The Perfect Senior Bag Setup

[platgof]

On 10/17/2021 at 2:24 PM, Billfitz said:

IME always pushing right comes from inadequate hip rotation, which is to be expected when you're old enough to collect Social Security. It cuts swing speed too. The b**** is that you really can't fix it with gear. But if you're aware of it that's halfway to fixing it. 

This is why i joined an exercise plan that I do at home. Look up golf body rx. I do not do it every day as I don't always feel great, but do when I am feeling well. Of course I modify it for the old body. 

[Billfitz]

My exercise is walking 9 holes four or five days a week in season, and the equivalent of that around town during winter. Screw Mark Twain. 😉

[acemandrake]

32 minutes ago, Billfitz said:

My exercise is walking 9 holes four or five days a week in season, and the equivalent of that around town during winter. Screw Mark Twain. 😉

I'm like you.  I'm walking 9 holes & doing it with 5 clubs...

 

Driver, hybrid, 9i, LW, putter

 

Mark Twain:  Great writer, lousy golfer 

[Billfitz]

I do have one routine that I do before taking a shot, the same one seen in this video of Ben Hogan:

 

 

Just that 30 second bit is enough to loosen up my back well enough so that when I take my actual swing I'm relaxed and able to concentrate on the swing instead of back tightness. I've checked it with my swing monitor and when I do that routine instead of just a couple of practice swings I pick up 8 to 10 MPH additional swing speed with driver.

[animalgolfs]

13 hours ago, Billfitz said:

My exercise is walking 9 holes four or five days a week in season, and the equivalent of that around town during winter. Screw Mark Twain. 😉

I walk 3.5 every day 

[platgof]

Since playing in a senior league I noticed how long these seniors are! They get out there. I am not that far behind though. So I am modifying all my clubs with extensions to gain a little distance. The biggest part of my game that has been challenged the most, is hitting precise sand wedge shots around the green when I have to carry, and I am getting better at it. I added a Mizuno MP68 9 iron for chipping duties. The smaller head helps it to get on the ball so to speak. I started as a D player, and am now a strong D player, so I expect to move up to C soon. I really don't see any way of making B player, but that's okay. The B players have a really good game and can shoot par on occasion, not me. 

[platgof]

So much for moving to a "C" player, not. My game fell apart for several months, mid 90's, ughh! Last week I decided to pick up a set of Maverik's on the cheap. I am retired now so the budget is changing. Hit the Mav's today and I am very impressed. They are in the bag, long and straight. These irons are so forgiving. Shot a low round with them, 42.

[Oldmancranking]

I'll be 66 years old in July of 2022. I'm a walker and I have switched to a Sunday bag that carries 9 clubs. The set-up:

 

Ping G-25 10.5* regular graphite shaft

Lazrus 3, 5 & 7 hybrids regular graphite shafts

Lazrus 8, 9, and pitching wedge

Cleveland DIACTIC 53* wedge

The Wilson 8802 putter

 

I discovered Lazrus this winter when I purchased  a hybrid on Amazon on a lark for $47.00. I hit the thing so well that I purchased a 3, 5, 6, 7, and 9 hybrid. I then purchased the 8 iron, 9 iron, and pitching wedge...all for $47.00 each with free shipping. I gave my previous gamers (Mizuno MP 64s) to my 28 year-old son who, naturally, hits them a mile. 

 

I can hit any well-constructed golf club because "it's the Indian..." Playing from the white tees, golf is fun again with a 239-256 yard drive, I'm learning to hit the hybrids various distances by chocking up on the shaft or delofting the clubface at address. Most of my practice time is with the wedges and putter: flighting the ball low from 50 or so yards to practicing getting up and down from different types of lies.

 

Works for me. Thanks for reading.

[Billfitz]

On 10/17/2021 at 3:24 PM, Billfitz said:

IME always pushing right comes from inadequate hip rotation, which is to be expected when you're old enough to collect Social Security. It cuts swing speed too. The b**** is that you really can't fix it with gear. But if you're aware of it that's halfway to fixing it. 

So yesterday I spaced on a driver takeaway and didn't rotate. The predictable result was a thin cut that ended up 50 yards shorter than normal ten yards off the fairway to the right. Instead of a comfortable 7 iron I had to pull my 19 degree hybrid and hope for the best. I put it on the green, wide, but still dancing. Two putts and I was in for par. I never could have made that approach shot with a 5 wood or 3 iron. Hybrids rule! 

[puttingmatt]

At 62, I am not certain there is a perfect set up.  Really believe equipment is all

player dependent ,  and  that goes for  any age. 

 

 

[Soccerrick10]

I turn 68 in October.  The past few years have been frustrating as I’ve watched my distances fall and my scoring rise.  I really struggled with getting reasonable consistency on GI and SGI irons in both direction and distance.  Then, on a whim, I tried the PXG 0211ST irons since years ago, I loved my Mizuno JPX 900 Tours.  

 

They really clicked for me.  So, I’ve revamped my bag with the following:

D, 3w, 5w, 7w, 5h, 6h, 7, 8, 9, P, A 0211ST blades, 54, 58.  It has completely given new life into my game.  Last week I missed a hole-in-one when the ball stopped 1/2” from dropping in the cup.  Later in the week, I shot the lowest score I’ve had in 5-6 years.  I feel like a kid again.  

 

Now, I’m only struggling with my 3w.  So, I’m working on resolving that next.

[iGolf67]

I am 67. The first iron in my bag is a 7-iron, which used to be the loft of my 5-iron. I then have three woods: 17º, 21º, and 25º. Never had much success with hybrids. 

[Double Dodger]

On 5/14/2019 at 10:53 PM, LCGALBERTA said:

Don't forget the telescopic ball retriever...haha sorry I had to note that. Every senior bag has one that I have ever seen lol.

 

Yeah, and I bet you ask to borrow it too. 

[Billfitz]

I've got one, I only use it to shag balls that other guys have lost. I find so many that I donate them to my club by hitting them on the range.

[myspinonit]

6 hours ago, Billfitz said:

I've got one, I only use it to shag balls that other guys have lost. I find so many that I donate them to my club by hitting them on the range.

I don't know about your club, but I found out at the public ranges I go to the range guys have to weed out and get rid of non-range balls they find.  So the extra balls there aren't being donated, just giving extra work for them. 

[OnTheBag]

Something else to think about, that I didn't notice mentioned here.  I recently adjusted an old JPX 900 driver that I had laying around to 11.5°.  The extra loft and spin seemed to add a few yards and definitely added some height.  

 

As for setup, I try and carry as few clubs as necessary.  Normally 10-12 depending on the course.  Full bag is below.  I didn't bother naming names since I have more full sets in the garage than I like to admit to my wife.

 

Driver (11.5°), 3w, 5w, 3h, 4h, 5h, 6h, 7-PW, then either 54 & 58 or just a 56.  Also have a 5w turned to 16.5 degs (4w) that I will carry and drop the 3w and 3h for the travel bag.  It is Driver, 4w, 4h, 6h, 8-PW, 56, putter for 10 clubs.  Travels well and covers most of my needs.  

 

If I'm playing in my regular weekly's, I take the full bag.  Those guys are like card sharks and I want all the tools I can fit on the cart.  Hahaha.  

[BigEx44]

64 yrs old and I'm a 9 handicap.

As I've aged, I put more wedges in bag at the expense of the top end of my bag.

 

My setup (all flexes are regular):

Taylor Made M6 Driver 10.5* 

Callaway Epic Speed 4 wood 16.5* (on a 3 wood length shaft - 43 inches)

Callaway Epic Max Heavenwood (basically a 20* 7 wood)

Callaway DCB Irons 5i-GW

Callaway Mack Daddy CB wedges (52*, 56*, 60*)

Bobby Grace F22 Sidesaddle Putter

[braincramp52]

70 years old. I am now going straight from Driver at 9.5 to  21°, 24°, 27° hybrids. My irons start at a 7-PW with 50,54,and 58 degree wedges. Best combo I've found yet.

[Billfitz]

8 hours ago, myspinonit said:

I don't know about your club, but I found out at the public ranges I go to the range guys have to weed out and get rid of non-range balls they find.  So the extra balls there aren't being donated, just giving extra work for them. 

Our club gathers up the balls on the range and at the end of the season they clean and paint a stripe on those that aren't already painted. I estimate 80% of the balls are real balls, not junk range balls. One reason for this is that the range is immediately to the right of the first fairway, so anyone who slices their drive on the first hole is making another deposit to the range.

[LCGALBERTA]

On 6/14/2022 at 12:15 PM, Double Dodger said:

 

Yeah, and I bet you ask to borrow it too. 

Only three years late with that reply😂

 

I don't need to borrow one when I am in the fairway, plus I'm not a cheapskate lol haha.

[platgof]

I have fallen in love with Maverik irons. I really enjoy hitting these, just feel great. The PW is awesome chipping with, so much so I ordered the AW and SW to go with the set. I shot 78 in a tournament Tuesday and have never done that at Western Hills. Of course, I shot 86 yesterday, but I am blaming that on forgetting the blood pressure medicine, did not feel good at all.

[596]

I'll change my previous post.

 

I'm 67 years old,  high single digit. Shot 76 today.

 

Driver 

4 wood 

5 wood 

4 through SW hybrids!!

 

Gonna make this game as easy as possible. 

 

 

 

 

 

[jjfcpa]

74 years old and didn't start playing till I was 67.

 

Driver - Callaway Epic LS 9*

5w - Callaway Rogue ST

3hy - Callaway Rogue ST

4hy - Callaway Mavrik Max

Irons - 5 - PW Titleist T300

Wedges - 48*,52*,56* Ben Hogan Equalizer II

Putter - Odyssey Tri-hot 5K (changed my game)

[gioreeko]

I'm going down kicking and screaming. I turn 57 in a few months, and am hitting the ball as far as ever. The only thing I've changed lately is going to X stiff shafts in my clubs, from driver to all the irons. I've started carrying 2 hybrids though, and hit my mini driver a ton. Have my SS with driver and mini driver almost up to 120 (thanks to Dr. Kwon's videos on Youtube)  My advice is to hit the gym at least 3 days a week, and add a lot of explosive training for golf.

[ShortGolfer]

I was fitted into a Stealth 3HL with a Veylix Alpina 673 shaft.  I didn't think I'd be able to hit a 3W off the deck but it launched just fine.

I think he was surprised when I took a bad swing off the tee, and then stroked one off the mat!  Why not?  I'm not buying a 3W unless it works off the deck!

So, I tried it at home with an old Diablo 3W cut short with the chop saw and sure enough, I get enough height, but it slices.  

One of the things I learned from my first fitting is that there is no reason to hit the ball hard!

Sure enough, the next day, after resting my arms for a while, I easily dialed in the old 2015 GBB with a short 40.75 inch shaft.

Yeah, the swing weight was really low, but it felt great.  First I adjust the loft, which was too high.  Then I fixed the slice.  Now it works just fine as a fairway finder!

 

The constant feedback from the fitter was a great help in feeling the clubhead versus just swinging a stick!

Sort of like wearing prescription glasses for the first time!

One of the things we talked about is that I work with my hands all the time and build/fix things. 

I have a sense of things like when a bolt tension is just right without a torque wrench.

I'm sure that translate to my great putting.  And accurately hitting approach shots with just a few clubs.  Feel versus gapping.

I also use two hands when working with really sharp tools, like bypass pruners.  I have to sense where both hands are to avoid injuring myself.

I think my fitter also learned a lot.  It's not every day you see a stroke survivor sink put after put!

Edited July 2, 2022 by ShortGolfer

[SollyinGA]

TM Stealth Plus 9.0 Hzrd Red Stiff

TM SIM 3wd stock stiff

TM SIM 5wd Riptide stiff

4-GW Mizuno MP 223 Project X LZ 120 Stiff

TM Big Toe 54 

TM Big Toe 60

Evnroll ER2

 

Sometimes sub the 5wd out for a TM SIM 3- driving iron.

 

Not very senior oriented, but it works for me.

Edited July 2, 2022 by SollyinGA

[platgof]

The Maverik Aw and Sw are in the bag. I really don't know when I will hit them as the temps are crazy this summer!! I had to extend them a 1/2" as that is my playing length now.

[BigEx44]

On 7/1/2022 at 4:59 PM, 596 said:

I'll change my previous post.

 

I'm 67 years old,  high single digit. Shot 76 today.

 

Driver 

4 wood 

5 wood 

4 through SW hybrids!!

 

Gonna make this game as easy as possible. 

 

 

 

 

 

Just curious - what hybrids are you using?

[596]

Ordered the Cobra T Rails with Recoil Reg shafts in 8 thru SW.  I already play hybrid 4,5,6 and 7 in Cobra FlyZ XL with the same shafts.  I looked at Tour Edge and Cleveland Halo.  But the Cobras won out as I hit them the other day.  They launch easy and high.  I really really like the Cobra FlyZ hybrids, so these will fit the bag nicely.  

[Hickory4ever]

My bag has evolved somewhat as I have aged (68 now) and have accepted the fact that chasing distance is a fools game. The main changes are that the loft on my Driver and fairway woods has increased due to the slower swing speed. I prioritize control over distance and it works well for me.

 

I play two hybrids (20* and 23*) most of the time and play five iron on down. Essentially, I have accepted that playing boring old man golf (that’s what my friends call it) is the ticket for this old geezer.