Bag set-up Mid-High handicappers

[Lourenofre]

Hi guys,

 

For the past 3 years, since I picked up the game, I've been searching within the equipment sections of golf blogs for that magical tip that could help me setup the perfect bag for my game. I'm currently a 22, coming down from an initial 34, and I don't have the budget to go and get fit for a 2k$ brand new set of sticks, so I basically start building my bag with was available at the local stores and second hand opportunities. Here's what I've been using for the past years:

D / 3W / 3H / 4H / 4-PW / 54 / 60 / Putter

 

Recently, as I started my new year's resolution of dropping down to a 15HCP, I started paying attention to specifics of my game, and found out that the shot I mostly struggled with were from 110 to 90 yards, as my PW went to far, and my 54 wedge to short. I started to think about getting a Gap wedge at 50º, as my PW is 45º to close the gap, but couldn't find a wedge with that loft that would match my other 2 wedges (I game the Wilson FG TC), so one day I went to a local store and found a reasonably cheap 52º wedge, the same model as my other two. I remembered that I saw something about bending forged wedges, so I asked the shop guy if he could bend it for me 2º so it could act as my gap wedge. He did it immediately, and 10 minutes later I was on the course trying it out.

The results were beyond my most optimistic expectations, as I found out that by hitting a full shat with that club rather than hitting half shot with the PW or steroid shots with the 54º I was able to be much more accurate. On that round I was able to shoot 1 over in 9 (lowest ever, 22HCP remember?), and at least 3 strokes were saved by that club. Now I'm not saying that my HCP didn't drop down before because I didn't had this club, neither am I saying that because of that it will drop dramatically, but it makes me wonder of how many amateurs, specially on the high end of the HCP scale, are leaving strokes on the field because they are playing the wrong type of club.

 

For example, I see a lot of guys that go with the Hybrid theory, that end up spraying a 4Hybrid all over the course, rather than sacrificing some 20 yards and go with a 4 iron. Same as for Driver, I know a lot of guys who can hit their irons pretty solid, and then go bananas when hitting anything resembling a metalwood, wouldn't they be better of with a driving iron?

 

To sum up, some guys are afraid that some clubs bagged by best players are not to be touched by them, when in reality those clubs could benefit their game by a lot!

What do you think are the most underrated clubs that should go to a mid-high HCP, and which ones should be avoided at all cost?

[NJpatbee]

Partially due to age since I am 65 in the last few years I have replaced my 2i - 6i with 2h-6h. The only wood I carry is a PIng 460cc driver. The hybrids have given me my distance back along with some decent height. If you are a youngster and can still nail the long and mid irons have at it but the hybrid shave added consistency in the fairway I have not had in many years. And whether you go for the hybrids or want to fine tune those wedges there are some incredible deals on some great clubs on the web.

[Dr.Frankenputz]

Obviously depends on the player. If you hit hybrids relatively well, then you should consider 3h, 4h, maybe 5&6 too. I think a lot of mid-high handicaps would do well with 4 or 5w and maybe 7w. Most of us(but not all) mid-high 'caps should probably stay away from traditional long irons.

[EastCoastGolfer]

i bag a D/3W/5W/3H/4-PW/52*/56*/Putter. I find the 3H fills the gap between my 5W and 4 iron nicely, and i hit it straight and long.

[JamesSenior]

As a fellow mid-capper, i would wonder how much we really hit the lob wedge well or in a crucial pitch/chip situation? If you saw results from the gap at 50*, maybe bench the lob and try out a high bounce 55/56 for the sand.

[Z1ggy16]

Similar boat, 22HC golfing for just shy of 2 years now. Bag is currently my sig. However, I plan to replace the 4i with a 4 hybrid as I just can't load the heavier shaft in it enough to get the right distance. I will also probably sell the 2h and replace with a 3h as the 17 spins way too low and launches pretty low. Granted, I've only now used it for 2 rounds, I may just need to adjust. I may actually go back to a 5w because I loved that flight, and then use a 4i for anything in the rough/from about 210 and out.

 

DR/3w/5w or 3h/4h/5/6/7/8/9/pw/50/55/60/P

[Neverfadeaway86]

I am still working on getting my Handicap, I play Driver,3 wood, 4H,5-9 iron,pw, gw,sw,lw,putter

[cbrwn425]

I play D, 3w, 3h 4-aw, 54,60, putter. Driver is really hot and cold so if it's cold I'll bag it and use the hybrid or 4i off the tee on par 4s and 3w on par 5s.

[hahanice]

D.3w.5w.

 

21h.5.6.7.8.9.

 

46.50.56.60.

 

Putter

 

 

Keep tinkering until all of your gaps are covered, and your confident with every club. I'm down to a 10 from about a 22 about 2 years ago. I used to game a 7 wood until I could hit a hybrid. The only gap I have now is beyond 200 yards, which I can live with.

 

Do what's best for your game

[St Jimmy]

Carry 20 clubs.

[platgof]

Why haven't you replaced that 3 hybrid with a 5 wood? I hit the clubs easiest to play. Driver, 5 and 7 wood, 4,5,6 hybrids, 6-pw, and gap, sand wedge. My favorite clubs are driver, 7 wood, 8 iron, and pitching wedge.

[1970.gpp]

What do you think are the most underrated clubs that should go to a mid-high HCP, and which ones should be avoided at all cost?

The most underrated are high lofted drivers, fairway woods, and hybrids for starters, unless the player has a high launch. Then, they need to select those clubs according to desired ball flight.

 

The clubs to be avoided at all costs are long irons and lob wedges higher than 58*. It makes the game much less frustrating.

[jusme]

5 years playing (started late in life) - lately replaced the 3 hybrid with a 5 wood - much easier to hit. Also ditched the 5 iron for a 5 hybrid (had a 4 hybrid for 3 years previous). Ego got in the way with that one for too long. I stand over 6-PW and EXPECT, whereas the 5 iron was more hope than expect. Just too inconsistent - I don't know why when I hit 6 iron fine 8/10.

 

I love a lob wedge, although I did replace my 60 with a 58 a few years back. The 60 was initially used from 70 in but that idea stopped rather quickly. I would never get rid of my 58 BUT it is now only used from around 20 in and only in specific circumstances (short carry to front flag, short carry over bunker to front flag etc). Now it is a 9/10 club as opposed to 5/10 with the 60 a few years back. What I use to try with a 60 a few years ago I now do much more successfully with anything from SW - 9 iron

[SemiHacker]

18 Handicap. Gave in along time ago: D, 3W, 5W, 7W, 9W, 6H, 7-GW, 56, 60, P :golfer:

[95124hacker]

I don’t think there’s a “one size fits all set makeup “ for this handicap range. Some golfers in this range are decent ball strikers with poor short games, and vice versa. I’m between a 13 and 18 (largely dependent on my practice time), and some of my best rounds were with MB irons (at least 6-PW), and some of my worst were with GI irons. I’ve always been good with a 60 LW. I’m actually decent hitting a 4-iron. Driver is my most inconsistent club. I bag a 3W usually but rarely use it (only when I’m ok accepting a bad result). Only you know your game well enough to know what set makeup is best for you.

[Golfdoctor]

I'm a senior golfer (63) and play Pings. Thinking of changing up the bag next year.

 

2017 2018

G 10.5° G400 10° SF Tec

G 5-7 wood G400 3-5 wood SF Tec

G 26° Hybrid G400 22°-25° Crossover

i200 6-UW i200 6-UW

wedges same

 

I couldn't hit the hybrid to same my life, but nailed the fairway woods no problem.

[herdman]

at the moment:

 

Driver

3 Wood

5 Wood

24 Hybrid

5-GW

56 SW

60 LW

 

note: the 60 LW is a Pinge Eye 2 Gorge, great from the sand and easier to hit

[llamont]

Driver - 9*

Fairway Metal - 15.5*

#2 Hybrid - 18*

#4 Hybrid - 23*

Irons 5-PW

GW - 50*

SW - 54*

LW - 58*

Putter

[Johnny_Fairway]

I started playing last summer and managed to drop from a 24.0 index at the start of 2017 to closing the year at a 12.9.

 

My current setup is :

Driver

3W - 16°

5W - 20°

7W - 24° (due to length, gapping works even though about same loft as 5 iron)

5 iron - 25°

6 iron - 30°

7 iron - 35°

8 iron - 40°

9 iron - 45°

PW - 50°

SW - 55°

LW - 60°

 

Recently, as I started my new year's resolution of dropping down to a 15HCP, I started paying attention to specifics of my game, and found out that the shot I mostly struggled with were from 110 to 90 yards, as my PW went to far, and my 54 wedge to short. I started to think about getting a Gap wedge at 50º, as my PW is 45º to close the gap ...

 

Sounds like we have similar distances. My 9 iron, PW and SW are basically the same lofts as your PW, GW, and SW. And my 50° PW is my 100-110 yard full swing club. I think you're going to love that gap wedge (or have loved it if you've bagged it all year). My 50° is one of my favorite clubs in the bag. So very versatile. Great on everything from full swings to green side work.

[Belmont148]

What do you think are the most underrated clubs that should go to a mid-high HCP, and which ones should be avoided at all cost?

The most underrated are high lofted drivers, fairway woods, and hybrids for starters, unless the player has a high launch. Then, they need to select those clubs according to desired ball flight.

 

The clubs to be avoided at all costs are long irons and lob wedges higher than 58*. It makes the game much less frustrating.

 

Agree on this. Stick with irons 5i-58* and get the rest of the bag filled with metals that you can swing smoothly, confidently, and keep in play. If that means a HL driver that goes 205, down to a 4H that goes 160, then play it. Keeping it in play, not chasing distance, and practicing 70%-80% with your wedges and putter is the key to get out of the 20’s and into the teens. And play senior tees until you get to an 18-19, then play regular tees. The game will be much more fun, and you will steadily improve.

[mvhoffman]

Set up is in the signature.

[Need2golfalot]

I tried the hybrids. First the 3h...hit some good ones but also a lot of hooks. Then the 4h...seemed to work for a few weeks but the 4i worked better. 5h was more distance and effortless but hit a lot of fat shots and 5i was more accurate.

 

In the 20 handicap game you are likely losing a lot of strokes in the long game (penalties and punch outs) and around the greens chipping mostly. This is assuming you are an average not horrible putter.

 

5 woods are good for getting the ball in play. If you can hit your approach near the green you should be able to chip on and have a chance for par or at least 2 putt bogey at worse.

 

I know you asked about equipment, but as previously stated it is personal choice and not related to scoring as long as the fit is reasonable.

 

Speaking of wedges, the 60 degree is probably unnecessary unless you deal with a lot of rough around the green and/or the ball sits up so you can get the club under it and/or there little opportunity to chip and run shots to the pin. More bounce is generally more forgiving around the green unless you get a lot of tight lies; in that case the bounce will get in the way.

 

 

[FirePro]

I would pick ether the 4i or 4H to play and not both. I would consider the 4H and if you need to hit it a little shorter choke up a little. thats what I do at the top of my bag 2U and 4U 5 iron, if I have to hit a shot in that gap I club up and choke up. I do believe proper gaping at the bottom end of your bag PW, GW, SW are most important hence why mine is so jacked up, I know what distances I hit each of my wedges and I know where I end up distance to pin most often during my rounds.

[RodC]

What I’ve observed is that the best players have dialed their clubs perfectly.

 

We as amateurs always search for the longest hitting clubs. But on the contrary, what’s really important is to have every Club dialed in!

 

Doesn’t matter much if you hit a 6 iron 200 or 160 yds. It matters that you know what yardage you hit with X club and you’re constant with it.

 

Then, it’s important to read the golf course you will be playing and set your bag accordingly.

 

As well I agree that good gapping especially on the short clubs is utmost.

 

[hybrid25]

1    Driver

2    Putter                       

3    4w   17° 190-220

4    4h   22* 180-190

5    5h   25* 170-180

6   6h   28* 160-170

7    7h 31* 150-160

8   7i   30* 140-150

9   8i   34.5* 130-140

10  9i   39* 120-130

11   pw   44* to 120

12 aw 49* to 100

13   sw   54* to 80

14  lw    58*

 

 

[Milfordlefty]

You told us of your problem with wedges in your original post, but nothing else regarding the other clubs in the bag. If you are satisfied with the results for all the other clubs, then nothing to change. Any clubs you find you never use? You have 14 clubs in your bag, you cannot go more, but no rule that says you can't play with fewer. Are there certain clubs you find you do not hit well with poor shot results a majority of the time? Your 3W at 16.5° is almost a 4W, do you like the club and the results?. Maybe a 5W with shorter length/higher loft might give you better shot results. If you do not find your receiving good results with your 3h, maybe replace with a 7W. For some golfers, a 4h and the 4i fill the same distance, so why carry both, other than to use as a specialty club for that one certain hole or certain shot each round? If you are satisfied with shot results with the clubs you have, maybe go in the direction of lesson with your spending to improve you scores.

[tehuti]

My new configuration is:

 

Driver

3w

3h

4h

5i - pw

55* sw

60* lw

Putter

 

Not sure if I will bring back the 5w yet. We’ll see in 2018.

[Klap0001]

Im currently a 16. I just ordered some new irons and wedges. My bag right now will be

 

Driver 9.5

3 wood set to 16

5 wood set to 19

4 hybrid set to 23

5i to pw

51*

56*

60*

Putter

 

It's definitely taken some experimenting this year but hopefully got the bag set for a while.

 

[kidrobot]

Cobra Fly-Z+, Matrix 6Q3 Red Tie stiff 44.5", set to 9.5, weight back

Adams Speedline S 3W reg flex stock shaft, 15*

TM RBZ Stage 2 Tour 3Hy stiff flex stock shaft, set to 20* and upright

TEE PRO CBh 4Hy 24* stiff flex

Bridgestone J36 PC 5-PW S300 AMT

Nike VR X3X 52, 56, 60

Vintage Ping Anser 34" 2.5* loft 74* lie

 

Just ordered a Nike Method Origin B2-01 because it was cheap and looked cool, and Srixon Z965 4-PW PXi 5.5 because I hate my hands and want them to suffer for being so untalented.

[mikewohlwend]

I would more that likely fit into this catagory. My setup is as follows:

 

Big Bertha set to 10.5°

Cobra Amp Cell set to 13°

Srixon U65 20°

Srixon Z765 4-PW standard loft, + 1" & 2° flat

Mizuno S5 50°

standard loft, + 1" & 2° flat

Cleveland CG16 54°

Bettinardi Ben Hogan Hawk