Finally got my bag straight (I think)

[LeftDaddy]

Over the past several years, I've tried to figure out the best set makeup for my game. I've probably gamed 100+ variants of a set makeup. I've tried to balance having several wedges with having enough "driver alternatives". I've switched between hybrids and driving / long irons. I've switched between blades and muscle cavities. I've tried at least 4 drivers.

 

My biggest issue was having a driver alternative. I'm finally locked in to a great 3 wood (Cally x2 hot 3 deep). But I also wanted a long iron or hybrid for the tight fairways I play, so I finally settled on the Cally Apex UT 2 iron (great club). I also added a 3 iron because the 2 iron isn't so easy to hit off the fairway.

 

For wedges, I settled on 54 and 58 (used to do 52, 56, 60). I can't tell a whole lot of difference thus far. I didn't use my 60 all that much in the past.

 

About the only "flaw" with my bag right now is that I have no hybrid. I will admit that the hybrid is so easy to hit off the fairway or the rough...but was terrible off the tee for me. So even though the 2 iron is tough to hit off the fairway (and impossible out of the rough), I figured the controlled tee shots were worth it.

 

I'm also still toying with which driver to game, but like the Cally 815 BBA DBD right now...not as long as my 913 D2 for me, but easier to control.

 

Anyone else tried many set combos to find the right one? Still tinkering? Got it figured out?

[redhead]

#firstworldproblem

I'm a quite content person, but in golf, that's my weakness. I know that tinkering won't help me cut my handicap, but there's always a temptation to try this and that.

I wish I knew how to fix this.

[Boricua Golf]

[quote name='redhead' timestamp='1448359943' post='12639250']
#firstworldproblem

I'm a quite content person, but in golf, that's my weakness. I know that tinkering won't help me cut my handicap, but there's always a temptation to try this and that.

I wish I knew how to fix this.
[/quote]

If you are a member of Golf WRX you will never fix your issue!!!!!, welcome to the club!!!!!

[Santiago Golf]

I love when people complain they can't hit hybrid off the tee. Well how bout just dont tee it up. Just hit your tee shot off the deck

[DD4442]

I couldn't hit a two iron with my car. 4 hcp. Hybrid all day.

[bwcorserat]

[quote name='Santiago Golf' timestamp='1448372040' post='12639580']
I love when people complain they can't hit hybrid off the tee. Well how bout just dont tee it up. Just hit your tee shot off the deck
[/quote]
Hold your horses there young feller, that just makes waaaaay too much sense

[Santiago Golf]

[quote name='bwcorserat' timestamp='1448384653' post='12640618']
[quote name='Santiago Golf' timestamp='1448372040' post='12639580']
I love when people complain they can't hit hybrid off the tee. Well how bout just dont tee it up. Just hit your tee shot off the deck
[/quote]
Hold your horses there young feller, that just makes waaaaay too much sense
[/quote]

I know, yet people still think there is some advantage when teeing it up; "oh you get a perfect lie". Its a tee box, on most par 4s and 5s you can find perfect lie without teeing it up.

[Dan Drake]

I want to. I'm trying to transition from Ho'ing a bag to Building a bag so that I can go into 2016 and focus on my game. We'll see how it works out.

[LeftDaddy]

[quote name='Santiago Golf' timestamp='1448384969' post='12640642']
[quote name='bwcorserat' timestamp='1448384653' post='12640618']
[quote name='Santiago Golf' timestamp='1448372040' post='12639580']
I love when people complain they can't hit hybrid off the tee. Well how bout just dont tee it up. Just hit your tee shot off the deck
[/quote]
Hold your horses there young feller, that just makes waaaaay too much sense
[/quote]

I know, yet people still think there is some advantage when teeing it up; "oh you get a perfect lie". Its a tee box, on most par 4s and 5s you can find perfect lie without teeing it up.
[/quote]

I get it...I get it. It's funny you said that because when I typed it I thought "Some {insert derogatory name here} is going to say 'Just don't tee it up'"

And yes, that just makes too much sense. However, for whatever reason, off the tee box (with or without the tee) I hook / pull the hell out of my hybrid. I'm sure it is mental, because in the rough or off the fairway I don't have the issue as much. So maybe I should just pretend I am hitting to a green, or pretend I'm in the fairway. Whatever...I don't know, but all I will say is that I have been MUCH more successful off the tee with my driving iron than with my hybrid.

I was also the kind of guy that never teed up my irons on par 3s. My logic was that I hit them out of all sorts of lies the rest of the round, so why should this be any different. And, the tee can magnify a hook. But I read enough evidence that teeing them up a little was really helpful, so now I tee them up. I would say that on average, that has been really helpful to my game.

So the same logic should apply to hybrids...i.e. tee them up when you can. But the hook just gets magnified that way for me at least.

My final point here, and I'll shut up Because teeing up a wood or driver or driving iron is useful, helps me hit the sweet spot more often, and helps me get a little extra distance from that club, then the same logic should apply to a hybrid. But teeing it up magnifies the miss moreso than with the other clubs. Therefore, it stands to reason that if I feel confident off the tee teeing up a driving iron, but don't with a hybrid (and don't when I don't tee it up), then I should just play the driving iron (i.e. why play a shot I'm not as confident with, regardless of my reasoning?).

[LeftDaddy]

[quote name='redhead' timestamp='1448359943' post='12639250']
#firstworldproblem

I'm a quite content person, but in golf, that's my weakness. I know that tinkering won't help me cut my handicap, but there's always a temptation to try this and that.

I wish I knew how to fix this.
[/quote]

I'm not sure it doesn't help. For example, all of my tinkering lead me to a 3 wood that I hit 15 yards farther than any other 3 wood. And I struggled so much with my driver over the summer that the 3 wood became a lifesaver. Frankly, I should probably just get rid of the driver altogether although I know it has its use.

Anyway, I'd say that driving iron has single-handedly changed my approach to 3 of the toughest holes on my home course (all with 3 very tight fairways). Those holes used to give me fits. Now, with the driving iron, I actually have some confidence that I will find the fairway on those 3 holes.

But you are probably right elsewhere in the bag...I'm not sure all of the new / different irons / wedges have made all that much difference.

First world problems, I know...

[pwebber]

[quote name='DD4442' timestamp='1448379158' post='12640184']
I couldn't hit a two iron with my car. 4 hcp. Hybrid all day.
[/quote]

I've never seen in person a good player with a 2 iron. I'm sure they exist, but maybe only on TV

[carn9698]

The problem is we search for 14 magic wands. Tough search.

[Santiago Golf]

[quote name='LeftDaddy' timestamp='1448389385' post='12641014']
[quote name='Santiago Golf' timestamp='1448384969' post='12640642']
[quote name='bwcorserat' timestamp='1448384653' post='12640618']
[quote name='Santiago Golf' timestamp='1448372040' post='12639580']
I love when people complain they can't hit hybrid off the tee. Well how bout just dont tee it up. Just hit your tee shot off the deck
[/quote]
Hold your horses there young feller, that just makes waaaaay too much sense
[/quote]

I know, yet people still think there is some advantage when teeing it up; "oh you get a perfect lie". Its a tee box, on most par 4s and 5s you can find perfect lie without teeing it up.
[/quote]

I get it...I get it. It's funny you said that because when I typed it I thought "Some {insert derogatory name here} is going to say 'Just don't tee it up'"

And yes, that just makes too much sense. However, for whatever reason, off the tee box (with or without the tee) I hook / pull the hell out of my hybrid. I'm sure it is mental, because in the rough or off the fairway I don't have the issue as much. So maybe I should just pretend I am hitting to a green, or pretend I'm in the fairway. Whatever...I don't know, but all I will say is that I have been MUCH more successful off the tee with my driving iron than with my hybrid.

I was also the kind of guy that never teed up my irons on par 3s. My logic was that I hit them out of all sorts of lies the rest of the round, so why should this be any different. And, the tee can magnify a hook. But I read enough evidence that teeing them up a little was really helpful, so now I tee them up. I would say that on average, that has been really helpful to my game.

So the same logic should apply to hybrids...i.e. tee them up when you can. But the hook just gets magnified that way for me at least.

My final point here, and I'll shut up Because teeing up a wood or driver or driving iron is useful, helps me hit the sweet spot more often, and helps me get a little extra distance from that club, then the same logic should apply to a hybrid. But teeing it up magnifies the miss moreso than with the other clubs. Therefore, it stands to reason that if I feel confident off the tee teeing up a driving iron, but don't with a hybrid (and don't when I don't tee it up), then I should just play the driving iron (i.e. why play a shot I'm not as confident with, regardless of my reasoning?).
[/quote]

I now alot of players that play a 2 iron and 3 hybrid. When you need to keep the ball down hit the iron and hit the 3 hybrid when you need to throw the ball up in the air from a long distance

[ryanmn4]

Personally I don't WANT my bag to be complete. I enjoy the tinkering, the ho'ing, the constant buying and reselling. As far as hobbies go it actually isn't that expensive, as long as you're not one of those guys buying $4,000 Scotty's (although I'd LOVE to do that, just don't want to spend the money).

If I didn't ho, what the hell would I talk to you guys about?

[bwcorserat]

[quote name='LeftDaddy' timestamp='1448389385' post='12641014']
[quote name='Santiago Golf' timestamp='1448384969' post='12640642']
[quote name='bwcorserat' timestamp='1448384653' post='12640618']
[quote name='Santiago Golf' timestamp='1448372040' post='12639580']
I love when people complain they can't hit hybrid off the tee. Well how bout just dont tee it up. Just hit your tee shot off the deck
[/quote]
Hold your horses there young feller, that just makes waaaaay too much sense
[/quote]

I know, yet people still think there is some advantage when teeing it up; "oh you get a perfect lie". Its a tee box, on most par 4s and 5s you can find perfect lie without teeing it up.
[/quote]

I get it...I get it. It's funny you said that because when I typed it I thought "Some {insert derogatory name here} is going to say 'Just don't tee it up'"

And yes, that just makes too much sense. However, for whatever reason, off the tee box (with or without the tee) I hook / pull the hell out of my hybrid. I'm sure it is mental, because in the rough or off the fairway I don't have the issue as much. So maybe I should just pretend I am hitting to a green, or pretend I'm in the fairway. Whatever...I don't know, but all I will say is that I have been MUCH more successful off the tee with my driving iron than with my hybrid.

I was also the kind of guy that never teed up my irons on par 3s. My logic was that I hit them out of all sorts of lies the rest of the round, so why should this be any different. And, the tee can magnify a hook. But I read enough evidence that teeing them up a little was really helpful, so now I tee them up. I would say that on average, that has been really helpful to my game.

So the same logic should apply to hybrids...i.e. tee them up when you can. But the hook just gets magnified that way for me at least.

My final point here, and I'll shut up Because teeing up a wood or driver or driving iron is useful, helps me hit the sweet spot more often, and helps me get a little extra distance from that club, then the same logic should apply to a hybrid. But teeing it up magnifies the miss moreso than with the other clubs. Therefore, it stands to reason that if I feel confident off the tee teeing up a driving iron, but don't with a hybrid (and don't when I don't tee it up), then I should just play the driving iron (i.e. why play a shot I'm not as confident with, regardless of my reasoning?).
[/quote]
The derogatory name for me would be smart(you know what), anyway that's what my wife thinks. Your answer makes a lot of sense too, and yes you're right, if you hit the hybrid good off the fairway and have a problem from the tee it is most likely mental. Who knows maybe you're just trying to get a little too much out of it and your tempo might get fast(happens to me).
I'm gonna equate this to, let's say laying up on a par 5 to a good scoring distance. For me, I usually make a good strike, on a good line, to a specific distance a really good percentage of the time. But I may have this same distance on a par 3 and not make a good swing at all, I know this is mental. If we could all just remember golf is a game that we need to try really hard at trying less.
I do like your last comment on confidence, I don't care if it's a rock tied to a stick if you have confidence in it, hit it.

[chershey]

That's a sweet bag your gaming! Have you tried the Alpha 815 Hybrids? There the first one's I've really gotten along with. Easy to hit off the ground or tee and most importantly they don't hook for me. They've become my money clubs on tight fairways.

[LeftDaddy]

[quote name='chershey' timestamp='1448391793' post='12641242']
That's a sweet bag your gaming! Have you tried the Alpha 815 Hybrids? There the first one's I've really gotten along with. Easy to hit off the ground or tee and most importantly they don't hook for me. They've become my money clubs on tight fairways.
[/quote]

Thanks! I have the Cally x2 hot pro hybrid. I really like it overall...just not entirely confident from the tee. I'm sure the Alpha 815s are the bomb, but I'm staying put with my driving iron right now.

I like Santiago's suggestion of replacing my 3 iron with a 3 or 4 hybrid. I may give that a try. Damn! Now my bag isn't complete anymore.

[DaRiz]

Let's have a round of applause for the guy who's only kidding himself

[clintwilli23]

I said my bag was finally complete about 2mo ago...but then wouldn't ya know it, just yesterday I bought a new 3wood haha. Just as soon as I think I've got it figured out my mind starts wondering & my fingers start scrolling for something new.

[nikolai086]

I've been saying that my bag is set, but yesterday on my lunch break I found myself trolling eBay and wondering about a 52*/58* wedge setup and adding a second, lower-lofted hybrid.

The struggle is real. And I'm not half of the club ho that many on here seem to be.

[fairwaysRoverated]

There's nothing wrong with tinkering, but is it a hobby or for the purpose of being more consistent? Some guys just like to constantly change up the bag, but it doesn't do anything for their game. Others tinker with a purpose. Some won't even put a new club into the bag until they are comfortable with it doing what they think it will do. I'd say that if you like the 2 iron off the box, but have trouble hitting it high enough off the deck then try some new shafts in it. Maybe even go graphite and see how that works.

Ultimately unless your playing for money every weekend (not tour type money, but even 60 bucks) it really doesn't matter what you do. Just have fun with it and enjoy the game no matter what that means.

[BronxGolf]

[quote name='Santiago Golf' timestamp='1448390870' post='12641146']
[quote name='LeftDaddy' timestamp='1448389385' post='12641014']
[quote name='Santiago Golf' timestamp='1448384969' post='12640642']
[quote name='bwcorserat' timestamp='1448384653' post='12640618']
[quote name='Santiago Golf' timestamp='1448372040' post='12639580']
I love when people complain they can't hit hybrid off the tee. Well how bout just dont tee it up. Just hit your tee shot off the deck
[/quote]
Hold your horses there young feller, that just makes waaaaay too much sense
[/quote]

I know, yet people still think there is some advantage when teeing it up; "oh you get a perfect lie". Its a tee box, on most par 4s and 5s you can find perfect lie without teeing it up.
[/quote]

I get it...I get it. It's funny you said that because when I typed it I thought "Some {insert derogatory name here} is going to say 'Just don't tee it up'"

And yes, that just makes too much sense. However, for whatever reason, off the tee box (with or without the tee) I hook / pull the hell out of my hybrid. I'm sure it is mental, because in the rough or off the fairway I don't have the issue as much. So maybe I should just pretend I am hitting to a green, or pretend I'm in the fairway. Whatever...I don't know, but all I will say is that I have been MUCH more successful off the tee with my driving iron than with my hybrid.

I was also the kind of guy that never teed up my irons on par 3s. My logic was that I hit them out of all sorts of lies the rest of the round, so why should this be any different. And, the tee can magnify a hook. But I read enough evidence that teeing them up a little was really helpful, so now I tee them up. I would say that on average, that has been really helpful to my game.

So the same logic should apply to hybrids...i.e. tee them up when you can. But the hook just gets magnified that way for me at least.

My final point here, and I'll shut up Because teeing up a wood or driver or driving iron is useful, helps me hit the sweet spot more often, and helps me get a little extra distance from that club, then the same logic should apply to a hybrid. But teeing it up magnifies the miss moreso than with the other clubs. Therefore, it stands to reason that if I feel confident off the tee teeing up a driving iron, but don't with a hybrid (and don't when I don't tee it up), then I should just play the driving iron (i.e. why play a shot I'm not as confident with, regardless of my reasoning?).
[/quote]

I now alot of players that play a 2 iron and 3 hybrid. When you need to keep the ball down hit the iron and hit the 3 hybrid when you need to throw the ball up in the air from a long distance
[/quote]

Interesting...I have a Rbladez 3i (18 degree - I know more like an old fashioned 1 iron) that I do like off the tee - so I am thinking of keeping that and maybe getting a hybrid to replace my 21 degree R Bladez 4i - then go back to my 24 degree RBladez 5i

[KjBowen]

I had my bag straight 3 times this week alone

[magpies69]

hybrid all day for me. Irons are tough. Perhaps you should start getting use to it then?