Review: I returned from our 2+ week trip Thursday and reality slapped me in the face with a 2-inch snow and sub-freezing temps here for a couple of days, and a lot of catching up on business service work.
I currently game the Wilson Staff D-100 with True Temper SL85 (super light steel) stock shafts. My typical warm-up on the range is a bucket starting with my 7i, then the driver for a few, then my fishing rod with a small component head on the end to try to set the tempo mentally/physically before heading over to the practice green to roll some putts.
The morning I met Eguller at the course in the Myrtle Beach area we were greeted on the range with a brisk wind directly in our faces on a cool (50*) morning. I've only played a few holes here and there since November when our official season ends so I had a lot of rust to knock off. I initially hit some doozies with my 7i including a couple of toppers, fat shots, pulls, and a few in the sweet spot until I felt I was getting there.
So, Dan then hands me the Maltby STi2 with the R flex to swing a few. I hit only 10 balls or so with it and I loved the feel and results - immediately. Of the balls I hit, there wasn't one off-center strike and the only shot I missed was when I really jumped on it trying a knock-down shot into the wind and pulled it 20 yards off the target. 2 of those solid strikes smothered the flag stick. I loved the boring trajectory into the stiff breeze too. There wasn’t any ballooning. My Staffs aren’t in the same league as this combo as I felt I was getting 5-7+ yards of carry with this combo head/shaft, increased feel, and consistent ball striking.
My current irons are dated and I need to start looking for replacements. I haven't swung a component (or knock-off) club since I caved a face on a Great Big Bertha knock-off way back when and I'm not a club builder. But, I'm now starting a shortlist of irons to consider and this Maltby RT Xcaliber combo is my first finalist as I start the list.
I sure enjoyed the pleasurable round with your wife and you, Dan. Sorry that I had to run before we could partake of the 19th hole but I made the ZOOM call with 5 minutes to spare back in Columbia. You are a gentleman and a scholar.