Who plays with fewer than 14 clubs?

[Konklifer]

My golf game is in shambles right now and I'm not too proud to admit that it's all mental. Rather than trust what I've learned from 20 years of playing, I just tend to think waaaaay too much. I've read a few articles on speeding up the pace of play (less practice swings, time spent over the ball) and using fewer clubs (focus more on shot making rather than swing mechanics). Anyone using less than 14? What is your set up? I was thinking of going to 10 clubs:

 

- Driver

- 4 wood

- 20 & 24* hybrids

- 6,8,PW

- 54 & 60 wedges

- Putter

 

Any thoughts?

[housey]

i only have 13 clubs, i havn't decided yet whether to get a 5 wood or hybrid. 14 10 18 5 26 we all got different tastes

[kgk]

13 clubs here.

 

Driver

5W

3-PW

53, 58* wedges

Putter

 

I sometimes carry 14 if I go play a longer course - pull the 5W, put in a 3W and a hybrid - but generally, it's always 13. Gives me a spot to try out that new driver every time I play.

[lysaght68]

13 here. You can spare us another post PMAC, the wife just called me an idiot . I don't hit FW woods straight enough to justify carrying them and I've got good yardage coverage inside 220 yards with my current set makeup. I am considering a 14 degree Cleveland Halo or other low lofted hybrid for those occasional 225+ shots. If not I think I might round out the bag with a second driver, preferably a component head (always wanted an SMT) coupled with an extended length LD shaft - for those scramble long drive holes and just because :D .

[Geo]

There we go . . . thread cleaned up to take the irrelevant comments out.

 

Konklifer, I don't necessarily agree that eliminating choices is the way to go to speed up play. It might help a little bit more if you work on becoming more decisive, then deal with the consequences later. If you go to the 10-club set up, then you will be forced to become more versatile with the clubs you do carry, which would actually lend to you taking more practice swings, think things through more thoroughly, and increase your time over the ball. But when it comes down to it, you are the one that needs to be comfortable with your set-up. Give your idea a try sometime (make sure you pick up a super light bag to compliment the set-up though!), you might find it to be a blessing. But I think extended play would prove it to be a short-term fix, and deny you of some choices you would have otherwise wanted.

 

My current set-up is in my sig, but the only thing I could forsee changing would be if I went to an iron set that was spaced 4* each from the 24* 4-iron to 48* PW, another 4* between wedges (52, 56, 60), and go to the 5* between woods (9-14-19 driver, 3, hybrid). The only thing preventing that is I still love the 3 iron, and I like the 53, 58 wedge setup (though the 52, 56, 60 is easier for a lefty to buy).

 

Anyway, luck to you.

[Eazy_B97]

I've got 10 clubs total with an 11th on the way. Specifics are in my sig. I am looking into 2 fairway woods right now, or possible another hybrid instead. I'm relatively new to the game and want to pace myself on what I buy to make sure I can hit them and don't waste money on cheap products.

[jscw]

My golf game is in shambles right now and I'm not too proud to admit that it's all mental. Rather than trust what I've learned from 20 years of playing, I just tend to think waaaaay too much. I've read a few articles on speeding up the pace of play (less practice swings, time spent over the ball) and using fewer clubs (focus more on shot making rather than swing mechanics). Anyone using less than 14? What is your set up? I was thinking of going to 10 clubs:

 

- Driver

- 4 wood

- 20 & 24* hybrids

- 6,8,PW

- 54 & 60 wedges

- Putter

 

Any thoughts?

I did the similar stuff when waiting for the customer order cg2 iron.

For me, 6-PW are really essential, esp. for distance between 100 - 150 yards. For example, it's hard (failure rate is 50%) for me to have something like 3 quarters 6 iron swing for 7 iron distance. And we all know once it's one shot penalty at least if screwing up the shot between 100 - 150 yards.

[Big Al]

I carry 12!!!

 

Driver

Rescue 19*

4-PW

52*

60*

Putter

 

Although i am loooking for a decent 3 wood to add to the bag!

 

Al

[pitch]

I play a lot of normal rounds with less than 14 clubs. Vary the setup depending on what I am trying to do. I love to practice hitting different shots. Like 5 iron from 140 or 9 iron 80 yards. I believe it makes me more versatile.

But if I am playing a tournament it is 14 clubs. Want to be more precise. And have all of the options.

[MOJO14]

I carry 11 clubs and may add a gap wedge for those shots around 100 yards that I can't seem to hit a sand wedge to.

 

Driver, Hybrid, 4-PW, SW, putter

[tallshorty]

I'm only carrying 12 right now, I had a hybrid but was way too inconsistent with it so I let my wife have it (for now). I like hitting irons/wedges so that's why I have 10 of them and for me I can take full swings and hit anywhere between 40 - 180 yds. My 4i - 6i are 5* apart and 7i - LW are all 4* apart helping my iron game be much more accurate.

 

I also recently cut down my driver from 46.5" to 44.5" so my distance went from 250 yds. to just over 200, but it is a heckuva lot straighter. When I feel the need (and a bit more confidence) I'll probably be picking up a 4W & 7W to help fill the gaps.

[barada]

I typically carry 12 clubs. They are, as follows:

9.5* Comp w/44" NVS - Really don't use it, don't know why I've got it.

16* Ping Hybrid w/NV85 s flex - This is more or less my driver.

21* Founders Club Cleek steel s flex - When I really need a fairway.

5-PW Ping I5 w/zz65 steel - extremely forgiving, almost too much, I'm getting lazy!

52* Vokey - anything from 70 to 95 yards, esp. knockdown type shots

60* SpinMilled - Should only be my sand and 20-30 yard pitching club, but I use it for anything 70 yards and in.

33.5" 350 gram SC Stainless Steel - why they ever stopped making these is beyond me, I'd have bought ten just to keep in the closet.

Cheers,

Ben

[CallawayMoe]

13 for me. See below.

[MrParr1Noid]

1. TM R7 Tour

 

2. TM Tour Smoothie 17*

 

3. TM Tour Smoothie 21#

 

4. TS X-Wedge 58-06

 

5. Cameron Newport 2 stainless 33" 350 grams

 

6. TM Staff Bag 10 1/2"

 

:D :hi:

[chesterrc]

For a long time I had 13 in my bag.

 

Driver

 

5 Wood

 

3-PW

 

52*

 

56*

 

Putter

 

 

Then I put a 64* wedge in play. Open that sucker up and its a automatic flop shot every time Its helped me get out of a couple sticky situations recently when I hit a shot behind a big bush. :D

[six00imola]

i really only carry a 14th in competition. i have a lot of trust in my 13 regulars and whatever i put in the bag for 14 usually i dont use.

[Lord Thomas]

I played a bag of 13 clubs all last year (Driver, 4 Wood, 20* Hybrid, 4 Iron - Pitching Wedge, 56*, 60*, Putter), because I couldn't find my Gap Wedge, so I learned how to hit all the shots in between my Pitching and Sand Wedges with other clubs.

 

This year I've tried adding a 3 Wood to my bag to give me a few more options from longer range and off the tee on tight driving holes.

 

If you're struggling, less than 14 clubs is a great option to reduce the thinking.

 

-Thomas

[pschu75]

I played about 7 rounds last year with only 7 clubs 3wood, 3hy, 5,7,9, irons Gap wedge and putter.

I'm a 14 handicap and my avg score with this set up was 87, low of 82 high of 89...mainly 86-87. Definitely enjoyed the lighter bag, but also had a few instances of not having a shot because of yardage or not having a sw or lw.

 

I'll probably add a SW this year and roll with that. I don't have time to practice anymore(new baby) and just like to get out and hit the ball around.

 

Basically I've given up on getting better, just want to keep it in play and get up and down a few times.

 

Pete

[mp3]

I have 10 clubs in my bag:

 

TM 200 Steel 10.5*

Mizuno Fli-Hi II 21*

Mizuno MX-23 5-PW

Reid Lockhart 56*

Studio Design #5

 

But I typically play with 7 or 8 clubs - Driver, 21*, 5i, 8i, PW, SW, Putter

 

I'd be interested to hear from others who play with fewer than 10 clubs.

[Evil R1]

The only time I use less than 14 clubs is when my Driver is misbehaving, then it has to stay home and the 3 wood picks up the slack. Other than that I tend to use every club in my bag ever round.

 

I only have 2 swings per club (except my lob wedge), 50% and 80%, so I need all the options I can get ;)

 

Thanks,

[PatScan]

great topic. i like to play with just a three wood, seven iron, wedge and putter. I feel more creative and it's fun to try different shots. There really isn't much difference in my score, maybe a shot or two.

[MGB]

When my new MP-R wedges get here, I'll be playing with 13. Going to 3 wedges from my current 4. I don't think it'll make any difference in the way I play. I'll have fewer options around the green, but that might be a good thing. The versatility of the grind on the new MP-Rs should compensate for the loss of a wedge.