we were starting to understand each other.  I was flushing more, thinning less.  The interaction of the irons with the turf is very similar to my old MacGregor Mike Souchak irons that I still game on occasion (also these Maltby's are very similar in face size, top line, overall feel).  By the end of the round on Friday, I am thinking "why did I wait so long to build."  The feel of the ball off the club face when flushed is a nice solid thud. 
  • Dispersion:  Overall accuracy left to right is tighter than what it was with the SLDR irons and even the recently played DCI 962's.  In recent work in the backyard with hard foam balls the overall shot dispersion has shrunk about 10yds left to right, based on physical observations. 
  • Distance: Everyone wants more distance.  I have found these irons to be about 1 to 1-1/2 clubs longer.  As these are lofted the same as my old SLDR irons, I am liking the idea of taking an 8i where I used to have a 7i or PW where may a 9i was the call.  For example: the shot of the day was on the par 3 12th.  It is a short hole and usually it is an easy 7i for me with the SLDR irons (32* loft) and as a shorter hitter, normally a 135yd pin is about all I could do with that club.  After reading how the Maltby's tend to be a little hotter off the face, I clubbed down to an 8i for a middle pin.  A solid swing and the ball launches a little overdrawn and lands pin high left just off the green.  Sets me up for a 22yd pitch with the Indi 54* to about 5' for a up and down par.  Impressed is the word. 

I know - not a lot of fancy numbers.  What I do know is that these irons were pretty much seamless in my transition from the SLDR irons (graphite shafts) to the DCI 962s to the Edel-Maltby blended set.  I'm looking forward to more reporting on what is truly a blended bag top to bottom - G400 SFT driver, G410 3w, G400 3h-4h-5h, Edel SMS 6i & 7i, Maltby 8i, 9i, PW, INDI FLX-S 50-54-58 and Odyssey AI One 7DB Milled "Millie"....    

 

Edited May 25 by Willie T

[IndyBonzo]

Those look really great @Willie T!  Eager to hear your results.

Based on topline views only, other than the ferrules, I cannot tell the Edels and the Maltbys apart.

[snoopy79]

@Shrek74 Okay that makes sense. I didn't think about the vibration dampening. I am sure all the swing reps over time start to wear on things (not getting any younger) but something else you said got me thinking. I recently tried a JumboMax grip on my driver and so far I love the feel and the results have been great too. I have a spare JMX grip, I wonder if putting it on an iron would dampen the vibrations?

 

[Willie T]

21 minutes ago, IndyBonzo said:

Those look really great @Willie T!  Eager to hear your results.

Based on topline views only, other than the ferrules, I cannot tell the Edels and the Maltbys apart.

Yup - I should have gotten the longer barreled ferrules to better match the others…looking forward to reporting back.

[Shrek74]

22 minutes ago, snoopy79 said:

@Shrek74 Okay that makes sense. I didn't think about the vibration dampening. I am sure all the swing reps over time start to wear on things (not getting any younger) but something else you said got me thinking. I recently tried a JumboMax grip on my driver and so far I love the feel and the results have been great too. I have a spare JMX grip, I wonder if putting it on an iron would dampen the vibrations?

Here is an article I found when I was looking a couple weeks ago - https://oconeeclubworx.com/blogs/news/top-10-shock-absorbing-golf-grips. There are multiple articles on the topic of golf grips that reduce shock. I have the JumboMax Ultralight in extra small (which is still wider than my MCC+4 Mid), the SuperStroke Cross Comfort Mid, and Avon Chamois Oversize (not the wrap style) that I'm looking to test. The MCC+4 Mids I play now are also contributing to the "hardness" of the steel shafts shock. So we'll see how some testing and graphite shafts go.

Edited May 22 by Shrek74

[KCEE]

1 hour ago, Shrek74 said:

I'm super interested to hear more about these Xcaliber RT105 shafts. I've seen them around and read a little about them, but don't really have any experience with them. They're a bit pricey at $50 a shaft, but I'm still interested to see how you like them and how they perform.

Anyone have any experience with the Xcaliber RT shafts? Would love to hear about it.

I've been playing around with the RT105 and RT95 a bit. I had Recoil 110 Stiff in my irons and iRod 95 stiff in my hybrids so I tried the RT in Stiff initially, but found it noticeably stiffer than the Recoils and iRod. I had some emails with Robin Arthur and he said the RT Stiff is probably closer to Tour Stiff or X and the R+ is closer to most Stiff shafts......maybe he was just assuming I have an ego and trying to make me feel better lol.

Any way I have the RT105 R+ in a TS1-IM 6i and it plays very nicely. I even tried it soft stepped once and that may be perfect for me. Sort of makes sense because newer Maltby irons seem to have a BBGM about 3/8" less than many other irons and I find that much can stiffen the build a bit. The RT105 feels like it has a bit of a kick, but it is still stable. I was fortunate to get them on sale for just under $40 each. Honestly even at $50 each I think they are a good value when you look at how much shafts cost these days.

I may build 6-P of the TS1-IM with it and see how it does against my P770.  The P770 has DG105 with VSS, but I had surgery on my right wrist and left hand (and I'm nearly 60) and I miss having graphite. I actually have 130g Accra graphite in my wedges and love it.  I'd prefer closer to 115g in my irons, but I can MOI match and then backweight them to a manageable static weight for my poor tempo.

[KOG]

1 hour ago, Shrek74 said:

It's not weight Snoopy, it's steel. Steel shafts, without any type of vibration dampening are very hard on the joints/hands. Going to graphite, regardless of weight is one of the best ways to alleviate that issue. I've seen/read/heard countless stories of guys who made that switch and most if not all of their hand/elbow pain goes away. As much as I love my steel shafts, my hands/elbows just can't deal with them any longer. I have a set of Recoil Prototype 125 shafts I'll be putting into the Maltby TS1 IM's, and they are 30g heavier than my incoming Mizuno Recoil 95's. But their swing weight will be virtually identical.

I may try out some grip options that are supposed to help with this issue in steel shafts on a test TS1 IM 7 iron I'll have handy for any type of shaft/grip testing. But only some time with my new irons will really tell me if it's a worthy switch or not.

Aside from that, you can use the foam inserts in the shafts and it will absorb some of the impact and it legitimately helps. 

https://www.golfworks.com/prosoft-shaft-dampening-inserts/p/ps5003/

Edited May 22 by KOG

[Shrek74]

26 minutes ago, KOG said:

Aside from that, you can use the foam inserts in the shafts and it will absorb some of the impact and it legitimately helps. 

https://www.golfworks.com/prosoft-shaft-dampening-inserts/p/ps5003/

I've heard mixed reviews on these things. Although these mixed with grips that are designed to help lessen shock might actually be an option.

[KOG]

I have used them in Apollo Stepless shafts and even in a steel fiber x stiff I trimmed to 8 iron for my wedge that would make that annoying vibration noise when you dropped it on the ground around the green after assembling. It fixed that so that def makes a difference.

As far as feel, I think its def more than placebo effect. Also you dont need the applier, I just used a metal hangar. Same thing as DG Sensicore

Also, I find the Lamkin Sonar are great for absorption without going to winn which dont last 3 rounds with me. My father swears by the Oversize winn wraps dritec or excel and they do feel amazing, but just dont last for me.

[sl1111]

11 hours ago, IndyBonzo said:

I am weak.

I resisted and resisted, for weeks actually.  I scanned eBay relentlessly for a deal on preowned too with no luck.  But yesterday I finally broke down and ordered two things I have been dying to try:  a Maltby TS1 7 iron head and Xcaliber RT 105 shaft to build a tester iron with a Star midsized grip and GW ferrule.

I really want a set of playable blades.  (I’m counting the TS1 as a blade despite the poly filling.  My house/my rules.). So I will test the TS1 against some MP-33s with DG S300 shafts I have waiting to be slightly rejuvenated.  The winner will eventually get some serious course time until I remember I am not good enough to play them.   

You will not be disappointed. I played the TS1 for two years and they are great heads. 

I have 4-GW  105 Rapid Tapers coming soon to install in my TS1-IM and (3) of the Rapid Taper 115 wedge shafts for my Edisons. Should be a great combo!!!

[sl1111]

8 hours ago, Shrek74 said:

I'm super interested to hear more about these Xcaliber RT105 shafts. I've seen them around and read a little about them, but don't really have any experience with them. They're a bit pricey at $50 a shaft, but I'm still interested to see how you like them and how they perform.

Anyone have any experience with the Xcaliber RT shafts? Would love to hear about it.

Hope this doesn't get me in trouble, but here is reviews and 25 pages on THP. 

https://www.thehackersparadise.com/xcaliber-rapid-taper-105-iron-shaft-review/

https://www.thehackersparadise.com/forum/index.php?threads/xcaliber-rapid-taper-iron-shaft-review.8916924/

Wedges: https://www.thehackersparadise.com/forum/index.php?threads/xcaliber-rapid-taper-wedge-shafts.8962409/

I can put you in contact with an authorized dealer that sells them discounted. I just have to check with him before I share his info and make sure he is OK with it. I did not pay anywhere near $50 per shaft!

[GolfSpy SAM]

13 minutes ago, sl1111 said:

Hope this doesn't get me in trouble, but here is reviews and 25 pages on THP. 

https://www.thehackersparadise.com/xcaliber-rapid-taper-105-iron-shaft-review/

https://www.thehackersparadise.com/forum/index.php?threads/xcaliber-rapid-taper-iron-shaft-review.8916924/

Wedges: https://www.thehackersparadise.com/forum/index.php?threads/xcaliber-rapid-taper-wedge-shafts.8962409/

I can put you in contact with an authorized dealer that sells them discounted. I just have to check with him before I share his info and make sure he is OK with it. I did not pay anywhere near $50 per shaft!

No worries - I know a lot of people (myself included) are interested in these, so having a resource where others discuss them is no issue.  I have a plan to build either a full set of TS3s or TE+ in the next year, so I'd also be interested if the dealer is open to multiple parties buying, but also understand it's not something that gets advertised all that often. 

[Popeye64]

35 minutes ago, GolfSpy SAM said:

No worries - I know a lot of people (myself included) are interested in these, so having a resource where others discuss them is no issue.  I have a plan to build either a full set of TS3s or TE+ in the next year, so I'd also be interested if the dealer is open to multiple parties buying, but also understand it's not something that gets advertised all that often. 

I can help you guys out with a group buy of sorts. Just give me a shout. Happy to help. 

[Popeye64]

9 hours ago, Shrek74 said:

I'm super interested to hear more about these Xcaliber RT105 shafts. I've seen them around and read a little about them, but don't really have any experience with them. They're a bit pricey at $50 a shaft, but I'm still interested to see how you like them and how they perform.

Anyone have any experience with the Xcaliber RT shafts? Would love to hear about it.

I was deeply involved with the development of the RT shafts. Isn't anyone on the planet with more experience in these shafts.

They are truly unique in thier feel and performance. It's a shaft that can be played at the stated stiffness or softened up from your normal flex. 

Let me.know what your questions are. I've also had them in every Malby head made. 

[sl1111]

1 hour ago, GolfSpy SAM said:

No worries - I know a lot of people (myself included) are interested in these, so having a resource where others discuss them is no issue.  I have a plan to build either a full set of TS3s or TE+ in the next year, so I'd also be interested if the dealer is open to multiple parties buying, but also understand it's not something that gets advertised all that often. 

I contacted my source to remind him of this thread and let him know the Rapid Tapers were gaining traction. He is a long standing member across all golf forums, including MGS  and I have done multiple shaft buys with him. I didn't want to name drop without his permission. No surprise it is Popey64 and he is now active in this thread and the Rapid Taper thread. 

[IndyBonzo]

Thanks gents.  If my test goes well I will def be in touch re buying more!

Edited May 23 by IndyBonzo

[pozzit]

On 5/22/2024 at 5:54 AM, IndyBonzo said:

So I will test the TS1 against some MP-33s with DG S300 shafts I have waiting to be slightly rejuvenated.  The winner will eventually get some serious course time until I remember I am not good enough to play them.   

So let me get this straight the options are TS1 and MP-33?

First, please compare the MP-33 6i vs TS1 7i that matches loft for loft. Second, I hope you don't have a steep attack angle. Third, Forgiveness is going to be obvious. MPF is 419 vs 711

Let's just say I know a guy who does this same thing every year.

Also taking your last sentence, if you're an 8.2 and a relatively consistent ball striker you are good enough to play the TS1s and they may compliment your game nicely. I would argue that they probably won't give you much, if any, advantages over the TS3s outside of head shape. 

With all that in place take the MP33s, TS1 & TS3 out on the course from whatever yard your 7i goes and see what each club delivers. Then decide between the TS1 & TS3. Once you have decided to throw the Maltbys in your trunk and take those beautiful blades for a leisurely 18 hole stroll and enjoy the butter and pain of the MP33s.

Edited May 23 by pozzit

[IndyBonzo]

Good input @pozzit.  Thank you. 
 

To be clear, I don’t think the blades will give me more distance or forgiveness, especially the MP-33s.  But I am starting to think that perhaps I hit a more compact, blade-like head more consistently than the larger CB.  And it’s a fun challenge. 

[NCDuffer]

15 minutes ago, IndyBonzo said:

Good input @pozzit.  Thank you. 
 

To be clear, I don’t think the blades will give me more distance or forgiveness, especially the MP-33s.  But I am starting to think that perhaps I hit a more compact, blade-like head more consistently than the larger CB.  And it’s a fun challenge. 

I played (shovels) Ping GMax and went to TS1s.  I hit the TS1s so much better.  I too believe the smaller head size helped.  I was a 16-18 with shovels and now 9-10 with TS1s.  I didn’t lose any distance, dispersion better and the only thing I think I gave up was maybe a couple of yards on bad toe hits. 

[IndyBonzo]

A build question for the Maltbyphiles:  Given the slightly unusual depth of the hosel in Maltby irons generally, and specifically the TS1 for my upcoming build, should the manufacturer's tip-trimming instructions for graphite shafts be followed precisely, or modified somewhat? 

May the answer be different depending on whether the tip is .370 or .355?

Thank you in advance!

[KOG]

2 hours ago, IndyBonzo said:

A build question for the Maltbyphiles:  Given the slightly unusual depth of the hosel in Maltby irons generally, and specifically the TS1 for my upcoming build, should the manufacturer's tip-trimming instructions for graphite shafts be followed precisely, or modified somewhat? 

May the answer be different depending on whether the tip is .370 or .355?

Thank you in advance!

With 355, you only butt trim. with 370, tip trim as usual and butt trim to length. If youre buying pre-trimmed pulls, you may have to soft step.

Edited May 23 by KOG

[azstu324]

2 hours ago, IndyBonzo said:

A build question for the Maltbyphiles:  Given the slightly unusual depth of the hosel in Maltby irons generally, and specifically the TS1 for my upcoming build, should the manufacturer's tip-trimming instructions for graphite shafts be followed precisely, or modified somewhat? 

May the answer be different depending on whether the tip is .370 or .355?

Thank you in advance!

If I recall, there has been some back and forth on the Maltby forum and per Britt, the difference is negligible at best. I think he said something along the lines of "it's more headache and waste of time to worry about it than to just not think about it and move on". TBH I haven't given it any thought in any of my builds and so far everything seems to play just as I like. 

[mustanggolf]

2 hours ago, IndyBonzo said:

A build question for the Maltbyphiles:  Given the slightly unusual depth of the hosel in Maltby irons generally, and specifically the TS1 for my upcoming build, should the manufacturer's tip-trimming instructions for graphite shafts be followed precisely, or modified somewhat? 

May the answer be different depending on whether the tip is .370 or .355?

Thank you in advance!

My take is modified somewhat.   I have had the TS-1, TS-2 and Currently have the TS-3 and TS1-IM.      

[KCEE]

22 hours ago, IndyBonzo said:

Good input @pozzit.  Thank you. 
 

To be clear, I don’t think the blades will give me more distance or forgiveness, especially the MP-33s.  But I am starting to think that perhaps I hit a more compact, blade-like head more consistently than the larger CB.  And it’s a fun challenge. 

It defies logic, but some of us do seem to hit smaller irons better. I have broken 80 a handful of times, but I'm not a good golfer by any means as I went up to a 20 not long ago and have never been lower than ~ 12. Oddly large SGI irons do not help my game at all. Last time at the fitter he asked me why I kept trying to find a large iron when I kept hitting the "players" ones better.  My response was "because I am a high handicapper" and his response was "well you also told me you have an engineering degree so why won't you accept the data from the launch monitor?".  I dunno lol.    

[KCEE]

19 hours ago, IndyBonzo said:

A build question for the Maltbyphiles:  Given the slightly unusual depth of the hosel in Maltby irons generally, and specifically the TS1 for my upcoming build, should the manufacturer's tip-trimming instructions for graphite shafts be followed precisely, or modified somewhat? 

May the answer be different depending on whether the tip is .370 or .355?

Thank you in advance!

I hate to say it depends, but I wouldn't ignore it. If you are more sensitive to the feel then it can make a difference IMO. The BBGM is nearly 1/2" less than many irons and that is a full hard step in most cases. Some will never notice that, but others may feel it and possibly even see ballflight a bit lower.  Some irons are much closer and I don't think anyone will notice 1/4" or less.  I wouldn't bother with it myself; at my last fitting I had a hard time distinguishing between R300 and S300 in the DG 105. We hard stepped the R300 and that's worked well for me, but I'm not sure it really mattered.