Does anyone else fancy themselves a minimalist but just can't make it happen in the real world?

[bifftaco]

I have spent the last 6 months selling off all my excess clubage- a few iron sets and about 30 random clubs from driver to wedge. Got down to my main set and about 5 clubs that held lasting memories of good shots, feelings, and confidence. They could jump right back into the main bag if  Ineeded a boost.

 

Felt good, since I fancy myself a minimalist and love the idea of a simple, classy carry bag with less than 12 clubs and nothing else. I was on my way.

 

Last night I bought a set of irons and another hybrid, online. I woke up feeling a sense of excited anticipation and dread at the same time. I already know they are not going to make me a better golfer and are just adding another level of complexity to my gear set up. Que up a few ranges sessions / rounds 'comparing' rather than 'practicing/playing'. Ugh.

 

I know my stash of clubs was trivial compared to some of you. Color me impressed, jealous, and appalled. But I was so close!

 

 

Edited June 23, 2022 by bifftaco

[MountainKing]

You can - you just don't want to.

[pdxhak]

When I think minimalist it is about how many clubs are in the bag and not how many sets are in the garage 🙂

[DCCarpenter]

I think you hit the key point on minimalism vs. equipment. I'm a minimalist and don't tend to own a lot of things or be especially in to objects, with the exception of things that I think will make me better.

 

When I first started in woodworking/carpentry 20 years ago I would buy or try any new tool I heard about to try and make myself 'better'. Started playing golf recently and am the same way, always on the lookout for something to make me a better player despite frustrating myself with the club pile I sometimes accumulate. As my competence increased my new tool acquisition slowed to nil and I suspect my golf equipment splurges will even themselves out as well once my skill level plateaus. The Golf Sidekick videos where he preaches the point of getting good with the clubs you carry and carrying less has helped, realizing practice and round time is finite I am trying hard to stick with one setup for awhile.

[DiamondDallasRage]

What number of clubs would constitute minamilism? I'm always curious what people's number for this is. I'll start - single digits.

[Tommy56]

I agree with that it must be single digits.  

[rwc356]

I've played single digit numbers in both hickory and modern for many years.

 

Currently:  D, 3h, 5h, 7i, 9i, PW,  SW,  P

[MelloYello]

Anytime one finds themselves excited about shopping, it's a signal They're not actually playing enough golf. 

 

If you play more, your interest will shift to golf and the equipment will become secondary. 

 

[Sub_Roc]

^^^This.^^^

[drn92]

I went back and forth last season and keep thinking about committing to a minimalist approach, but just haven’t been able to take the leap. 
 

my handicap stayed the same last year despite all the back and forth. 
 

drn92

[bifftaco]

21 hours ago, MountainKing said:

You can - you just don't want to.

The last 6 months is proof I do want to! Only one putter purchased, and one promptly sold. Just a moment of weakness the other night....

 

A lot of good  points so far- single digit club selection, get good with what you have, and play more. Probably should put that on a post-it and hang it on my computer screen so I can see it before hitting the buy button.

[alittleoverpar]

I would go with 8 clubs or less as minimalist.

 

I often go out and play with 3 irons and a putter - 2, 7, PW, Putter.  My score is generally within 2 - 3 shots of when I play with a full bag.

 

I just stick a couple of balls in my pocket and grab the 4 clubs and go.  No bag, no towels, no accessories.  It gives you a sense of freedom.

[Billfitz]

70, 80, 90, 105, 120, 135, 150, 165, 180, 195, 210, 225, 240. That's my gapping. If I wanted to use fewer clubs which distance(s) do I take out of the bag?

 

 

[BagofToast]

2 hours ago, Billfitz said:

70, 80, 90, 105, 120, 135, 150, 165, 180, 195, 210, 225, 240. That's my gapping. If I wanted to use fewer clubs which distance(s) do I take out of the bag?

 

 

80 and 210

[animalgolfs]

2 hours ago, Billfitz said:

70, 80, 90, 105, 120, 135, 150, 165, 180, 195, 210, 225, 240. That's my gapping. If I wanted to use fewer clubs which distance(s) do I take out of the bag?

 

 

It's more about hitting CLUBS multiple yardages & flights into greens. 

[ShortGolfer]

I learned to play last season with four irons and a putter.  While I know the stock yardages of the irons off the tee or flat fairway, the course is sufficiently hilly that I'm constantly adjusting the effective loft of the club based on the lie of the ball.

 

Today I played my 3rd nine hole round of the season.  I had one par 3, four bogies, and four blow up holes.  I consider it a success as I added in five clubs since last season.

Driver, 11 wood, 8 hybrid, and 58* lob wedge.  And a "new" putter.  Driver is a challenge is balls are easily lost if you hit it left or right, so I'm playing used yellow balls at $1 each.

The par was exactly how I diagrammed it.  Tee shot was a left of the tiny green to avoid trouble.  Just missed the pin with the lob wedge.  And a par saving putt!

I used the driver, FW, or hybrid instead of the 4I, so I carried ten clubs and played nine.

Edited June 25, 2022 by ShortGolfer

[bekgolf]

On 6/23/2022 at 4:19 PM, bifftaco said:

I have spent the last 6 months selling off all my excess clubage- a few iron sets and about 30 random clubs from driver to wedge. Got down to my main set and about 5 clubs that held lasting memories of good shots, feelings, and confidence. They could jump right back into the main bag if  Ineeded a boost.

 

Felt good, since I fancy myself a minimalist and love the idea of a simple, classy carry bag with less than 12 clubs and nothing else. I was on my way.

 

Last night I bought a set of irons and another hybrid, online. I woke up feeling a sense of excited anticipation and dread at the same time. I already know they are not going to make me a better golfer and are just adding another level of complexity to my gear set up. Que up a few ranges sessions / rounds 'comparing' rather than 'practicing/playing'. Ugh.

 

I know my stash of clubs was trivial compared to some of you. Color me impressed, jealous, and appalled. But I was so close!

 

 

Admitting is the first step. 

 

I go through stages.  I was at my best two years ago with a set of x-18 irons and forged+ wedges that just worked for me.  I should of stayed with them but haven't.

 

I blame wrx.

[Billfitz]

3 hours ago, BagofToast said:

80 and 210

Nope. Just yesterday I was faced with a 100 yard downhill shot to a back sloping green. I knew the ball would roll all the way off the back of the green if I hit it even 90 yards. I used my 80 yard SW. It hit on the front fringe and as anticipated rolled to pin high. Other than less than 70 yards I don't hit partial shots. I'd rather carry a full bag.

[Tommy56]

6 hours ago, Billfitz said:

70, 80, 90, 105, 120, 135, 150, 165, 180, 195, 210, 225, 240. That's my gapping. If I wanted to use fewer clubs which distance(s) do I take out of the bag?

 

 

Every other one is a good start.  You can execute a variety of shots with each club vs just hitting a specific number.

Edited June 25, 2022 by Tommy56

[drn92]

9 hours ago, Billfitz said:

Nope. Just yesterday I was faced with a 100 yard downhill shot to a back sloping green. I knew the ball would roll all the way off the back of the green if I hit it even 90 yards. I used my 80 yard SW. It hit on the front fringe and as anticipated rolled to pin high. Other than less than 70 yards I don't hit partial shots. I'd rather carry a full bag.

You asked ...

 

Part of the appeal is the ability to hit partial shots.  Loft down a bit, turn it over, float it in high with a little fade.  If you drop your 80 yd SW, you would just have to get a little more from your 70 or a little less from your 90.

 

What do you do for a 157 yd shot?

 

drn92

[tatertot]

7 minutes ago, drn92 said:

You asked ...

 

Part of the appeal is the ability to hit partial shots.  Loft down a bit, turn it over, float it in high with a little fade.  If you drop your 80 yd SW, you would just have to get a little more from your 70 or a little less from your 90.

 

What do you do for a 157 yd shot?

 

drn92

Yep ... that's the appeal of minimalist golf. 14 is a random number of clubs because golfers packing bags with half clubs and everything else. And like drn92 said, you are already covering yardages you don't have. Minimalists just have bigger gaps.

[Redpro]

My last 4 rounds at 2 different courses were played with 10 clubs in the bag. I shot 82 all four rounds and discovered the difference for not making lower scores were chipping and putting. 

 

So, I think I'll practice my chipping and putting a lot more. But, I'm committed to 10 clubs

 

Driver, 4hyb, 6hyb, 7, 9, PW, GW, SW, LW, putter. 

 

I could probably take the GW or LW out. 

 

(And I have two bags of various clubs in the garage, plus 7 sets of irons [s55, iBlades and i210's] waiting like sentries to be called up, LOL)

 

My wife said the other day, "just be thankful that you can still be out there playing the game!"  I'm 72. 

Edited June 25, 2022 by Redpro

[BagofToast]

12 hours ago, Billfitz said:

Nope. Just yesterday I was faced with a 100 yard downhill shot to a back sloping green. I knew the ball would roll all the way off the back of the green if I hit it even 90 yards. I used my 80 yard SW. It hit on the front fringe and as anticipated rolled to pin high. Other than less than 70 yards I don't hit partial shots. I'd rather carry a full bag.

You asked…

[PSHCT]

I play early in the morning before work, 9 holes walking. I play a half bag, easier to carry and takes the minutiae out of decision making, you either have the longer or shorter club for each shot and you learn to make either work. I’ll often rotate longer clubs in and out if I want to experiment / practice / learn, such as 3,5,7 woods and hybrids. Try it, it made me a better player 

[bankbank]

i've never, never ever, had more than one set (14clubs) at any given time.. during a round. the other sets are at home

[lefthack]

I'm kinda in the same boat. I blew through a ton of hardware last year and decided to sell it all and stick to my main bag with a few different clubs. Then a few weeks ago I ordered new 5 and 7 woods because why not? They seem really good, so at least that's nice. But I keep telling myself I'm not buying anything else until Haywood releases the woods. 

 

See if I make it 6 months.  🤣

[Duffer222]

D, 4w, 4h, 6i, 8i, Pw, 56, P

 

edit:  I alternate irons from 6 & 8 to 7 & 9 just for wear purposes.

Edited June 25, 2022 by Duffer222

[WilliePPQ]

Well, there's a difference between being a collector of vintage or notable sticks vs. just adding for the sake of adding to your playing stuff. Remarkable how you state up fromt that you know most recent purchases won't really make you any better as a player. So sort out and pick the best and play away. Went down to 14 only years ago, only carry 10-12 tops, and IF I choose to add something new in the HOPE it actually works for me, something else has got to leave. I guess downsizing residence some years back got me started on the minimalist kick as well. More is not better, just more complicated and clutter. Play well and find something that works for you and stick with them.

[phizzy30]

On 6/24/2022 at 7:30 AM, MelloYello said:

Anytime one finds themselves excited about shopping, it's a signal They're not actually playing enough golf. 

 

If you play more, your interest will shift to golf and the equipment will become secondary. 

 

I play twice a week and hit the range one to two times a week.  My wife gets "concerned" if I go beyond this.  I still love shopping for equipment and forever will even if I play and/or practice more.  I must have a problem............

[lil'mike]

5 hours ago, Duffer222 said:

D, 4w, 4h, 6i, 8i, Pw, 56, P

 

edit:  I alternate irons from 6 & 8 to 7 & 9 just for wear purposes.

I could play that setup but instead of alternating clubs, I just went out and picked up a cheap set of older clubs so it doesn't matter as much!  🙂