Why have two club lengths instead of one or three or more?

We considered numerous options. 4 lengths (paired irons) were promoted by none other than Bobby Jones for Spalding in the late 1930's. 3 lengths were sold in the late 1990's thru conventional pro channels. 1 length appears to be the best choice at first glance especially since Armour EQL irons survived a 5 year production life. But single length irons have a few logic flaws.

As much as one tries to think about the iron game as being "one" of the game's segments, there are at least two parts to the iron game. Lower irons, many of which are being replaced by hybrids (hybrids earn more money for the manufacturers since they are 'woodlike' and command higher prices) are clearly 'distance' oriented. If you have a 195 yard shot to a green or open target area, there are few, even pros, thinking about results next to the stick. Most would be more than happy to simply arrive on the green somewhere. We like to think of those iron objectives as being in the mid-iron range.

But there comes a point where a player actually does start to have thoughts of accuracy and visions of 'close to the pin' shots. We tend to think of these as being in the high-iron range which, we feel, begins with the 7 iron and up.

Our strategy for irons is therefore to bracket these two iron shotmaking types (length and accuracy) into two separate but same iron-length categories matched for swingweight and shaft frequency. In this way you have reduced a complex, multiple length iron game into only two, which we feel is manageable for those who can't play or practice all the time.

Do you have any retail outlets where irons can be hit to test for feel?

No. We have set up a demo club program so a potential buyer can get a sense for what the irons feel like. More important by far, is the thinking shift required when deciding to buy irons - you can use common sense or listen to the loudest repetitive marketing and third party testimonials. Simpletons irons are for average players that are thinkers.

Can I order with graphite shafts?

No. Graphite shafts are functional due to their light weight which allows faster clubhead speed per energy expended. There is really only one place where that is advantageous and that is where the long ball is concerned. Iron play has nothing to do with the long ball. The slight improvement in vibration reduction and great paint jobs of graphite shafts make for a weak but somewhat legitimate marketing argument.

Do you anticipate having a 'blade' version?

No. Simpletons irons are for average golfers or those who do not have the time or inclination for frequent practice. Blades, forged or cast, are musclebacks which, by design, reward shots hit near the center of gravity. Shots hit "off"center produce better results with perimeter weighted heads than blades. In many cases, blade users are enjoying a false ego trip since performance is not better for an "on"center blade hit and even the best players have many "off"center blows in a round. Besides, in blind tests, even the best players can't tell the difference between blades and cavity back irons.

Why haven't the major club manufacturers introduced clubs with fewer shaft lengths?

The large club manufacturers are essentially show biz companies mostly driven by endorsements of their "staff' constituents. If their endorsees score a victory or memorable shot seen on TV, the observing herd will immediately buy or think about buying those implements, presumably since they might somehow replicate the winning performance (or they can at least talk about the implement in the grill room). However, most TV pros are extremely able players that practice incessantly - they can use traditional tapered irons and hone their skills with them; there is no reason for them to change what currently works. But note that the TV pros might even perform well using broomsticks and shovels - yes, they are that good.

The trick for the major club manufacturer is getting their price just high enough to suggest additive value for some new feature or design, combined with the hope that their endorsee can deliver from time to time.

Simpletons irons users recognize they'll never play as good as or practice as much as the pros. Simpletons buyers don't need marketing claims to supplant common sense.

Why the name Simpletons Golf?

Nowadays, advertising and promotion are geared to the 'smarts'. There are smart people, smart kids, smart dogs, smart deoderants, smart money, smart shoes, and so on. It is possible there are also smart golf irons but in the past 40 years average golf scores haven't improved hardly a stroke.

Knowing that billions have been spent historically on golf 'non-improvement' clubs, we decided to appeal only to common sense with concepts that offer a 'hope' of better scores for the average player. The ideas are obvious and simple and don't require understanding Einstein. Simpletons Golf irons are for risk takers that sweep aside the advertiser claims that have not and will not deliver for the average golfer. Think 'simple' and you may actually have a chance of improving.