Single Length Irons, Part 3: “The Back Nine” with Dave Lynch

How were you introduced to single length irons?
Local golf teaching professional, John Sokolowski, engaged his friend Frank Stranick (owner of FS Golf) to host a single length iron “Demo Day” in late May of 2017.

Prior to the demo day, did you have any knowledge or interest, in the concept?
I have been interested in the concept for years as I follow the PGA Tour and Bryson DeChambeau. I love to play golf and I really love to play golf with new equipment. I was already hooked/convinced philosophically. I finally had someone to call.

What was your experience at demo day?
If the truth be told, Demo Day was a bit inconclusive however it might have had more to do with the shenanigans prior to visiting the range than the clubs themselves.

Compare the single length iron club fitting process to the traditional club fitting process.
I routinely buy two sets of irons a year and three to four drivers a year (a bit of an addiction) so I am accustomed to the original equipment manufacturers (OEM’s, i.e. Callaway, Cleveland, Mizuno, Ping, Taylor Made, Titleist, etc.) club fitting process. The single length iron club fitting process took three and a half hours, significantly longer than a traditional OEM (golf store) club fitting. Frank measured/evaluated the length of my existing traditional irons as well as the flex of my existing shafts. Once Frank had drawn a few conclusions relative to the length, weight and flex of the shaft of my new single length irons, I was asked to hit my existing traditional length 7 iron to confirm his conclusions. I spent roughly forty-five minutes hitting my existing irons (always four balls at a time, looking for patterns), another forty-five minutes sorting out the appropriate single length iron and yet another forty-five minutes sorting out the appropriate shaft.

Results: 36 ¾” shaft with a Sterling head. 36 ¾” shaft is the equivalent of my traditional 9 iron. I purchased 5 iron through gap wedge.

Tell me about your first round with your single length irons and the adjustment period.
I was thrilled! My new 8 iron through gap wedge played similarly to my traditional length 8 iron through gap wedge. My new 5/6/7 iron experience was a little more challenging as I continued to use my traditional swing with my single length long irons, moving the ball forward and swinging harder than necessary.

It took 6-7 rounds to completely sort things out. My new 5/6/7 irons are much straighter than my traditional 5/6/7 irons and far more consistent.

It all came back to my willingness to embrace the fundamental principles of single length irons; the exact same setup and the exact same swing with each club. Once I accepted the fact that my long irons are ten yards shorter than my traditional long irons, I was fine.

Please share the difference in your setup and any issues associated with distance as compared to your traditional length clubs.
The beauty of my new clubs is that I am no longer concerned with ball position or the distance from my hands to the ball. My ball position is always slightly ahead of center and I am always a consistent distance from the ball. I believe I am hitting the center of the club face far more consistently because it is simply easier with a shorter shaft.

The trajectory/ball flight of my single length irons is reasonably consistent to the trajectory /ball flight of my traditional length irons.

Distance Performance:
8-Gap: No difference, possibly a few yards longer
7 iron: 3-5 yards less
6 iron: 5-7 yards less
5 iron: 8-10 yards less

I am comfortable with the loss of distance because my accuracy has significantly improved.

How did your single length irons perform in 2017?
I had my most successful golf season of my life and it was not a coincidence. It also helped that I played 98 rounds in 2017. My handicap dropped from a 7.5 to a 5.7. I was fortunate to win the Senior Championship (in a playoff) at the Highlands of Donegal. In addition, my partner and I won the Old Pal Better Ball (match play/partners) at the Country Club of York. I have much more confidence with my new clubs!

Are you committed to single length irons?
I am 100% committed to single length irons. I will never go back to traditional length irons however I will test every single length iron that hits the market because I love to play golf and I really love to play with new equipment. I plan on looking at new single length irons this spring.

How will this change your annual club buying habits (addiction)?
As committed as I am to single length irons, I am equally committed to buying a new set or two of single length irons each year as well a few new drivers. It has been suggested by more than family and friends that I should be sent away for a long stay to the “New Golf Club Treatment Center of America”!

Thank you for following Bad Golf Guy!

The back nine can only get better!