Difficult courses, players clubs

[Sam217]

I don't travel and play many difficult course. Prefer smaller players irons. What are your guys thoughts, do you ever go play a super tough course and wish you had more forgiving irons or feel more comfortable with what you like looking down at? I'm thinking longer approach shots, tighter lies, faster greens sort of scenario. What say you? Sorry if this is in the wrong thread.

[st1800e]

If you’ve got a set of clubs that fit you and you play with them better than any other clubs, that’s what to use, no matter the course.  

[Socrates]

If you are asking that question, the clubs you play, likely aren't what is best for you.

[Pepperturbo]

No.

 

Probably because I've played blades for most of my golf life, and only recently switched to new T100, 3-PW.  I play more difficult courses for the challenge, to test my ability to execute, and to make certain I don't think I am better than I am. 

 

Last weekend, played a well-kept regulation track from white tees, using 2i-LW & putter, and left Driver & 3wd in the trunk; pleased with my score too.  Doing that puts a premium on iron play, ball striking and short game; otherwise numbers can run up.  

[vandyfan]

54 minutes ago, Sam217 said:

I don't travel and play many difficult course. Prefer smaller players irons. What are your guys thoughts, do you ever go play a super tough course and wish you had more forgiving irons or feel more comfortable with what you like looking down at? I'm thinking longer approach shots, tighter lies, faster greens sort of scenario. What say you? Sorry if this is in the wrong thread.

 

Not irons, no. Wedges, maybe, if the conditions are VASTLY different to where I normally play. Driver....maybe....if the course is SUPER tight or super windy. And possibly the top of my bag, if I think I am going to have a lot of longer shots I might add in another option at the top of my bag (I generally only play with 12-13 clubs at home). But I would think irons are the best irons for me regardless if I am playing TPC Sawgrass or wide open, no trouble local muni. 

[Kale_m]

My “players clubs” spin more. Stick more greens them rather then with low spin power bats. 

[Hawkeye77]

Difficult courses just mean you better have the clubs best suited to your game. I assume that's what you have.

 

I've never thought I needed a different set for a "harder course" --- now, I may wish I was 28 again . . . .

 

Edit:  And if you are just trying to talk yourself into having another set that you can explain as "course specific" I'm all for you buying them, lol.

Edited March 26 by Hawkeye77

[KevCannon]

Yea it doesn’t really work like that. You are the one playing whichever course versus Par. Anybody who is a decent enough player isn’t thinking about which category of irons to use, they are thinking about the next shot and how they are going to execute it. The clubs are basically an extension of You, the golfer, as long as those clubs are the correct fit. 

[MMB1500]

On the contrary. When playing tough courses I wish I was playing the smallest, most unforgiving blades out there. 

 

Why? Because they make you concentrate even more. 

 

That's according to what I've read on these forums, anyway. 

[chisag]

9 minutes ago, MMB1500 said:

On the contrary. When playing tough courses I wish I was playing the smallest, most unforgiving blades out there. 

 

Why? Because they make you concentrate even more. 

 

That's according to what I've read on these forums, anyway. 

 

 

... As someone that taught for awhile and said this many times here on WRX, I have always felt everyone looking to play their best golf should play the most forgiving iron they can effectively play. For a handful like Tiger, that means MB's because he hits every imaginable shot possible and needs max spin/trajectory control. For many better players though including most of those on tour, a players CB is usually the best option. I am playing the latest version of the Titleist T200 and they give me everything I want in an iron. Forgiving, workable when needed, excellent trajectory control and a little longer the the King Tours I was playing. 

... As an athlete my entire life including playing QB through college, I will never understand "concentrate more" with something different. I didn't concentrate any less on a check down to a RB than I did with a deep post having to look off the safety. When I played basketball and shot 100 free throws at practice, I gave every single shot the same concentration. I don't say this as judgement, but if you need a smaller club head to concentrate even more, you are mentally lazy. Some seem to take offense at that but what you are saying is "I don't have the mental discipline to concentrate and produce my best swing unless I have a small, hard to hit head." Just looking at the guys on Tour that almost all have more forgiving long irons in their bag when they are using Players CB's for the rest of the irons, they seem to have no problem at all concentrating with a T200 4 iron from 230 yds to a small green with bunkers guarding the front or a 230 yd shot to a big green with no trouble short and a much easier shot.  

... I do not post this trying to talk any small head MB lover out of their clubs, nor to start another MB vs CB discussion. Play what you wanna play. 😇  But if you are looking to score as low as possible, play the most forgiving clubs you can effectively play. 

[ShortGolfer]

I play a challenging little executive course with lots of trees, high rough, narrow fairways, tiny greens, and plenty of uneven lies.

I'm constantly looking for the best clubs to grind through challenging lies.

I have a SGI 48* AW wedge with a huge head and a Callaway 52/10S MD5 for punching out of rough.  I get a lot of use out of both clubs.

[Ger21]

I wouldn't be playing the clubs I play if I didn't have total confidence in them.

[Klubster]

It is simple.  No matter if the course is easy or difficult, you want to use the clubs that let you play your best.  

[predison]

I have started using a dramatic combo set - i210 3-7 & z-forged ii 8-PW and I am very thankful I have done this in the longer clubs. Going to play courses I am not familiar with I am not worried even when I have a challenging approach. I agree with someone above who mentioned different bounces/grinds on wedges depending on conditions (wet vs hard & dry) and how much of a difference this makes as well.