Far Fewer Than Fourteen - Minimalist Bag

[FewerThan14]

I learned golf with half set - Dunlop cast blades, cheap Kmart woods, two way putter. I’ve tried 14 clubs for a few seasons and the last number of years went with between 8-10 clubs. This season I’ve worked my setup down to 6 clubs and I’ve never been happier.

 

I typically walk 9 every morning before work. I like to play quickly, and usually play 9 in about 45-55 minutes. It helps being the first one out and basically dodging the sprinklers/mowers.

 

Golf is my gym membership, my therapy, and my time to clear my head and think creatively for my work. I still like to go as low as I can, but it’s also fun trying creative shots with a minimal set. Some will say I could shoot lower scores with more clubs. I think not, and it’s about a lightweight and enjoyable set of clubs for me. Honestly, how often do you have a “stock” shot with no wind, no slope, perfect lie, and the pin is exactly at your stock distance? Every shot requires adjustment, and with fewer clubs you just adjust slightly more. Also unless you’re a quite good golfer, you’re not going to hit that distance every time. I’m at about a 10 hdcp, I’ve got some skills, but to think I can hit my irons a stock distance every time is a foolhardy strategy. Mostly I’m just trying to get on the green in regulation. I’m not ashamed to play old man style bump and run golf either.

 

That being said, let’s get into the bag. 10 hdcp, 98+ driver swing speed, putting and course management are my strengths.

 

DRIVER

Ping G425 Max, Tensei CK Orange stiff shaft, weight in fade position. I was fitted for the G410 Plus last year. Went for the minor upgrade in the head this year. Tried a couple other shafts for fun, but this one is most accurate for me.

 

3 HYBRID

Ping G425 Max, stock CB Alta stiff shaft. This thing just goes straight. Can work it if I need, but I generally avoid working the ball unless it’s verticality. This is my 200ish yard club. Easy to take some off for shorter distances.

 

6, 9 IRON

Wilson Staff CB, KBS $-Taper Lite regular shaft. I wanted more control than what GI irons offer, and more traditional lofts (30, 42). These fit the bill with plenty of forgiveness, especially on toe shots. My main miss is to get a little toey. They look pretty sick debadged in my opinion. I just got these, so I’m still getting used to them, but I’m thrilled so far. 6 iron for 170-140 yards, 9 iron for 140-110 yards. Again, yardages depend greatly on the variables I’m met with on each shot.

 

52* WEDGE

Gigagolf S2, TT Feather Flight shaft. I’m a fan of these wedges. Obviously a Cleveland clone, but very good. Great at full shots, feel good enough around the green. I went with 52* to use for 110 and in approaches. I can open it up if needed for loft, but mostly use it squared up around the greens and get a little rollout. Can’t think of where I read the article, but they tested different lofts for chipping around the green and for amateurs like me, the 52 was most consistent and got closer to the hole on average. I can confirm that this loft just feels right for me, and with a minimal set feel is very important. Also, these are $50 each.

 

PUTTER

Gideon custom milled. My golfing buddy makes putters as a side business. This one was his gamer for a while. Long neck, oil finish, kangaroo leather grip. Looks awesome, feels smooth, distance control is superb. Nobody else has one like this!

 

BAG

Sunday Golf Loma. Just got this. I love the silhouette, perfect amount of pockets, very light, and looks great. I’m not 100% sold on it, though. Even with only 6 clubs, there is a lot of grabbing and it’s not as quick getting clubs in and out as a larger bag would be. My perfect bag would be this one, with an extra inch or two in diameter. I may cut out the dividers and see if that helps with the tangling - more like a quiver. Hard to find a structured bag at 1.5 lbs.

 

BALL

Maxfi Tour ’19 green matte. I love the green color, it’s easy for me to find. Performance is high on all types of shots, which is important. I bought several boxes of these on sale and I should have enough to get through this season. We’ll see what next year brings!

 

ACCESSORIES

Divot tool from my high school course, circa 2001. Ball markers are vintage bus tokens from my town. Frogger mini towel. Little bluetooth speaker. Bushnell GPS, or I use my phone - but mostly the fairway markers. I don’t wear gloves, and don’t really have a need for anything else in my bag other than a mini kit for blisters, bee stings, nail clippers, chap stick, etc.

 

 

That’s what I carry. Occasionally when I play outings/scrambles I’ll throw some more clubs in the bag, but I’ve been playing my most consistent golf with 6. Hit me up with any questions!

[gentles]

Very well thought out, can you play round where you live?

 

did you find those irons on their own or buy a whole set for if you want to play 14?

[FewerThan14]

I've gotten about a dozen 9-hole rounds in. Most of them very wet. 

I was able to buy individual irons. I know, no resell value, but when you only have to buy 2 clubs it doesn't hurt. 

[BagofToast]

I'd like to see your 8-10 club setup. I dig the Sunday bag.

[Aprovenz]

Man, I love this on so many levels. It just looks like golf is way more enjoyable that way. The part where you said playing 9 is your gym membership/therapy really hit home. I have a 9 hole beater course right down the street. I might start giving your strategy a try!

[ShortGolfer]

I see a lot of 7 late model 7 irons on Ebay.   Most likely demo clubs.  Some have stronger lofts down to 26 degrees, so that is a cheap way to start a minimalist set with just a few clubs.

 

Buy a club, learn what you can do with it in terms of on course situations.  Then buy other clubs as they become available on the used market.

[FewerThan14]

I recommend it. I see you have an SLDR Mini @Aprovenz. I say use that, the 21*, 5 7 9 (or 6 8 PW), wedge of your choice and putter. You're good to go. 

 

Fewer decisions, just think about where you want the ball the go and try to get it there. 

 

[Aprovenz]

10 hours ago, FewerThan14 said:

I recommend it. I see you have an SLDR Mini @Aprovenz. I say use that, the 21*, 5 7 9 (or 6 8 PW), wedge of your choice and putter. You're good to go. 

 

Fewer decisions, just think about where you want the ball the go and try to get it there. 

 

 

Sounds amazing. The only thing I think I'd do is build my iron set up around the par 3 yardage of the course I'm playing. I also think it would be awesome to smoke my buddies using half as many clubs as they do 🤣 That has to be another plus for this process! 

[scruffynick]

Beltin! Great set up...love the bag btw

[WhoaNellie]

I had a Loma, but sold it, for the reasons you highlighted. I have a mailer I recently received from Sunday Golf (sundaygolf.com). It includes new models Loma XL (8 clubs) and El Camino (10 clubs). They are offering 15% off, using code: DAD15.

 

Thanks for the wedge insight. I had been carrying PW and 54* but I have a 52* enroute; a "consolidation wedge," if you will. Setup will be: 12* D, 18* Hy-wood, 27* hybrid, 35* 8I, 52* W, P (all Cleveland). 

 

I have a PING CRAZ E Lite in super condition that would look great holding your sticks. We can discuss if you are interested--bought new in mid-December 2021.

[Binson]

Curious, what's your technique for adjusting distances per club?

[FewerThan14]

10 hours ago, Binson said:

Curious, what's your technique for adjusting distances per club?

It really just depends. I've been playing golf (mediocrely) for over 25 years, so I've used a lot of different techniques over the years. I usually don't try to hit an iron longer than what it goes on average. That rarely works out well to hit a "strong 9" or "really go at a 6." I find it easier to club up and hit shorter. 

In basic terms, hit the ball more softly and it will go less distance. Usually this is by how far back the backswing goes, how hard I swing, etc.  

 

I also like to use shot height. I can open the face on shorter shots for more height and less distance, or I can hood the face to keep it low. For longer shots I flight the ball higher or lower using stance setup, follow through finish (high for high shots, low for more stinger shot shape), and just imagining how I want the shot to go. 

 

I play a lot of bump and run golf, which is fine for my Ohio courses. This removes a lot of needing to know exact distances a club goes, and it's more about feel. Land the ball near where you want and let it roll the rest of the way. 

This makes it sound like I'm good and can really shape the ball, but that's not really the case. But to reiterate the original post, how often do you have a "stock" 155 yard shot and hit your 7 iron exactly 153 and it stops at 155? I'm pin high a lot more often with this method. And I never say "I picked the wrong club" when I only have three choices. I just didn't hit the ball how I imagined it going. I wish my swing was consistent and repetitive enough to hit every club the same every time. I just can't and never will. Might as well play creatively with imagination and have some fun. 

[Binson]

34 minutes ago, FewerThan14 said:

It really just depends. I've been playing golf (mediocrely) for over 25 years, so I've used a lot of different techniques over the years. I usually don't try to hit an iron longer than what it goes on average. That rarely works out well to hit a "strong 9" or "really go at a 6." I find it easier to club up and hit shorter. 

In basic terms, hit the ball more softly and it will go less distance. Usually this is by how far back the backswing goes, how hard I swing, etc.  

 

I also like to use shot height. I can open the face on shorter shots for more height and less distance, or I can hood the face to keep it low. For longer shots I flight the ball higher or lower using stance setup, follow through finish (high for high shots, low for more stinger shot shape), and just imagining how I want the shot to go. 

 

I play a lot of bump and run golf, which is fine for my Ohio courses. This removes a lot of needing to know exact distances a club goes, and it's more about feel. Land the ball near where you want and let it roll the rest of the way. 

This makes it sound like I'm good and can really shape the ball, but that's not really the case. But to reiterate the original post, how often do you have a "stock" 155 yard shot and hit your 7 iron exactly 153 and it stops at 155? I'm pin high a lot more often with this method. And I never say "I picked the wrong club" when I only have three choices. I just didn't hit the ball how I imagined it going. I wish my swing was consistent and repetitive enough to hit every club the same every time. I just can't and never will. Might as well play creatively with imagination and have some fun. 

Although I've got a long ways to go until this is possible, this is such an aspirational way to play golf for me.

 

Fully agree it's easier to take a little off than to hit it strong.  I have a lower spin shot for playing in the wind where take up two clubs longer and grip down to almost the shaft.  Then I swing about 80%.  Not sure why, but it usually does alright so It gives me hope that I'll be able to play with as few clubs as you do one day haha.  Might give it a shot one of these mornings when I feel like my game is on.  

 

Not sure if I could live with 52 being my highest lofted though, so I might have to take one more club with me.  What do you do in bunkers? Just not get in them?  

[FewerThan14]

I'm probably going to put a 54 degree in to replace the 52 for a couple rounds to see how it goes. I do hit bunkers. My home course doesn't have deep bunkers with tall lips, but I'm barely clearing the lips at times. Also getting a little too much roll out when I'm short sided. An open 54 should probably take care of that. I can still hit a 54 for approach shots for sure. 

[ShortGolfer]

I use a 54* SW for short approach shots and bunkers.  It was the third club I bought after the 7I and putter and is still in the bag with the 7I.