Maltby TS-1 IM vs Maltby TS-4
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | TS-1 IM loft | TS-4 loft | TS-1 IM lie | TS-4 lie | TS-1 IM length | TS-4 length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 20 | 20 | 60 | 60.5 | 39 | 39 |
| 4 | 22 | 23 | 60.5 | 61 | 38.5 | 38.5 |
| 5 | 25.5 | 26 | 61 | 61.5 | 38 | 38 |
| 6 | 29 | 29.5 | 61.5 | 62 | 37.5 | 37.5 |
| 7 | 32.5 | 33 | 62 | 62.5 | 37 | 37 |
| 8 | 36 | 37 | 62.5 | 63 | 36.5 | 36.5 |
| 9 | 40 | 41 | 63 | 63.5 | 36 | 36 |
| PW | 44 | 45.5 | 63.5 | 64 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| GW | 48 | 50 | 64 | 64 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- TS-1 IM
- TS-4
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the TS-1 IM is 32.5° and the TS-4 is 33°, a 0.5° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the TS-1 IM should carry about 2 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the TS-4. Across the 9 clubs both sets share, the TS-4 averages 0.9° weaker, with the largest gap at the GW (48° vs 50°). The pitching wedges are 44° and 45.5°; the stronger one leaves a 6° jump to a 50° gap wedge, which matters when planning wedge gapping. Beyond loft, the TS-1 IM 7-iron sits 0.5° flatter (62° vs 62.5°), which nudges start direction slightly right for a right-hander.
The TS-1 IM is a game improvement iron and the TS-4 a blade iron, so they sit 3 steps apart on the forgiveness scale. The TS-1 IM is the more forgiving design, with a wider sole, more offset and more perimeter weighting for roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. The TS-4 trades some of that for a more compact head, thinner topline and more control over flight and shape, which suits low single-digit handicaps who strike the ball consistently.
The TS-1 IM is listed as three-piece billet forged hollow body with injected polymer face backing ("Injected Muscle") and the TS-4 as billet forged muscle back, co-forged tungsten toe weight, CMC inserts. The TS-1 IM's hollow body lets the face flex more and moves mass low and outward, usually giving higher launch and more ball speed on off-centre strikes than the TS-4, at some cost in feel. Both use tungsten weighting to lower the centre of gravity and steady the head on off-centre strikes.
Both sets were introduced in 2023, so this is a choice between two models from the same lineup rather than an upgrade: Maltby designed them to sit side by side for different players.
Which should you choose?
The TS-4 is the weaker-lofted set — up to 2° weaker than the TS-1 IM. That trades raw distance for a steeper landing angle and more predictable stopping power into greens.
Both charts are reproduced in full on their own pages: Maltby TS-1 IM specs and Maltby TS-4 specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Maltby TS-1 IM stronger lofted than the TS-4?
Yes. The Maltby TS-1 IM 7-iron is 32.5° against 33° for the TS-4, 0.5° stronger, which is worth about 2 yards of extra carry with the same swing.
What is the loft difference between the Maltby TS-1 IM and TS-4?
At the 7-iron the difference is 0.5° (32.5° vs 33°). The largest gap on a shared club is 2° at the GW, and 8 of the 9 shared clubs differ.
Which is better for higher handicap golfers, the Maltby TS-1 IM or the TS-4?
The Maltby TS-1 IM. As a game improvement iron it is the more forgiving design, suited to roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. The TS-4 is a blade iron, better suited to low single-digit handicaps who strike the ball consistently.
Do the Maltby TS-1 IM and TS-4 have the same lie and length?
Not exactly. At the 7-iron the Maltby TS-1 IM is 62° lie and 37 inches, the TS-4 62.5° and 37 inches. Both can be bent or built to your own fit.
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