Rule 4.4 about carrying up to 14 clubs.

[TheScotsman]

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.

 

[magicmarker]

I love it. I'm all for more creativity and shot making... When you have less clubs to choose from it seems like the 'shot' you need to play becomes more obvious and thus easier to fully commit to. I'm not surprised at all, I've heard the same sentiments expressed around my club before.

 

[willimatic]

About 10 years ago when I was in HS, we use to play occasionally with only 5 clubs including a putter. I would always post a better score than when I had a full bag. My coach and I could not figure it out, but then one day it clicked for me. With the minimal set, I had a different attitude/mindset. First off, I was playing more for fun, and I used my imagination. So I started learning to play that way with a full set and I eventually became a much better player and fast.

Growing up my dad use to always tell me, your imagination is one of the greatest tools you poses as a human. Guess it took me playing with 5 clubs to use it on the course.

 

[TheScotsman]

I love it. I'm all for more creativity and shot making... When you have less clubs to choose from it seems like the 'shot' you need to play becomes more obvious and thus easier to fully commit to. I'm not surprised at all, I've heard the same sentiments expressed around my club before.

About 10 years ago when I was in HS, we use to play occasionally with only 5 clubs including a putter. I would always post a better score than when I had a full bag. My coach and I could not figure it out, but then one day it clicked for me. With the minimal set, I had a different attitude/mindset. First off, I was playing more for fun, and I used my imagination. So I started learning to play that way with a full set and I eventually became a much better player and fast.

Growing up my dad use to always tell me, your imagination is one of the greatest tools you poses as a human. Guess it took me playing with 5 clubs to use it on the course.

The seven club game encourages levels of creativity, imagination and touch that seem to lack in the modern amateur game. I call it the 'dial a club for a specific distance' game that most of us are encouraged to play. I say everyone should try this version for just ten rounds and they probably won't change back either. Most people believe that because the rules allow for up to 14 clubs it must be an advantage to have more. But how many people have actually fully experimented with the possibility that less could be more advantageous for most golfers.

 

[BrendanC]

Makes sense, I overshoot or underclub at least as often as I am pin high!

Would struggle on some courses without PW /52ish loft.

 

[TheScotsman]

Makes sense, I overshoot or underclub at least as often as I am pin high!

Most of us overshoot or underclub more than our fair share of shots because this is our hobby. Occasionally we have holes or rounds where our club meets the ball just as we expected but the fine parameters of the 'dial a club for a specific distance' game requires levels of practice and expertise that most of us haven't earned.

Would struggle on some courses without PW /52ish loft.

That's where the creativity etc really kicks in. If Seve could play every shot with a 4 iron, dropping a couple of wedges isn't that problematic. I prefer to advise people to give this a go with seven clubs of their choice, we can always find space for an extra one or two to compliment them but before we know it, we want closer to 14. I say try it for 10 rounds with seven clubs of your choice.

 

[SteveT]

Playing a casual foursome at the club, one of the players was complaining incessantly about his clubs "not being good".

I asked him: "If you can't hit one club properly, why do you carry 14 ??"

 

[TheScotsman]

Don't be showing this thread to the club manufacturers, they'll want my small head on a stick.

 

[BrendanC]

After some reflection, I think we should aspire to hit 14 clubs well......and that the luxury of using only 7 may be something that at this time is for better players than me!

But I will try a round with a reduced load sometime soon. Ditching the trolly would certainly be a big plus.

 

[TheScotsman]

After some reflection, I think we should aspire to hit 14 clubs well......and that the luxury of using only 7 may be something that at this time is for better players than me!

But I will try a round with a reduced load sometime soon. Ditching the trolly would certainly be a big plus.

Hi Brendan, its nice to be talking to a Dub again. I taught for one season in Cork about 16 years ago. You can't beat the Murphy's can you? I know you're going to say its shoit!

I encourage every level of amateur golfer to play for at least 10 rounds with a 7 club set. I would normally insist that these were counting rounds. I don't want to sound condescending but I believe the weaker the player the more he would profit from this recommendation. I would even go as far as to say better players seven, weaker players 5 or six.

 

[mgranato]

Would you show up for your next tournament with just 7 in the bag?

 

[TheScotsman]

I have been playing for 5 years this way, I would see it as a disadvantage for me to carry more than 7 clubs, be that a tournament or not. I occasionally miss my other wedges but that's only when I make a tactical mistake or hit a poor shot leading up to my approach to the green.
There are occasions where I have to aim at the middle of the green rather than attack a tucked pin but on average this improves my performance. That's the aim of the game, isn't it?

 

[BrendanC]

Hi Scotsman -

Teaching in Cork? Cork people are well known for their extraordinarily high regard for themselves.....can't have been easy trying to give them advice!!!

I may have given the impression that I am 'shoit' but I play a fairly decent game whenever I manage to get out......

I have a few occasions in mind where I'll give this a go.

Driver....5w.....6i........8i.......PW......58/sand club......putter. That's most of my favouirites.

 

[mgranato]

Even with my glasses on, I'm not sure I saw an answer in there. So... if you play in tournaments (or not, doesn't really matter), and you enjoy playing with just 7 clubs, but sometimes make mistakes (as anyone does who ever held a club) and could really use another option... why not have those options available? If it could improve your performance, isn't that the aim?

I don't ever plan on getting in an accident when I pull out of my driveway in the morning, but I sure like the idea of having insurance if a mistake is made. A couple extra clubs might be a little scoring insurance. What you like/plan to use doesn’t have to equal what you carry. I carry more weight than I need just in the off chance I’m ever stranded somewhere for an hour without food. What about playing with what you want, but “carrying” what you might need.

Besides, just 7 leaves zero room for anger management relapses.

 

[TheScotsman]

Teaching in Cork? Cork people are well known for their extraordinarily high regard for themselves.....can't have been easy trying to give them advice!!!

Yes there were a few and they loved telling me, 'The ones that can... play, and the ones that can't... teach.' That type were also too good/bad to take any lessons. But in general I enjoyed it there, nice people, beautiful county, a bit too much rain but they loved my Billy Connelly type accent.

I may have given the impression that I am 'shoit' but I play a fairly decent game whenever I manage to get out......

I have a few occasions in mind where I'll give this a go.

Driver....5w.....6i........8i.......PW......58/sand club......putter. That's most of my favouirites.

Go on yirself! I would however encourage you to commit to 10 games at least without a change. Club choice looks perfect to me.

 

[SteveT]

Many a late summer evening, when I was intent on conquering golf, I would walk the course with a combination of say 8i-GW... 7i-SW... 6i-LW... and no putter, or a putter and an iron of choice. I would play 9 holes until dark, but with pocketfuls of balls... of which I would loose several and put it down to the cost of practice... and no bag of course.

I have a great short game now, but will never adequately master the driver. Interestingly, I am somewhat good with my fairway clubs, but not the 3-wood, which I have replaced with a 12º 2-wood but off the tee only.

If you play 9 holes with an average of 6 balls each... you've played 54 holes by my count... less the walking... and in a couple of hours if you're brisk about it... sleep well too

 

[TheScotsman]

Even with my glasses on, I'm not sure I saw an answer in there. So... if you play in tournaments (or not, doesn't really matter), and you enjoy playing with just 7 clubs, but sometimes make mistakes (as anyone does who ever held a club) and could really use another option... why not have those options available? If it could improve your performance, isn't that the aim?

Yes Touché. I occasionally miss my gap wedges. Doesn't mean I play better when they are in the bag. I still cope better without them.

I don't ever plan on getting in an accident when I pull out of my driveway in the morning, but I sure like the idea of having insurance if a mistake is made. A couple extra clubs might be a little scoring insurance. What you like/plan to use doesn’t have to equal what you carry. I carry more weight than I need just in the off chance I’m ever stranded somewhere for an hour without food. What about playing with what you want, but “carrying” what you might need.

Besides, just 7 leaves zero room for anger management relapses.

I cover all distances with the seven I carry. My explanations were just to cover the usual questions I get asked about tight pins and bad positions etc.

 

[TheScotsman]

Many a late summer evening, when I was intent on conquering golf, I would walk the course with a combination of say 8i-GW... 7i-SW... 6i-LW... and no putter

I teach groups of holiday makers throughout the summer and they normally show up as total beginners for a five day course. We play nine holes at the end of the course and I carry only a nine iron. I play out every hole and try to achieve bogey golf with this club. As I don't tend to practice much, this is a fantastic alternative. Full swing, touch, imagination, creativity and a rock steady putting action when blading the putts.

When my daughter started the game 8 years ago I played on a short par three course (1200yds 9 holes) with her 4 times a week. I played some of my best golf on standard courses during that spell.