15 Craziest Irons Ever Made!
MyGolfSpy is usually a place you guys come to see the latest and greatest equipment the golf industry has to offer. Well today is going to be a little bit different.
Today we are going to be spotlighting the crazy, the absurd, and some of the wackiest irons the golf world has ever seen. Many of which might have even found there way into a few of your bags…even if you don’t want to admit it. Don’t be ashamed though…some of these designs have actually been pioneering for the industry.
ENJOY!
#1 – Lil David Slingers – Shocking New Leader In Crazy
We have a new “#1 For Craziest Iron Ever Made!” For years the #1 spot for craziest iron ever made was held by the infamous Cleveland VAS irons (now #2). But unfortunately for the VAS’s they were dethroned from their long held position. It was a close race but in the end we felt like it was finally time for the super-rare and hard to find Lil David Slingers get the recognition they were due. So for those of you who own a set and are fellow collectors of the ridiculous…today is your day to shine.
* Note: These irons were designed by Jim Flood – and were considered a controversial design and are often times very hard to find. Jackie Gleason also owned a set.
#2 – Cleveland VAS Irons – Gets Dethroned!
The VAS irons have finally been dethroned from their previous top spot as “Worst Iron Ever Made!” Although from a phone-in interview Mr. VAS told us, “I feel robbed. I still think I deserve to be recognized as the leader in this category and will be appealing your decision. I demand a re-count!”
He went on to say, “and as owner of MyGolfSpy you should feel ashamed since you were given a set as a gift 15 years ago and I remember you putting me in play for a few rounds, how could you do this to me?”
#3 – Slotline Inertial EMAX Irons – Moving Up The Leaderboard
Slotline had a hit on their hands with their Slotline Inertial putters…they sold over 2 Million of those flatsticks. Although the Inertial irons weren’t so lucky. Any of you still have a set of these beauties laying around? If so send us some pics…don’t worry we will keep it 100% anonymous ;)
* Note: These irons were designed by Duke Duclos. Duclos, a former flight engineer worked on the Skylab and S-IVB (third stage of the Saturn V rocket, responsible for getting the Apollo module from the Earth to the moon).
#4 – Simmons Tiger Shark Irons
Pat Simmons first wanted to say thanks and also that, “You may not know the Pat Simmons’ name, but if you’re a golfer, you know of several of my inventions. In addition to being a prolific golf club designer and inventor of innumerable gadgets and gizmos, I have led a fascinating life, as you can see by a brief look at a summary of my biography.”
* Note: These irons were designed by Pat Simmons – and ex-pilot and engineer which also had a part in the Zebra putter design.
#5 – Zevo Lob irons
Did you forget about Zevo Golf? That might be because Golfsmith acquired them back in 2003. But Zevo Golf is one of those on this list that was a pioneering.
* Note: These irons were designed by Dave (can’t remember last name) – which was considered a very good designer by others in the business at the time and one that some felt did not get as much credit as he deserved.
#6 – Plop Slotz Irons
* Note: These irons were designed by Don Wood – remember the Plop putters…well they are back at it again…you can check them out here.
#7 – Browning 440 Irons – Good Iron But Don’t Hit Out Of Rough!
These irons actually performed quite well and had many copy cats of it down the road to prove it…including another iron that made the list at #12 Slotline Lowpro iron and the Titleist Super Slim irons. Known for launching the ball from a nice crisp fairway lie but it jumped the shark when it came to hitting it from any kind of fluff.
* Note: These irons were designed in Belgium by the Belgium-Browning company.
#8 – Ping Zing 2 Irons
You might be wondering how the hell did a Ping iron make the list…but look again…this one definitely deserves to be on the list for Wackiest Irons. But just because it was wacky did not mean it was not a hellova seller. Like many of his other unconventional looking but super functional designs for the time this one flew off the shelves.
Although they did have issues with the shafts actually wrinkling due to the configuration of the shape of the toe on this iron…crazy little factoid.
* Note: These irons were designed by Karsten Solheim…sure most of you knew that though.
#9 – Nicklaus The Bear Linear Dynamics Iron
#10 – FILA Latitude Irons
I will let the then Chariman of FILA Golf tell you a little bit about these 1994 released set of irons…and take you back in time like you were there for the original launch:
“Never before have so many game improvement features been built into one club. Fila Golf has developed this new iron using a patented design feature. This technology is a shank-proof hosel. Placing the hosel behind the face eliminates the occasional `shank,’ creating forward-face progression. Forward-face progression creates a hitting surface 20 percent larger than standard and 5 percent larger than over-sized irons.
Latitude Irons also give the golfer an added patented design feature of dual skids on the sole. These skids are tapered from the leading edge toward the rear of the club head, raising the sole above the ground without raising the leading edge off the ground. With the help of computers, we designed a unique shape we call the `Bull Nose’ which extends the toe weight out far enough to balance the head without creating an elongated appearance. Extra weight added to the toe keeps the center of gravity where needed and also keeps the club head square at impact, resulting in straighter shots.”
#11 – Ray Cook Titanic Irons – Back in the Scotty Cameron Days
These irons which I don’t know who actually designed were called the Ray Cook Titanic irons and were made back when Scotty Cameron was a putter designer for the company. Their president at the time said this about the newly released irons, “Titanic irons are the first long irons even God and you can hit.” Now that is a bold statement that should of had you guys flocking to purchase these beauties.
They also said this, “Because titanium is 40% lighter than steel, yet incredibly strong, the Ray Cook design team was able to create club heads substantially larger than standard oversize irons and add significantly more mass in the heel and toe. The result is the easiest-to-hit long irons ever.” Hmmm…are you wondering why all irons aren’t made out of titanium then?
#12 – Slotline Lowpro Irons – The Browning 440 CopyCat
Like previously stated the Slotline Lowpro irons were for the most part an exact copy of the Browning 440 irons. So we thought if it was as crazy looking as the original it had to be on the list but a little further down.
#13 – Nike Slingshot Irons
Love it or hate it the Nike Slingshot irons made the list. Yes it has some smoother lines compared to some of the other clubs on the list…but you put that “PowerBow” as Nike says on any of those other irons and it is a dead ringer for this list of crazies.
#14 – Spalding Executive Irons
These were actually a pretty good iron for the time and I think Trevino had something to do with this design…but not sure.
#15 – Stan Thompson Ginty Irons
You might remember the popular Stan Thompson woods with the unique sole design. Well these irons which were designed out in LA by Stan Thompson were made to capitalize on that same concept. But as you can see could cause some serious digging issues. And if you did not have the exact lie to match your swing could cause issues with the toe or heel diving down at impact.
* NOTE: Stan Thompson was an interesting guy and a well respected designer. So what did his famous “Ginty” patent actually mean? “It means the Son of a Scottish brood that keeps getting into trouble only to easily find his way out of trouble!” For more info on Stan Thompson click here.
Others You Would Like To Include?
Hope you all enjoyed a look back at some of the craziest irons ever made. If you have any you think we should include or have any additional info about the clubs listed feel free to post your comments. I think all the readers as well as the golfspies would love to learn as much about these past designs as possible.
Dave
4 years ago
I used to have a set of Ajay Pro Classics that were my dads. Way ahead of their time in the perimeter weighted genre. Some scumbag broke into my vehicle and stole the set about 25 years ago.