Since the new U.S. Amateur champion is using single length irons, is it time to recognize this concept has validity? Do you think manufacturers will now begin to consider offering a same-length line? Thanks for your thoughts.
Michael,
The single length concept is not new. Many years ago Tommy Armour did a set called the EQL. It didn’t last long. I think it’s something some folks might want to try, but I do not think it’s going main stream. If you take a look at the young man that is using them, he has a very unique approach to the golf swing. Single plane, very upright. The loft progressions and the lie progressions, as I understand it, are not conventional and unique to his approach. Loft progression is the main factor in trajectory and distance variations, but length also plays a role. Speaking for us, the expense to develop a set of heads with all the same head weights to accommodate this type of set would be risky. We do have the KE4 S irons that are weight adjustable and can be set up so that the head weights are closer together, but there would still be some progression. Like any other theory or method of building sets, if it works for someone, then go for it. I always go back to the fact that if it was a better way, every tour player would be doing it. To date, no tour player has employed this method, to my knowledge. This great young player may be the first and I guess time will tell if some company tries to market and sell it as a viable alternative to the conventional set with length progressions. I do believe there are some clubmakers that promote this, but again, we do not see it changing the way the industry as a whole designs and builds clubs.
Britt Lindsey
Thanks, Britt. That’s my feeling, too. Unless this guy starts tearing up the Tour, (if he even goes on Tour) I think it’ll be just his own unique approach – maybe like Moe Norman was with his unique set up and swing.