Club Design Question

[missin44]

Why are there different shaft lengths for different clubs? Obviously I understand the different lofts. But why vary the shaft lengths? Seems to me if a 9 iron shaft was the same as a 3 iron shaft it would be much easier to produce a consistent swing. As a matter fact I was surfing around and found a club maker (1-Iron, I think), anyway just curious if there is a good reason or what the logic is or is it more tradition than anything?

[Sherpat]

If I'm not mistaken, the simple answer is: clubhead speed. The longer the shaft, the greater the velocity at the end of the shaft (where the clubhead is). A 3-iron with a 9-iron length shaft would be a considerably shorter hitter, and a 9-iron with a long shaft would travel farther (and higher).

[allin]

  Sherpat said:

If I'm not mistaken, the simple answer is: clubhead speed. The longer the shaft, the greater the velocity at the end of the shaft (where the clubhead is). A 3-iron with a 9-iron length shaft would be a considerably shorter hitter, and a 9-iron with a long shaft would travel farther (and higher).

You are correct that longer shafts can help increase clubhead speed. Total weight of the club, amount of weight in the clubhead are also factors. Yardage gaps in medium and short irons could probably be accomplished easily by loft changes, keeping shaft length and clubweights equal. Long irons and woods would be tougher. You could easily design a set with just 3 lengths. Short for 5i to lw. Medium for 4i to 3w and long for the driver. You might sacrifice some distance in the 3w, but consistency and accuracy might improve. Tommy Armour had a set called EQL? a few years back that tried this with the irons, wasn't very successful.

[jstew123]

Your question about shaft lengths is common. Originally all shafts were the same length, and all the clubs were custom built. In order to mass produce clubs, companies began making them in 1/2" increments. The thinking was that a person could buy a set of clubs for a lower price and likely one or two of the clubs within the set would fit. The 1 Iron theory is that all the clubs are the same length and weight, therefore a person need only develop one swing throughout the set of irons. The beauty of these irons is that you can try them out for 30 days, and if you are not satisfied, return them for a full refund.