Single Length Iron Set

Interest in single length irons has always percolated along in golf. The concept is that a single length set will make it easier to generate the same swing for every club in the bag since the ball at address is the same distance from the player for each club. To achieve optimal performance, all clubs should have the same swingweight and MOI. 

In single length sets all clubs are typically built to a 7-iron or 8-iron length. To retain swingweight consistency, weight needs to be added to the club heads of long irons and removed from the short iron club heads. Consequently the practical range for building a single length set is from the 5-iron to the sand wedge to maintain the same MOI for all clubs.

A key benefit of single length sets comes from reducing the length of the long irons. Improved club face impact performance can be achieved. The extra clubhead weight needed for the 5-iron and 6-iron can be easily accommodated for most shaft choices and club head designs. De-lofting long irons may also be a possibility for increasing distance if your swing mechanics permit.

Since single length high-loft wedges can be an inch or more longer than in traditional length sets, lighter weight club heads are needed to maintain swingweight consistency. It places a major restriction on building wedges and short irons since component options are limited. The recently developed Wishon Sterling single length set may be the best if not the only option available.

Low-loft fairway woods and hybrids would require significant design changes if you want them in a single length set. Your driver would be replaced by a fairway wood. But if you find hitting a 3-wood off the tee achieves similar distances as your driver, that may not be a problem for scoring low and enjoying the game.

For those players who want maximum control of their short game and a little extra distance off the tee, an MOI-matched set can be built ranging from driver though high-loft wedges to allow any golfer to swing each club with the same effort. Length differences between clubs would be minimal. Most club head styles available currently can be used. 

MOI-matched sets facilitate shot-making consistency because the same effort is used for every matched club in the bag. We've tested just about every reasonable club building option during the past 15 years finding that new shaft and clubhead technology has allowed for extending MOI matching through the set with desired performance improvements that overcome the limitations of single length sets.