The one-length iron concept has been around since the 1930s. Bobby Jones, a pretty good ambassador for golf, is said to have used them to win the Grand Slam. These days, American pro golfer Bryson Dechambeau carries that torch. He has brought a lot of exposure to the one-length irons, and is one of few who use them at an advanced level. Although they aren't used much on the PGA Tour, they do have a nice following among amateurs. As a golf instructor, I’ve come across many golfers who are curious about single-length golf clubs. But, are they an iron set that you should consider? I’m curious about them too, so let’s look into them together!

What Makes Single-Length Clubs Different From Traditional-Length Irons?

Traditional-length irons are typically called variable-length irons and, as the name suggests, all the irons and other clubs are different lengths. However, with a set of single-length irons, all the clubs are the same length.

The typical shaft length for single-length clubs is somewhere between 36.5 and 37.5 inches, depending on the manufacturer. Everything else about single-length irons is the same as variable clubs. The make-up of the one-length set also depends on the manufacturer as sets can vary by company. They mostly fall within the range of 5-iron through sand or lob wedge. There are even some companies that also offer hybrid one-length sets.

The chart above shows the specs of Cobra’s F-MAX variable-length or traditional-length irons in comparison with the single-length irons version of the F-MAX family. Note that the variable-length clubs can go from 35 to 39 inches. Although it seems small, that four-inch difference can be quite significant in terms of a golfer’s consistency and having a repeatable swing. Some golfers have played with variable-length clubs for so long that it can be very challenging to be open to the single-length concept; most golfers don’t want to go through the adjustment period.

Hitting One-Length Irons

As a teaching golf professional, I've had the opportunity to play several one-length irons. The following are my observations:

Benefits of using single-length irons

1. Improved Consistency Having to change ball position can be a common challenge for golfers, but with one-length irons, they will use the same ball position, therefore simplifying the game. This is in contrast to variable-length irons, which require a different ball position for the various clubs.

Most golfers find hitting an 8-iron or 7-iron length club their favorite because the length is very comfortable and easy to repeat. Being able to keep the ball in the same position when using multiple clubs makes it easier because the stroke will require the same swing. The more a golfer can repeat their swing, the easier it will be to hit the ball.

2. Good for Lower Swing Speeds Since single-length irons all have the same shaft flex as well as length, I think it helps golfers with slower swing speeds. The uniform shaft size brings a level of stability that you don't always feel with variable-length irons.

3. Better for Beginners The benefits of one-length irons can be most effective when introducing a new golfer to the game. The learning curve is simpler and faster because beginners don’t have to unlearn techniques for setting up different ball positions, variable swings, and so on. I had a student who started with one-length irons and, years later, now plays to a single-digit handicap with those clubs.

Downsides to using single-length irons

1. There is an Adjustment Period The opposite of hitting long irons is hitting short irons, such as a SW or PW, with a one-length or longer shaft. Hitting a 37-inch wedge is very difficult at first and that learning curve increased when I tried one-length irons. I kept hitting many balls on the heel or the toe, which was a humbling experience. However, once I got the tempo, it became effortless. One-length long irons can play tricks with your mind. How is it that a club can be short and be a 5-iron? Again, it took some getting used to.

For these reasons, trying to convert a golfer that has played for years with traditional clubs to one-length would take time and a lot of mental effort. After all, there’s a reason why many Tour players don’t use them. The question is, would it take a long time to acclimate, and would the gamble pay off by improving a player’s game?

2. Less Distance I’m not sure you get all the distance with one-length irons that you do with traditional irons—in fact, I think the distances are a bit shorter. However, the trade-off is that you hit more down the middle. That is a trade that I would welcome every time, but I recognize other golfers might not feel the same way. I’ll take a few yards of reduced distance to be more accurate with my targets, though.

3. Less Availability Single-length irons are not offered by all golf companies, so the market options are limited. Cobra is the largest manufacturer and biggest supporter of these irons, as they sponsor Bryson Dechambeau on the PGA tour. There are a few other companies though, including Orlimar listed below, and there are some sets for women and juniors, but it’s a limited selection.

Things to note

1. Developing your game with one-length clubs can be either easy or difficult; it just depends on how you view the clubs. Are you willing to adapt to the clubs? Will your opinion on them change out on the course when others start asking about your clubs? Most of all, will you have time to practice over and over again to get used to them?
2. You can still get appropriately fitted for your swing. The fitting process remains affected by shaft flex, loft, lie angle, and swing speed. Options such as graphite shafts, low spin, or higher launch are still traditionally available. Connect with a Curated Golf Expert and get their thoughts on which options might suit your game.

Would I switch to one-length clubs now after playing golf for twenty years? Probably not as it would take a lot of effort and my reward may not be very much. But that doesn’t mean I’m not a fan of one-length clubs! On the contrary, I do think that they would be great for newer golfers and for those with slower swing speeds. Let’s take a look at some of the popular one-length options these days.

My Top 3 Recommendations for One-Length Clubs

Of the single-length clubs on the market, these are three of my favorites:

1. Cobra LTDx One-Length Irons

At the top of the list is the Cobra LTDx One-Length iron set. Cobra, a brand with an impressive reputation, has been making single-length irons since 2017. Working with Bryson DeChambeau research and development was a big help, and led to Cobra making one-length iron versions of all their club models.

The Cobra LTDx irons are a joy to hit. They are forgiving and lightweight, and mid-to-high handicappers would enjoy playing these clubs. These irons are also well-built, feel solid, and have a balanced feel. In addition, updated weighting technology has improved ball speed.

2. Orlimar Golf Intercept One-Length Irons

Built for the higher handicap golfer, the Orlimar Golf Intercept One-Length Irons setup includes a 5 iron through gap wedge. The large cavity back on the clubs makes these some very forgiving irons, and the FaceFLex Technology used on the 5 and 6 irons gives more distance and ball speed.

These irons would be a perfect starter set for anyone looking to get into playing golf, but they would also be an excellent option for new golfers who only play a couple of times a month and are mindful of their wallets.

3. Cobra King Forged Tec One-Length Irons

These Cobra King Forged Tec irons are for golfers wanting a premium set of one-length clubs. Cobra has been making this set for a few years now, and they have only improved with each new model. A set is available from 3-iron through gap wedge, with forging that provides a soft feel throughout the swing. Cobra throws in a bonus item in the form of the Arccos tracking system, which will really help your game. These Forged Tec One-Length Irons are designed with the mid-to-low handicap player in mind.

Conclusion

One-length irons can simplify the game for many golfers, but they are not for everyone. For more long-time players, their years of experience with traditional variable-length clubs can be a hard habit to break. And while I believe in the concept of single-length irons, I don’t know if many golfers can spare the time needed to convert from traditional lengths–especially when they can take a long time to get used to.

As a teaching golf professional, I still welcome the increasing popularity of one-length irons because of the benefits for newer golfers and those with slower swing speeds. For these players, the game will become much easier, and less frustrating, because the swing and ball position should be more consistent.

There are some excellent, quality choices when it comes to one-length irons. Cobra Golf is heavily invested and offers multiple types of irons, and so do other companies like Orlimar, Wishon, and Edel Golf. All of those are popular options, and make one-length irons that deserve a look. If you are in the market for new clubs, give the one-length irons a try. Test them out, even if just for curiosity, you may like them.

If your curiosity has risen a bit, chat with me or one of my fellow Golf Experts here on Curated to find out whether one-length irons are right for you and your game. When you get that first birdie with the one-length irons, just smile and enjoy the game!