What are Your Thoughts on the Single-Length Iron Revolution?
What are Your Thoughts on the Single-Length Iron Revolution?
David Wixson, PGA Master Professional
Golf Program Instructor
Keiser University College of Golf
It will be interesting to see what happens in the future with regard to single length irons. I’m not sure I would call it a revolution just yet as only one Tour player (Bryson DeChambeau) is utilizing this concept and only one major equipment manufacturer is offering single length irons.
There are pros and cons that must be considered when contemplating single length irons. The benefits are fairly obvious in terms of the mechanics of the golf swing: the golfer only needs one setup for each club in their bag and one swing in terms of swing plane. However, the negatives a golfer will experience with single length irons are that they lose quite a bit of distance off their previously longer irons (3, 4, 5, 6) and the previously shorter irons (7, 8, 9, PW) become more difficult to control in terms of both distance and accuracy. This concept has been marketed previously and failed.
In the 1990s, one of the biggest golf equipment companies at the time, Tommy Armour, introduced the EQL set of irons and woods. The EQL irons were all the length of a standard 6 iron (woods were each 5-wood length). The product did not sell well because the average golfer did not improve and in many instances played worse due to the negatives mentioned previously.
Bryson DeChambeau has had success with this concept for two reasons. First, he is big, strong and athletic enough that he doesn’t lose much distance relative to his peers on the Tour in his “long irons” (3-6). He can still hit those irons long far enough to compete. Secondly (and more importantly) he practices enough with the “short irons” (7-PW) that he has learned how to control those irons even though the extra inch of length makes control more difficult. And remember, the 7-PW are the scoring clubs, and these are the clubs most amateurs need to play well with to shoot decent scores.
If you do not already have a lot of clubhead speed and a lot of time to practice, you may find that single length irons make the game more difficult, rather than easier. Having said that, it never hurts to try something new if you’re not satisfied with your performance. You might find single length irons help your game.
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I have the King Cobra F8 same length irons, and they changed my entire game. Before, for years inconsistency plagued me and about ready to give up. So, I went out on a limb and bought these pricey irons. It was the best investment. Now, my game is consistent and play with confidence on every iron shot. I play with my standard set from time to time to see if it’s a myth. I play horrible with standard length. Same length at least works for me.