Seven clubs or fewer?

[Fellaheen51]

Giving this some contemplation this evening (fully bored with watching CFB), could envision minimalist golf an eminently doable proposition.

7 club bag: 3W, 7W, 7i, 9i, PW, SW, Putter.
5 club bag: 4W, 6i, 9i, GW (50*-52*), Putter.

Intriguing, may have to give this a try next season. Betcha it would have a minimal impact on score (> 5 strokes) compared with using a full bag. Since I use maybe half the clubs in the bag during a typical round. Baffle the golf buds yet again.

[minimal45]

I usually shoot better with fewer clubs. My best 9 hole round played was with 3w,4h,7i,sw,putter. Shot a 2 over 38.

[scruffynick]

Soon to be purchased 28 degree hybrid (not sure what yet)

I've got a ping eye 2 7 wood which I'm using, but I might just get a 5 iron hybrid (it an Xmas present after all) just something different really. Plus my ping eye 2 7 wood is really banged up, been a great servant thou!

 

If you don't mind, I'd recommend trying persimmons. Cheap to try, especially if you're looking for fairway woods. It'll sound and feel great.

Had a rethink since Christmas after hitting a few hybrids and I really just don't get the enjoyment out of modern clubs at all. I just can't feel anything when hitting them. Anyway, I've managed to get hold of a newer less banged up ping eye 2 7-woo d and I feel far happier. I cut off an inch and regripped it nicely and I'm miles better with it than any 3,4 or 5 iron. But my further thought is going back to ping eye 2 irons.....best irons ever made for me. The yonex are my dad's anyway, so I'm going to get a 6, 8,9 in ping eye 2s (have a brilliant I3 sw that I'll never change)

 

In reflection I'm looking forward to my wee project!

 

I've had a stroke of luck.....was on the school run yesterday and went past a charity shop and in the window was some golf clubs and I always look (can't help myself) and bang ping eye 2s! Couldn't believe it, 4-sw (no 7 iron) with an old knackered bag.....all for £20!!!! They were well pleased to got

shot and I was over the moon with my find and unbelievable luck! But the 5 iron shaft is bent and the pw isn't in the best condition but considering I'm going to not use them clubs it doesn't matter. They need regripping (the old green lined pings) as they are beyond worn and shinny......I just can't believe my luck, and right under my nose in my local village!!

[kenstl]

I too went back to carrying fewer clubs last year and it improved my scoring on most of those rounds. I think some of that has to do with only going with clubs that have "earned the right" to be in the bag. Clubs that are not consistently struck properly over 5 shots should probably not be in the bag anyway. I do like to carry up to 9 clubs though at times. The make up below usually works, or sometimes I take out the 4 iron and add a hybrid, 3 wood or 1 iron, or just add one of those clubs, especially on longer courses.

 

Driver

4, 6, 8, PW, 52, 57

Putter

[Sky High Handicap]

If just 5, then;

Driver

3 Hybrid

7 Iron

9 Iron

Putter

 

If 6, then add a 5 Iron.

If 7, then add a 52 Degree AW.

 

No interest in playing with less than 5.

[minimal45]

Less than 5 and I don't like it. I've played 5 for so long it seems normal. I might go up to 6 or even 7 but usually 5. Tee club,long shots,mid shots, short approach, and for me always a putter. I'm sure I can play up to my potential this way. I tried to be technical in my game but was awful with a full set.

[Sklaffer]

Currently carrying my winter set: 3W, 4H, 6i, 8i, PW, Putter

Often play a 1 club round (about once per month). Good fun.

 

What's your 1 club selection ?

 

Mid iron, usually a 6i.

Long enough to reach the fairway, lofted enough to chip n' run and get out of bunkers.

Putting with it is a pain in the bum though

.

[Langlands]

6 clubs for me in the winter - driver, 5,7,9, SW and putter. Pencil bag is as light as a feather ?

[minimal45]

5 or 6 clubs in a sunday bag is almost like carrying nothing at all. I can walk 18 and not even feel tired.

[Fish59]

I will on different days when practising take out my odd irons, 5, 7, 9, GW, Putter with my Driver & 4w in support, the next session I would take my evens, 4, 6, 8, P/W, Putter but now with only my Mini-driver in support, great little practice sessions to manufacture shots and adopt a bit of course management.

 

Always amazes me when you see the scores for the 3-club challenges come in, makes me wonder sometimes if we don't over complicate things by carrying 14 clubs?

[oldschoolrocker]

Well, I played nine yesterday carrying 7 clubs, rode nine today with 14. Guess which kit I had the best round with? That's right, the seven club one.

[minimal45]

Osr that is great. Do you play full set much or mostly 7?

[BIG STU]

Well, I played nine yesterday carrying 7 clubs, rode nine today with 14. Guess which kit I had the best round with? That's right, the seven club one.

Hope it was warmer in Chuckytown than it was here if not I hope you did not freeze your nads off!

[oldschoolrocker]

No, my friend, it was COLD. Has been down in the mid 20's at night. Played a full 18 today in a balmy mid 40's with wind.

[oldschoolrocker]

Minimal,

I find myself playing mostly less than a full set these days, especially walking, which I do as often as possible.

Started when I put together a number of vintage iron sets, that were missing a club here and a club there. I seem to perfer the 2,4,6,8,w,sw,p. The 2 being either a 2 wood or 2 iron for seven and both for eight.

 

[minimal45]

Osr- I have this image of you walking down the fairway puffing on your pipe with a one strap bag over your shoulder like 7 clubs in it maybe some old style headcovers. Would love to play a round with you.

[oldschoolrocker]

The image is quite accurate. Would welcome the round Min.

My sons and I are thinking about making our own bags. An idea o have had for a time now. When we start the process I will start a thread on it.

[stevemcgee99]

I'd love a bag like I have but that was made well, and to last.

[minimal45]

The image is quite accurate. Would welcome the round Min.

My sons and I are thinking about making our own bags. An idea o have had for a time now. When we start the process I will start a thread on it.

I look forward to hearing about it!

[Rookie1422]

I find myself carrying the full 14, every round is. Chance to throw up a good number. Don't get out to often so even when I get out its GAME ON!

[tlhorsh]

I totally here what you guys are saying about less is more. Back during the high school golf season, I challenged my 9th graders. The four of them could use scramble for there ball and I could only use one club and a putter. It was the par 4 1st hole. I picked a 7 iron. Tee shot hooded one down the left side about 175 left to hole. 2nd shot back I the stance hooded again shot to front right of the green chip and a putt for par.

[BIG STU]

The image is quite accurate. Would welcome the round Min.

My sons and I are thinking about making our own bags. An idea o have had for a time now. When we start the process I will start a thread on it.

Good Idea i can remember a lady who used to play our old par 3 course crocheted her a bag from scratch to carry her 3 clubs in. It was pretty neat. I remember her and her husband played that little par 3 every weekend

[gsea33]

seven clubs - my ping zing blond 3 wood(15*), eye 2s- 2,4,6,8,w Putter. Most of the time just add a driver.

[ontos]

I've been playing with just 6 clubs lately and don't think I'll go back to carrying a full set. I've been putting up some of my best scores ever.

 

I usually carry:

Driver

5 Hybrid

7i

9i

52* Vokey

Putter

 

I rarely want for another club and carrying them in a Callaway hyper light bag makes walking painless. If I had to get to 5, I'd probably take out the 9i.

[BIG STU]

I have been reading on this and since it is cold and having flurries I cut the heat on in the shop and decided to put together a whole new vintage miminum club set. This is what I came up with

Driver; Power Bilt Citation persimmon

5 wood; 70s Mac MT aluminum insert

4 iron KZG forged blade sorta modern but I hit it good and it is the only one like that I have

7 &9 irons Mac Tour Blades Forged

PW Hogan PC forged 50*

SW Hogan Special 52* bent to 54*

Putter Cleveland designed By 8802 type

Bag- Old 80s Sun Mountain nylon carry non stand

My goal in this was to use clubs that were not in my usual vintage rotation

It got cold out in the shop even with the heater on so I closed up and came in the house

[minimal45]

Nice bigstu. I like the driver selection. Gotta love the oldies!

[stevemcgee99]

Next summer I want to start doing dawn 9-hole rounds before work.

My set would be 2w, 4w, 2-4-6-8-W, putter.

[minimal45]

I saw a guy last year that had me beat in the minimal department. He was 60's probably. Very short and round. Nice guy. He had an old dunlop Sunday bag with only 3 clubs. The clubs were well rusted. A blade 4i,old pw,and a chrome bullseye style putter that was rusted and had a bent shaft. The grips were cracked and breaking. With that setup from what i counted he shot at least 60 for the 9 but he actually kept up the pace really well. I shot a 47 that day and still didn't find myself waiting on him even though he needed at least 13 more shots than me. It was fun for me and he seemed pleased with his round. He said they were the only three clubs he cared to own.???? I was like this guy is cool!

[p3ga]

Just wanted to thank you folks for opening up my eyes to a minimalist approach.

 

Went out today with just 7 clubs (D, 19 hybrid, 6, 8, P, 56 wedge, putter) and walked a 6 hole loop recommended by our Assistant Pro.

 

I was pleasantly surprised by how much better I was striking the ball by having fewer 'options'. I'm going to stick with this thru the month of February and go from there. Really was heck of a lot of fun.

[oldschoolrocker]

Up to now I have kept the irons of the same brand and vintage within the bag, but, I believe I will put together a 7 club play set of what I think will be the most productive clubs, irregardless of brand, design, and age.

Will report back.