I have been interested in trying single length irons but I don't know anyone who has or is using them. I know Bryson D is having success with them. The concept sounds very logical (i.e. & Tilt is logical). What say you?
Thanks Tom, I did a search on the topic and nothing came up initially so I posted then a bunch of convos popped up on it so I deleted. Thanks for the reply
@Natureandthings 403 - It looks like you were trying to create a post on this topic, but it must not have hit the system. Anyway, perhaps this thread - along with the other one I referenced in my comment above - might be of assistance to you.
@alannicholas - @mpandichjr has given you plenty of great information to ponder in his excellent reply! I really can't add to that because although the single-length concept is intriguing, 1) I don't have any direct experience with them, and 2) even if I did, I could not have possibly summarized it with his level of detail!
However, what I can do is point you to THIS forum thread from a couple of weeks ago on the same topic as this may offer some additional insight.
Hi Alan, I was just shutting down for the night and wanted to send a quick response. I used to use a single plane golf swing and 'single length' irons while Bryson was still riding a Big Wheel. It was called 'Natural Golf' back then which was inspired and endorsed by Moe Norman, and is now Graves Golf run by Todd Graves, a protege of Moe's. Before the appearance of Bryson on the big stage, Single Plane was in the same bucket as SnT with most pros/teachers/pundits. "Nice for some, but not how the good golfers play." Then here comes Rain Man (as Tiger calls him) and single plane is suddenly cool
Bottom line is this - the logic makes sense with Tom's teaching approach of SnT, keeping basics consistent to strike the ball then turf at the same point, regardless of the length of the iron/hybrid. But the term 'single length' is a little misleading as lengths can vary slightly among short and long irons based on manufacturer of single length clubs. But, for sake of argument, let's say a single length iron set is that of a standard 7-iron (~36.5"). A 4i is 1.5-2.0" longer, and a PW is an inch shorter. Unless you are someone who loves having a 3 or 4 iron in your hand, most of us would rather hit a 7. The advantage of single length irons from gap wedge to 7 are negligible, because those aren't the clubs that usually bring bad feelings. Let's face it, I would rather have a regular length 45 degree pitching wedge in my hand than a 45 degree club as long as my 7i. But having 4i off a tight winter lie with the ball slightly below my feet isn't my idea of fun. So I turn the 4 into a 7 and just choke down an inch and stand a little closer to the ball and narrow your stance. Yes, I know it changes the loft slightly and for those that can actually feel it, the balance of the club, but it sure builds confidence.
Bottom line, really investigate why you would want to go single length in the first place. For me, it would be to eliminate long irons (3, 4, and sometimes even a 5). If that's the issue, do what I did and replace them with some confidence building hybrids that you hit better 90% of the time then the long iron. I don't even carry my 5i any more because I can hit my 6i 165ish but my 5 hybrid 170-190 with confidence just by adjusting how much I choke down. Not sure of your age, but if a little more seasoned like me, go look at what the guys on the Champions Tour use. Virtually all of them have multiple hybrids and some 5Ws.
@mpandichjr Thanks so much for the input. I appreciate the detail and the experience behind it! I am coming to admit to myself that I am an "iron man". Hybrids have been driving me to the nut house and I think it is a psychological problem. I live in San Diego so fortunately for me "winter" is just fine for golf. I went ahead a bought an affordable set of single length irons to see how I like them. I always used to enjoy hitting long irons in the past but after a 25 year golf lay off (Life got in the way), my first set of clubs back was an iron- hybrid mixed set (hybrid 2,3,4,5). I have been very inconsistent with the hybrids but happy with my irons. If it turns out I like the single length set, I will just keep working on my game with those ( and Tom's online school). The set should be here next week. I will follow up with my thoughts after about 10 trips to the range and at least 9 holes on the course. I am not a quitter so I will keep the hybrids and work at them every now and again even if I prefer the single length set. I really appreciate your thoughts and perceptions. Clearly you have some applicable wisdom on this. Cheers!
Hi Alan, I was just shutting down for the night and wanted to send a quick response. I used to use a single plane golf swing and 'single length' irons while Bryson was still riding a Big Wheel. It was called 'Natural Golf' back then which was inspired and endorsed by Moe Norman, and is now Graves Golf run by Todd Graves, a protege of Moe's. Before the appearance of Bryson on the big stage, Single Plane was in the same bucket as SnT with most pros/teachers/pundits. "Nice for some, but not how the good golfers play." Then here comes Rain Man (as Tiger calls him) and single plane is suddenly cool
Bottom line is this - the logic makes sense with Tom's teaching approach of SnT, keeping basics consistent to strike the ball then turf at the same point, regardless of the length of the iron/hybrid. But the term 'single length' is a little misleading as lengths can vary slightly among short and long irons based on manufacturer of single length clubs. But, for sake of argument, let's say a single length iron set is that of a standard 7-iron (~36.5"). A 4i is 1.5-2.0" longer, and a PW is an inch shorter. Unless you are someone who loves having a 3 or 4 iron in your hand, most of us would rather hit a 7. The advantage of single length irons from gap wedge to 7 are negligible, because those aren't the clubs that usually bring bad feelings. Let's face it, I would rather have a regular length 45 degree pitching wedge in my hand than a 45 degree club as long as my 7i. But having 4i off a tight winter lie with the ball slightly below my feet isn't my idea of fun. So I turn the 4 into a 7 and just choke down an inch and stand a little closer to the ball and narrow your stance. Yes, I know it changes the loft slightly and for those that can actually feel it, the balance of the club, but it sure builds confidence.
Bottom line, really investigate why you would want to go single length in the first place. For me, it would be to eliminate long irons (3, 4, and sometimes even a 5). If that's the issue, do what I did and replace them with some confidence building hybrids that you hit better 90% of the time then the long iron. I don't even carry my 5i any more because I can hit my 6i 165ish but my 5 hybrid 170-190 with confidence just by adjusting how much I choke down. Not sure of your age, but if a little more seasoned like me, go look at what the guys on the Champions Tour use. Virtually all of them have multiple hybrids and some 5Ws.
I just ordered the Cobra Radspeed One length combo (5H-GW) and will let you know how they play for me
Thanks Tom, I did a search on the topic and nothing came up initially so I posted then a bunch of convos popped up on it so I deleted. Thanks for the reply
@Natureandthings 403 - It looks like you were trying to create a post on this topic, but it must not have hit the system. Anyway, perhaps this thread - along with the other one I referenced in my comment above - might be of assistance to you.
Cheers!
Tom
Thanks Tom. BTW, I I toduced my guitar playing g son to your guitar stuff. He enjoyed it. You are indeed a renaissance man.
@alannicholas - @mpandichjr has given you plenty of great information to ponder in his excellent reply! I really can't add to that because although the single-length concept is intriguing, 1) I don't have any direct experience with them, and 2) even if I did, I could not have possibly summarized it with his level of detail!
However, what I can do is point you to THIS forum thread from a couple of weeks ago on the same topic as this may offer some additional insight.
Tom
Hi Alan, I was just shutting down for the night and wanted to send a quick response. I used to use a single plane golf swing and 'single length' irons while Bryson was still riding a Big Wheel. It was called 'Natural Golf' back then which was inspired and endorsed by Moe Norman, and is now Graves Golf run by Todd Graves, a protege of Moe's. Before the appearance of Bryson on the big stage, Single Plane was in the same bucket as SnT with most pros/teachers/pundits. "Nice for some, but not how the good golfers play." Then here comes Rain Man (as Tiger calls him) and single plane is suddenly cool
Bottom line is this - the logic makes sense with Tom's teaching approach of SnT, keeping basics consistent to strike the ball then turf at the same point, regardless of the length of the iron/hybrid. But the term 'single length' is a little misleading as lengths can vary slightly among short and long irons based on manufacturer of single length clubs. But, for sake of argument, let's say a single length iron set is that of a standard 7-iron (~36.5"). A 4i is 1.5-2.0" longer, and a PW is an inch shorter. Unless you are someone who loves having a 3 or 4 iron in your hand, most of us would rather hit a 7. The advantage of single length irons from gap wedge to 7 are negligible, because those aren't the clubs that usually bring bad feelings. Let's face it, I would rather have a regular length 45 degree pitching wedge in my hand than a 45 degree club as long as my 7i. But having 4i off a tight winter lie with the ball slightly below my feet isn't my idea of fun. So I turn the 4 into a 7 and just choke down an inch and stand a little closer to the ball and narrow your stance. Yes, I know it changes the loft slightly and for those that can actually feel it, the balance of the club, but it sure builds confidence.
Bottom line, really investigate why you would want to go single length in the first place. For me, it would be to eliminate long irons (3, 4, and sometimes even a 5). If that's the issue, do what I did and replace them with some confidence building hybrids that you hit better 90% of the time then the long iron. I don't even carry my 5i any more because I can hit my 6i 165ish but my 5 hybrid 170-190 with confidence just by adjusting how much I choke down. Not sure of your age, but if a little more seasoned like me, go look at what the guys on the Champions Tour use. Virtually all of them have multiple hybrids and some 5Ws.
Just one guy's opinion. Fairways & Greens.
Hi Alan, I was just shutting down for the night and wanted to send a quick response. I used to use a single plane golf swing and 'single length' irons while Bryson was still riding a Big Wheel. It was called 'Natural Golf' back then which was inspired and endorsed by Moe Norman, and is now Graves Golf run by Todd Graves, a protege of Moe's. Before the appearance of Bryson on the big stage, Single Plane was in the same bucket as SnT with most pros/teachers/pundits. "Nice for some, but not how the good golfers play." Then here comes Rain Man (as Tiger calls him) and single plane is suddenly cool
Bottom line is this - the logic makes sense with Tom's teaching approach of SnT, keeping basics consistent to strike the ball then turf at the same point, regardless of the length of the iron/hybrid. But the term 'single length' is a little misleading as lengths can vary slightly among short and long irons based on manufacturer of single length clubs. But, for sake of argument, let's say a single length iron set is that of a standard 7-iron (~36.5"). A 4i is 1.5-2.0" longer, and a PW is an inch shorter. Unless you are someone who loves having a 3 or 4 iron in your hand, most of us would rather hit a 7. The advantage of single length irons from gap wedge to 7 are negligible, because those aren't the clubs that usually bring bad feelings. Let's face it, I would rather have a regular length 45 degree pitching wedge in my hand than a 45 degree club as long as my 7i. But having 4i off a tight winter lie with the ball slightly below my feet isn't my idea of fun. So I turn the 4 into a 7 and just choke down an inch and stand a little closer to the ball and narrow your stance. Yes, I know it changes the loft slightly and for those that can actually feel it, the balance of the club, but it sure builds confidence.
Bottom line, really investigate why you would want to go single length in the first place. For me, it would be to eliminate long irons (3, 4, and sometimes even a 5). If that's the issue, do what I did and replace them with some confidence building hybrids that you hit better 90% of the time then the long iron. I don't even carry my 5i any more because I can hit my 6i 165ish but my 5 hybrid 170-190 with confidence just by adjusting how much I choke down. Not sure of your age, but if a little more seasoned like me, go look at what the guys on the Champions Tour use. Virtually all of them have multiple hybrids and some 5Ws.
Just one guy's opinion. Fairways & Greens.
"it's in the hole... "