Do we have too many clubs to start?

[CMAC]

I remember when I started golf I was 'given' (handed down) a 3 wood, 5 wood, a basic putter and a half set ie 3 5 7 9 si
So I naturally had to manufacture shots for distance, height etc and knew my 7 main clubs inside out.
Do we have too much choice now as experienced players? When a new player starts are they bamboozled with so many clubs and shaft options to the point they get hung up on technology and forget about learning the game, being creative and having flair?

What do you think?

 

[Imurg]

You can/have to still be creative with a full set.
Just because you have 150 yards to go, doesn't mean you have to reach for your 7 iron.
You might need to punch in a 6 or even a 5.
From 100 yards out you have a multitude of choices if you want them.
Full GW, 3/4 PW, hard SW downwind maybe, 7 iron pitch'n'run etc etc.

I wouldn't want to be carrying around 20 clubs but 14 gives you a nice spread of distances and tools for different jobs.
If you play enough and find that you don't use clubs then you could leave them out but I'll keep all mine thanks...

 

[Andy]

I only carry 13 but wouldnt like any less. Current bag gives me a wealth of options to play different shots depending on course and conditions.

 

[wull]

i think there is 2 real questions here.

14 clubs itself is a perfect amount,as above it gives plenty options to be creative and have more than 1 shot available at any certain distance.i personally have 12 clubs in the bag just now after selling my 3 wood but i've just sourced a 2 iron so i'll be back up to 13 clubs when it arrives.

as for the technology side of things with regards to shafts etc then than can be a problem fro new players.i personally sometimes think there is so much choice out there that you don't know what to do.

 

[CMAC]

You can/have to still be creative with a full set.
Just because you have 150 yards to go, doesn't mean you have to reach for your 7 iron.
You might need to punch in a 6 or even a 5.
From 100 yards out you have a multitude of choices if you want them.
Full GW, 3/4 PW, hard SW downwind maybe, 7 iron pitch'n'run etc etc.

I wouldn't want to be carrying around 20 clubs but 14 gives you a nice spread of distances and tools for different jobs.
If you play enough and find that you don't use clubs then you could leave them out but I'll keep all mine thanks...

That's another point imurg and not the jist of the thread, it's more about having too much choice when you start which could stop the type of creative learning you develop with having fewer tools and less choice.