How a 'golf scientist' plans on changing the game

A 22-year-old self-styled amateur "golf scientist" is challenging traditional methods and the best players with his new take on the golf swing. Photo / AP.

Think distinctive golf swings and Jim Furyk leaps to the top of the modern list.

Others like Bubba Watson and John Daly have unique methods while Lee Trevino, Paul Azinger and Arnold Palmer brought their particular styles to the top of the world pile.

Now a 22-year-old self-styled amateur "golf scientist" is challenging traditional methods and the best players with his new take on the golf swing.

Bryson DuChambeau, a 22-year-old American amateur with some game and a penchant for natty hats is challenging the norms of the game.

The one-time physics student uses irons which have different lofts but are all cut to the length of his seven iron-allowing him to make repeat swings for every shot.

He's not shy about his ability or convictions, telling people at high school he could change the game. DuChambeau won the US Amateur and was in the mix at the recent HSBC Championship in Abu Dhabi after an opening round 64.

He did it with a set of irons all cut to 37.5 inches which allow him to repeat his swing plane which was not possible when they were all different lengths.

When Golf Digest looked into the concept last year, a mechanical engineering expert said there was no reason why irons should not be all the same length. The longer the shaft the less likely it was to find the sweet spot on a club.

DuChambeau is tipped to turn pro later this year and hits two different drives he calls 'The Fairway Finder' and 'The Crank Ball' while he also has an unorthodox putting routine.

"You look at trends in humanity and most like following the norm," he told Golfweek magazine. "But you've also got people like Einstein and George Washington; they stood out and capitalised on their differences and showed the world a little different side."