Keegan Bradley is one of the most successful professional golfers on tour today, and he’s been a fan favorite since his breakout wins at the 2011 PGA championship. His aggressive style of play, which involves hitting long drives and attacking pins, has earned him victory in 5 tours, making him a golfer to watch out for! But a unique aspect of Bradley’s game is that he uses short clubs, usually preferred by beginners.
Keegan Bradley uses short clubs because they increase driving accuracy, are more maneuverable in tight lies, and allow for greater control spin on shots. Short irons also help create a better shaft angle, keeping the ball in the air and on target.
This post describes how Keegan Bradley benefits from using shorter irons and other factors contributing to his success. I’ll also offer a few tips for applying Keegan’s strategy to your game.
Keegan Bradley Benefits From Using Shorter Irons
Pro golfer Keegan Bradley knows a thing or two about short clubs, and for a good reason! Short irons make golf more user-friendly, with benefits such as:
- Improved driving accuracy: Short irons are accurate and can land the ball closer to the pin.
- More maneuverable in tight lies: Shorter clubs require less effort and offer more control on difficult shots.
- Easier to create an ideal shaft angle: Shorter irons are easy to manipulate and create a better shaft angle on each shot than long clubs. As a result, the former keeps the ball in the air and on target better than the latter.
- Better contact with the ball than longer clubs: The shorter length of the clubhead makes it easy to strike the ball cleanly, giving consistent, accurate shots.
Caveat: Of course, there are potential drawbacks to using shorter clubs. As this post point out, shorter irons compromise power and distance. Therefore, I recommend first practicing with shorter clubs to determine if they fit your game best.
Here’s a quick table summary of the pros and cons of using short golf clubs:
| Pros | Cons |
| More accurate than longer clubs | Reduce power |
| Beginner-friendly | Reduce distance |
| Better shaft angles | |
| Offer clean strikes |
Other Factors That Help Keegan Win on the Course
Keegan doesn’t rely on shorter clubs alone to succeed; he also works hard off the course to ensure he has the necessary skills and tools to win tours. Here are a few other crucial factors that contribute to the pro golfer’s success:
- He works extensively with coach Darren May who helps him develop and refine his technique, so it translates into better results on the course. A case in point is when a late-night walkthrough with the coach helped Keegan improve driving accuracy from 42.86% to 64.29% during the 2022 Sanderson Farms Championship.
- Keegan takes advantage of modern techs, such as TrackMan launch monitors and simulators, allowing him to fine-tune his clubs for maximum performance.
- He has meticulous attention to detail, helping him excel despite intense competition from players vying for PGA Tour titles each season.
Applying Keegan Bradley’s Strategy to Your Game
Keegan Bradley’s success on tours has popularized short clubs among amateurs looking for more control over their shots. If you’re interested in enjoying some of the benefits I mentioned, then follow these guidelines:
- Find a setup that works best for your swing style and skill. Remember, the right gear can make the difference between poor performance and better accuracy, power, and distance.
- Consider lie angles and adjustability when picking new equipment. That way, you can customize your setup for the best performance.
- Hone your technique through style and instruction. A coach will see your weaknesses and help you improve your game.
Conclusion
Keegan Bradley has shown that a little bit of creativity can go a long way! By taking his unorthodox approach and using shorter golf clubs, he benefits from added control over spin rate and trajectory when hitting shots and enjoys an edge in creating desired shaft angles.
If you’re looking for ways to improve your game, then understanding why short clubs work might be a solid starting point. Remember, you’ll still want to focus on honing your swing technique and practice regularly to get the most out of them.