Why 14 clubs?

[USER1999]

Ok, so the number of clubs in a bag is set at the somewhat arbitrary number of 14.

So what would happen if it wasn't?

If it was more, then there would be a club for every occasion. Might get confusing, and the decision making process (especially for the pro's) might take longer. But you'd never have to compromise. On the other hand, you'd have one heavy bag. The manufacturers would love this.

If it was less, then it would mean more shot making, more versatility, more half shots, punches, etc. It would be a simpler game. Possibly cheaper at entry level too. Club selection decisions would be quicker, as less to choose from. You'd probably still play to the same h/cap too (try it). Courses might be in better condition as there would be less need for electric trolleys. Most could carry 7(ish) clubs no worries. Pro's would have to play a wider variety of shots, rather than flush the exact wedge straight at the pin.

Equipment suppliers might not like reducing the number of sticks, but why involve them in the discussion?

Instead of reigning in the ball, or making courses longer, why not promote shot making, and reduce the number of bats allowed?

 

[Down_The_Middle]

Might not effect the manufactures to much if it was less clubs because we all hit the ball different distance with the same club.i.e- player 1 hit his 6 iron 150 and player b hits his 165. so we would all carry x amount of clubs but they wouldnt be the same. Bit like when you play 3 clubs and a putter

 

[surefire]

Wouldn't that just punish shorter hitters?

All the bomb and gouge brigade would go out with driver, 5 wedges and a putter and be fine, where as the shorter guys would have to balance the long and short end of their bags.

 

[percy_layer]

I remember reading an interview, maybe Tom Watson but could be wrong. They suggested limiting the range of lofts available to the players, eg 12 degrees for lowest loft and 56 degrees for highest loft. Would put more emphasis on the players skill.

 

[richart]

Anyone know why it is 14 clubs. Has it always been the number ? Can you remember when it was introduced Bob ?

I imagine when it was introduced it was difficult to find 14 different clubs to fill the bag. Now you could put at least 20 different ones in.

 

[USER1999]

Back in the day you could have put 100s of different clubs in. There are probably less available now than there used to be.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Never really thought about it. It's always been 14 since I started and 14 I'ved carried (can't always say used in the golfing sense!)

 

[Mike_j_golf]

Hi,
Think a beginner never needs more than a half set there is very little difference between a griped down 8 iron and a full nine, think it would make very little difference to any of our handicaps or even the way pros shoot if we were only allowed say 11 clubs Driver 4Wood 4Rescue 56789 irons 2 wedges and a putter hope that adds up to 11.Even if er were only allowed 7 clubs if the lofts of the irons were divided equally to give u 4 irons between a 5 and sw we would be able to play most shots. Think back in 20's 30's 4 clubs was the norm. Would Bob be old enough to know.
Mike

 

[freddielong]

From what I have heard the number was the average number of clubs carried around the date they decided they needed a limit, I personally would drop it to 10

 

[MashieNiblick]

Think Freddie is right that 14 was about average at the time of the change. I have found a chapter about equipment by A H (Alf) Padgham (1936 Open Champ) in an old golf book from 1937 in which he refers to the R&A suggesting restricting the number of clubs to 14. Padgham thinks this is sufficient and says it leaves room for an extra niblick or a left handed club for when you can't take a right handed stance! He says he carries 4 woods 9 irons (1-7 plus 2 niblicks - light and heavy) and a putter. Wonder what he'd think about having 2 woods and 4 wedges?

Some interesting advice on choosing clubs too. The driver should if anything be on the short side and the sole of the brassie and spoon should be slightly curved. Apparently Accles and Pollock's "True Temper Flex" comes as near to the feel of hickory as possible.

Oh and he reckons average player's distance for a 5 iron is 140 - 160 yards. Not bad when you think of the equipment being used.

 

[need_my_wedge]

When I carry, I usually drop a number of clubs from the bag anyways. I keep the Driver, 2h, 4h, 7,8,9,P,S and putter Depending how well I'm playing at the time, sometimes drop the driver or the 2h for a 3W. I quite enjoy playing like this because it forces me to play different shots. I think this stems from when I first started playing, I started out with a 6 iron and a putter, and played my first 20 or so rounds with just the 2 clubs, before purchasing a half set.

 

[robbest3offthetee]

Is that where your "name" comes from....