Golf
Meet the PGA Tour's Young Mad Scientist
Bryson DeChambeau is the 23-year-old golfer with a style and philosophy as unique as his cap.
Bryson DeChambeau, the cerebral physics major from SMU, won his first PGA Tour title at the John Deere Classic this past weekend using … get this … only single-length irons.
What does that mean exactly, you ask?
The idea is actually pretty simple. If your irons are all the same length, then your posture, ball position and the swing itself will be exactly the same for your 4-iron as your 7-iron. By decreasing the number of different swings you put on the ball, you’re improving your consistency and how you play just because you have fewer swings to learn.
What's in the bag? Only a 7-iron
© Ben Garrett/Red Bull Content Pool
Bryson DeChambeau's unique golf swing
© Ben Garrett/Red Bull Content Pool
DeChambeau even nicknamed his 7-iron "Tin Cup"
© Ben Garrett/Red Bull Content Pool
DeChambeau knows what Saturdays are for
© Ben Garrett/Red Bull Content Pool
DeChambeau, the highest-profile player to adopt single-length irons, birdied seven of his last 11 holes and posted an 18-under 266 to capture victory. Ironically, his clinching 14-footer for birdie at 18 was set up by a 7-iron from 194 yards.
The victory had even broader implications, as it earned him a spot in this week's Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. This will be his first start in the Open and fifth in a major championship.
As a tribute to his victory, check out this RedBull.com exclusive video of the one-length master doing his version of the Tin Cup Challenge recently at the Texas Star Golf Course in Euless, Texas, where he only played a 7-iron — even for putts on the green and chip shots.
For those who don’t remember this Kevin Costner classic, his character Roy "Tin Cup" McAvoy is trying to qualify for the U.S. Open. The hot-headed McAvoy snaps every club in his bag except his 7-iron and proceeds to finish the back nine with only that club to qualify for the Open.
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Bryson DeChambeau's Tin Cup Challenge
Now back to the broader single-length iron debate. Golf is a complex game, and DeChambeau tries to simplify elements and unlock the secrets of this frustrating sport. That’s where single-length irons came into the picture. The “we’ve always done it this way” thinking is what DeChambeau and many others are questioning. The idea that irons have to be different lengths is a stubborn old notion in a sport that sometimes is slow to evolve.
Some think that as many as 25 percent of PGA Tour pros will be playing with single-length irons within five to eight years. For amateurs and new players to the game, single-length makes the game easier and less time consuming to practice. It’s great for beginners because they’ll have to work on just one swing.
Now that DeChambeau is a PGA Tour winner, the single-length iron debate will likely get even hotter.
