Same Length Iron Shafts Vs Normal Length Shafts
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Patrick Corley
- 08/23/2023
Have you thought about the potential benefits or disadvantages of golf clubs all being the same length? Now that the concept is more mainstream, Tell Me More Golf can help you decide if this is a path you may want to try. Bryson Dechambeau burst onto the PGA Tour with single-length irons and now more golfers are wondering about it.
One Length Vs Variable Length Irons
Variable Length Irons
Most golfers use variable-length or the traditional type of golf club set makeup. This means that the sand wedge is going to be 35.5 inches and your driver is going to 45.5 inches. Each club progressively gets longer and has less loft. The shorter irons provide control while the long irons and driver provide more distance than accuracy.
Golfers of all handicaps are likely going to benefit from the traditional style.
There are more options than traditional, variable-length irons.
Because this is more common, club fitters are more used to this style. Unless there is a good reason, we recommend beginners start with variable length. The longer shaft also provides more clubhead speed.
Single Length Irons
The golf game has changed so much. Cobra golf and Bryson Dechambeau have made popular the idea of having all of the irons be the same length. His woods are variable in length but all irons are 37.5 inches, the same shaft length of a standard seven iron. They clearly work very well for him. The reason he has irons of the same length is to ensure that he makes the same swing with each club.
A set of irons like this is not a new concept. A company called One Irons also makes a set of single-length irons like Cobra Golf. Two different models with the same concept; to allow people to make the same swing repeatedly. The idea clearly works for some golfers. One benefit that is rarely mentioned is that single-length irons can be good for golfers with bad backs because they do not have to bend over so much or adjust their spine angle.
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Who Are One Length Irons Going To Suit?
Although we typically recommend that beginners use a traditional setup, single-length clubs versus standard clubs could be easier to get used to. High handicappers might have trouble gapping their current irons. This means that there is not a consistent change in how far each club goes. A one-length iron could be a path to better distance control. With each iron being the same length, the swing speed is going to be about the same, so the only variable would be the loft of the club.
One-length irons could produce better ball flight and more consistent distance gapping, but we recommend you work with a PGA professional or club fitter before making a change. Having researched with a set of single-length clubs, I can attest that it is quite an adjustment. As I am used to shorter shafts in the wedges, it took some getting used to when hitting a pitching wedge that is 7-iron length.
Recommendation:
Single-length irons take some getting used to. If you are just starting out, it is worth testing standard length and one length clubs just to see what feels best for you. Sterling Irons is another company that is growing in popularity. They have a 90-day money-back guarantee in the event you do not like the feel or performance of their clubs. If single-length irons feel very uncomfortable, that is your sign to go the traditional route of variable-length clubs.
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Pros And Cons Of Single-Length Irons
When Bryson Dechambeau was in college, he won both the NCAA and U.S. Amateur championships using single-length clubs. Soon after he joined the PGA Tour and the idea of one length for your clubs became more popular. Thanks to Bryson, we have more information about these clubs, so let’s talk about the pros and cons.
Pros:
- These clubs can be custom fit just like traditional clubs.
- There are steel shaft and graphite shaft options.
- You could gain more control and be more consistent from the fairway or rough.
Cons:
- While you may gain control with mid and long irons, it may be tough to control shorter shots.
- Not every club company offers these clubs so selection may be limited.
- The golf ball may fly farther and lower with the shorter irons.
Can I Convert My Irons To Be One Length?
Converting your current irons to one length would be possible but complicated. Cutting down a club drastically changes the swing weight which could cause inconsistent strikes. Adding length to a wedge is also a challenge. An experienced club fitter might be able to add some length with a wood insert but it is not common practice. You could put a new shaft on your clubs as well.
The main problem with converting your irons is that with half of your clubs you are removing length and with the other half you are adding length. This has the potential to cause inconsistent head weights, shaft flexes, and lie angles because you are essentially rebuilding each club. If you were to add up all of the costs of this conversion, it could simply make more sense to buy a net set of single-length irons.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are one length irons better?
Not necessarily. Having tested a set of these, it does take some adjustment. I noticed that the ball flight was lower with almost all of the clubs, so a golfer that already hits it low is not going to see much benefit. It is really what is best for your game. It would be much easier to be a beginner and start with these clubs instead of changing from traditional irons. You would not know the difference. After thirty years in the game, it was a significant difference. However, as someone who likes to hit short irons lower, I enjoyed that aspect of the single length.
Do you lose distance with one length irons?
You will lose some distance in the longer irons once you get past the 7-iron. This is because the length is shorter than traditional irons and will produce less clubhead speed. The loss of distance is noticeable but the control that you gain is a nice perk.
What pros use one length irons?
The most notable PGA Tour player that is using one-length irons is Bryson DeChambeau. He has had tremendous success winning multiple times including a major at the US Open. He has a very scientific approach to his clubs that is likely difficult to emulate. However, the concept is worth trying out if you are looking for a significant change.
For golf historians, the name Bobby Jones is not foreign. He was one of the most famous and accomplished golfers in the earlier days of the game and he played single-length irons. Moe Norman, often regarded as one of the best iron players ever, also used single-length irons.
Conclusion: Research by Tellmemoregolf.com
Tell Me More Golf is always keeping up with the latest advancements and changes in golf. Equipment continues to change and we believe that the single-length iron will slowly become more mainstream. Although traditional golf club sets are easier to find and get fitted for, it may be worth trying this concept with a couple of clubs.
For example, my gap wedge, sand wedge, and lob wedge are all the same length. They also have thicker grips than the rest of my clubs. This is because I want to control the distance and trajectory and the idea of having one length inspired me to try it last year. So far, it has been successful but I do not see myself changing the rest of my clubs anytime soon.
Our team of experts prides ourselves on having data and experience-driven answers to questions like this. For most golfers, the traditional setup is the best place to start because golf instruction is geared more towards variable-length clubs.
This will change as single-length clubs become more common. In addition, club fitters are still learning how best to build non-traditional iron sets. As one-length clubs become more and more common, the rest of the golf world will catch up. There are benefits and disadvantages to both variable length and same length clubs. The most important aspect is to find what works consistently for your golf game.
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