The Problem with Budget Drivers...

[@zanefoster9352]

Remember that Maltby does offer club packs in all their clubs with their selected shaft options that they feel compliments their product best and they custom assemble for either free of charge. You can also get Puring or Spine alignment of the shaft for $25.00 each shaft. They are professionally assembled right there at the Maltby location and then shipped directly to you. The Golfworks and Maltby are second to none in the component industry or direct sales industry. I just to be a clubfitter and they were my main supplier. No thrills, just tech!

[@BamaAMT79]

Thanks for correcting that. I was just about to do the same. Maltby has an unlimited amount of shaft options. Yes, you will pay more for premium options.

[@ferfromla]

I recently bought a KE4 Tour TC driver, which works well for me. I looked at the Kirkland driver, but I needed a senior shaft option not offered by Costco. The KE4 was cheaper than the Kirkland, even with shipping costs added. Moreover, I could choose the shaft brand, shaft flex, and grip to my liking by ordering online. I found their service excellent and easy to reach by phone. I also like the driver's looks and would not want to pay $400 more for better decorations. In the end, what I want is a driver that works and is affordable. The KE4 ticks all the boxes, and for a high handicapper like me, I refuse to spend $500+ for a driver from a higher-end brand that does no better for my game than the Maltby. But I also understand that some are more status-conscious than others, and for them, additional investment might be needed to keep up with the Joneś.

[@wks4511]

Great job Gabe. I've become a DTC guy due to the cost of clubs these days. I appreciate the info. fyi, Tour Edge is launching their new Exotics equipment on 11/1.

[@LetsPlayThru]

I have them 😉review will be out 10/1

[@JoeFixIt75]

If you live in ohio, you can go to golfworks and swing any of their clubs and get fitted for $25, which is then applied to the purchase. So there is that option too. I did so with my ts1im irons, wedges and the ke4 hybrids and it was a great experience. Solid clubs for an extremely reasonable price.

[@DanielSmith-ug7ri]

Just bought a set of Maltby wedges and absolutely love them.

[@AZstu324]

You nailed it Gabe! Ive mentioned to you before that the only reason i choose to play the Maltby KE4 TC Pro over the really great performing and looking Mizuno ST-Z 230 is strictly performance. Believe me it was a really difficult decision too. The sound and aesthetics of the Maltby almost outweighed the stats.. but at the end of the day, more fairways hit and an extra 10 yds off the tee just couldn't be argued with and i just had to suck it up for better performance. Every year Maltby is taking serious notes on what the customer says and wants, and have made great strides in their aesthetic improvments. Performance has always been their #1 goal but looks have to be almost just as important. I really hope that the next gen driver in 2025 can catch up to the looks of the irons. Then they'll have something really special.

[@roberthogan8066]

Stu what shaft do you have in the Maltby driver

[@AZstu324]

Before I sent it to Gabe, I had the Maltby UL shaft in R flex and a Garafalloy Pro Launch Blue 45g in A flex (Otto Plex). I actually played it at 44" and D2 SW. I also filled the head with poly fill to add weight and mute the sound. I know.. nonconforming yada yada. I don't compete so I'm not too worried. Both of those shafts are less than $50 each and perform as good as anything. Trust me I've tried a bunch. I used to be a Ventus Vellocore and MotoreX guy. I traded them in for these and never looked back.

[@roberthogan8066]

I was wondering, because I did read that in your post about the autoflex shaft. Now I am committed to that set up. ( will buy ) what about shafts on your irons , looking at the ts3’s. Thanks

[@AZstu324]

So I'm not really doing this in my irons per se, but I did just recently switch out my 115g Royal Precision steel shafts for the 85g Maltby MPF graphite shafts and so far am absolute loving them!

[@roberthogan8066]

@@AZstu324 thanks again

[@bobzielinski3823]

The sweet spot for now is drivers like Cleveland has or Tour Edge. The best approach for DTC brands would be to sell heads only and partner with a company like Dallas Golf. Buy the head and pick the shaft out from Dallas Golf and have them put the shaft of your choice in.

[@tcofield1967]

Amen on the shafts. Depending on your swing type the shaft can really help or really hurt your driver as far as distance and control. People often make the same mistake of changing drivers while ignoring a potentially cheaper alternative of a premier shaft in a current driver. I know I bought a new driver probably more often than I needed to. I've bought a few direct to consumer models over the years (Kirkland, Hogan) and have mixed opinions. Hogan actually has a 25 dollar trial on their woods with several shaft options. This would be nice for other brands since even bargain brands run 300 dollars plus normally.

[@LetsPlayThru]

Yes indeed, I have made that mistake myself.

[@josemariamolinaalducin4737]

Remember that Maltby offers custom built clubs , with the largest shaft selection in the Mkt., not even compared by the top brands … I have the Max 4 driver , performing gor me bettter than my Callaway Paradym driver … worth take aclose look to this brand tks

[@TestStripSteve]

I bought the Tour Edge Hot Lauch Driver that you reviewed a few months Back & recommended. I Love My Tour Edge Hot Lauch Driver that I bought for half the Price of the BIG Boy Drivers ..! With Close to the same results of the BIG Boy Drivers ..! GREAT VALUE ..! WE ALL LIKE GREAT VALUE ..!

[@LetsPlayThru]

Smart man!

[@TestStripSteve]

@LetsPlayThru Yes Gabe Thanks to you & your review of The Driver .! Kudos Gabe👍💯💯💯 Gabe I bought My whole bag of Clubs based on your reviews ..! Maltby TS3 Forged Irons ✅️ Tour Edge Hot Lauch Driver ✅️ Tour Edge Hot Lauch 3 wood ✅️ Tour Edge Hot Lauch 3 hybrid ✅️ Tour Edge Hot Lauch 4 hybrid ✅️ Kirkland 2nd Gen wedges ✅️ I couldn't be happier with those choices.!!

[@LetsPlayThru]

I’d play that bag!

[@AZstu324]

Hey Gabe! I wanted to circle back on this one as i forgot to mention something VERY important. Maltby offers all of their drivers with Pak options, so you can get a full driver from them at a very low cost. Here are the Pak options for this particular head: TC Pro + Maltby MPF shaft (insanely good shaft!) $199 TC Pro + Kuro Kage Silver $229 TC Pro + PX HZRDUS Smoke Black $239 TC Pro + Rapport White (premium) $300 Dont quote me as I'm not sure if they still do this but if you want a different shaft in their vast catalogue that is equal in price to one of 4 mentioned, they'll give you the pak price with that shaft. Hopefully that clears some things up 😊

[@adamchristensen6927]

Definitely think you should look into Sub70. They have a lot of custom options. Even if they don’t have certain shafts, they will still special order it so it still fits your spec

[@douglasbelton503]

Nice shout out to Sub70 however a comparison of their driver with the shaft of your choice may have been in order 🤔

[@LetsPlayThru]

I have tried it, but it wasn’t in my top 3

[@SEOutdoors24]

I own several clubs purchased as "paks" through Maltby with the shafts I wanted. Their products perform like the big boys for a fraction of the cost.

[@estebanandrade8284]

Costco had the option to return the Kirkland without a question asked. Just kind of figured it would be an option to take out and try it. Great video as always man! And hello from Mesquite, Nevada.

[@LetsPlayThru]

Good point!

[@MidlifeGolfCrisis]

Haven’t watched the entire video yet, but shocked not to see either sub70 or takomo in the line-up for this.

[@jpwantland2960]

Gabe, I always enjoy your video reviews. In fact, I bought the Takomo 101 irons after I watched your video review of them and I couldn't be more happier with my decision. By the way, you rocking back and forth during this video reminded me of my sons when they were young and they had to pee really bad 😂

[@galeboak4677]

I have the reg shaft and I love the club. I have a 18 handicap best one I have tried. You won’t be disappointed

[@LetsPlayThru]

Which one?

[@16pennynails]

Down at Golf Mart there were bags and bags of pre owned drivers, red tag day so they were 10 or 20 percent off. Good stuff too, not a bunch of clunkers. Plenty of brand new clubs, all top of the line, with hitting stalls, one simulator, and plenty of "used car" salesmen more than happy to make a deal. And that's just one golf store. As good as they are, the DTC brands just don't have that market access, at all really.

[@carlosGarcia-xl1ql]

DTC definitely lean heavily on word of mouth advertising. I found out about takomo and other brands through you tube. Even though I want the Kirkland set of irons.. I have been drooling on the Mcgregor Macspds. You have some choice on shafts and such. I think a demo program would definitely be beneficial to the DTC world.

[@Thataintnothing]

Bought the Takomo’s 101 as good as any big name Irons sold actually Better!!!!

[@TravisRasco]

Gabe love that you review so many of the friendlier budget options out there… I’m a father of two young children disposable income… not a lot at the moment lol… any chance you’d be able to review the new Benross delta xt driver/hollow body irons? I’m in the market for new gear and based solely on your reviews I’m leaning maltby at the moment… I gamed the previous iteration of the Benross driver and did enjoy would love to get your opinion on their newest release! Thanks for all the great content!

[@LetsPlayThru]

Good suggestion, I will look into those

[@Hunter-zp5hd]

I agree about the shafts. I can use a multitude of iron shafts, but in the driver, it’s way more important. I have Maltby TS4 irons with the cheapie Score shafts. I don’t see hardly any difference between those and say, a DG 105 shaft. I wish there was a way to get extra tips for the Kirkland driver. I enjoy that driver but I’m wary of changing out tips for it.

[@LetsPlayThru]

Good news…modern Mizuno tips will fit the KS Driver

[@hardstuckaluminum6720]

FYI Maltby does the same demo single club as Sub70 and they deduct the price of the single club from the pak price if you decide to buy the set.

[@Missin44]

With Costco's return policy, it's a no-brainer to return it if you want. With Maltby, they have numerous shaft and grip choices with free assembly.

[@Mickynoonstar]

I recently bought a Maltby KE4 Max Driver assembled with their shaft and it snapped up underneath the grip on my first swing before I’d even made contact with the ball! The ke4 max irons that I bought as well were great though

[@AZstu324]

Have you contacted GW about the shaft? They're usually pretty good about making things right, especially if they built the club.

[@neilcaulfield7840]

I'm the type of guy who needs a club fitting event. I really don't like this idea of buying off the shelf and away you go. This is why and you mentioned it in this video as to why DTC brands will suffer beside the big boys. By the way, l seen for the first time here in Scotland, the Kirkland iron set. For the price they look amazing.

[@LetsPlayThru]

Ah very nice…did you see them in Costco?

[@neilcaulfield7840]

Yes mate. In Glasgow. I believe there are only three Costco stores in Scotland.

[@LetsPlayThru]

That’s amazing, pretty sure they aren’t even in US stores

[@markspencer7114]

It would be great to see these brands do club days at local courses. Bring out someone with a bunch of demos to a local club and let people hit them. Great marketing and an easy way to get clubs in people’s hands on a range

[@LetsPlayThru]

That’s a great idea

[@phillipmoore8531]

I am definitely interested in the Kirkland driver especially for the price. Especially as a high handicap player. Until I can hone my skills and get more consistent in my swing, it’s hard to justify the cost of name brands and at least Costco has a 90 day return policy if for some reason it doesn’t work out good.

[@hnnngbrah]

I have one and I can tell you that it definitely hits the ball.

[@phillipmoore8531]

@@hnnngbrahgood to hear!

[@josephstephan1162]

Gabe please try the giga golf trx adjustable carbon fiber driver. it is an excellent value!! adjustable and a wide range of shafts are available for 1/3 the price of the major bands.

[@Teejets14]

I play the Ben Hogan GS53 Driver myself. They had a few options for the shaft also.

[@LetsPlayThru]

That is a really great driver.

[@mr.howard3785]

My favorite driver right now is a Vertical Groove Driver. I would not part with it for a Ping, Titleist or Callaway.

[@jcjbike]

Plus you want to try the most expensive club in your bag before you buy but you can’t with direct to consumer clubs.

[@ChemicalRobP]

Love you doing these on the DC stuff.

[@donfleck728]

Gabe, I’ve seen quite a few good reviews on the Eleven driver. Do you plan on reviewing it soon?

[@ericpatterson9244]

You should review Sub70 Golf!

[@iscoval6014]

it’d be cool if you reviewed the maltby putters

[@AZstu324]

All in due time 😉

[@naj959]

Gabe have you done a review of the Takomo driver? best looking of the DTC in my humble opinion

[@LetsPlayThru]

They never officially rolled it out so I didn’t bother to do a formal review. However, I have hit it and it was good. Their other woods are great too. Not sure why they never released it.

[@uscbigdawg]

Gabe - Why are you in Power Stance (School of Rock reference) during the intro? Short tripod?

[@LetsPlayThru]

Ha, yes. That camera angle better for hitting shots and didn’t have time to change it back and forth the way that video flowed.

[@curthofmeister7249]

Ram has a demo program for their irons, that's similar to Sub 70.

[@LetsPlayThru]

Oh, that is good to know

[@alexchoi2060]

Have you tried the Eleven driver, from the hybrid iron company (James Robinson and askgolfnut like it)?

[@LetsPlayThru]

I would love to try it, but was sent one to review and it was missing a piece of the hosel. Still, months later, have not received the part

[@alexchoi2060]

@@LetsPlayThru Sorry to hear that. Doesn't sound like they have great customer service-- if they stiff arm a big time youtube reviewer, makes you wonder how they treat some random Joe looking for a repair.

[@normansykes8872]

Gabe have you tried the Newton driver shaft?

[@hnnngbrah]

Man, it looks like you are going to hit that back shelf with your backswing.

[@paulmcgee1867]

🤦🏼‍♂️

[@patbumpus836]

Why doesn’t anyone try the Sub70 clubs? They are great clubs for the price. Lots of shaft and grip options.

[@jongeephotography]

There's absolutely no reason to take a chance on a DTC driver when you could pick up a gently used Major manufacturers last year model for the same or less. I just picked up a stealth 2 HD for $215

[@LetsPlayThru]

Def the biggest hurdle the DTC drivers face

[@viperfanatic13]

How much of an increase in overall sales do you think costco would have if they had a simulator at every location? Guys would beg their wives to go grocery shopping, and wives can shop without their husband's hurrying them to go...😅

[@LetsPlayThru]

💯

[@RSc099]

Have you tried the Haywood?

[@LetsPlayThru]

After many attempts, they finally said they were sending some to test, a couple days later reversed course and said they sold out and couldn’t send. Never heard back. That told me everything I needed to know about them. If they have for end up sending, I’ll be happy to review them, but I’m not reaching out anymore.

[@michaelrosales6425]

Besafe with the hurricane going way take care

[@nardbagel]

My kirkland stiff shaft driver had the shaft snap and threw my head in the middle of the driving range. I bought it (new) second-hand, so they wouldn't replace it. LAME.

[@wrexz]

Buy another one and return the broken one a week later

[@cameronloveless1751]

Or, you don’t bother making drivers. Just keep making good irons. E.g. Most people are going to play Vokey wedges - even the other big brands struggle there. So don’t waste your time and money making stuff that’s just too hard a market to crack

[@normgardner4560]

Why ae you standing like that with your feet far apart while you are talking.

[@aaront936]

Maybe stretching?

[@keithp5568]

@@aaront936 I’m betting he’s adjusting as opposed to having to adjust the Sim camera for filming his swing.

[@bentonleach6730]

Obviously just getting lower so you can see him

[@patrickweeks7370]

This isn’t TIK TOK there are adults watching.

[@nicholaswhatts1380]

Carrollwood country club?

[@coreygraham796]

They do look cheap imo

[@CW_GOLF_]

In all seriousness I can't understand anyone wanting a DTC driver when you can get a few year older OEM drivers for cheaper

[@DonMcIntosh-d9h]

I know at least two of theses are right hand only no use for them please say so at beginning so I don’t have to go through review of a club I can’t use. Thank you

[@squelch3000]

We’re supposed to gauge anything on two driver hits? Love the channel, but definitely not a good video.

[@LetsPlayThru]

This video is not about the driver stats. I only showed them to illustrate that DTC brands can hang with big names.