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1 Iron Golf® ...the common sense approach to better golf. |
(Click on any question below)
Why are conventional golf clubs different lengths?
What is the true affect of club length on distance?
What type and flex of shaft do you use?
Can your golf clubs be used with Natural Golf or other single-axis swing methods?
Can't I just cut my current set of irons to equal length?
Should there be a difference between men's, women's, or senior's golf clubs?
Can I just order one or two irons to give your system a try?
How did you determine the ideal club length and lie angle?
What do you consider the most important factor in golf?
Is there anywhere that I can demo your clubs or be fitted?
How does the W-T-F measurement determine my proper fitting?
Question for David Lake: Why should I switch to 1 Iron Golf clubs?
Why are conventional golf clubs different lengths?
All sets of golf clubs were custom built to the same club lengths prior to the introduction of steel shafts (invented in 1910 and legalized in 1926). Prior to that time hickory shafts were the norm and golf clubs were custom fitted/built to one single club length within a set based upon the static measurements of the individual golfer (wrist-to-floor measurement). The production and tuning of hickory shafts as well as the rest of the club making process was very time consuming and demanded the skills of highly experienced club makers. Obviously, this was an expensive process and could only be afforded by the wealthy which is why golf originally got the reputation as being strictly a sport for the rich.
The advent of the steel shaft changed all of this since this type of shaft could be produced by the thousands very cheaply in factories using unskilled workers. Large sporting goods manufacturers, lured by the huge untapped market for inexpensive sets of golf clubs, jumped in to bring golf to the masses. Their only stumbling block was that they could not provide single-length custom fitting in their mass production model. The solution came when it was suggested that these mass produced sets incorporate a 1/2 inch incremental step progression between successive irons and woods so that at least a few of the clubs within a set would come close to fitting any customer. In other words the incremental lengths in a set of conventional golf clubs today are the result of a miss-guided manufacturing decision made in the 1930s and not based upon any golfing performance criteria whatsoever.
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What is the true affect of club length on distance?
We are led to believe that longer golf clubs produce greater swing speeds on a linear scale and thus more distance. This is the explanation given for the 1/2 inch increase in club length between the individual irons and woods within a conventional set of golf clubs. In actuality, the only static factor that results in distance changes between clubs is the difference in the loft angle of the clubhead. Our testing has shown conclusively that there is absolutely no measurable difference in swing speed due to the standard 1/2 inch incremental shaft length increases between clubs. The only affect of the standard length increases between clubs is to make each successively longer club harder to hit.
The armchair physicist will point to the radial arm length in a golf swing as being the prime determinant of swing speed stating that the longer the radial arm the greater the swing speed and resultant distance. A common misconception is that club length alone is used to define this radial arm length. Regardless of how many hinging points and resultant secondary arcs/planes are involved the true center of a golf swing is a point somewhere between your shoulders (this center point moves laterally between the shoulders during the swing). Hence, you must include your arm length into the radial arm length equation for any meaningful analysis. Therefore, assuming a 37 inch iron length and an arm length of 24 inches, the actual radial arm length in your golf swing is 61 inches. This means that a 1/2 inch change in club length results in a radial arm length change of only 1/122nd or 0.008197. A 1 inch change in club length results in a radial arm length change of only 1/61 or 0.01639. As you can see, these fractional increases in radial arm length will not produce any measurable change in swing speed or distance whatsoever.
Testing at the 1 Iron Golf Research and Testing Labs has shown that the highest level of power generated by a golfer is with the club that he is most comfortable with (his favorite club). Even though this favorite club may be 2 inches shorter than his #3 or #4 iron the golfer is able to generate more power because the shorter club length allows for the swing posture and swing plane that maximizes both skeletal and muscular functions. This is one of the main reasons that golfers unconsciously choose a particular club as a favorite. The ideal swing posture and swing plane that maximizes skeletal and muscular functions during the swing are the same for all golfers regardless of height. The clubhead lie angles used in 1 Iron Golf clubs in conjunction with the properly fitted club length, as determined by the golfers W-T-F measurement, force all golfers into this ideal swing posture and swing plane to maximize power.
It is also interesting to note that the ideal swing plane noted above also produces the highest level of control in a golf swing. This results in a much higher percentage of solid center-face hits which translates into additional distance. Hitting the ball just 1/4 inch from center-face can result in a 10 to 15 yard decrease in distance plus an off-line shot.
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What type and flex of shaft do you use?
We use our own Shaft Optimized step-less steel golf shafts in all 1 Iron Golf clubs. Shaft Optimization is a proprietary process we developed whereby the playability characteristics of the shaft are optimized for peak performance in relation to the design specifications of the clubhead. This forms a perfect mechanical marriage and balance between the individual components which produces the ideal shaft loading and ball trajectory for the golf club regardless of the strength or swing speed of the individual golfer. While other golf club manufacturers concentrate on non-standardized flex ratings and other shaft performance myths, we have found that shaft optimization is the major key to golf shaft playability.
We are also the only golf club manufacturer to perform shaft flex plane orientation as part of our shafting process. If a golf club is shafted without regard to the inherent flex plane of the shaft it will try and rotate around its axis to a position of stability during the swing which creates an oscillation between shaft and clubhead. This oscillation results in the clubhead literally wobbling through impact. However, when the shaft is correctly oriented in respect to its inherent flex plane it will resist twisting to any other position when placed under load and will remain stable and on-line through impact. The feeling is that the clubhead is riding on rails through the impact zone. The result is a much higher degree of ball striking consistency with a maximum transfer of power at impact.
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Can your golf clubs be used with Natural Golf or other single-axis swing methods?
1 Iron Golf clubs are not method specific and are used and recommended by conventional PGA instructors as well as single-axis and other swing method instructors. In regards to the single-axis swing versus the conventional swing, at address a conventional golfer creates an angle between his wrists and the club shaft which is not present using a single-axis type of address position. However, during the downswing the wrist angle of the conventional golfer straightens out and at impact is identical to that of the single-axis golfer. In fact, the position of the body, wrists, arms, etc. are all identical at impact regardless of the swing method used. Consequently, since 1 Iron Golf clubs are built to your ideal club length in relation to the optimum clubhead lie angle they will produce enhanced ball striking no matter what swing method is used.
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Can't I just cut my current set of irons to equal length?
A set of conventional golf clubs cannot be adjusted for use in the 1 Iron Golf System. When golf clubs are shafted, the shafts are tip-trimmed in progressive 1/2 inch length increments from the #3 iron through the wedges. For instance, the #3 iron may have a 1 inch tip-trim and the #9 iron a 4 inch tip-trim. Consequently, all of the shafts have different flexes. You would have to have all of your clubs re-shafted using the same tip-trim for all clubs. In addition, you would need to have the lie angles of all the clubheads adjusted to correspond to the single club length. Also, due to the varying weight of conventional clubheads each golf club would have a different moment of inertia and swing-weight.
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Should there be a difference between men's, women's, or senior's golf clubs?
Human beings all have the same mechanical structure regardless of size, strength, age, or gender. The hinging points or axis are the same for everyone as well as skeletal, tendon, joint, and muscle function. This is why exercise machines at a health club can be used by anyone and produce the same results. The only adjustment necessary in these machines is for the length of the arms, legs, etc. of the individual. By the same token all golf clubs should be built to the same specifications with the only adjustment being made to the length of the golf club in relation to the optimum lie angle.
It is true that the stronger golfer will achieve greater distance than the weaker golfer and is the reason why golf courses offer varying tee box locations. This is just a function of individual strength that produces a greater swing force with a higher swing speed, but it does not alter the sound mechanical principles of a well designed golf club. For instance, the low loft angles of a #3 and #4 iron require a high degree of swing force coupled with a swing speed of 75+ mph to be effectively played. For those golfers with lesser swing force and swing speeds the answer is to substitute #5 and #7 woods for these irons. The specifications of the golf clubs, however, should never be altered based on the strength of the golfer. A mechanically perfect golf club design is mechanically perfect for everyone regardless of strength, size, age, or gender. 1 Iron Golf clubs are being played and enjoyed by men and women in every age and strength category world-wide.
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Can I just order one or two irons to give your system a try?
The benefits of the 1 Iron Golf System cannot be realized by testing only one or two irons. The power and consistency inherent in using only one swing plane, one swing posture, and one ball position can only be realized through the use of a complete set of irons. A single 1 Iron Golf club is just another club, whereas a set of 1 Iron Golf clubs creates a system that produces stunning results.
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How did you determine the ideal club length and lie angle?
The determination of the ideal golf club length to be used in the 1 Iron Golf System involved a three part analysis:
1. Golf swing mechanics.
2. The determination of a swing plane where muscle, tendon, and joint functions are optimized for power and control. This optimum swing plane would determine the correct lie angle of the clubhead and the ideal corresponding club length based on the individual golfer.
3. Interviews with golfers of all skill levels.
After a complete analysis of the first two, the one ideal swing
plane and corresponding clubhead lie angle for both the irons and woods was
determined. Based upon the clubhead lie angle the ideal club length for the
individual golfer could be factored using their
wrist-to-floor
measurement.
During the third part of the analysis where the golfers were asked what they considered to be their favorite iron and wood, over 98% of them identified golf clubs which met the specifications of our previously determined ideals.
The correlation between the mechanical/skeletal analysis and the golfers interview analysis proved that our previously determined ideal clubhead lie angles and corresponding club lengths for the irons and woods placed the golfers body in a position to maximize power and close enough to the golf ball to ensure consistent solid ball contact.
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What do you consider the most important factor in golf?
Based on the 2004 PGA Tour season the average of 190+ players hit 64.08% of the fairways and 68.35% of the greens in regulation with average scoring being in the low 70s. These are the best players in the world who practice constantly while in contrast the average weekend golfer probably hits 35% of the fairways and 25% of the greens in regulation and scores in the mid to high 90s. The secret to lower golf scores is no secret at all, in fact it stares you right in the face - GOLF IS A GAME OF ACCURACY.
Through testing we discovered that the main determinant of accuracy is also the main determinant of distance, and that is consistent solid ball contact. This can only be achieved when the golfers body is in a position to produce a powerful swing and yet is close enough to the ball to ensure solid contact. The club lengths used in 1 Iron Golf force the golfer into the swing posture that maximizes both skeletal and muscle functions to produce a powerful swing while at the same time being close enough to the golf ball to ensure solid contact. By using the same swing, swing plane, set-up and ball position for every shot and with every club any golfer can dramatically increase their level of ball striking consistency and accuracy.
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Is there anywhere that I can demo your clubs or be fitted?
We currently have three authorized Demo/Fitting locations:
Dave Predzin - Golf Improvement Center
Website: www.golfimprovementcenter.net
Graves Golf Academy Instructor
Broad Run Golf & Practice Facility
10201 Golf Academy Drive
Bristow, VA 20136
(703) 365-2443
Steve Baril - Demo/Fitting Center
16295 Midway Street
Victorville, CA 92395
(760) 951-0972
Dave Sanford - Golf Dimensions
PGA Professional
8205 Fremont Pike (Rte. 20)
Perrysburg,OH 43551
(419) 872-4653
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How does the W-T-F measurement determine my proper fitting?
It is based upon trigonometry. At the point of ball impact in the downswing your wrist, ground, and clubhead form a right triangle. Assuming an ideal swing posture, there is a mathematical relationship between your W-T-F measurement while standing and wrist-to-ground distance at ball impact. The clubhead lie angles are known for the irons and fairway woods as well as the length of one side of the right triangle based upon your mathematically factored wrist-to-ground distance at impact. This gives us the measurement of two angles and the length of one side. We then use trigonometry to solve for the hypotenuse or club length. This is somewhat oversimplified as we factor in shaft deflection and numerous other factors. The fitting formula that we developed produces the correct custom fitted golf club length for anyone regardless of height, arm length, etc.
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Question for David Lake: Why should I switch to 1 Iron Golf clubs?
I spent over fifteen years of research, testing, and experimenting in developing the 1 Iron Golf System with the sole intent of producing a set of clubs that would lower your scores and make golf fun again. The simplicity of using just one swing, one ball position, and one set-up at address for every shot virtually eliminates miss-hits from your game. Just this fact alone will lower your average scoring by 5 to 10 strokes per round. Add to this the increases in distance and accuracy you will gain because as your single swing becomes more and more ingrained your confidence level and power soars. The end result is that you will find yourself playing golf at a level you never thought possible.
Believe me when I say that if you try our 1 Irons you will never go back to conventional golf clubs again. These are not just idle boasts as they are backed up by a full 30-day Money Back Guarantee. This means that you have 30 days to give your 1 Irons a complete and thorough work-out at your home course and at your convenience (which is the only way to actually find out if a set of golf clubs is right for you). Forget about demo’ing a few clubs at the pro shop or golf store and then getting stuck with the full cost of the set when you find out they do not help your game (garage sales are full of them).
I am proud to say that our 1 Irons are being played by golfers all over the world (low and high handicappers alike), and from the feedback that we have received the consensus is a tremendous increase in ball striking ability and lower scores across the board.
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