Minimalist Thread ... Bag Set up Theory

[asw7576]

11 sticks :

5i, 6i, 7i, 8i, 9i, P, G, 54, 60, or 5W, 5i, 6i, 7i, 8i, 9i, P, 54, 60

Driver

Putter

( I live in Indonesia, playing golf in here already include caddy fee and golf car. So if I carry less than 11 sticks, it will be my disadvatages ).

[redhead]

[quote name='asw7576' timestamp='1438918424' post='12093890']
11 sticks :

5i, 6i, 7i, 8i, 9i, P, G, 54, 60, or 5W, 5i, 6i, 7i, 8i, 9i, P, 54, 60

Driver

Putter

( I live in Indonesia, playing golf in here already include caddy fee and golf car. So if I carry less than 11 sticks, it will be my disadvatages ).
[/quote]

I think this is quite common in South East Asian countries, i.e. Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia as well. You are not allowed to play without a caddy -- unless you own the golf course.

[9woodfan]

I've been sitting at 13 all year in my "full" bag but I could easily carry 12 and not miss a beat. I could drop the 4 hybrid and 5 iron and just carry a 5 hybrid and I'd be just fine.

[drg613]

I think I could get away with 7:

Driver
20* Hybrid
5/7/9 (or 4/6/8)
50-something wedge
Putter

[Enfynet]

[quote name='matchavez' timestamp='1438832995' post='12087442']
Driver
4, 8, p, 54.
Putter if I don't feel like putting the 54.

Or for fun, and good practice, go 8-iron as longest. Great way to practice on course.
[/quote]
Early and late season I go with:

Driver
4-iron (24*)
8-iron (39*)
SW (56*)
Putter

[harlequine]

My opinion on bag setup is that 7 clubs should be the maximum in the bag. Always carry a driver, a Wood for transport on par 5 holes or secure shoots of the tee. 6i, 8i and pw is the only irons or use 5i, 7i, 9i. That will leave you with easy desicions on the on approach shoots. A 56* or 58* wedge around the green and from the sand is enough. A putter to finish the hole.

Gives easy light carrying as a minimalist golfer!

[Langdon3]

Yeah, I found it a bit comical that people are talking about carrying 11, 12, and 13 clubs around and calling it a "minimalist" bag.
IMHO to be taken as relevant in this topic you should be toting clubs in the single digits

[Pete O'Tube]

Driver Callaway BB Alpha

5 wood TM R9

4H Nickent 3DX

6-9 TM RSi 2

SW Vokey 54/10

Putter Yes Jenny 12

9 Clubs

[redhead]

[quote name='Langdon3' timestamp='1439031803' post='12100118']
Yeah, I found it a bit comical that people are talking about carrying 11, 12, and 13 clubs around and calling it a "minimalist" bag.
IMHO to be taken as relevant in this topic you should be toting clubs in the single digits
[/quote]

I tend to agree with you.
Playing with 11/12 vs 14 clubs is not that difficult.
Playing with 7 or 5 clubs, that would be challenging.

[MJisGOAT]

[quote name='redhead' timestamp='1439053201' post='12101142']
[quote name='Langdon3' timestamp='1439031803' post='12100118']
Yeah, I found it a bit comical that people are talking about carrying 11, 12, and 13 clubs around and calling it a "minimalist" bag.
IMHO to be taken as relevant in this topic you should be toting clubs in the single digits
[/quote]

I tend to agree with you.
Playing with 11/12 vs 14 clubs is not that difficult.
Playing with 7 or 5 clubs, that would be challenging.
[/quote]Sometimes less is more.

[kenstl]

I have been playing a limited bag my last 5 rounds and I like it!

Driver
1 iron. (3w, hybrid, 4 iron depending on course)
6 iron (31 deg). 160 - 180
8 iron (39 deg). 140 - 160
PW. (47 deg). 115 - 140
52. 95 - 115
57. Up to 90
Putter

[anjoga]

For the last month I've been playing 8 clubs.

913d2 10.5* adjusted to 9.75*
910h 19* adjusted to 20.5*
G25 4i, 6i, 8i, PW, SW
Putter

Carry those clubs in a Sun Mountain Four 5, with 6 balls, a few tees, an extra glove, and a 32oz HydroFlask. Comes to about 16-17lbs according to my luggage scale.

[setter02]

Going to be building another take shortly and like how it goes.

In my Ping Moonlite bag:

906F2 13* (240-260)
714 AP2 4,6,8,PW (ranges 210-135)
Vokey 54* (115)
TeI3 NP2 33" (2"'s reliably)

Could drop the 4i for a hybrid, but I don't have luck with lofts higher than 20*, so would likely be detrimental to me, and I like my 4i and hit it well. Also a good option off the tee on sub 360ish holes. Could putt with wedge if I wanted to, and am pretty good with it.

[Ivyguy]

9* g15 driver
904f 15*
4,6,8,pw
56* vokey
Putter

Puts me at 8, dropped my scores and makes golf fun again. 175 hitting a punch with a six iron, so much fun.

[ccorrada]

I'm curious, are you all doing this to...

1) make golf harder
2) learn to hit more shots which should make you better
3) make the bag lighter when you walk
4) excuse to buy new equipment

I agree it's an intriguing concept and I may do it some this winter. I just got an original Jones bag.

[slide13]

[quote name='ccorrada' timestamp='1442350530' post='12318312']
I'm curious, are you all doing this to...

1) make golf harder
2) learn to hit more shots which should make you better
3) make the bag lighter when you walk
4) excuse to buy new equipment

I agree it's an intriguing concept and I may do it some this winter. I just got an original Jones bag.
[/quote]

I can only answer for myself.

It's not #1. Does it make golf hard....maybe, in some cases or for some shots, but that certainly isn't the intent. Golf it plenty hard on it's own.

#2 has some merit, I definitely like trying to hit different shots with my clubs, I find it a fun challenge (which I don't see the same as making the game hard in #1 but more challenging me to become more creative in how I approach a shot)

#3 definitely a part of it. I like to walk and carry, I really don't like to ride. Walking with a bag with 7 or 8 clubs is so much lighter and more enjoyable. It doesn't sound like it would be that big of a difference but I find it is...it just feels more effortless.

#4 not really. I did buy a new bag and a new wedge to make it work but I kep my driver, 3-wood, irons, and putter so I didn't build a new bag around this concept, just tweaked a couple things to make it work.

The main reason I've been doing it is I find it more enjoyable and I have more fun! Why I find that is a combination of things that include #2, #3, and maybe even #4 (the bag I bought was a Mackenzie ballistic walker and I'd be lying if I didn't say that playing with that bag and a half set doesn't feel totally different to playing with 14 clubs in a modern stand bag...it has a je ne sais quoi that is hard to describe).

It's not for everyone...if you consider the idea and it doesn't have any appeal then I'd say move on because it's probably not for you. From the moment I read about it I knew this idea appealed to me. I like simple things, I like minimalism, and I just like looking at my bag with only 7 clubs as it's slung over my shoulder...it makes me happy and, in the end, that is the only reason I play this game in the first place.

[Altiman94]

Reasons I do it:

1) It's fun - I can play just as well with my 9 clubs as I do with a full 14.
2) Lighter bag - less fatigue when I walk
3) I dont really care what other people think.

I don't add a club to the bag unless it really performs. Right now I have 9 clubs because they all perform how I need them to.

You won't see me changing clubs or brands just because I feel like I need to, or will be perceived as a better player.

[PixlPutterman]

Pretty much my bag now. i have a sunday bag I use for walking, just carry the even number clubs 2-4-6-8-PW-52-58-Putter. I dont play any worse than a full bag....

[b.helts]

3W
5 iron
PW
58*
Putter

I think I could keep up with just these.

[Lexicographer]

I just setup my own 7 club bag. Went without a driver, so I'm going to play 1 tee forward from normal.

1 hybrid Adams Super LS hybrid (15)
4 hybrid Adams Pro Dhy (24)
6 iron Mizuno MP-52
8 iron Mizuno MP-52
PW Mizuno MP-52
SW Ping Tour Gorge 54
Putter SeeMore Bronze FGP

Also have the 5, 7, and 9 irons in the MP-52s if I want to mix things up.

[setter02]

[quote name='ccorrada' timestamp='1442350530' post='12318312']
I'm curious, are you all doing this to...

1) make golf harder
2) learn to hit more shots which should make you better
3) make the bag lighter when you walk
4) excuse to buy new equipment

I agree it's an intriguing concept and I may do it some this winter. I just got an original Jones bag.
[/quote]

Having more clubs doesn't mean you're making the game any easier, just as having less clubs doesn't mean you're making the game harder. If anything, I can play to my level or above with a smaller bag as I will play a shorter course depending on what the longest club I have in play that day is. I can still get my 3wd out there and can confortably play 6500ish with just it, but am fiding myself playing more in the 6100-6300ish range and only hitting 4i or my UDI and 2 of my last 3 rounds have been my best scores ever at 68 and a 69. 76 yesterday with a full bag, had driver in it and didn't need to hit it and it got me into trouble, thus likely cost me strokes by playing a full bag.

When growing up, did you start out with a full 14 piece set? Or did you start with the typical 7 piece (at most) and learn how to play with those clubs. If you have the ability, playing with less clubs will make you a better player as you will have to control distances by changing your flight and trajectory. Both are fun things to do and very satisfying when all things go to plan.

For me personally weight isn't an issue as I bought myself a Clicgear 3.5 in the spring to get me walking more, and I love it. I get to load up on fluids and snacks and off I go. Yes having less weight when I carry my Ping Moonlite bag is a big concern, and I bought that bag for that purpose. Works perfectly.

I'll always buy new clubs or tinker around, its my hobby that I turned into a profession and now back to hobby again. Have to say its much better as a hobby than a profession. I enjoy playing more, get to play more and don't have the wife nagging me and she actually encourages me to play more as I'm only gone 5-6 hours a day then vs. working and then playing and being away from home 12+ hours a day.

[ccorrada]

[quote name='slide13' timestamp='1442352046' post='12318424']
[quote name='ccorrada' timestamp='1442350530' post='12318312']
I'm curious, are you all doing this to...

1) make golf harder
2) learn to hit more shots which should make you better
3) make the bag lighter when you walk
4) excuse to buy new equipment

I agree it's an intriguing concept and I may do it some this winter. I just got an original Jones bag.
[/quote]

I can only answer for myself.

It's not #1. Does it make golf hard....maybe, in some cases or for some shots, but that certainly isn't the intent. Golf it plenty hard on it's own.

#2 has some merit, I definitely like trying to hit different shots with my clubs, I find it a fun challenge (which I don't see the same as making the game hard in #1 but more challenging me to become more creative in how I approach a shot)

#3 definitely a part of it. I like to walk and carry, I really don't like to ride. Walking with a bag with 7 or 8 clubs is so much lighter and more enjoyable. It doesn't sound like it would be that big of a difference but I find it is...it just feels more effortless.

#4 not really. I did buy a new bag and a new wedge to make it work but I kep my driver, 3-wood, irons, and putter so I didn't build a new bag around this concept, just tweaked a couple things to make it work.

The main reason I've been doing it is I find it more enjoyable and I have more fun! Why I find that is a combination of things that include #2, #3, and maybe even #4 (the bag I bought was a Mackenzie ballistic walker and I'd be lying if I didn't say that playing with that bag and a half set doesn't feel totally different to playing with 14 clubs in a modern stand bag...it has a je ne sais quoi that is hard to describe).

It's not for everyone...if you consider the idea and it doesn't have any appeal then I'd say move on because it's probably not for you. From the moment I read about it I knew this idea appealed to me. I like simple things, I like minimalism, and I just like looking at my bag with only 7 clubs as it's slung over my shoulder...it makes me happy and, in the end, that is the only reason I play this game in the first place.
[/quote]Great answer

[PixlPutterman]

Fewer clubs, I play better, may not always score better, but I play better.

With a full bag I tend to play bomb n gouge style.

With only a half bag I get to a tee box and try and play to a yardage of my remaining clubs. I find less clubs helps me commit to a better shot.

[harlequine]

For me playing with 6i, 8i, pw makes my ironplay much better because i have easy dicisions with bigger gaps in my irons. I also get more confident with my clubs as I use them more.

This leads to better course management when you have to play with whats in the bag.

Lighter carrybag is just a bonus.

[Altiman94]

[quote name='PixlPutterman ' timestamp='1442422807' post='12322460']
Fewer clubs, I play better, may not always score better, but I play better.

With a full bag I tend to play bomb n gouge style.

With only a half bag I get to a tee box and try and play to a yardage of my remaining clubs. I find less clubs helps me commit to a better shot.
[/quote]

This is also why I play a partial set as well.

I tend to lay back to full club swings instead of getting myself up close to the green for an awkward 40-70y shot that I don't excel at anyhow.

This way I hit iron, hybrid, or 3wood off the tee and leave a full shot in instead of partial shots.

If I happen to be inbtween clubs - then I just close down on the next club up and make the same swing. Easy to knock 7yrds off by doing it.

[m-gavin56]

I don't see why you wouldn't give yourself the most possible options

[slide13]

Like I said, it's not for everyone. If you don't immidiately get the appeal you likely never will.

[PixlPutterman]

[quote name='m-gavin56' timestamp='1442487991' post='12325606']
I don't see why you wouldn't give yourself the most possible options
[/quote]

For some, to many options is a bad thing. I like having less options as it makes me commit to a shot and not blame the fact I could hit 14 other shots instead.

[redhead]

I'm a proponent of minimalism (5-7 clubs). However, when I try a new course and don't really have any clue about the course, I'd prefer to have my "full" 12-clubs bag.

[KARL M]

8 clubs

putter
56 or 58* wedge
Pitching wedge
8 iron
6 iron
4 hybrid
5 wood
driver

There is one ethical issue that hasn't been addressed.

I would Assume a person posts all their scores for handicap purposes.
A person plays with only a handful of clubs most of time in a lightweight carry bag because he finds it more enjoyable.
The person knows he doesn't score quite as well with the partial set and his handicap is primarily based on the minimalist set of clubs.
He then uses 14 clubs in a tournament that uses his USGA handicap.

Is there an ethical issue with the person creating a higher handicap than he would have if he always used 14 clubs.

Is there any rule that would stop someone from shooting 20 rounds with nothing but a 5 iron, post all the scores, and then play 14 clubs for a handicaped tournament ?