Playing with fewer clubs?

[slicer79]

An old thread that I was looking at about playing with half sets in a pencil bag during the winter got me thinking!

How many here play all year round with a low number of clubs?

I'm talking maybe 11 clubs or less. And what's your thinking around it

 

[fundy]

I mix and match, always take a full set out when playing comps/matches etc but bounce matches often only carry 6/7/8 clubs in a pencil bag so not exactly what youre looking for. Often the half set round is more fun as you get a bit more creative with shots rather than pulling the club for the number and hitting it

 

[Slab]

If it wasn't for adding a cheap scrap club for playing off stoney lies I'd still have 11, and I could easily stand to lose a couple more with no adverse impact. The reason is I (like many others I suspect) don't need 14

The gaping through the bag (esp irons) is far too close for many of us and the majority of above average players cannot control that 10yrds differential

Its funny too that almost without exception and regardless of ability, nobody seems to hit a ball anything other than round number distances 'I hit my Xiron 160 or 165 or 155-165 etc.
Does no one hit a club 161 or 167 or 152-168! Amazing precision that I think supports my view that many of us have too many clubs

 

[badgermat]

I play year round with 6 or 7 clubs in a Sun Mountain 2five bag. It's a light set that's great to carry.

3w 5,7,9i SW and putter, plus a driver every now and again.

My distances aren't remotely consistent enough to make closer gaps worthwhile and I enjoy the challenge of adjusting my game to suit the available clubs. Gives me a handy excuse for stuffing up so often too

bm

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I play with 11 clubs. In winter I drop a couple more. I can't hit long irons so don't bother carrying them. It also saves me from pulling out a club I'll hit well one in 10 goes. I'm sure better players have greater justification for carrying the full whack but I don't feel the need to fill my bag just for the sake of it.

 

[guest100718]

If I'm carrying then I'll usually go odds plus wedge driver putter and 1 hybrid

 

[IanG]

Like many here I often chuck every second club in a pencil bag for some evening golf. Leads to having to manufacture more shots and generally adds to the fun element. It also makes a nice change from wheeling the chariot around greens and tees.

 

[slicer79]

How about this situation?

You're told on 1st January next year that you can only play the whole 2017 season with 7 clubs.
Which clubs do you pick?
Also what do you think would happen over the year, would your handicap move? Over time would you learn to play just as well with the half set!?

 

[fundy]

How about this situation?

You're told on 1st January next year that you can only play the whole 2017 season with 7 clubs.
Which clubs do you pick?
Also what do you think would happen over the year, would your handicap move? Over time would you learn to play just as well with the half set!?

Putter, 56 degree, PW, 8i, 6i, 4i are the easy 6, the 7th is my driver just pipping the 17 degree hybrid. Dont expect the handicap would change drastically, may creep up one (it may do that anyway!), might force me to get better with the driver (if its possible). Only problem with having no hybrid is Ill have to hit more "proper" chips too lol

Actually maybe Id be better with putter, 56 degree, PW, 8i, 5i, hybrid, driver

Yep thats sounds better

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Driver, hybrid, 7, 8, 9, pw putter.

They are the ones I use mostly now. I could manage with minimal impact. I'd miss my 60 most of all but only depending on the course I'd be playing. That is pretty much my winter bag.

 

[woody69]

I've often wondered what would happen if I did this. I like to carry a full set, but if I did drop some, I'd probably go with my 4W, 4hy, 7, 8, 9 iron 52, SW and putter. (so 8 clubs)

However because I have this in-built fear that I would come up with 160 yards, which would normally see me take a 5 iron, I'd have to take a 7 and try and hit it far too hard, or my 4hy and not commit to the shot. Likewise if I had 110-115 yards, my 52 would probably come up short, but my 9 iron would probably go long and those swing thoughts alone would probably kill my round...

Perhaps I should just try it instead of speculating...

 

[Beedee]

The club where I used to be a member would have occasional 3 clubs + putter competitions as a bit of light relief between medals. I used to thoroughly enjoy them. My scores in those events were very similar to my scores with my usual 13 clubs.

I was typically 7w, 8i, gap wedge and putter.

 

[SAPCOR1]

How about this situation?

You're told on 1st January next year that you can only play the whole 2017 season with 7 clubs.
Which clubs do you pick?
Also what do you think would happen over the year, would your handicap move? Over time would you learn to play just as well with the half set!?

3 wood, 4 hybrid, 6 hybrid, 7 iron, pw, 52 wedge, putter

 

[351DRIVER]

Played for the better part of a decade with

Driver
Hybrid OR driving iron
7 iron
pw
sw
lw
putter

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I buck the trend and would rather have the full compliment to hand all year round

 

[TonyN]

Only have 12 in the bag.

Pencil bag is usually 3w. 5hy. 7i. 9i. PW 58. Putter

 

[delc]

One of my friends once scored 49 points in a 'Three Clubs and a Putter' competition. Shows that you don't need a full set of clubs to score well. I often carry a half set of clubs in the Winter and it doesn't seem to affect my scores that much!

 

[duncan mackie]

How about this situation?

You're told on 1st January next year that you can only play the whole 2017 season with 7 clubs.
Which clubs do you pick?
Also what do you think would happen over the year, would your handicap move? Over time would you learn to play just as well with the half set!?

I would just have to spend more time considering which to have in the bag before teeing off on each course, and in the conditions, than I do currently.

 

[Fish]

If I have to carry for any reason I'll take either my odd or even irons out and drop either my driver or mini-driver so it becomes s half set, I won this years 3-club challenge with my 4w, 8 iron & putter and couldn't believe how well I got around the course and shot 3 under handicap 🤔

 

[ger147]

Strictly speaking not a direct reply to the OP, but it is related.

I'm trying really hard to come to terms with the fact a full bag for me is now only 13 clubs!! I know I must be struggling when I can't come up with any excuse to convince even myself what I need to fill the gap.

How can I hold my head up high at my "all the gear no idea" meetings when I only have 13 clubs...#ashamed