Rule 4.4 about carrying up to 14 clubs.

[Pete Hurrikane]

I have been playing for over 40 years and five years ago I decided to stop carrying my bag because of physical wear and tear (back, shoulder and knee). I used a trolley for a while but felt silly pulling it around. I even tried an electric one but felt the same. Call me vain but I did feel very uncomfortable. I did however find a solution by deciding to carry fewer clubs in a smaller bag. I ditched seven clubs, at least three dozen golf balls and a few other bits and pieces leaving me with a bag weighing about 10lbs.

I used to be a scratch golfer and, because of my physical ailments, thought those days were well behind me, but since I reduced my set I have steadily headed back in that direction. But why has carrying less clubs improved my game?

1) I held on to my favourite clubs, the ones I wanted to be tactically using.

2) I found myself being more imaginative, creative and using touch on more shots.

3) As almost 60% of my game is with two clubs, driver and putter, I felt sure I could cover the other 40% with another 5.

4) Its more fun and takes a lot of peer pressure out of club selection.

Here's my bag...

Driver and putter.

5 wood... from 175 to 225 (yards)

5 hybrid 26°... from 150 to 175

7 iron... from 130 to 150

9 iron... from 10 to 130

Wedge 56° 80 or less - green side bunkers and emergency use only.

I can cover all distances on the course with these clubs and I certainly have more enjoyment and fulfilment doing so. I believe many golfers would benefit from carrying less clubs, if I could go back 40 years and start again I wouldn't carry more than seven.

Attachments:

[Jose Fernandez Spain]

That is insane. I think you may be right for the long clubs, but learning from the go to hit short game shots with "up to" 5 clubs? You'll learn all sorts of bad habits, like helping the ball in the air with your hands because you simply don't have enough loft.

I restrict myself to one club, my 9 iron and usually play bogey golf with it (and yes I do putt out with it).

I don't believe you. This would be impossible at my course, with two 200 yard forced carries over water off the tee, but even assuming you could do it, i think the *best* you could hope for would be bogey golf. Do the math - it just doesn't make sense unless you are playing 4,900 yard courses OR putting like a PGA pro (with your 9 iron). Unless you are about to tell us you hit your 9 iron 200 yards dead straight I don't think you play bogey golf with just a 9 iron on a regulation course.

[Pete Hurrikane]

Apr 19, 2012 17:03:58 GMT -5 @Jose Fernandez Spain said:

That is insane. I think you may be right for the long clubs, but learning from the go to hit short game shots with "up to" 5 clubs? You'll learn all sorts of bad habits, like helping the ball in the air with your hands because you simply don't have enough loft.

I restrict myself to one club, my 9 iron and usually play bogey golf with it (and yes I do putt out with it).

I don't believe you. This would be impossible at my course, with two 200 yard forced carries over water off the tee, but even assuming you could do it, i think the *best* you could hope for would be bogey golf. Do the math - it just doesn't make sense unless you are playing 4,90 yard courses OR putting like a PGA pro (with your 9 iron). Unless you are about to tell us you hit your 9 iron 200 yards dead straight I don't think you play bogey golf with just a 9 iron on a regulation course.

Hi Jose,

I hit my 9 iron on average 110-130 metres, if you bothered to read my post, you would have seen that. My course is 9 hole, 3300 yds and the water hazards are mainly lateral with the longest frontal carry being 125 from the tee. I teach beginners and find little need to carry a bag of clubs onto the course with them. My nine iron does a good job. BTW putting with a nine iron helps iron out all flaws for a solid pedulum stroke.

Come out to my course with your full set and I'll whip your ass with my 9 iron.

P.S. I don't lie, people just fill in the gaps.

[thesandtrapper]

Pete, your OP brings up good points, I don't understand why everyone is jumping down your throat. Playing with less clubs forces you to get creative, and create shots. Not just make the same full swing every time you stand over the ball. That's not to say one doesn't use touch when the play with 14 clubs, but be honest with yourself, how often have you tried to chase a 5 iron from 140 rather than have a full swing with your 8 iron? How many clubs do junior beginner sets come with, 6 clubs, 8? I started the game only playing with 6 clubs for 6 months, and I didn't have a complete set until a year later.

Now I don't play often with less than 14, but when I have it's an enjoyable experience and good practice.

In short, I agree with the fact that many people, especially beginners, would benefit from playing with less clubs. However changing the rules of golf is unnecessary.

[tgmexpertnot]

Its a good suggestion... Most junior sets of clubs (at least the cheapos I had as a kid) were only the odd irons (3,5,7,9,W) 1w,3w, putter... So thats 8 clubs and yes it did make club selection alot easier as compared to someone with 14 who doesn't have a consistent game.

I played a few holes for fun with my brother and nephew who got his first action on a golf course, we each got to pick one club and a putter... Was interesting.

No need in this situation to jump down OPs throat, he made a reasonable and helpful suggestion. Instead of getting caught up in gimmicks and analysis paralysis (which seems the norm in golf instruction) just getting comfortable using a club with finesse in different situations gives you confidence...

One of my biggest leaps in golf was working on a driving range, chipping out the tree balls that couldn't get plucked by the picker... Have a short iron or wedge and just pick spots all over the range to hit from junk lies of all sorts... that type of repetition really improves short game striking... Same idea, instead of thinking technology or some golf instructional pamphlet is going to save you, put in the time and just hit balls over and over again.

[sandblazer]

After reading this thread, I dropped down to 8 clubs: driver, 3h, 5i, 7i, 9i, gap wedge, 60 degree wedge, and putter. I love it. A number of things happened for me:

1. My distance control actually got better. That is, I'm pin-high much more often. I'm not sure exactly why this is, but perhaps it's because I'm working on "feeling" the shot more instead of simply swinging as hard as I comfortably can with every club depending upon the distance.

2. I don't have issues with choosing the "right" club, which has made my confidence go up while standing over the ball.

3. I carry my clubs, so this has certainly been nicer.

4. The game seems more fun to me.

5. My overall confidence level has gone up. i think it's because I'm getting really comfortable with the 8 clubs that I carry.

For those who haven't tried it, I would highly recommend giving it a shot. Thanks, OP, for spurring me on to try this out. I don't think I'll ever go back.

[px2rob]

I've been giving 7 clubs a try, and have to admit, I'm really enjoying it. I play off 7 and played my first tournament with them yesterday. In wet, cold, and windy conditions, I came in right on my handicap with 7 over par.

Playing with this minimalist set seems to turn on a part of the golfing brain that I wasn't using before. Or maybe it's turning on the golfing heart?

Sure keeps the bag nice and light.