Short Iron Lengths

[DLeightonReid]

Several years ago, I shortened the length of my driver from 45" to 44" to improve my ball striking and hit more fairways.  I am curious if anyone has applied the same philosophy to iron lengths.  Would a 1/2" to 1" decrease in length make it easier to hit the sweet spot consistently?  This would effect the lie angle, so maybe 1 to 2 degrees upright?  

[hurley999s]

My clubs are a bit longer overall but I’ve adjusted the gap between them. So instead of 0.5” between each club, I now have progressive differences. So 4i to 5i may be 0.5”, but then 5i-6i 3/8”, etc…i also play PW/GW/SW/LW same length. 
 

For your specific question, I would be careful with your thinking that simply doing so to give you better accuracy. They are already shorter than D, which is the longest club in the bag. 
 

Also, you’d want to be careful with your shorter irons and wedges because you may go too short.

 

Howard Jones has good write ups on this topic, but essentially, to try it out, tape your grips at 0.5” down, grip there, and go hit them. Write down results, feel, etc…can then try it at 1” and compare. 
 

You may find that you get benefits only in some clubs, but not others. Or that some clubs do better 1” short, others 0.5”…so it’s a good free way to try. 

[FirePro]

iv always played driving iron to the equivalent iron length.  I also recently purchased a set of standard length clubs PW-7 MIM Tours and 6-4 in the one length 7 iron length 

[Stuart_G]

43 minutes ago, DLeightonReid said:

Several years ago, I shortened the length of my driver from 45" to 44" to improve my ball striking and hit more fairways.  I am curious if anyone has applied the same philosophy to iron lengths. 

 

The short answer is a real big NO.   At least not as a full set length adjustment.  

 

Modern stock driver lengths are already WAY over what they historically would be for the standard stock iron set lengths.   e.g. standard iron lengths historically have been associated with 43.5 or maybe 44" driver length. 

 

Now fairways and hybrids are a possibility.   But ideally each club type (driver, fairway, hybrid, irons, wedges) should be fit for length independently for the most part.

 

 

43 minutes ago, DLeightonReid said:

 

Would a 1/2" to 1" decrease in length make it easier to hit the sweet spot consistently?

 

It's possible it might help for the longer irons - but the problem you have to worry about is the short end of the set getting too short.

 

The ideal iron fitting would be done at the ends of the set (not the middle as is common).  Fit for PW length to make sure it isn't too short.  Then fit the longest iron to make sure it's not too long for the players swing and abilities.  Then increment the clubs in between based on those two fittings.

 

 

 

Edited June 29, 2022 by Stuart_G

[DLeightonReid]

Thank you Stuart....appreciate your input.  

[Cwebb]

2 hours ago, DLeightonReid said:

Several years ago, I shortened the length of my driver from 45" to 44" to improve my ball striking and hit more fairways.  I am curious if anyone has applied the same philosophy to iron lengths.  Would a 1/2" to 1" decrease in length make it easier to hit the sweet spot consistently?  This would effect the lie angle, so maybe 1 to 2 degrees upright?  

 

Try a test with your "sand wedge" or "mid wedge".  Hit some fuller shots with it at full length.  Then choke down a bit and see how it feels and performs.  You can do the same thing with the most lofted iron that matches your set, whether it's labeled with a 'P', 'A', or 'G'.

 

This will help you determine your shortest effective iron/wedge length.  Then you decide on your set increments from there

[jomatty]

Choke up and see if it helps.

[Pepperturbo]

3 hours ago, DLeightonReid said:

Several years ago, I shortened the length of my driver from 45" to 44" to improve my ball striking and hit more fairways.  I am curious if anyone has applied the same philosophy to iron lengths.  Would a 1/2" to 1" decrease in length make it easier to hit the sweet spot consistently?  This would effect the lie angle, so maybe 1 to 2 degrees upright?  

Irons lengths, for the most part, are seen different from driver length.  Years back I tested driver playing lengths from 43" to 46" and eventually settled on 44.75", and my 4wd is 43" playing length. 

 

My 620 MB irons are standard Titleist length and lie, which fits my 5'10 height and arm length.   That said, before the advent of CAD, OEM irons tended to a bit shorter and more on the flat lie side, which required my irons to be adjusted 2' up.  When CAD happened, head designs changed, allowing iron lengths and lies more upright (like today) so I was able to buy clubs off the rack without adjustments.

 

Once basic club fitting is done, finding the sweet spot is more about proper swing mechanics and proper setup over the ball. 

[Aviador Naval]

I think you have your answer but as a quick anecdotal pile on...

 

I play all my woods a touch under modern standard (e.g., 44.75" driver, 42" 4w, etc) and my hybrids quite a bit under standard but with heavier stouter shafts (much more like an iron replacement than a mini fairway wood).

 

I no longer play irons longer than 5i but hit them best at 1/2" over the current pseudo-standard (i.e., 5i @ 38/12").  Not sure why exactly - address posture just seems more comfortable...

 

There is really no pattern.  You simply have to experiment a bit and find out what works for you.

[DLeightonReid]

Thank you Pepperturbo and Aviador Naval for your input and expertise.  

[DLeightonReid]

1 hour ago, Cwebb said:

 

Try a test with your "sand wedge" or "mid wedge".  Hit some fuller shots with it at full length.  Then choke down a bit and see how it feels and performs.  You can do the same thing with the most lofted iron that matches your set, whether it's labeled with a 'P', 'A', or 'G'.

 

This will help you determine your shortest effective iron/wedge length.  Then you decide on your set increments from there

Thanks Cwebb, I appreciate your input.

[DLeightonReid]

3 hours ago, hurley999s said:

My clubs are a bit longer overall but I’ve adjusted the gap between them. So instead of 0.5” between each club, I now have progressive differences. So 4i to 5i may be 0.5”, but then 5i-6i 3/8”, etc…i also play PW/GW/SW/LW same length. 
 

For your specific question, I would be careful with your thinking that simply doing so to give you better accuracy. They are already shorter than D, which is the longest club in the bag. 
 

Also, you’d want to be careful with your shorter irons and wedges because you may go too short.

 

Howard Jones has good write ups on this topic, but essentially, to try it out, tape your grips at 0.5” down, grip there, and go hit them. Write down results, feel, etc…can then try it at 1” and compare. 
 

You may find that you get benefits only in some clubs, but not others. Or that some clubs do better 1” short, others 0.5”…so it’s a good free way to try. 

Thanks hurley999s.....your input makes sense.