Bag Setup/Gapping Help

[Sleeky_D]

Hey all, I’m going into this season looking to optimize the clubs in my bag and looking for some help if possible. I’m currently a 18 handicap and according to arccos, lose the most of my strokes from tee shots and approach shots. Mainly from the tee however. Driver chs is around 92-94mph. I say I pull driver less often than my peers and usually go with my 5-hybrid when it’s a tight fairway as it’s the club I’m most comfortable with. 
Current set up: Driver (11*), 3w (15*), 4H (22*), 5H (25*), 6iron(27*) - pw (45), wedges 50, 54, 58, putter. 
What I’m finding is I really don’t have a use for the 3 wood from the deck with my speed and don’t use it from the tee either. Thus, I was thinking 4w and 7w but the 7w would overlap with my 4H. Does anyone have any other suggestions to help blend my set? And if any particular clubs you think could be beneficial to improve gapping? I’ve tried a driving iron and 3H but didn’t really get along with either. Sorry for the lengthy post but appreciate the help! 

[st1800e]

Yes, ditch the 3, go for the 4w and 7w, the 7w doesn’t really overlap with the 4h as it’s a longer shaft. If they actually go the same distance on the course, ditch the 4 H and replace your 6 iron with a 6H.  My 5 hybrid goes further than my 5 iron, and my 7 W goes further than my 4H.  At 18 Hdcp it’s all about keeping it in play, not hitting tour level shots.  18 bogeys and you’ve shot your handicap!  It’s ok to miss a green in the right place.  
 

 

[Sean124]

The simple (and cheaper) solution is to swap the 3 wood for a 5 wood and call it a day. 
 

[Sleeky_D]

11 hours ago, st1800e said:

Yes, ditch the 3, go for the 4w and 7w, the 7w doesn’t really overlap with the 4h as it’s a longer shaft. If they actually go the same distance on the course, ditch the 4 H and replace your 6 iron with a 6H.  My 5 hybrid goes further than my 5 iron, and my 7 W goes further than my 4H.  At 18 Hdcp it’s all about keeping it in play, not hitting tour level shots.  18 bogeys and you’ve shot your handicap!  It’s ok to miss a green in the right place.  
 

 

Thanks for the advice! Do you have both 4H and 7w in the bag at the same time? Or interchange them based on course/conditions? 

 

11 hours ago, Sean124 said:

The simple (and cheaper) solution is to swap the 3 wood for a 5 wood and call it a day. 
 

I am eyeing a callaway 5 wood as I’ve had success with the old rogue in the past. But it seems inefficient having a club in the bag I don’t use (3 wood). I guess there’s nothing saying you HAVE to have 14 clubs though 

[st1800e]

11 minutes ago, Sleeky_D said:

Do you have both 4H and 7w in the bag at the same time?

Yes, 4w is 17* and 7w is 21*, so good gap for me.  Then also an 11w 25*, also gapped well. 

[Sleeky_D]

49 minutes ago, st1800e said:

Yes, 4w is 17* and 7w is 21*, so good gap for me.  Then also an 11w 25*, also gapped well. 

Oh nice, I bet that 11 wood is fun to use. 
Is your 4H loft at 21*? 

[st1800e]

1 hour ago, Sleeky_D said:

Oh nice, I bet that 11 wood is fun to use. 
Is your 4H loft at 21*? 

4H is 22. Doesn’t go as far as the 7w due to shorter shaft. I swap between them and swap between the 11w and 5 hybrid depending on wind and type of course.  

[Sleeky_D]

2 hours ago, st1800e said:

4H is 22. Doesn’t go as far as the 7w due to shorter shaft. I swap between them and swap between the 11w and 5 hybrid depending on wind and type of course.  

Gotcha, makes sense. 
Really appreciate the insight. I didn’t even think about the shaft length playing a factor. 

[Pepperturbo]

@Sleeky_D You're not alone, lots of people have clubs in their bag that don't get used.  Most of the time they aren't comfortable with some clubs, so they get overlooked for another club, even if that other club isn't the best choice.  My buddy does that, has 2 clubs that he never uses; but he's not long enough with any club to compensate for not using 2 clubs.  He also didn't want to practice with new clubs.

 

I had a 4wd in the bag for years.  Only as years do what they do, creep up on us, it all of a sudden wasn't long enough off the deck or tee.  I am 70+ and play out to 6600yds, in wind more often than I like.  What I noticed was the tee yardages I tend to play, had me choosing my trusty 17' 2 iron over 4wd to insure I remain in the fairway, plus it was harder to flight 4wd, it tended too high. 

 

I flight my 2i-W easily.  I finally decided I need a long wood in the bag and must use it more often, so all my clubs are used, so bought a TSR2 15' 3wd and dropped in the same shaft shorter shaft, lower trajectory and gained a few yards, getting more run with it too.  Hard to figure 1/2 degree would be beneficial, but it is.

Edited January 27, 2023 by Pepperturbo

[Sleeky_D]

3 hours ago, Pepperturbo said:

@Sleeky_D You're not alone, lots of people have clubs in their bag that don't get used.  Most of the time they aren't comfortable with some clubs, so they get overlooked for another club, even if that other club isn't the best choice.  My buddy does that, has 2 clubs that he never uses; but he's not long enough with any club to compensate for not using 2 clubs.  He also didn't want to practice with new clubs.

 

I had a 4wd in the bag for years.  Only as years do what they do, creep up on us, it all of a sudden wasn't long enough off the deck or tee.  I am 70+ and play out to 6600yds, in wind more often than I like.  What I noticed was the tee yardages I tend to play, had me choosing my trusty 17' 2 iron over 4wd to insure I remain in the fairway, plus it was harder to flight 4wd, it tended too high. 

 

I flight my 2i-W easily.  I finally decided I need a long wood in the bag and must use it more often, so all my clubs are used, so bought a TSR2 15' 3wd and dropped in the same shaft shorter shaft, lower trajectory and gained a few yards, getting more run with it too.  Hard to figure 1/2 degree would be beneficial, but it is.

I think myself and your friend have a lot in common haha. I tell myself I want/need to practice more but it’s unrealistic with young kids and job schedule. Thus I find myself chasing clubs for help rather than practicing with what I have. I don’t think that’s necessarily bad though depending what you want out of the game. 
I do like the idea of a shorter shaft in the 3wood though. I may have to experiment with it if I decide to go the 4w/7w route 

Edited January 28, 2023 by Sleeky_D

[Sleeky_D]

Just following up on this thread- thanks again for all the insight from everyone. I think I have settled on a pretty good gapping that works for me at the moment. I’m leaning more towards playing 13 clubs as I still don’t see much benefit to playing 14 for my game (would remove either the 3 or 5 wood). 

My current set up: 

Driver 11*
3 wood - 16* 

5 wood - 19* 

7 wood - 22.5* 

5 hybrid - 25* 

6-pw (46*) 

50, 54, 58 

putter 

 

(I’m still debating on keeping/removing the 3w or 5w) 

 

My question at this point, though, is weighting of the shafts for the woods. My driver shaft weight is 60g but currently looking into something in the 50g range. Would it better to go 3 wood at 60g and then 5w and 7w at 70g? 
My 7w currently has a 60 (stiff regular) flex and feels pretty soft/light. Just wondering what would be a typically progression in weight? For reference, my 5 hybrid is 85g and feels fantastic for my speed. 

 

Edited April 19, 2023 by Sleeky_D

[Sleeky_D]

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