An Eight Club Golf Bag

[aiyyer]

Regarding bags, do you all prefer a Sunday bag or a stand bag with your setup?

Had a horrible day yesterday with s a Sunday bag and duck poop everywhere !! I wonder how you guys with the expensive Mackenzie bags manage this?

 

[Tommy56]

Yeah, that’s the downside. Usually carry my Jones bag, but will take my Titleist stand bag if I know it’s gonna be sloppy. Sometimes I get caught off guard.

[aiyyer]

I will go back to my SM Swift or look at the Mizuno BRD3.

What else do you carry with the clubs for a minimal setup?

 

[Tommy56]

I travel pretty light ... 7 clubs, 4-5 balls, laser, towel, protein bar, and bottle of water.

[dpark]

When I play with a "quiver" style bag (5 inch opening), I drop my 3 wood and every other iron.

 

Driver, 3-hybrid, 4, 6, 8, PW, SW, putter. 8 clubs total.

 

Good way to learn how to hit punch or sawed-off shots with irons that travel 10-15 yards less to fill the gap. Lots of fun.

[RobS14526]

This seems like it would be an interesting application to the single length iron players. Driver/FW/5 clubs all the same length and lie/putter...

[Sean2]

Regarding bags, do you all prefer a Sunday bag or a stand bag with your setup?

Had a horrible day yesterday with s a Sunday bag and duck poop everywhere !! I wonder how you guys with the expensive Mackenzie bags manage this?

 

The Sun Mountain 2.5+ is quite light.

[EvanScottKing]

This seems like it would be an interesting application to the single length iron players. Driver/FW/5 clubs all the same length and lie/putter...

 

One of the Edel reps I’m friends with did this around his home course after having the single lengths for a while and had a day where everything came together. He wound up shooting a five under 67.

 

I wanted to slap him.

[Sean2]

This seems like it would be an interesting application to the single length iron players. Driver/FW/5 clubs all the same length and lie/putter...

 

One of the Edel reps I'm friends with did this around his home course after having the single lengths for a while and had a day where everything came together. He wound up shooting a five under 67.

 

I wanted to slap him.

 

That is impressive. Not the slap, but what he shot. :-)

[EvanScottKing]

This seems like it would be an interesting application to the single length iron players. Driver/FW/5 clubs all the same length and lie/putter...

 

One of the Edel reps I'm friends with did this around his home course after having the single lengths for a while and had a day where everything came together. He wound up shooting a five under 67.

 

I wanted to slap him.

 

That is impressive. Not the slap, but what he shot. :-)

 

Haha, I’ll admit I was pretty envious of his play - especially that day. His home course at 6600 some-odd yards granted, but it was like he couldn’t miss a green or a putt all day. Fewer clubs seems to free some people up to just play.

[dpark]

Regarding bags, do you all prefer a Sunday bag or a stand bag with your setup?

Had a horrible day yesterday with s a Sunday bag and duck poop everywhere !! I wonder how you guys with the expensive Mackenzie bags manage this?

 

My course never gets that bad that there is nowhere to set down a MW bag without there being poop. That being said, there are a bunch of inexpensive Sunday bags you can buy for those days.

 

My quiver bag is a no-name bag. No logo on it. Bought it at a golf show for like $40. Single strap, ballistic nylon, one pocket.

 

Titleist sells a Sunday bag as does Ping.

[BravoGolf]

As I mentioned earlier in this thread, I am looking to build a half set for this season. I want to get all the clubs fitted. Just curious if anyone has been fitted for a half set? Wondering what your experience was like.

 

I understand this may be a silly inquiry as I know they try and get your set with perfect gaps etc. but I figure if you went to get fitted and told them what you were looking for they would be accommodating? I guess it would mainly be shaft, length & lie I am looking for.

[Johnny_Fairway]

This seems like it would be an interesting application to the single length iron players. Driver/FW/5 clubs all the same length and lie/putter...

 

I often carry a half set of my SL irons for a quick 9 holes before work.

 

7 clubs – Driver, 4 iron (20°), 6 iron (30°), 8 iron (40°), PW (50°), LW (60°) and putter. Or change out the 4 iron for a 5 wood.

 

Works well for me.

[john_g]

I do this quite frequently when carrying and walking. I'll alternate with two different sets, just to get even wear and tear on my clubs:

 

"Evens" - Driver, 4W or 2H, 4H, 6i, 8i, P, 52º, 58º, putter (9 clubs), or

"Odds" - Driver, 3H, 5i, 7i, 9i, 50º, 56º, putter (8 clubs).

 

It has advantages beyond the weight savings, as it forces you to learn to get creative and hit a variety of shots.

And ... I have yet to notice much difference in scoring - at most a stroke or two is all.

[kiwihacker]

I do this quite frequently when carrying and walking. I'll alternate with two different sets, just to get even wear and tear on my clubs:

 

"Evens" - Driver, 4W or 2H, 4H, 6i, 8i, P, 52º, 58º, putter (9 clubs), or

"Odds" - Driver, 3H, 5i, 7i, 9i, 50º, 56º, putter (8 clubs).

 

It has advantages beyond the weight savings, as it forces you to learn to get creative and hit a variety of shots.

And ... I have yet to notice much difference in scoring - at most a stroke or two is all.

 

Your setup is identical to mine (though I drop the 52° in the Evens setup). For whatever reason I much prefer the Odds setup. The 5, 7 & 9 are really my go to clubs for a variety of approach shots. 6, 8 & PW just leaves gaps I find harder to cover. YMMV.

[asw7576]

8 pcs :

 

Hybrid 3 n 5 , OR Fairway Wood 3 n 5

 

Iron 6 , 8 , P , 54 , 60

 

Putter

[Ivyguy]

i Am heading out with a couple of buddies that carry more than their typically allotted amount of clubs.

 

I did convince one to at least try a smaller bag, down to ten clubs (an improvement over the 18 with a chipper).

[gvogel]

An 8 or 9 club bag - this is the answer to the thread question, "More clubs at the top or short end of the bag?"

 

Or, "Do you carry 3 or 4 wedges?"

 

Quite liberating.

[kiwihacker]

An 8 or 9 club bag - this is the answer to the thread question, "More clubs at the top or short end of the bag?"

 

Or, "Do you carry 3 or 4 wedges?"

 

Quite liberating.

 

More wedges.

 

Driver

20° hybrid

5, 7, 9

PW, 52°, 58°

Putter

 

9 club setup that still gives you 3 wedges. All the wedges most ever need even in a 14 club setup.

[Sean2]

i Am heading out with a couple of buddies that carry more than their typically allotted amount of clubs.

 

I did convince one to at least try a smaller bag, down to ten clubs (an improvement over the 18 with a chipper).

 

Lol!

[Skhacker]

Here's my updated setup:

-12° Driver

-20° Hybrid

-5,7,9 irons

-52,58 wedges

-putter( changes often lol)

 

I usually go 4,6,8,pw with a 56° but going to try this new setup for a bit and see how I like it.

[Sean2]

^^^Looks good!

[baldandbroke]

Down to 8 clubs + putter now ... joined a new course and playing a few practice games I realised I was only using my 3-iron as a crutch to avoid hitting the 4 wood off the tee on holes that had trouble left. A better solution was learning to trust the fade again with that club.

 

So I now have:

 

- 8.5' Titleist 975d Driver

- 15' 4W+ Callaway Big Bertha

- 20' 7W Callaway Big Bertha

- 5, 7, 8, PW Scratch Golf EZ-1 (6' gaps)

- SW Callaway

- Cleveland Classic Putter

 

I think the best thing about minimising your set is that you reduce your options and get creative with what you have.Golf is about adjusting more than it is about "stock" shots.

[baldandbroke]

This seems like it would be an interesting application to the single length iron players. Driver/FW/5 clubs all the same length and lie/putter...

Anyone who has tried single length will tell you ...

 

- shorter 3 iron has much lower trajectory

- longer PW is the opposite, into the clouds !

 

I think some of the single length hybrids are a solution to the "longer" end of the set, but I've never understood why you would want clubs that are harder to control than standard at the wedge end. You just do not gain much advantage from the "single setup" for that end of the set.

 

I checked out Cobra's offerings and you could do it pretty nice 10 club set using this theory with the F8 series:

 

12 degree 43.25 inch F8+ Fairway

 

Single Length F8 Hybrid

3h - 19 degrees at 37.5 inch

 

Single Length F8 Irons

5i - 22.5 degrees at 37.5 inch

7i - 29.5 degrees at 37.5 inch

 

Standard F8 irons

8i - 34.0 degrees at 37.0 inch

9i - 39.0 degrees at 36.5 inch

PW - 44.0 degrees at 36.25 inch

GW - 49.0 degrees at 36.0 inch

SW - 54.0 degrees at 35.75 inch

 

Putter

 

I'd play that !!

[kiwihacker]

Here's my updated setup:

-12° Driver

-20° Hybrid

-5,7,9 irons

-52,58 wedges

-putter( changes often lol)

 

I usually go 4,6,8,pw with a 56° but going to try this new setup for a bit and see how I like it.

 

Wait a second, I'm counting 12 clubs in that setup?

[drn92]

Here's my updated setup:

-12° Driver

-20° Hybrid

-5,7,9 irons

-52,58 wedges

-putter( changes often lol)

 

I usually go 4,6,8,pw with a 56° but going to try this new setup for a bit and see how I like it.

 

I seem to play a bit better with the 5-7-9 combo. But I am aiming for a 50-56 wedge setup because I like those lofts a bit better than 52-58.

 

Modern 5 irons are pretty strong lofted, and I like larger gaps up top and a bit smaller gaps on the bottom.

 

drn92

[ForePleaseNowDriving]

Listened to the On The Mark podcast today with Grant Waite. He said one of the best way to practice is with a half set.....taking out the odds or evens. Teaches you to play a club at a different distance than normal and to create shots. He even said he usually shoots the same with a half set.

 

His first set of right handed (started with his Dad’s left handed clubs) was a half set because he couldn’t afford a full set.

 

 

[Double Dutch]

Playing with 8 or 9 clubs doesn't require any more creativity than a full set and it's no surprise that scores are the same, assuming that you take your regular driving club, and the club that you can hit the furthest of the deck, and the wegdes that you always use for the short game. Then all you're missing are a few irons or hybrids, and the only 'problem' is 20 yard gaps instead of 10 for full shots from 3i-PW distances.

 

First: In a normal round, we hit fewer full iron shots onto a green than most people assume: short hitters don't reach many greens in regulation anyway and hit their as fas as possible all the time; long hitters can reach many greens in regulation with a wedge. Say, max 10 full iron/hybrid shots per round. Of those 10, a good portion will miss the green so you need a wedge anyway. Say 6 full shots that hit the green.

 

Second: Solving 20-yd gaps for full shots requires no thought or creativity: Say you need to carry 160. So you pick the iron that carries 160. 50% chance that you'll have that club with you, so only 3 shots where the half set matters.

 

For those three shots: in the worst case, the irons in your half set go exactly 150 and 170. So pick the one that goes 170. AT WORST, you'll end up 30ft past the hole. Considering most amateurs rarely miss the green long but often short, your actual extra distance from the hole will be much less than that.

 

Third: From those 3 holes where you are on the green but between 0 and 30ft past the hole, you're almost always going to make 2 putts anyway.

 

So the only real disadvantage to your score of a half set is in those rare occasions that you would have hit a full long club within 1-putt distance with a full set, which is between 0 and 1 times per round anyway.

[baldandbroke]

Playing with 8 or 9 clubs doesn't require any more creativity than a full set and it's no surprise that scores are the same, assuming that you take your regular driving club, and the club that you can hit the furthest of the deck, and the wegdes that you always use for the short game. Then all you're missing are a few irons or hybrids, and the only 'problem' is 20 yard gaps instead of 10 for full shots from 3i-PW distances.

 

First: In a normal round, we hit fewer full iron shots onto a green than most people assume: short hitters don't reach many greens in regulation anyway and hit their as fas as possible all the time; long hitters can reach many greens in regulation with a wedge. Say, max 10 full iron/hybrid shots per round. Of those 10, a good portion will miss the green so you need a wedge anyway. Say 6 full shots that hit the green.

 

Second: Solving 20-yd gaps for full shots requires no thought or creativity: Say you need to carry 160. So you pick the iron that carries 160. 50% chance that you'll have that club with you, so only 3 shots where the half set matters.

 

For those three shots: in the worst case, the irons in your half set go exactly 150 and 170. So pick the one that goes 170. AT WORST, you'll end up 30ft past the hole. Considering most amateurs rarely miss the green long but often short, your actual extra distance from the hole will be much less than that.

 

Third: From those 3 holes where you are on the green but between 0 and 30ft past the hole, you're almost always going to make 2 putts anyway.

 

So the only real disadvantage to your score of a half set is in those rare occasions that you would have hit a full long club within 1-putt distance with a full set, which is between 0 and 1 times per round anyway.

I'm not sure I understand your logic. Are you saying that having fewer clubs just increases the size of the target zone? Not for me it doesn't. I still aim for front left portion of the green, but I just have to be more creative on how I get there.

 

If being "in between clubs" requires creativity, then surely being "in between clubs" more often - requires more creativity regarding controlling distance?

 

As you say, golfers very rarely have "stock" shot to the part of the green they are aiming at. The lie, wind, topography all influence the decisions ... then I have to factor in which clubs I have that can achieve the result. If you have fewer clubs, then the choices are less obvious.

 

Having less clubs means you need to take a bit off / cut-up / roll-over / knock-down / sting your shots into the green more often across bigger yardage gaps. ie be more creative.

 

You also seem to be confusing results of the shot with shot selection? Just because you miss the green doesn't really mean anything in the discussion of whether you had to be creative to execute the shot to the target.

 

Off the tee is different, as I'm usually looking for a shape of shot and a larger target area that will be at worst "ok".

 

Around the green I have one sand wedge at 54' ... same applies as above. I need to hit a wider variety of shots with my single club than someone with 56 / 60 / 64 would with a single club of theirs - they have more options that require less manipulation. Maybe they could open up the 56 and hit the flop from the rough ... but they never do, because they never have to. I have to either create the shot or do something else (creative) that best suits my game.

 

BTW, I'm not trying to make the game harder for myself through these choices as some sort of challenge. I play better this way. It's my optimal setup. It suits my mental approach and my strengths.

[Skhacker]

For me, going back to a short set gets me back to my roots. I got into the game as a kid with a 3 wood, 3 iron, 7 iron, wedge and putter. Taught me so much about control, shot shape, selection and creativity. I played well into my teens with this setup, until I could afford to buy my own "new to me" full set. It makes me a much better

"golfer" not just a ball hitter, hence the better scores.