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why cant all golf clubs be the same length

by Crystal Friesen DDS Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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There are two different reasons for varying the length of the clubs. The first of which is the distance one hit each club. Two of the key components to distance are primarily the loft of the club, while a secondary is its length. One might reason if all the clubs were the same length, then it might be easier to replicate each shot.

As a club is longer (as well as lighter), then it can be swung faster up to a limit. The increased length provides greater leverage and speed to hit the ball further if solid contact is to be made. Shorter clubs are designed not for length, but rather precision.

Full Answer

Why do golf clubs have different lengths?

There are two different reasons for varying the length of the clubs. The first of which is the distance one hit each club. Two of the key components to distance are primarily the loft of the club, while a secondary is its length. One might reason if all the clubs were the same length, then it might be easier to replicate each shot.

Do longer golf clubs hit the ball faster?

As a club is longer (as well as lighter), then it can be swung faster up to a limit. The increased length provides greater leverage and speed to hit the ball further if solid contact is to be made. Shorter clubs are designed not for length, but rather precision.

How to measure the length of golf clubs?

Based solely on the overall height, here’s the golf club length chart: 2. Get Your Wrist-to-Floor Measurement (once more, “static” fitting) Now, this measuring approach is the most commonly used for acquiring a proper or accurate length of golf clubs. Seems like a more complete method indeed.

What is the difference between men’s and ladies’ golf clubs?

As mentioned before, ladies golf clubs are typically 1” shorter than men’s, but graphite shaft clubs tend to be ½” longer to obtain a normal swingweight or heft to the club. The next diagram will illustrate a proportionate model (in pink) that stands 5’ 5” (165.1cm) and uses a 37.5” #5-iron.

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Should all my clubs be the same length?

As for all of his irons being the same length and being legal, the PGA Tour has no jurisdiction on whether or not his clubs are too long, too short or all one length. The only governing body to make rulings about equipment would be the USGA and the R&A (The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews).

Can I make all my golf clubs the same length?

Single-length irons—which can also be called one-length irons or same-length irons—are, their advocates believe, designed for easier and more effective play. The reason? Since all the clubs are the same length, golfers can use the exact same set-up and swing with every shot.

Why aren't all irons the same length?

In general, most players use different wedges or can opt for a few of the matching iron sets. Each of these irons have a variable length. Irons with lower loft (like a 4 iron) are the longest irons. As you go up in loft, the club shortens, making the wedges the shortest clubs in the bag (other than a putter).

Are most golf clubs the same length?

Typically, this range is between 34 inches and 40 inches (depending on the brand). As you can see, 3-iron and 2-iron are the longest in the set. Generally, the difference in length among irons is about half an inch. This means wedges are only slightly shorter in comparison to 9-iron.

Can I make all my irons one length?

For all intents and purposes, it is just not feasible to build a single length set from an existing incremental length set of irons. In a Single Length set, all the clubheads must be designed and manufactured to be the same exact headweight AND with the same lie angle.

Why are Bryson DeChambeau clubs the same length?

The idea is similar in nature to a theory proposed by Homer Kelley in his book, "The Golfing Machine," where he suggests players choke down on their clubs to make sure they're the same length to promote one swing with one ball position and radius.

Do any pros use one length irons?

DeChambeau is currently the only Tour player who uses single-length irons, but Norman said he thinks that could change in the future.

Did Bobby Jones use single length irons?

Although the concept of making each iron in a set the same length is not new (Bobby Jones used single length irons in 1930 to win the Grand Slam), never before has there been so much attention given to single length.

What is the advantage of one length irons?

One-length irons allow you to stand to the ball in the same way regardless of the iron you're using, in theory helping with consistency of strike and club speed. Essentially you can swing the same way regardless of what club you have in your hand.

Does club length make a difference?

Additionally, shorter length golf clubs can provide more control to the golfer, essentially making the golf club more forgiving. While longer clubs can help increase speed and launch angle, shorter clubs can be easier to hit solid due to the reduction in swing arc.

Does Bryson DeChambeau use one length wedges?

If you didn't know already, DeChambeau uses one length clubs which basically means he has a shaft the length of a 7-iron in each of his clubs (irons and wedges) for a more consistent swing plane across the set.

Is it better to have longer or shorter golf clubs?

The longer the club, the harder it is to make a clean hit on the sweet spot. It is much easier to strike the ball on the center of the face with a shorter club. A golfer, short in height, with a good ball striking ability, can handle a club that is 1/2 to 1 inch longer than standard.

How many different swings can you learn with a club?

With a conventional set of clubs, you must learn and master 12 different swings using 12 different postures, swing planes, and ball positions. This means a lot of practice and it’s likely you’re going to have trouble making this work for you consistently.

What is the purpose of every club in a set?

Every club in the set fits property which allow you to make a fluid, power swing. It just makes sense that in order for you to maximize your golfing potential, all of the irons within your set should have the same fitting and dynamic attributes as your favorite iron (same length, weight, flex, etc.).

Why is one plane swing better?

The one plane swing produces a dramatic increase in ball striking consistency because there are fewer moving parts. Add a set of clubs that have the same length, weight, flex, etc., and you’ve got a powerful match.

Do new golf clubs come on the market every year?

Every year new golf clubs come on the market and each manufacturer raves about all the new specs and improvements that lead you to believe that new club is the one that will finally improve your rounds. Problem with that theory is that every year supposedly brings a better club.

Why are golf clubs longer?

Longer clubs allow a longer swing and more momentum, which provides power for long shots. Player height influences how much above or below the standard length each club should be for that person. Within each set, golf clubs have different lengths to facilitate the various functional requirements in the game of golf.

How does golf club length affect swing?

Golf Club Length Influences the Power of a Swing. As we mentioned above, sometimes, you want the ball to cover a large amount of ground, and at other times, you only want it to move a few feet. It’s one of the reasons why golf is such a great game; you have to balance power with precision and gentleness.

What is the benefit of single length irons?

The main benefit of single-length irons clubs is what Bryson DeChambeau finds so attractive: not having to adjust your swing between the clubs. When the clubs are all of different lengths, you have to consider where you stand in relation to the ball, the angle of the club and your arms, etc.

Why lower numbered irons?

Lower numbered irons with shorter lengths may provide better control, but only through sacrificing swing power, which means that they cannot produce the same amount of height as that club would in a variable-length set. In addition to height, you also sacrifice some distance with shorter low numbered irons.

What is the role of tradition in golf?

One of the main traditions is to use different length clubs.

What does back spin mean in golf clubs?

In addition, the back spin (which detracts from the forward momentum to a certain extent) means that these clubs are best used for shorter shots, so the loss of power that accompanies a shorter golf club does not negatively effect golf club’s intended function. Types of Golf Clubs and Their Standard Lengths and Functions.

What is club loft?

Club loft is the angle of the face of a golf club that gives the golf ball an upward trajectory when hit. The term “loft” can also be used to refer to the upward trajectory itself. Height is beneficial for certain shots, but the downside is that it can create a relatively large degree of backspin on the ball.

What is the difference between lie angles and clubheads?

The clubheads are all identical weights; the lie angles are all identical and about 10-degrees more upright than typical . The point, DeChambeau says, is to "create a swing that's consistent from club to club, that doesn't have a lot of moving parts to mess up.". And it works for him.

Who is the only golfer to win the NCAA Championship?

And it works for him. In 2015, DeChambeau joined Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, and Ryan Moore as the only golfers to win the NCAA Championship and U.S. Amateur Championship in the same year. In 2016, DeChambeau won his first pro tournament, the Web.com Tour 's DAP Championship. And in 2017, DeChambeau became ...

When were single length irons invented?

The idea for single-length irons goes back at least to the 1930s, probably much earlier. An antecedent can be found in a set of irons Bobby Jones designed for Spalding, in which every two clubs were the same length (3- and 4-iron were the same length, 5- and 6-iron, and so on). Probably the first true, mass-produced single-length set was ...

Is single length iron new?

Single-Length Irons Are Not New. There are new technologies in golf all the time, but there aren't a lot of new ideas. So it's not unusual for old ideas to get recycled, expanded upon, tweaked, improved on, especially once the technology catches up to the idea. The idea for single-length irons goes back at least to the 1930s, probably much earlier.

Do you have to move the golf ball forward or back?

No need to move the golf ball forward or back in your stance depending on the club used; no resetting to adjust to a club's length; no swinging more or less upright, no more one-plane or two-plane to adjust to club length. This is the major selling point and should benefit golfers of all skill levels.

Can you turn a bad swing into a good swing?

But they can't turn a bad swing into a good swing. Improving the swing is up to the golfer. If you're interested in trying single-length irons, go into your experiment knowing that it's up to you to fashion a swing that works with your new equipment. Realize that you'll have to practice with your new sticks.

Do lower numbered irons fly lower?

The lower-numbered irons in a same-length set tend to fly a little lower than traditional irons. Not getting enough height on shots is already a problem for most recreational golfers. There might be a sacrifice in distance with the lower-numbered irons.

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