Starting a new adventure . . . Minimalist Golf

[minimal45]

[quote name='leerob3' timestamp='1394714176' post='8861673']
This is a lot of fun, I play like this early morning or twilight. Helps develop hitting different shots and I can play 18 in under 3 hours. Bag usually consists of.

Driver
19 Hybrid
5-7-9 Iron
56 Wedge
Putter

Also play a fun game sometimes with group in which you can only pick one club to use per hole start to finish.
[/quote]I think the best part is how much it speeds things up, faster rounds helps everyone.

[Noble6]

I keep a "Sunday bag" ready to go at all times, great for a quick 9. Here it is -

D, 5h. 7i, PW, SW, P

Forced creativity is a good thing! My scores are really about the same as with a full bag too. Why do I ever use a full bag? Oh yeah, I like gear!

[gvogel]

I think that the "new" mini drivers (think brassie) are going to be just perfect for my minimalist bag. When I get the Ping Rapture dialed in, I'm going Rapture, 5-wood, 23* hybrid, 6, 8-iron, pw, Sw, putter. That's 8 clubs, which would be a breeze to carry. I could get more minimal by ditching the hybrid and going 5, 7, 9-iron, sw putter. 7 clubs - we're talking Chick Evans there!

[bifftaco]

I am a big fan of walking and a (semi) minimalist bag has helped this cause. I have settled on 11 clubs for this year, which is not quite minimal, but less than a full 14. I could go down to 9, but that feels like there are serious gaps for a short hitter like myself. I would like to eliminate a few more clubs in the future though - I really do think that eliminating decision does lead to better scoring in the long run.

[Upgrayedd]

Played barefoot quite a bit when I was younger. Played 9 holes with just a 7i once. One year the ground was so hard I played driver-putter for awhile until the putter broke. Most putters really aren't designed to hit more than 50 yards. Last time out it was 7 clubs but there are a couple of luxury clubs in there just because I like to hit them. This summer I plan to get my carry bag down to six clubs and six balls. The clubs will be Driver, 5i, 7i, 9i, UW, putter. The putter is very light and the gap wedge I can lay open very easily.

[minimal45]

My set for 2014 is in my signatue. I will play this every round this year. I'm interested to see if my handicap changes at all. In 2013 I played 5 to 9 clubs in my bag. I scored best when I used 5. So this year I will play every round this way. My home course is a small 9 hole par 35, but I will do some traveling and use this set on a few larger layouts. I can keep you up to speed on how I fair if you'd like.

[CafecitoHippo]

I love mini golf! Wait, is that what we're talking about here?

[minimal45]

[quote name='riehlg' timestamp='1397517813' post='9091589']
I love mini golf! Wait, is that what we're talking about here?
[/quote]nopen wrong thread.

[Tiny Toes]

G25 3 wood with Tour AD DI7s shaft
i25 5i 7i 9i Ping Z-Z65 stiff shaft
Scratch 54 Degree wedge
Cameron Tei3 Santa Fe 33.5 inches 2 flat.

[minimal45]

[quote name='Tiny Toes' timestamp='1397523976' post='9092447']
G25 3 wood with Tour AD DI7s shaft
i25 5i 7i 9i Ping Z-Z65 stiff shaft
Scratch 54 Degree wedge
Cameron Tei3 Santa Fe 33.5 inches 2 flat.
[/quote]do you play that setup often TT?

[Tiny Toes]

[quote name='twooverowl' timestamp='1397525193' post='9092609']
[quote name='Tiny Toes' timestamp='1397523976' post='9092447']
G25 3 wood with Tour AD DI7s shaft
i25 5i 7i 9i Ping Z-Z65 stiff shaft
Scratch 54 Degree wedge
Cameron Tei3 Santa Fe 33.5 inches 2 flat.
[/quote]do you play that setup often TT?
[/quote]

I play this set-up for fun sometimes to challenge myself. I'm an 8 handicap but a little mix up makes it fun . Here's my full setup:
913 D2 9.5 Tour AD DI7s
G25 3 wood Tour AD DI7s
Ping Rapture 2 iron (going to get a AD DI7s hybrid shaft in it)
4-6 i25 7-PW S55 irons both with Ping Z-Z65 stiff shafts 1.75 degrees upright (I like to play a mid fade in my irons)
50 54 58 Scratch Wedges
Cameron Tei3 Santa Fe 33.5 in 2* flat

Couldn't be happier with this set honestly..

[minimal45]

Its fantastic if you ask me. Love the tour ad you got in your bag.

[student of the game]

Played my first round yesterday with my minimalist set up and the results were amazing. Played 9 holes in terrible conditions and managed to shoot 1 over par, it was an amazing experience and I hope to get a lot more rounds in to see if this holds up.

[rockinar]

[quote name='student of the game' timestamp='1384527102' post='8152956']

A pro can hit a hybrid with pin point accuracy
[/quote]


Matt Kutcher would not agree.

[parpar41]

[quote name='student of the game' timestamp='1397584820' post='9097581']
Played my first round yesterday with my minimalist set up and the results were amazing. Played 9 holes in terrible conditions and managed to shoot 1 over par, it was an amazing experience and I hope to get a lot more rounds in to see if this holds up.
[/quote]

I lived in Toronto for over 20 years, more than twenty years ago.

What course were you able to play yesterday (given the brutal winter weather)??

[minimal45]

Was able to get 9 holes in today finally after the brutal winter. Played a local course with my minimalist setup and shot a 46. Par was 35.

[student of the game]

[quote name='parpar41' timestamp='1397607472' post='9100429']
[quote name='student of the game' timestamp='1397584820' post='9097581']
Played my first round yesterday with my minimalist set up and the results were amazing. Played 9 holes in terrible conditions and managed to shoot 1 over par, it was an amazing experience and I hope to get a lot more rounds in to see if this holds up.
[/quote]

I lived in Toronto for over 20 years, more than twenty years ago.

What course were you able to play yesterday (given the brutal winter weather)??
[/quote]

I work at lion head so I was able to sneak out for a quick 9

[kasparaitis]

Used this setup twice: 20* hybrid, 7Iron, 52, 60, putter.

I still prefer my 12 club bag, but trying the above setup was refreshing. Definitely will do it again.

[student of the game]

Got out for my second minimalist round late last week and had another great experience.

Played 18 holes at about 6700 yards. Shot 5 over par and I missed an 8 footer on the 18th to shoot even par on the back 9. I am getting progressively more comfortable hitting less than full shots and muscling shots when I need to.

Going to stick with this set up for awhile

[ScooterMcTavish]

Funny, I bought my daughter a set of clubs for her birthday, and noticed it is only one club more than the set I learned on - a 7 piece traditional set (1w, 3w, 3, 5, 7, 9i, putter).

I know when I went to my first full set of irons how much I loved having the extra clubs. But you guys have me thinking I should find a Sunday bag, and try the same setup as my youth.

Hmmmmmm. Any maybe I can only use found golf balls.

[AdotWu]

What do we have to do to get GolfWRX to create a dedicated Minimalist forum? =)

[Hat Trick]

[quote name='Wriggles' timestamp='1394636874' post='8855283']
I commented on this topic some time ago, but I'll update. I read some years ago an article by an English fellow stating that us Yanks play too many clubs. He suggested a 3W, 5I, 8I, PW and putter. That is the way I started playing Minimalist.

Yesterday, I went out with exactly that setup without any substitution. The conditions of the course were deplorable, wet, soggy, muddy, but nice to be out for the second time this year. (The weather calls for freezing rain and snow later today, but 60 degrees Friday. What a horrible winter!) Anyhow, 3W drives carried from 170-200 or so, no OBs, everything in play. Played many fairway 3Ws. Score wise, I scored 42 and 44, with 2 birdies.

Also, walked the 18. Will continue the 5 club setup as the fellow suggests, until I do something stupid like put a driver back into the bag.
[/quote]Is that article still out there somewhere in cyber space - I would love to read it!

I read this one a few years back:

[url="http://christophersmithgolf.com/let%e2%80%99s-play-nine-from-golf-week/"]http://christophersmithgolf.com/let%e2%80%99s-play-nine-from-golf-week/[/url]

[TJCDAS]

[quote name='AdotWu' timestamp='1398185903' post='9144493']
What do we have to do to get GolfWRX to create a dedicated Minimalist forum? =)
[/quote]

I would think a minimalist would be against adding another thread to the forum.

[ThirteenGreen]

[quote name='TJCDAS' timestamp='1398205541' post='9146683'][quote name='AdotWu' timestamp='1398185903' post='9144493']
What do we have to do to get GolfWRX to create a dedicated Minimalist forum? =)
[/quote]

I would think a minimalist would be against adding another thread to the forum. [/quote]

I see what you did there....that being said a dedicated thread might be a cool idea for the 10 or less clubs crowd. (Although I have 12 in my bag right now, I know, I know but it is range only until the courses open so it is practice time..ha ha)

[minimal45]

So far this year with my 5 club set I have shot 46,41,43. I am pleased so far with my game.

[Alexchristensen85]

I like the sound of this whole minimalist thing and read through this whole thread and have a question. Has any one changed there lofts on there irons so there is not such a big gap in between clubs? My thoughts are 6* between clubs. Has any body tried this before?

My set up would be as followed with 9 clubs.

3w @ 15*

3h @ 20*

5I @ 26*

7I @ 32* - 1*

8I @ 38* +1*

PW @ 44* -2*

GW @ 50*

SW @ 56*

Putter


Thanks Alex

[9woodfan]

I haven't adjusted any lofts but if I went to a specific "minimalist" setup with dedicated clubs I might.

[minimal45]

Last week I shot a +3 38 with my mini set.

[Alexchristensen85]

Today was my first round with 8 clubs in my bag and it was the best round of my life, granted I have only been playing over a year now. Over the weekend I went to the driving range with my 8 clubs and just dialed in my yardage with them. Today it was so much simpler you ether pick club A and choke down and not over shoot it or club B and layup. I wasn't sold on the whole minimalist thing but after today I am. I want to add my 3w for a little more yardage but until I get it dialed in 8 for now.

My set up is

20* hybrid
5 iron
7 iron
9 iron
pw
gw 50*
Lw 58*
putter

[scomac2002]

[quote name='Alexchristensen85' timestamp='1400552395' post='9328399']
I like the sound of this whole minimalist thing and read through this whole thread and have a question. Has any one changed there lofts on there irons so there is not such a big gap in between clubs? My thoughts are 6* between clubs. Has any body tried this before?
[/quote]

I currently play 6° loft gaps between my wedges and have thought of extending that philosophy through to the irons. I would bend my 6i 1° strong and my 7i and 8i 1° and 2° weak respectively thus eliminating carrying the 9i and 5h. That would give me 3 wedges, 3 irons, 3 woods (D, 7W, 4h) and a putter for a 10 club Sunday bag. I know that all my yardage gaps would be covered without adversely affecting club performance due to altering bounce too greatly.