Do I Need a 14th Club?

[HateTheHighDraw]

Suggestions

Right now my bag is set up as follows:

Driver - 275yrds
4 wood (16.5) - 245ish
3 hybrid (20*) - 225ish
4-PW
52 GW
58 SW/LW
Putter

I like the simplicity of this set up, especially for my short game, less choices between 52/58 helps me focus on shotmaking and not second guess club selection. Do I need a 14th club somewhere? Maybe another hybrid?

[rocker40]

I have the same setup. Ive been working with 13clubs as well.
I saw another post where someone had a long 19* hybrid and a short 21* hybrid.

[k b]

add a 3i or extra hybrid only if there's a signicant gap between your 4i and hybrid.


otherwise, i would STRONGLY recommend you add a strong 3 wood of maybe 13*.

if you hit your driver 275, and your 4w 245, that's a 30yd gap. if you add a strong 3 wood, you'll have no gap in your entire set, assuming there's no major gaps anywhere else.

[Potatohead]

How far do you hit 4 iron?

Judging by the rest of your distances I would guess about 210, which is fine for gaps IMO. A 20 yard gap at 220+ yards is not a big deal, you only have two or three of those shots a round. I would dump the 58 and get a 56 and 60.

If you only hit 4i about 200 and like the wedge setup, a 22* hybrid or something you hit about 210 would be good to have... Although I think filling in gaps in the 80 - 130 range is more important.

[Hit em good]

I have almost the same set up (except 52/56 in wedges), and only 13 clubs.

I do not recommend messing with your wedge set up, since your's works for you. 58* is plenty of loft.

I just recently added a 3 iron for the 14th club. I'm still getting used to it, so I don't know if it will stay. I added it for possible use on those longer shots into the wind, or narrow tee shots on short par 4's, etcc., rather than the 19* hybrid which can sometimes get away from me or go a little high. We'll see if it stays.

Good luck

[eric_b]

I'm rocking a 13 club setup as well....it works really well for me (i.e. I don't think I'm giving any shots away because of equipment) because I don't have any major gaps.

If you don't have any major gaps.....and if the 30 yard gap between your driver and 4 wood doesn't bother you....I don't see why you would add a 14th club.

All that matters is scoring....if you're scoring ok (by your standards) with this setup, why spend the money?

[HateTheHighDraw]

[quote name='Potatohead' timestamp='1329418809' post='4301321']
How far do you hit 4 iron?

Judging by the rest of your distances I would guess about 210, which is fine for gaps IMO. A 20 yard gap at 220+ yards is not a big deal, you only have two or three of those shots a round. I would dump the 58 and get a 56 and 60.

If you only hit 4i about 200 and like the wedge setup, a 22* hybrid or something you hit about 210 would be good to have... Although I think filling in gaps in the 80 - 130 range is more important.
[/quote]

Thanks for everyone's comments/ideas. Yea my 4 iron is about 210ish. I may add a 3 iron so I can flight some longer shots if needed, but I feel like I'm unlikely to use it, maybe once every 2-3 rounds. I'll probably stick with my 13 club set up for now and see if swing improvements necessitate any revised gapping. Thought about doing the 56-60 instead of the 58, but the 58 flat out works for me.

[Hit em good]

Man, if the 58 is working for you, be careful messing around with your wedge loft combo.

Exchanging your 58 for the 56/60 can divide your practice time and attention between the two clubs, and consequentally your distance feel and touch.

[CaddiesFault]

idk...i see a lot of ppl here playing with 13 clubs, but to me thats like a football coach having 10 really good players on his defense and wondering if he should even play an 11th...of course you should! if they allow you to play with 14 and everyone else is, it seems like a disadvantage if you dont. grab a 13* missile laucher or something and give your self a run at more par 5s.

[JLo_73]

Same set up minus 4I but my hybrid is 22. To me with the longer clubs in the bag, a 10 degree difference is really hard to see unless you are playing everyday.

I am thinking about a 64 degree so I don't have to open face of 58 for flop shots...

[HighTopFade]

Sorry if I go a little off topic. Is it ok to have 13 clubs; one of them being an adjustable driver? If you make it known that you are using two specific settings on your driver, is it ok to use the "other" setting as your 14th club? It's pretty much the same as getting the same driver with a different setting. But much cheaper.

[BigPete]

[quote name='HighTopFade' timestamp='1329469969' post='4306677']
Sorry if I go a little off topic. Is it ok to have 13 clubs; one of them being an adjustable driver? If you make it known that you are using two specific settings on your driver, is it ok to use the "other" setting as your 14th club? It's pretty much the same as getting the same driver with a different setting. But much cheaper.
[/quote]

Nope - you can't adjust any club during the round according to the Rules.

I have 12 clubs at the moment I think - similar set up but bigger gaps in the irons.. I might add the 4 and / or 3 iron for windy days

[ryancjordan]

I have the exact same bag, same 16.5, 20, 52, 58 lofts and everything. I just carry a 3 iron as well. For some reason I prefer hitting 3 iron off the tee on longer par 3s, though the gap between my 3i and hybrid is quite small.

[Greg45]

[quote name='h0ss66' timestamp='1329417253' post='4301063']
Right now my bag is set up as follows:

Driver - 275yrds
4 wood (16.5) - 245ish
3 hybrid (20*) - 225ish
4-PW
52 GW

I have exactly the same setup except I use a 56 instead of 58. Works for me.
58 SW/LW
Putter

I like the simplicity of this set up, especially for my short game, less choices between 52/58 helps me focus on shotmaking and not second guess club selection. Do I need a 14th club somewhere? Maybe another hybrid?
[/quote]

[Westie]

I play with 13 clubs as well and feel more at ease with less second guessing. Why play a club you are not comfortable with? I go driver,4w,3hi,4-gw and 56deg sand wedge. Only club I ever add is a deep faced 5 wood for accuracy off the tee or a lob wedge if the course has a high number of green side bunkers etc. Playing 13 leaves you with options if you play a different track. Not to mention 13 can even be paired down to 12 if you want to walk the course and carry your bag as I often do. I see nothing wrong with playing one less club if you needed it that bad you would find a way to play it. Often times we hae to be realistic in our performance and mastering 14 clubs is not something that can be done overnight.

[phil59]

[quote name='h0ss66' timestamp='1329417253' post='4301063']
Right now my bag is set up as follows:

Driver - 275yrds
4 wood (16.5) - 245ish
3 hybrid (20*) - 225ish
4-PW
52 GW
58 SW/LW
Putter

I like the simplicity of this set up, especially for my short game, less choices between 52/58 helps me focus on shotmaking and not second guess club selection. Do I need a 14th club somewhere? Maybe another hybrid?
[/quote]

your bag is perfect.

you can try a 64 LW, it is not necessary but useful in specials situations , it is not difficult to shoot with it. a good 14th club with your bag.

good golf

[harleydavis]

If you are happy with all your gaps why not put another driver in the bag. Something set up to hit the opposite shot shape than you currently default to.

[SurfinTurf]

I'd suggest picking up a Ping OG Rapture 14* 3 wood. It's got a huge all titanium head and you can find them cheap. Throw the straightest shaft you can find in it which for me is a PX. Use it off the tee as your mini driver for conservative play.

[allegrolink]

If you have no wishes, then be happy. Do you wish you had an alternative to your current driver or 4-wood off the tee? Then consider adding a 3-wood. Do you wish you had something the same length as your 4-iron but higher flight? Then consider a hybrid. Do you wish you could use a belly putter but hate them on long putts? Maybe you are the guy who (as Golf Digest suggested) carries two putters.

When I questioned my set up to my pro, he suggested that many pros use a 20 club rule -- they have 20 clubs and pull the 14 they want for the course and conditions they face that day. I reminded him that I need to pay for my clubs but I still have alternates that I can swap in if I feel the day suggests a 5-wood for example.