bogeydog Posted August 11, 2008 Report Share Posted August 11, 2008 I bought the GS-MB irons (4-PW) and a set of the wedges 52, 56 and 60. I reshafted each with my fav shaft which is the KB Tour 120g 5.5 flex shafts. The length is off of a 35.75" 5 iron. Swing weight is D2 for the irons, D3 on the PW, 52 and 56 with the 60 at D4. All adjusted to play 2* flat. Wedge shafts are KB Tour also, but finished in the new "black nickel" finish. Grips are the GS stock Iomic grips which I think are the 48g "sticky" model. (Black with red caps) Here are my initial thoughts: First Impressions Looks - They are as nice looking as the pictures on TSG show. Fit and finish is excellent, detail is sharp and refined. The Iomic grips (black and red) match the paint fill. Ferrules are nice looking with the double chrome bands. The wedges are really cool looking. The finish is a raw smoke grey color. I don't know if the finish has a technical name. Setup I as like, the offset is minimal. The high toe and square-ish shape is too my liking. Remember I also am a fan of the Yamaha Tour irons that shared the same shape. The top line is not too thin, but thin enough to appear "light." Blade length is short to mid and well proportioned to the ball, if that makes any sense. Overall, setup is superb and I doubt I could suggest many changes although I think the PW could use a little refinement. The top line has a slight curve that just seems a little out of sync with the rest of the set and the other wedges. Not a real issue, just a suggestion. The wedges just look superb. Simple, clean and classy. Play I have two rounds under my belt. I can honestly say that I was a little tentative to play these. I didn't want to be disappointed. Having been so happy with the Yamaha Tour irons, I was skeptical. After a day at the range and 2 rounds, I can say that I really really like these irons. Having not played MB irons in quite a while, I was surprised to find how forgiving they really are. My mis**t is typically thin or towards to the toe. Once I got my swing transition down, I found them to be really forgiving. The sweet spot seems to be center to slightly towards the heal although to hits don't suffer to much. Feedback is really good on these. More so than the Yamaha Tours. Feel is excellent. I can say with all honestly that these are the most solid clubs I have every hit. The feel is sold and soft at the same time. Not mushy, not harsh. Now what counts. Spin and distance control as well as workability is stellar. This is so important to me in that I have I worked hard to really know how to use this skills. Not that I am perfect, but I really can hit what I want with these. This is how I measure performance of a club. I am finding these more accurate than the Yamaha Tours. I can even control trajectory pretty well. I tend to like to carry the ball to a spot on the green and stop it pretty quick. The wedges are excellent. Very versatile and accurate. Their simple design is pleasing and seems to work well and all conditions. Right now, our fairways are cut tight and rather dry. I am coming from Chikara retail wedges. The GS wedges make the Chikara wedges seem bulky. I can't offer any suggestions for changes here other than it would be cool to offer the rest of the irons in this same finish. In summary, I am more than pleased. If these continue to be as accurate as they are, they will be bagged for a long long time. The ability to stick balls on the pin is everything to me. If I can do that and have great feel at the same time, I am sold. I do intend on changing the grips to the Nowon grips. I find these Iomic grips to be a little thin for me. The Nowon grips are perfect for me and personally I think they are the best made. More to come.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Posted August 11, 2008 Report Share Posted August 11, 2008 Thanks for the review. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Alexander Posted August 11, 2008 Report Share Posted August 11, 2008 Man you need to make a post in the "what's in the bag" forum. Could you also run us through the characteristics of the KB tour shafts. Mate simple a beautiful bag. I look forward to seeing the photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HungryPillow Posted August 11, 2008 Report Share Posted August 11, 2008 Wow, thanks for the great write up. I"m sure I speak for everyone when I say we want to see some pics! I also received one of those awesome wedges a couple weeks ago, but due to work I haven't even been able to get to the range to try them out. It does look really nice sitting in my living room though... :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
777 Posted August 11, 2008 Report Share Posted August 11, 2008 Fantastic review...thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bogeydog Posted August 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 I added some pics on the WITB section. Jack Lives Here asked about the KB Tour shafts.... Here is what I wrote when I installed them in the Yamaha Tour irons. It still stands true. Some may disagree, but for me they have worked too well. I do suggest proper fitting is key. "KB Tour Shafts There isn't much info about these shafts. Data is minimal. I researched these as much as I could. I spoke to FST and gathered what I could. I then bought a few shafts of different flexes and experimented with them. Ultimately, I choose the 5.5 flex installed in the proper dedicated iron. I play 1/2" short so weight was added to head to get a D1 swing weight in the 4-8. I then had the 9 and PW setup at D2 and so on. Therefore these probably play slight softer than 5.5. The 5.5 shafts weight 120g. I also had installed the Nowon grips. I must say that these are the best shafts I have ever played, period. The feel is great. Reflecting on the Black Golds, the BGs seemed sloppy. I know they are tip soft as I expect the KBs are also. But the KB just feel more controlled and positive. Now onto what counts - Accuracy. All I can say is that these are deadly accurate. Never before have I been able to drop darts like this. They are so consistent and predictable. Flight is perfect. High yet penetrating flight with low-moderate spin, no ballooning. Easy to turn over and work. Pure sex here guys." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Alexander Posted August 14, 2008 Report Share Posted August 14, 2008 bogeydog, I assume you have tried the Nippons. If possible would you care to make a comparison between the KB Tours and the NS pros. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bogeydog Posted August 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2008 Here is an update to the new iron saga. Having some from an iron length of a 5I at 37.75", I just couldn't get used to the extra length and thus went back to 37.5". The result was a lesser swing weight and that was an adjustment in itself. I immediately began hitting the ball thin although I didn't think the feel was bad. I was kinda upset in that I thought I was going to need to rebuild the irons. After several range sessions and some play, I found that it was my swing rather than the clubs. Imagine that my swing was the problem! I wasn't hitting down on the ball properly and sweeping wasn't working. Now that I have adjusted and my swing is back on track, all is well. Today I played new course in my area and the irons were really tested. I am happy to say that I am very pleased with their performance. Flight is perfect, distance is very predictable and feel is very good. Hit correctly and the results are great. I am happy with these irons and will test them more this week for a more indepth review. The wedges are the best ever. I look forward to hitting them. Chips are a pleasure. My only complaint is that I find sand shots from firm bunkers difficult especially when I open the face. Probably my problem and not the clubs. Stellar wedges though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bogeydog Posted September 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2008 I now have about 10 rounds under my belt with these irons. I am finding my way more and more with each round. I feel that my ball striking is pretty good right now and I am seeing the rewards each day. They are as soft feeling as ever. Softer than than the Yamaha Tour irons, softer than the Epon 301s and 501s. Easy to hit for me. I was concerned with moving into muscle backs, but I have not looked back. I know there have been discussions about whether ones game could improve hitting less forgiving designs. I have to say that I think this has worked for me. I mentioned in an earlier post that I was hitting these thin sometimes. I found I was sweeping the ball rather than trapping the ball. Once I concentrated on this, contact improved and so did feel, accuracy and consistency. I also have gained almost 1 iron in distance through better ball striking. I bet that many have shy'd away from the George Spirits line because of the steep cost. However, I can see wearing these out before buying a new set of irons. Yada, yada, yada right? Well time will tell, but I honestly can't see what I would look for in a new set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HungryPillow Posted September 17, 2008 Report Share Posted September 17, 2008 Awesome bogeydog, thanks for the update on the clubs. All I have is the 58* wedge and I already feel the same way you do. Can't imagine what the full set of irons would be like... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+TourSpecGolfer Posted September 23, 2008 Report Share Posted September 23, 2008 Yes very good review and thanks for the update! I have a set I take out when i can and I agree 100% with that soft feel you mention. Its something you can't find in an iron that often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkb3245 Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 Any idea how do these compare to the Gauge NC-1s? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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