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Thought for the day 2

AliB

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Jun 20, 2007
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I can see where CC is coming from.
Here's my version. Since starting golf I've been carrying round 13 or 14 clubs and thinking long and hard which to play when, frequently to my mind getting it wrong.
BUT
Since out Turkey Trot in December (3 clubs) and subseqent start of trolley ban, I've been carrying seven. (3wood, rescue, 5,7,9,sw putter)
Has my scoring suffered - not at all (considering other conditions).
Has it been harder to pick a club - damn sight easier.
I have not used my driver at all - have I lost distance ? Not much - took it out today and found any distance was negated by poor direction.
My question is, as a 20 plus handicapper why should I revert to a full set? Granted I'm playing an a shortish course which is very familiar with distances well known. But unless I was facing a big carry over a hazard off the tee, I can't see much reason to take out my driver (and it was once my favourite club!)Can anyone persuade me to give up lite golf and go back to a full set?

AliB
 
I think a lot depends on your standard of play. And don't take this as derogatory to anyone on a higher handicap!!

As a higher handicap, there is probably less difference between clubs than at a lower one simply due to quality of strike. If you (a general you!) hit your 6,7 and 8 irons 140,134 and 126 yards respectively then you may as well drop the 7. And so it works through the bag.I hit those 3 165,150 and 140 so its worth having all 3 - do you get the picture?

With the Driver you get less height than with a 3 wood. In winter it may be that you carry your driver 175. You may carry your 3 wood much the same. The difference in summer is that you'll get 20 yards roll on the driver. So again it comes down to your distances.

As a general rule - and as always rules are made to be at least bent - the better you are the more clubs you should carry.

So stick with the half set - at least for now. Come the summer you may want to put the driver back in. But in soggy conditions keep the ball in the air as long as you can so keep with the 3.
 
Ali, I'm into carrying a light bag.

I use a trolley during the summer but this becomes an annoyance in the winter with cordons around greens and mud-bath tracks.

I played yesterday and i.m.o. unless something really strange happens, I can predict which clubs I'm going to need. Not so much "I'll take a 6i at the fourth after my drive goes 237.899 yards" but more "I'll get round perfectly well with a driver and 5 wood plus 5-SW". The holes where I might need a rescue or 4i are holes I don't expect to par anyway!!!

If you glance at my thread - Anyone else like winter tees?....you'll notice on 5&6 and 10,11,14 I simply hit driver-5wood and dealt with what was left....that's the way I play and unless I get lucky, carrying 5 clubs for long distance shots isn't realisticaly going to help my score, only make the bogey holes more comfy, perhaps.
 
Re: Thought for the day 2

Hi AliB

I played with 7 clubs today and I tend to manufacture shots with the clubs I had. It is good practice for me and I must admit I did not really miss the others although I would really miss my driver if I left it behind. If it works for you stick to it.
 
Re: Thought for the day 2

Thinking back to Tin Cup & during the film doing the ultimate in traveling light & creating shots, how many have been tempted to go round with one club, or one club & a putter. I dare say most club secretaries would have a dim view of wandering on with one club & a few balls, but surely must be the ultimate in traveling light & creating player injinuity & feel for the game. After all, Seve started playing with a cut down 4 iron did he not...?
 
Imurg - no ffense taken - that's what I mean - a tour pro needs more clubs for spot on accuracy - I'm unikely to get it whatever the club. And it's good to improvise from time 2 time. Also getting good distance with 3 wood as a result of much practice!

cheers AliB
 
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