Starting a new adventure . . . Minimalist Golf

[kiwihacker]

10 minutes ago, SteelieD said:

It’s super nice on the back! 
 

Funny, I did just throw a GW in the bag for tomorrow’s round. Seems like that was a club I wish I’d had quite a few times. So I’m up to eight clubs. 
 

I play the Z785s and, for me, three of the par 3’s at my muni are an 8 iron so that’s the reason for my selection/gapping. Not sure I’d run this set up on an unfamiliar course but since 90% of my rounds are at my home track, it works well and makes things a little more interesting! 

I carry the 14 in my signature on a motocaddy electric trundler during Saturday club games but for casual Sunday/evening rounds I like to carry so I only play 8 clubs. 

 

It's just a fun way to play casual rounds and removes any indecision when you have fewer clubs. 🙂

[ShortGolfer]

I've been playing 4I, 7I, AW, SW, and putter on an Executive course.  I have a good short game and never think I need another club in my bag!

[drn92]

I played my last official round of the year this past weekend with a minimal set up … 8 clubs total. 

D

5W

4, 6, 8, W

56

Putter

 

had my old Eye 2’s in the bag and hit some really nice shots. Scored right at my season average on a tough (for me) course and if I would have chipped and putted a little better would have had a really good round. 
 

Best of all it was an easy walk/carry round and I got some nice exercise!  Carrying is a bit more convenient than using my pushcart. 
 

drn92

[TM4me]

I learned to play with a very similar set makeup.

 

[cflo2382]

Minimalists - Whats your favorite minimalist/small bag that still has a stand? I remember Vessel used to carry a nice Sunday stand bag but I don't see it anymore.

[Ivyguy]

31 minutes ago, cflo2382 said:

Minimalists - Whats your favorite minimalist/small bag that still has a stand? I remember Vessel used to carry a nice Sunday stand bag but I don't see it anymore.

Sim Mountain 2.5

[Tupperwolf]

40 minutes ago, cflo2382 said:

Minimalists - Whats your favorite minimalist/small bag that still has a stand? I remember Vessel used to carry a nice Sunday stand bag but I don't see it anymore.

Jones Classic Stand

[Tupperwolf]

Working on getting my minimalist bag set for this year.  I recently switched to Jumbomax grips and they won't all fit in a sunday bag so why not carry less clubs?  I will probably still put 14 in my big bag and push it on a cart during tournaments just to make my life more complicated, but for weekend fun rounds this will be the setup:

 

Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero 9* Driver

TEE EXS Pro 19* 3hybrid

New Level 4995 24* driving iron

Maltby DBM 7/9/GW

Edison 59* LW

Putter

Total: 8 clubs

 

I will see how it goes with the GW/LW combo, might swap the 55* SW in instead but I use GW for a lot of shots and LW for most bunker shots and tricky shots around the green, plus that keeps me at around 8* gaps.

[strug'-a-ling]

14 full-length dividers PLUS a discrete putter well--15 clubs--is common in new cart bags.

For me, however, sixteen is the perfect number.

Sam Snead suggeted sixteen as a limit decades ago, btw.

 

I ride.  The golf cart can handle the extra weight. 

Take my excuses away by letting me play all the equipment that I need.

[marmaduk]

57 minutes ago, strug'-a-ling said:

14 full-length dividers PLUS a discrete putter well--15 clubs--is common in new cart bags.

For me, however, sixteen is the perfect number.

Sam Snead suggeted sixteen as a limit decades ago, btw.

 

I ride.  The golf cart can handle the extra weight. 

Take my excuses away by letting me play all the equipment that I need.

To each their own. I used to carry 15 for a while. I don’t play in competitions so I’m not fussed. 
 

For some people minimalist is about lightening the load but I’d guess for most of us it’s about simplifying the game and become more creative shot makers. As, in the end there is always an excuse when it comes to golf. The new Vokey wedges have  40+ options when you take loft and grind into account. Even with 16 clubs you may find yourself in a situation where you don’t have the right club and all you have is your ability as a golfer. 

[14max]

Updates to my set for 2023:

 

10* PING G SF Tec driver

17.5* PING G fairway

28* PING ISI 5 iron

36* PING ISI 7 iron

44* PING ISI 9 iron

54* PING ISI SW

2021 PING DS 72 putter

Edited January 7, 2023 by 14max

[Finaus_Umbrella]

5 hours ago, strug'-a-ling said:

14 full-length dividers PLUS a discrete putter well--15 clubs--is common in new cart bags.

For me, however, sixteen is the perfect number.

Sam Snead suggeted sixteen as a limit decades ago, btw.

 

I ride.  The golf cart can handle the extra weight. 

Take my excuses away by letting me play all the equipment that I need.

 

[azgreg]

6 hours ago, Tupperwolf said:

Jones Classic Stand

I really like my Taylormade Micro Lite 3.0. However, if I can find a way to justify buying a bag I don't need a Jones bag would be it.

 

[Hickory4ever]

Big Max has several small well designed bags with good stands and straps. They are well priced as well. 
 

In Canada, they are available at Golftown.

[cflo2382]

I've been looking around since my post yesterday. I just remembered that Asher used to offer a sweet Sunday stand bag that was made by Vessel but it looks like they are all sold out. I also stumbled onto this:

 

PINSEEKER XT TOUR SUNDAY STAND BAG '21

 

Anyone try this one? I wish there were more pictures of it and I couldn't find much else via Google search. I'm more of a single strap guy but looks like one could be added easily.

[JamesWA]

I played for a year with the carry bag I'd originally bought for my 8 year old son, a driver, 5 iron, 8 iron, wedge and putter.

 

Having now reverted back to stand bag, trolley and another nine clubs, including 4 specialty wedges, I can report that all aspects of my game are worse. 

 

Having said that, real minimalist golf is going out with one golf ball.

Edited February 17, 2022 by JamesWA

[stimpmeterp]

2 hours ago, cflo2382 said:

I've been looking around since my post yesterday. I just remembered that Asher used to offer a sweet Sunday stand bag that was made by Vessel but it looks like they are all sold out. I also stumbled onto this:

 

PINSEEKER XT TOUR SUNDAY STAND BAG '21

 

Anyone try this one? I wish there were more pictures of it and I couldn't find much else via Google search. I'm more of a single strap guy but looks like one could be added easily.

^ my brother bought this bag for travel and it’s great.  Matter of fact I just got myself one in black for minimalist setups and range sessions.  There’s a 15% off coupon “15OFFTHP” 

[Tupperwolf]

12 hours ago, azgreg said:

I really like my Taylormade Micro Lite 3.0. However, if I can find a way to justify buying a bag I don't need a Jones bag would be it.

 

There are always ways to justify, I have bought 3 Jones bags I don't need in the past year...

[cflo2382]

23 minutes ago, stimpmeterp said:

^ my brother bought this bag for travel and it’s great.  Matter of fact I just got myself one in black for minimalist setups and range sessions.  There’s a 15% off coupon “15OFFTHP” 

 

Thanks for the feedback and appreciate the coupon code. Think I might give it a try!

[stryper]

20 hours ago, cflo2382 said:

Minimalists - Whats your favorite minimalist/small bag that still has a stand? I remember Vessel used to carry a nice Sunday stand bag but I don't see it anymore.

I like my Sunday Golf Loma bag, but it’s only good for carrying six or less clubs (with mid size grips), so it’s truly a minimalist bag. 

[pitchnputt]

Just beat one of my mates I golf with fairly regular for the first time with me playing a minimalist set! 

 

3H

4H

7i

51/55/59

Putter

 

Wish I would have subbed in the 52/58 wedge set to bring one less still!

[stimpmeterp]

Played D, 16.5, 23, 30, 39, 45, 56, P today and fired an 83 with two birdies in strong winds and 42°.

 

first time I remember where I didn’t miss having any additional clubs.

[stimpmeterp]

For those that asked about the Pinseeker XL Tour Sunday bag.  Four or five pockets, double strap, 4-way top, strong stand and small footprint:

 

 

[aiyyer]

Played Pinehurst #2/#4 with a half set of irons and that’s usually my setup in a Jones Rover bag. Shot the same as I would’ve with a full bag. 
Ping G400 Driver

Bridgestone TourB 5 wood

Bstone TourB JGR HF2 5/7/9/G

Maltby 58 wedge 

Machine Putter 

[drn92]

2 hours ago, aiyyer said:

Played Pinehurst #2/#4 with a half set of irons and that’s usually my setup in a Jones Rover bag. Shot the same as I would’ve with a full bag. 
Ping G400 Driver

Bridgestone TourB 5 wood

Bstone TourB JGR HF2 5/7/9/G

Maltby 58 wedge 

Machine Putter 

That’s a pretty solid setup. I waver between a 5 and 7 wood, but play the same with either. 
 

drn92

[aiyyer]

Usually switch out the 5 wood for a 3 hybrid or add it. 

[Lobber]

Been playing my minimalist set and loving it.  Using it on a local short 4200 yd layout and also having a blast on my home course that plays 6700yds.  Has helped me work on hitting partial shots and improving my short game

 

GEOM 4,6,8,PW

Edel 54 

Cally Rogue MAX Driver 9 Degree

Cally Super Hybrid 

Ping Putter

[aiyyer]

Actually prefer the 4,6,8,P combo better. 

[WipeyFade]

I've been playing some sort of short set since I picked the game back up last May. I played yesterday with my two sons and played Driver, 3w, 7w/4i, 6i, 8i, PW, 54, P. After yesterdays round I'm probably going to drop the driver, at least for a while. The 3 wood keeps me in play and I don't lose but maybe 10-15 yds on a good strike. Also, I'm trying to decide between 7w and 4i for my 200ish club. The 7 wood is easier to hit and a bit more versatile, but the 4i is a straiter club for me.

[SantoroMT]

On 2/20/2022 at 1:11 PM, stimpmeterp said:

For those that asked about the Pinseeker XL Tour Sunday bag.  Four or five pockets, double strap, 4-way top, strong stand and small footprint:

 

 

How does it sit on your back when carrying it? Is the bag (mostly) horizontal or down around a 45* angle? I have a SC Journeyman bag that I'm not a fan of how it sits