Starting a new adventure . . . Minimalist Golf

[Nylertichols]

Bought myself one of last year's Club Cameron bag off ebay for a little cheaper than through the Scotty shop - love taking it out for weekday 9s.

Played one of my more relaxed and fun rounds of the year.

Driver: G400 LST (don't need it on local course but just got it and want to work on it)

Irons: Callaway Xhots - 4,6,8,9,A (could probably take the 9 out)

Wedge: Mack Daddy 2 56*

Putter: Ping Anser (sold the Scotty...having the bag feels odd now)

[irishmike27]

Curious whether minimalist golfers prefer laser or gps. I’ve been a gps user for years and I like it, but I just received a nice golf store gift card, so I may consider a laser. Good move, or does this go against the simplicity of it?

[tatertot]

> @irishmike27 said:

> Curious whether minimalist golfers prefer laser or gps. I’ve been a gps user for years and I like it, but I just received a nice golf store gift card, so I may consider a laser. Good move, or does this go against the simplicity of it?

 

GPS all the way for me ... I use a Bushnell NEO. Front, back & middle.

[siegs07]

I use Garmin Approach X10. Very small. Lasts over 36 holes. Front middle back is all I need. I also have an Apple Watch with the TrackMyGolf app as a backup, it works great.

 

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/583980

 

I should also add it keeps score, just a number, doesn’t worry about putts or anything like that. If you’re not keeping score you just press No when it asks at the beginning of the round. The watch also does a nice job automatically switching to the next hole.

[irishmike27]

Yeah, I have the Garmin s20 and love it.

[drn92]

> @irishmike27 said:

> Curious whether minimalist golfers prefer laser or gps. I’ve been a gps user for years and I like it, but I just received a nice golf store gift card, so I may consider a laser. Good move, or does this go against the simplicity of it?

 

Minimalist here and I just go with pacing off the yardage from the nearest sprinkler head.

 

drn92

 

[Hertsjoatmon]

My latest 10 club iteration.

58*, 52* wedges - Cleveland CB irons

P-7irons - Adams Idea 2014

25* hybrid - Big Bertha OS

19* Fairway - Big Bertha

13* Mini Driver - Big Bertha Mini 1.5

the hybrid, fairway and driver are adjustable lofts depending on the conditions. Enjoying it a lot at the moment (when I actually get out to play)

 

[rwc356]

> @tatertot said:

> > @irishmike27 said:

> > Curious whether minimalist golfers prefer laser or gps. I’ve been a gps user for years and I like it, but I just received a nice golf store gift card, so I may consider a laser. Good move, or does this go against the simplicity of it?

>

> GPS all the way for me ... I use a Bushnell NEO. Front, back & middle.

Same for me as well. I just wish my game was so good that more detailed numbers were valuable. Generally I shoot for middle of the green and the NEO gives me all I need..... other than a better golf swing!

[9woodfan]

> @irishmike27 said:

> Curious whether minimalist golfers prefer laser or gps. I’ve been a gps user for years and I like it, but I just received a nice golf store gift card, so I may consider a laser. Good move, or does this go against the simplicity of it?

 

I went from GPS to laser with slope. I wanted to get back to paper scorecards and I bought a really nice Dormie Workshop yardage book / score card holder. I even started charting greens on my home course cause they're tricky!

[azgreg]

> @irishmike27 said:

> Curious whether minimalist golfers prefer laser or gps. I’ve been a gps user for years and I like it, but I just received a nice golf store gift card, so I may consider a laser. Good move, or does this go against the simplicity of it?

 

I use the Golf Buddy Voice. Clips to my hat or belt and gives me yardage to front, middle, and back.


 

 

[Hertsjoatmon]

I use the Golf Pad GPS app on my phone connected to my smart watch. Gives me yardages as well as allowing to track my shots each round to give me my average distance with each club and common missed etc.

[harlequine]

I use a 29* gap wedge that is the same as my irons. After that I only use one wedge for all shots around the green and from bunkers. I have tried an old Vokey 58/08, Callaway PM grind 56/13, Callaway MD3 58/12 W grind, Cleveland Smart Sole S wedge and Cleveland RTX 3 CB 58/09. My problem is that these wedges worked in rough and bunkers but not from fairway and more full shots. What grind on a wedge is most versatile so I can have only have one wedge in the bag?

[Hertsjoatmon]

> @harlequine said:

> I use a 29* gap wedge that is the same as my irons. After that I only use one wedge for all shots around the green and from bunkers. I have tried an old Vokey 58/08, Callaway PM grind 56/13, Callaway MD3 58/12 W grind, Cleveland Smart Sole S wedge and Cleveland RTX 3 CB 58/09. My problem is that these wedges worked in rough and bunkers but not from fairway and more full shots. What grind on a wedge is most versatile so I can have only have one wedge in the bag?

 

Im guessing the 29* was meant to say 49*...

I think that's a tough one as wedges are a very personal tool. Will end up with a whole host of options and opinions.

I think rough / bunkers would require a wider sole and tight lies a lower bounce. but each of those makes the other job harder. I try that with the Smart Sole S, great out of trouble lies, but really need a lot of forward shaft lean of a light lie to negate that huge sole (its only 10* bounce though).

I think the Callaway sure outs have a large but shallow bounce but wont give you much workability. A ping Glide may be if you don't like the Cleveland CB options? Is there a PM grind with a lower bounce, if you are opening up the club face in a bunker you are creating more bounce to help you get out...

 

 

[Ivyguy]

You might was to consider a Hogan TK (or a SCOR) wedge. When I was with the small bag, I used a 55 degree.

[tatertot]

> @harlequine said:

> I use a 29* gap wedge that is the same as my irons. After that I only use one wedge for all shots around the green and from bunkers. I have tried an old Vokey 58/08, Callaway PM grind 56/13, Callaway MD3 58/12 W grind, Cleveland Smart Sole S wedge and Cleveland RTX 3 CB 58/09. My problem is that these wedges worked in rough and bunkers but not from fairway and more full shots. What grind on a wedge is most versatile so I can have only have one wedge in the bag?

 

After playing around a bit, I've found the Ping Eye Sole is the most versatile if you're going for 1 "do it all" wedge. Like you, I have a 52 degree wedge which is basically a 10 iron, so my 60 is my go-to wedge, and the Eye sole does everything I want it to. And Ping offers it from 54 to 60 degrees in their Glide wedges.

[9woodfan]

+1 for the Ping Glide in either the WS or ES

[Pwood28]

> @harlequine said:

> I use a 29* gap wedge that is the same as my irons. After that I only use one wedge for all shots around the green and from bunkers. I have tried an old Vokey 58/08, Callaway PM grind 56/13, Callaway MD3 58/12 W grind, Cleveland Smart Sole S wedge and Cleveland RTX 3 CB 58/09. My problem is that these wedges worked in rough and bunkers but not from fairway and more full shots. What grind on a wedge is most versatile so I can have only have one wedge in the bag?

 

Check out the TaylorMade Hi Toe. It’s very versatile and stays close e ought to a traditional wedge shape that you don’t notice a difference in full shots. My first wedge in my minimalist bag was a Scratch DS 56 degree wedge. That grind on that thing can do anything. If you search eBay you can find them out there.

[Pwood28]

> @irishmike27 said:

> Curious whether minimalist golfers prefer laser or gps. I’ve been a gps user for years and I like it, but I just received a nice golf store gift card, so I may consider a laser. Good move, or does this go against the simplicity of it?

 

 

After playing a few minimalist rounds, I swapped out my laser for GPS. With the larger yardage gaps, knowing front middle and back was more important to me than knowing the exact number on the flag.

[scruffynick]

> @irishmike27 said:

> Curious whether minimalist golfers prefer laser or gps. I’ve been a gps user for years and I like it, but I just received a nice golf store gift card, so I may consider a laser. Good move, or does this go against the simplicity of it?

 

Have a garmin GPS watch... Easy peasy lemon sqeezy!!

[harlequine]

@tatertot

I found the PM grind had the habit of digging on 3/4 to full shots and I thought the sole is similar to the Ping ES? Do you like ES on full shots?

 

 

 

 

[tatertot]

> @harlequine said:

> @tatertot

> I found the PM grind had the habit of digging on 3/4 to full shots and I thought the sole is similar to the Ping ES? Do you like ES on full shots?

>

>

>

>

 

This was my biggest fear, but I love it ... I don't go after it hard, but I get about 75 yards out of it. I am a picker though, and don't take a huge divot.

 

Edit: I've played Vokey's for years and thought I'd never change, so the Glide in ES was a HUGE change for me.

[Ivyguy]

> @Hertsjoatmon said:

> My latest 10 club iteration.

> 58*, 52* wedges - Cleveland CB irons

> P-7irons - Adams Idea 2014

> 25* hybrid - Big Bertha OS

> 19* Fairway - Big Bertha

> 13* Mini Driver - Big Bertha Mini 1.5

> the hybrid, fairway and driver are adjustable lofts depending on the conditions. Enjoying it a lot at the moment (when I actually get out to play)

>

 

How do u like the mini driver?

[Hertsjoatmon]

> @Ivyguy said:

> > @Hertsjoatmon said:

> > My latest 10 club iteration.

> > 58*, 52* wedges - Cleveland CB irons

> > P-7irons - Adams Idea 2014

> > 25* hybrid - Big Bertha OS

> > 19* Fairway - Big Bertha

> > 13* Mini Driver - Big Bertha Mini 1.5

> > the hybrid, fairway and driver are adjustable lofts depending on the conditions. Enjoying it a lot at the moment (when I actually get out to play)

> >

>

> How do u like the mini driver?

 

I don’t use it off the ground but I like it off the tee, I use a regular 3 wood shaft with it rather than the 44” that comes as standard as I play my driver between 44 and 44.5”. If I have a tight fairway, or having an off day with Driver I’ll use this in its place. Now using it set to 14* (driver set to 10.5*).

 

Been feeling more confident lately though so may start trying it off the fairway, especially when I’m using my minimalist set up rather than a full bag.

[Ivyguy]

> @Hertsjoatmon said:

> > @Ivyguy said:

> > > @Hertsjoatmon said:

> > > My latest 10 club iteration.

> > > 58*, 52* wedges - Cleveland CB irons

> > > P-7irons - Adams Idea 2014

> > > 25* hybrid - Big Bertha OS

> > > 19* Fairway - Big Bertha

> > > 13* Mini Driver - Big Bertha Mini 1.5

> > > the hybrid, fairway and driver are adjustable lofts depending on the conditions. Enjoying it a lot at the moment (when I actually get out to play)

> > >

> >

> > How do u like the mini driver?

>

> I don’t use it off the ground but I like it off the tee, I use a regular 3 wood shaft with it rather than the 44” that comes as standard as I play my driver between 44 and 44.5”. If I have a tight fairway, or having an off day with Driver I’ll use this in its place. Now using it set to 14* (driver set to 10.5*).

>

> Been feeling more confident lately though so may start trying it off the fairway, especially when I’m using my minimalist set up rather than a full bag.

 

Cool, good to hear.

 

Since moving, Las Vegas to Florida... the driver has been a struggle. I play a low spin style driver which was great in the desert, here it falls from the sky and doesn't leg out at all.

 

Thinking of just going to a strong 3 wood.

[sdandrea]

Is there a max threshold on what is considered minimalist? I usually carry 10 or 11 clubs, but would think of minimalist being more like 7 or 8.

[Tommy56]

> @sdandrea said:

> Is there a max threshold on what is considered minimalist? I usually carry 10 or 11 clubs, but would think of minimalist being more like 7 or 8.

 

Personally, I would put the max threshold at <10. Typically carry 7 or 8, with 9 being my "full" set.

 

[scruffynick]

Had a change of clubs as they were sold at half set, I think the zz lites of the eye2s and k3s were taking their toll. Kept the k3s because I love them but the eye2s have gone. But these callaway x14s are sweet and the 4 iron is now may favorite club... So easy to hit. The sw and pw are surprisingly good to control, ive really enjoyed the last week with this set up.

 

[tatertot]

> @Tommy56 said:

> > @sdandrea said:

> > Is there a max threshold on what is considered minimalist? I usually carry 10 or 11 clubs, but would think of minimalist being more like 7 or 8.

>

> Personally, I would put the max threshold at <10. Typically carry 7 or 8, with 9 being my "full" set.

>

I agree ... Not sure why, but single digits seems like the maximum cut off point. I think half set (7 clubs) is ideal, but I've cheated and settled on 8.

 

[irvnasty]

I tried a round with 1 of everything...

That was:

1 wood (TM 2016 M2 driver, 10.5º)

1 hybrid (Mizuno JPX-850 4h, 22º)

1 iron (Cobra S3 Pro 7i, 34º)

1 wedge (Cleveland RTX 2.0, 52º)

1 putter (Ping B60)

 

I didn't do too well, but I think with some practice to dial in my soft 7s and my 4h punch and runs I could score pretty well. I also forgot about bunkers. Soft of wish I had kept my 56º, although I like having the 52º for everything else, so I guess I maybe just need to work on the 52º from the sand.

[acemandrake]

Minimalist golf is not a number. It's a state of mind.

 

Everyone is different.

 

For me: Driver...4H...5/7/PW...SW...Putter (7 total)

 

Each club is multi-functional. They have to be. :)