Single Length Irons long term use

[Ghostwedge]

14 minutes ago, Milfordlefty said:

Successful launch of SL 4,5,6 irons is dependent on a minimum iron swing speed. In my opinion, it is 90 mph. Anything less, you will not see enough spin to keep the ball in the air. It worked for Bryson because he has swing speed. Now his problem is too much swing speed for driver accuracy. I played SL for 1.5 years, won 2017 league championship with them in the bag, but eventually went back to VL as I couldn't consistently hit anything below 7 iron with the set, all due to not enough swing speed (getting older didn't help either). Plus my SL GW/SW went miles in the air, but shorter. Just my opinion, they didn't work long term for me, I am glad it does for others.

I would agree with the long iron assessment. I found I was working too  hard and not hitting my window with the 4-6 OL irons. Switched out to the regular length 5-6 irons and no more problems. Where guys get flustered with the short iron extra length I gained, extra height and softer landing shots with the 9-gw. 

Distance control isn't a problem. Dialed in set up dialed in swing.

 

 

 

 

[jarediogolf]

Question: what is the highest launching Cobra single length iron?

 

I built a one length rad speed 5 hybrid that I really liked. But I’d like to try a One Length 5 iron instead. 
Have any of the Cobra One Length sets stood out as higher launch and spin than any others? 
Or is the answer a One length utility iron? Looking for something around 22* to 23* degrees. 

[Milfordlefty]

25 minutes ago, jarediogolf said:

Question: what is the highest launching Cobra single length iron?

 

I built a one length rad speed 5 hybrid that I really liked. But I’d like to try a One Length 5 iron instead. 
Have any of the Cobra One Length sets stood out as higher launch and spin than any others? 
Or is the answer a One length utility iron? Looking for something around 22* to 23* degrees. 

Can't help on Cobra OL highest launch question. But I doubt neither the OL 5i or OL UI will launch higher than the Cobra 7w in your bag. What club would the OL 5i or UI replace in your bag? What distance gap are you trying to fill?

[boggyman]

1 hour ago, Milfordlefty said:

Can't help on Cobra OL highest launch question. But I doubt neither the OL 5i or OL UI will launch higher than the Cobra 7w in your bag. What club would the OL 5i or UI replace in your bag? What distance gap are you trying to fill?

I doubt so either! Gotta be the 7 wood hands down.

[jarediogolf]

Mostly as an experiment, It would be to replace my standard length 5 iron. 

My current 5 iron is 23* and my 7 wood is 22.5* the lofts are similar but they serve different purposes. 
 

The 7 wood obviously being longer, higher, and softer. The 5 iron being more confident it will go straight off the tee at times. 
 

I know the Single Length complaint is usually low launch low spin long irons. That’s not a huge concern as I already have a high spinny option with the 7 wood.
 

But if there is a series of one length irons that does launch higher and spin more it would be a consideration.
 

It does not have to be cobra either. I’d build whatever works well. 

 

[Drrussell]

I have played cobra F7, F8, F9, and forged tec (2020). 
 

i have always had 10 yard gaps throughout the set…until this year. Losing some speed has caused a gap problem between 3-4 irons.

 

stock full swing carry yardages (3/4 swing subtract 10 yards):

3 -220

4- 210

5 - 200

6 - 190

7- 180

8 - 170

9 - 160

p - 150

gw - 135

sw - 120

LW - 105

 

This year, as I noticed my distances at the top not being what they had been, or more precisely, realizing I had to put in too much effort to get the distances with my 3i.

 

I added a single length hybrid, but hate hitting them. It’s in the bag for courses with thick rough.

My handicap dropped from 12-13 to 2 since using single length irons. However, I have decided to make a change and move to stiff graphite instead of X-stiff steel (KBS 130 and Modus 120). The KBS feels like I have to work too hard…Modus set is much easier.

 

With that, I just ordered 2 sets of Edel sls01’s. With 1 set, it’s 4i-SW (110g Stiff) and the other 5i-GW (95g stiff). My intent is to add an SMS 4i into the second set…and to add a new Edel SW and play with the weight and loft to make it single length. If I am able to figure out how to convert the new SW to single length successfully, then I have all confidence I will be able to convert the rest of the clubs and my future upgrade will be SMS pro…if I fail, I will keep my Cobra SW/LW in play. 

 

i specifically went with Edel because of all the adjustments I had to make to Cobra irons (lie angle, loft, shaft changes) and because I was really concerned about getting the right shaft (and Cobra has very few options right now). I am hoping the Edel shafts are a good fit. 
 

over the next month or so, I will go through and customize each club, loft, lie, weight to make sure my launch, spin and descent angles are what I need to get proper gapping.

Edited August 18, 2023 by Drrussell

[Drrussell]

I have pretty well dialed in one set of SLS-01 irons. Amazing. 

 

i can’t say for certain if it’s the shafts or the head of the club, but love them. 
 

i have also ordered the new SMS Pro 3-4 and LW with the new Kinetixx one length shafts. If I can make these irons work for single length then converting the rest of the irons will be easy. 
 

i am probably going to sell or trade my cobra irons to fund buying the new SMS Pro irons. 

[Drrussell]

I started a new thread, but I am customizing and building a single length set of irons using the Edel SMS Pro irons. Like I said earlier in the thread, I have used Cobra irons since the F7’s were released. 

 

With Bryson no longer with Cobra I have no confidence that they are going to keep building new clubs. Their last release was 2022. So, nothing new this year. For that reason, I am moving on. 

 

Before buying the SMS set (which is on order with my custom specifications including the new Paderson Kinetixx shafts), I bought two sets of the Edel SLS01’s. I wanted to test the graphite shafts an specifically test the performance of Kinetixx. After a couple rounds I was sold. Edel is expensive, no doubt, but the way they built the SLS01’s is beautiful.

 

I adjusted loft and lie on the SLS01’s to my specs and truthfully, other than being easier on my hands and easier to swing, if I wasn’t a tinkerer, I would simply play those clubs and sell my Cobras. I didn’t have a problem with the Cobra irons by the way. I customized them to have my proper lie angle (and consistent through the set) and I adjusted lofts so that my gapping is great. However, I wanted to move to a softer graphite shaft. I had every intention of moving to LA golf shafts, but the pricing there made it worth testing the SLS01’s. 

 

As far as single length versus variable length. I always get excited when I am gambling and see someone with variable length clubs. I know it’s to my advantage. I will take every advantage I can get. 

 

There is zero chance I would ever go back to VL under any circumstances. The idea of having a different swing for every club in the bag…no thank you. I can hit any club in my bag 100 times and I just practiced every club. Trying to practice with variable length and needing 100 swings with every club to get the same value…nope. 

 

Anyway, because so many golf pro’s know so little about single length and they tend to regurgitate talking points that they read somewhere else, I have definitely had to do a lot of research on my own. I have had some terribly failed experiments over the years too. The Wishon single length 3w and hybrid…let’s just say my math didn’t work out an they didn’t work for my intended purpose. 

 

Building a set of clubs with the SMS Pro’s, I am really confident I can make it work. I wouldn’t have dropped $2k if I wasn’t. I am 100% confident in 4-PW. I am a little less confident on the wedges. 

 

I am always looking for feedback an idea from this forum because there are so many people with great info. 

[TKS]

Is Edel going to keep building new SL clubs, new ownership and all?

[ChaosTheory]

14 hours ago, TKS said:

Is Edel going to keep building new SL clubs, new ownership and all?

There is a member here @J13 who appears to be in the loop with Edel, who talked about their SL irons.  He said no, they are discontinued.  It was in one of the several other SL threads.

 

edit, here is the post:

 

Edited September 17, 2023 by Snowman9000

[billh17]

On 1/31/2023 at 5:40 PM, Is Golf Fun or Work said:

All the folks I know who tried OL irons went back to standard sets within a month or two....just saying, might work for you then again maybe not

Thats odd, because i know at least two dozen guys that have been playing them for 2 to 6 years and they all still plan on keeping them.  Shows how things can be diffeerent based on location, i guess.

[Truok]

2 hours ago, billh17 said:

Thats odd, because i know at least two dozen guys that have been playing them for 2 to 6 years and they all still plan on keeping them.  Shows how things can be diffeerent based on location, i guess.

I played sterling single length irons for probably 6 years. Absolutely loved them.  My only problem was I completely wore down the wedges and then they got discontinued for a new model that was bit too game improvement for me and I couldn't ever get on with them so I went back to variable length. But I'm still a big supporter of them but they really need a proper fitting and trial and error to get right which most consumers aren't willing to do.  I don't imagine any company will release a players style set of single length clubs because they just haven't really taken off and with edel stopping and most likely cobra stopping since the whole Bryson dechambeau debacle I'm not sure the future is very bright for the single length golfers. 

[boggyman]

If the OL sets sell like @cobragolf  says they do, why would they even consider discontinuing them? I’d love to go back to them but hate thin, hot faced, GI irons. Considering the FT OL as a possibility. 

[kenstl]

I played OL irons for 5-6 years and recently went back to VL irons.  Played Wishon 1st and second generations, and then cobra  forged tec.  I am also 6'5" and found the longer "short" irons really worked well for me.  Looking back, I put up with a lower flight 5 iron and 6 irons.  I am a big believer in the OL approach as I do think it can negate some of the need for practice since the majority of clubs in your bag are the same length but I got tired of playing the multi piece constructed irons.  I did end up going 1.5" over in length on my current set of VL irons up through the 7 iron, and then a 6 at 1" over and it has been an easy transition back to VL, hitting the ball better than ever.  I always played .5" or 1" over in prior VL sets so going a little longer was justified after playing OL irons.  I hope Cobra continues to offer the line as I think they serve a good purpose for some, even if they only carry 7-GW in OL in their bag.   

[me05501]

It's interesting that so many serious golfers will swear that they aren't influenced by what the pros play. The single length phenomenon would strongly suggest otherwise. The popularity of the single length idea dropped off a cliff after Bryson left for LIV and wasn't featured on TV and in all the magazines every month. 

[billh17]

And thanks for your addition to the topic.. I frankly know no one that spends money to buy golf equipment, based on what some pro plays. They simply do not play the same equipment we mere mortals play.  If you do not like them, don't play them.

They are not for everyone, but a lot of folks appreciate them. 

[Drrussell]

On 9/17/2023 at 3:26 PM, billh17 said:

Thats odd, because i know at least two dozen guys that have been playing them for 2 to 6 years and they all still plan on keeping them.  Shows how things can be diffeerent based on location, i guess.

I just ordered their SMS Pro irons which I am converting to single length. They still have access to order the Paderson Kinetixx single length shafts, but they aren’t listed on the website. 

 

They told me that when Bryson came out on tour, single length orders were going well…and they continued to go well until Bryson switched to really chasing distance. At that point, people kind of forgot about single length…and became infatuated with chasing distance. 

 

They have discontinued single length clubs and have no plans to re-introduce. 

[Drrussell]

On 9/18/2023 at 8:17 AM, me05501 said:

It's interesting that so many serious golfers will swear that they aren't influenced by what the pros play. The single length phenomenon would strongly suggest otherwise. The popularity of the single length idea dropped off a cliff after Bryson left for LIV and wasn't featured on TV and in all the magazines every month. 

From the Edel folks, the drop off happened while he was still on tour, but started chasing distance.

[me05501]

On 9/18/2023 at 12:14 PM, billh17 said:

And thanks for your addition to the topic.. I frankly know no one that spends money to buy golf equipment, based on what some pro plays. They simply do not play the same equipment we mere mortals play.  If you do not like them, don't play them.

They are not for everyone, but a lot of folks appreciate them. 

 

 

It's fine if you choose not to believe that people are influenced by endorsements and advertising. You're incorrect but it's no big deal. 

[Drrussell]

22 minutes ago, me05501 said:

 

 

It's fine if you choose not to believe that people are influenced by endorsements and advertising. You're incorrect but it's no big deal. 

There is zero doubt people are influenced by what the pro’s play. Marketing works. If it wasn’t for marketing, if people purely cared about performance Edel single length clubs would have been THE market choice for single length clubs instead of Cobra. 

 

Hell, Bryson played Edel irons for all of his collegiate wins up until he turned pro and signed with Cobra. That’s when single length because a legit option for the masses. 

[bluedot]

On 9/17/2023 at 4:26 PM, billh17 said:

Thats odd, because i know at least two dozen guys that have been playing them for 2 to 6 years and they all still plan on keeping them.  Shows how things can be diffeerent based on location, i guess.

Wait…what?
 

I don’t question that golfers who go to OL clubs might not switch back, but do you really know TWO DOZEN guys who play single length irons?  I don’t know a single one, and I play a lot of golf with a lot of different players.  If there is even one guy at my club who does, I’m not aware of it, but I’ll ask around.  

[Drrussell]

On 9/21/2023 at 3:47 PM, bluedot said:

Wait…what?
 

I don’t question that golfers who go to OL clubs might not switch back, but do you really know TWO DOZEN guys who play single length irons?  I don’t know a single one, and I play a lot of golf with a lot of different players.  If there is even one guy at my club who does, I’m not aware of it, but I’ll ask around.  

In fairness I play with different people all the time and rarely does that topic come up when we are playing. I have probably played with hundreds of different people over last two years and virtually none of them would have any idea I play single length clubs.

 

That may change switching to Edel only because I am sure people will be more curious about my equipment since it looks so much cooler than traditional Cobra forged tec.

 

People have noticed the massive Jumbomax grips. 🙂

[Ghostwedge]

2 hours ago, Drrussell said:

In fairness I play with different people all the time and rarely does that topic come up when we are playing. I have probably played with hundreds of different people over last two years and virtually none of them would have any idea I play single length clubs.

 

That may change switching to Edel only because I am sure people will be more curious about my equipment since it looks so much cooler than traditional Cobra forged tec.

 

People have noticed the massive Jumbomax grips. 🙂

I play Cobra Forged Tec OL irons, guys check them out once in awhile. 

Nothing against Edel irons but I doubt they look or play any better than my sticks. 

[Drrussell]

11 hours ago, Ghostwedge said:

I play Cobra Forged Tec OL irons, guys check them out once in awhile. 

Nothing against Edel irons but I doubt they look or play any better than my sticks. 

I have played the Forged Tec single length since they have been out, both 2020 and 2022 versions. They look exactly like regular Cobra Forged Tec irons. 

 

As far as comparing the Cobra to the SLS01’s, if we are talking single length, yes there is a pretty significant difference. The head design (same size head from SW-4i means no change in force applied to head throughout set. Because of this, they don’t need to alter lie angle throughout the set. Variable face thickness combined with probably the most important difference, shafts, mean far fewer issues with trajectory.

 

Cobra design means same head footprint as variable length throughout the set. They chose to go with a cheaper shaft configuration because they use standard variable length shafts cut down. 

 

With that being said, it probably comes down to being properly fit. I know there is a theoretical design benefit on Edel with head design; however, with my Cobra irons, I had to adjust lie angle throughout set and ultimately landed on same lie angle throughout. Testing my wedges, they were about 3-4 degrees too flat.

 

I had no problem with my Cobra irons, especially after I went through and did my fitting and adjustments.. I have gamed every version of their single length clubs since the F7 was released. They have gotten miles better over the years. My change was not a byproduct of Cobra being bad, but rather it is time for me to change to a different type of shaft. That opened me up to looking at other options (including just reshafting the Cobra irons). 

 

Yes. The Edel SLS01 irons have significant design improvements over Cobra. However, unless I put the new shafts into the Cobra irons, how much difference do those design differences make? I can’t say. 

 

The new Edel SMS Pro irons do look significantly sharper and will definitely get more attention. Will they play any different? Probably down to golfer. There is no doubt that their design for moving weight to match your individual swing is a giant step forward on iron design. However, at $250 per club is it enough to justify the cost difference? Probably down to individual skillset.  

[Ghostwedge]

I jettisoned the factory shafts and went with Recoil 95's. Been a 1-5 cap for over 30 years the skill set hasn't changed. Your analysis on both is good.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder right ? To me the Forged Tec is a great looking iron. You're more of a deep dive guy than me, I've optimized my numbers with indoor and outdoor testing a few years ago. Driver is the only thing that gets a yearly review now. Thanks for the thoughtful insight.

[billh17]

On 9/21/2023 at 1:02 PM, me05501 said:

 

 

It's fine if you choose not to believe that people are influenced by endorsements and advertising. You're incorrect but it's no big deal. 

Lol...and if you're really buying your equipment based on what some pro plays, thats your issue to deal with. Makes no difference to me. You need to be aware that the clubs purchased that way are NOT the clubs the pros play. Not even close. No big deal to me either. Its your money. Use it however you want !

[me05501]

31 minutes ago, billh17 said:

Lol...and if you're really buying your equipment based on what some pro plays, thats your issue to deal with. Makes no difference to me. You need to be aware that the clubs purchased that way are NOT the clubs the pros play. Not even close. No big deal to me either. Its your money. Use it however you want !

Whether you feel personally influenced by it or not, it factors into a lot of club stuff that eventually impacts everyone (such as resale value). 

[billh17]

1 minute ago, me05501 said:

Whether you feel personally influenced by it or not, it factors into a lot of club stuff that eventually impacts everyone (such as resale value). 

hey.....whyatever makes you happy.. I have absolutely no desire to get into a silly

argument with you over advertising. You have a nice day.

[Drrussell]

10 hours ago, Ghostwedge said:

I jettisoned the factory shafts and went with Recoil 95's. Been a 1-5 cap for over 30 years the skill set hasn't changed. Your analysis on both is good.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder right ? To me the Forged Tec is a great looking iron. You're more of a deep dive guy than me, I've optimized my numbers with indoor and outdoor testing a few years ago. Driver is the only thing that gets a yearly review now. Thanks for the thoughtful insight.

I didn’t start playing golf until my 30’s, but we are in same boat (handicap wise). Only changing from Cobra because it was time to change from the 130g xtra-stiff to something a little lighter and softer. I always loved the forged tec irons too. Good luck.

[boggyman]

Any info on what the AeroJet OL replacement will be or is it too early? I’m going OL or all hybrid set next year.