While researching and writing the recent posts about single length irons, I was also busy on the other side of the equation assembling and experimenting with a set of single length irons.
As the saying goes ‘the proof is in the pudding’ so I have attempted to put the theory into practice.
This is what my new set looks like.
As indicated earlier, I decided to go with Pinhawk heads, which are specifically designed for single length iron sets. The set consists of ten clubs, from flop wedge to 4-hybrid. The heads are cast stainless steel, cavity back, made with 431 steel which is a little softer and more bendable than the 17-4 steel used by most major OEM manufacturers. The heads throughout the set from flop wedge to 4-hybrid each weigh 272 grams (+/- 1) and have a lie angle of 62.5 degrees.
I experimented with various lengths ranging from 35 to 37.5 inches. I eventually ended up with 37 1/16. If you are wondering about the 1/16 of an inch, it has no significance. What happened was that as I experimented with different club lengths, hitting them at the Golf Dome, there was one particular iron that I was hitting most consistently. When I measured it precisely it was 37 1/16 inches in length so I just built the entire set to match that club.
At a length of 37 1/16 inches and using a 70 gram graphite shaft and a 50 gram grip the swing weight comes in at D1.
The table below indicates the off-the-rack specifications of the Pinhawk heads I am using. I suspect that some minor loft adjustments may be required to ensure proper ‘gap’ distances between clubs.
| Pinhawk Iron Set | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Club | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | PW | GW | SW | LW |
| Loft | 20° | 25° | 30° | 35° | 39° | 43° | 47° | 51° | 55° | 59° |
| Lie | 62.5° | 62.5° | 62.5° | 62.5° | 62.5° | 62.5° | 62.5° | 62.5° | 62.5° | 62.5° |
| Weight (grams) | 272 | 272 | 272 | 272 | 272 | 272 | 272 | 272 | 272 | 272 |
| Offset (mm) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Source: Value Golf
I have already done some lie adjustments on a few of the irons to promote a more upright swing plane. A few of the irons have been bent as much as 2.5 degrees without any breakage.
The final lofts and lies will not be arrived at until the clubs are tested in ‘on course’ conditions.
Below are links to the series of posts previously written on the topic of Single Length Clubs.
Who are Homer Kelley and Bryson DeChambeau
Standard length and loft for irons
Advantages and disadvantages of single length irons
The effect of club length on swing speed and distance
The effect of loft on carry distance
Unless something miraculous or untoward happens in the next few months at the Dome I won’t write another post about these clubs until the grass is green and the birds are singing again.
Fore!
Golf in my Kingdom 
sent as an email
I came across your blog while doing one of my numerous googles on single length clubs. Seems we have a common interest. Using the same swing with 10 out of the 14 clubs in my golf bag just makes sense to me.
I’m not into the technical specs as much as you are, but like you, I have purchased and assembled a set of Pinhawk SL irons. At this point I’m just experimenting to see if I can hit them with consistency. (I did weight the heads before assembly and they were within 6 grams of each other.) I used inexpensive shafts (65 grams), have not confirmed the lies, and have not measured swing weight. My assembled length is 37″. Living in Texas I’ve been able to play/practice with them 5-6 times since I assembled them a month ago.
My thoughts so far:
1) My wrist to floor measurement is right on the line between 7 & 8 iron length. If I conclude the single length concept is for me I intend to upgrade the shafts and would shorten the length by 1/2″
2) In general they are not that hard to hit.
3) The 5 & 6 irons are the hardest for me because mentally I know they’re short and I tend to swing too hard to compensate.
4) I prefer to pitch and run when possible rather than hit a lob shot. Choking down without going off the grip leaves me more erect than I’m used to and I’m struggling to adapt. This is also true with sand shots.
4) The month I’ve had these irons the weather has been mostly rainy, windy, and cold. Thus I’m not certain of individual club yardage or yardage gap between clubs. I play them for the yardage of my old irons and so far I’m not scoring any worse. Near as I can tell they’re within 5 yards +/- of my old clubs.
For what it’s worth I hit an 8 iron 140 yards, my handicap index is 11.7, and I’m 66 years old.
I enjoy reading your blog and hope you find this email of interest.
Gary
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Thanks Gary: I’m sure there are many ‘more of us’ out there that are trying out this concept. The information we are able to share with each other will be of benefit to us all. Thank you for your comments.
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Hi…I came across your blog while researching the subject of single length irons. I recently purchased pinhawk iron heads (waiting to order the #4 iron as it was out of stock). I also purchased steel shafts and grips. My WTF measurement was 34″ so I am cutting to standard 7 iron length. I tip trimmed the shafts for 7 iron length and will be finishing assembly soon.
I’m interested in hearing your feedback and will share mine as well.
Regards,
Bill
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Hello Bill: Looking forward to your feedback on the Pinhawks. As I’ve mentioned in my posts so far I have only hit mine indoors at a golf dome do the true test will not come for another two months or so once the snow is gone. I went with the 4 hybrid instead of the 4 iron. I will keep you posted once I’ve had the chance to test these on the grass.
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Hi Mennos,
I got my new irons finished and hit some balls at the range this weekend.
Overall very happy. Easier to hit the 5 iron consistently. Hope the same holds for the 4 iron. Only hit 1 bucket but think the distances are close to my existing biocell irons despite the loft differences. Someone commented next to me on a few good shots and asked if I was hitting my 7 iron He said I was crushing it.. I think due to all my lengths being the same as a standard 7 he guessed I was hitting a 7. I explained it was my 5 iron though the length of a 7. He seemed sceptical but I think if only for the benefit of easier to hit long irons it will work for me. Still haven’t decided if i’ll leave my 8,9,PW in the bag.
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Hi
I’m consider a set of SL irons as the logic behind them seems solid. Did you order your heads direct from Value golf? If so, what was the cost to get them to Canada. I’m located in ottawa.
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I’ve sent you a private message JP
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Interesting post this. I have had a set of pinhawks for a couple of years, although they do tend to come in and out of the bag, I actually ordered them built at 38 inches with an fst pro 115 stiff shaft.
I am a terrible club tinkerer, so I cut them down to 37 inches and used a load of lead tape on them. With Mr DeChambeau’s recent exploits, I started thinking about them again (and actually blogged about single lengths last week, funnily enough!)
I am tempted to re-shaft with something else and give them another run. I would also like to hit Tom Wishon’s new sterling set of single length irons. The pinhawks are very solid clubs. It will be interesting to hear how you get on with them.
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Did the gap spacing work okay for you on these irons? I have heard that sometimes people hit shorter with their low irons and longer with their high irons producing an inconsistency.
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I have not yet had the chance to put them on Trackman or Flightscope but just from normal play the gaps seems to be fine.
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have a sterling 6 iron in the bag for demo.. amazing feel.. wondering how they compare..
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I have not yet had the chance to play the Sterlings but have heard good things about them. Perhaps next winter I’ll make up a set and test them.
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Hi.. This is Gary from Texas author of the email at the top with a follow up.
I’ve played nothing but single length irons for the last (6) months and am disappointed to report no improvement in scoring. My handicap index has been as high as 12.1 and as low as 11.4 (currently). This is pretty much a typical summer range for me. I have no objections or real negatives about the clubs and will continue to use them. Maybe there’s improvement down the road…..
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I know I am joining the party 3.5 years late but, how did your single length iron experiment work out over the long haul? Did you continue to play the irons for long and what were your thoughts?
I have half a set of pin hawks (5,7,9,AW) and can’t decide whether or not to make the rest of the set.
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I played a full season with them and there was no change in my handicap which has been between 2 sand 5 for the last 20 years. I still play with them occasionally (when I’m bored) but for the most part they are just sitting.
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Did you hit them any better or worse or were they just no different?
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I hit the 4-7 well but felt that with the lw-8 iron I hit regular length clubs with more accuracy.
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