Starting a new adventure . . . Minimalist Golf

[goalie]

43 minutes ago, Kmagnuss said:

This whole minimalist golf thing seems interesting to me.  I'm going to try it.  But before I do, other than the weight savings while carrying/walking... what's the point?  If I'm using a push cart the extra weight of 6 more clubs isn't noticeable at all, so it really only makes sense to me if I'm actually carrying the bag... perfect sense.

 

Any other reasons to do it?

I like flying around the course for a quick 9 on a beautiful Saturday morning without a care in the world, including my score.  It's not for everyone, but it is a great way to change it up and have fun making shots with different clubs.  

[ShortGolfer]

Sometimes my travel plans only allow enough space for light bag of clubs as there isn't enough room in the car to also bring the push cart.

Less stuff to keep track of on a busy day trip.

 

I just bought a Vokey 56/8 M grind wedge to use a utility wedge by opening or closing the club face.  I can also set up to use shaft lean or use a draw instead of a fade to lower the flight of the ball.

 

Driver, 4I, 7I, 56/8, and putter will be my new  five club  travel set, adding a driver and dropping a wedge.

 

 

Edited April 18, 2024 by ShortGolfer

[WipeyFade]

1 minute ago, ShortGolfer said:

Sometimes my travel plans only allow enough space for light bag of clubs as there isn't enough room in the car to also bring the push cart.

 

I just bought a Vokey 56/8 M grind wedge to use a utility wedge by opening or closing the club face.  I can also set up to use shaft lean or use a draw instead of a fade to lower the flight of the ball.

 

Driver, 4I, 7I, 56/8, and putter will be my new travel set, adding a driver and dropping a wedge.

 

This set up is very similar to my summer set. I swap the 7i for an 8i, but I usually carry 5 clubs during my twilight rounds with the kids. Some of my best shots last year were knockdown 8 irons from 100-125 out.

[ShortGolfer]

The 7 iron is my most consistent club, so it stays in the bag!

 

I swapped a Sun Mountain 2.5+ for an Orlimar Sunday bag.  The Sun Mountain weights a pound more but gives me a lot more storage space.

Improving logistics by having places for everything, including extra clothing.  Where did I put my rain jacket?

[Tommy56]

Totally agree with how much fun the game is with a half-set (or less).  I find it liberating, simply hitting golf shots vs the mental gymnastics of perfect club selection.  Been a dedicated minimalist for nearly a decade now, including casual and competitive rounds, and my scoring has not suffered. 

[WipeyFade]

I love using a single strap bag and I was gifted a Koger by my wife last Christmas. I have the small version and it is perfect for my style of golf. The pockets can get a little tight during a winter round where I may be taking off a layer during the round. It has to be the lightest bag on the market and the strap system is superb. It seems to be very durable as well.

[WipeyFade]

40 minutes ago, Tommy56 said:

Totally agree with how much fun the game is with a half-set (or less).  I find it liberating, simply hitting golf shots vs the mental gymnastics of perfect club selection.  Been a dedicated minimalist for nearly a decade now, including casual and competitive rounds, and my scoring has not suffered. 

Like I mentioned earlier, I have been a minimalist for 2+ years. I have noticed that the more I play, the smaller my set is getting. I think I started out with 9-10 clubs, now I'm down to 5-7. Have you experienced the same thing?

[Kmagnuss]

I think I'll try a 7 club set...

Max distances

D - 265

hy - 215 (this one is easy for me to knock down to 185)

6 - 175

8 - 155

pw - 135

sw - 105

putter - 1 million yards

 

Seems like I could make that work.

 

 

[spud3]

For me, the minimal set is integral to the occasional round where I can simply revisit my primary reasons for playing golf:  hit the ball toward the hole, find it, hit it again, repeat.

 

As has been mentioned, it shifts the focus from the typical thought process toward the greater goal; which brings more creativity into the process.  I don't find it limiting, but actually liberating...

[Georgie Z]

2 hours ago, WipeyFade said:

Like I mentioned earlier, I have been a minimalist for 2+ years. I have noticed that the more I play, the smaller my set is getting. I think I started out with 9-10 clubs, now I'm down to 5-7. Have you experienced the same thing?

Went from 12-10-7-6. I don’t think I can go less than 6 without impacting my score though. 

[WipeyFade]

@Georgie Z, what 6 clubs are you using?

[freddy1682]

8 hours ago, Kmagnuss said:

This whole minimalist golf thing seems interesting to me.  I'm going to try it.  But before I do, other than the weight savings while carrying/walking... what's the point?  If I'm using a push cart the extra weight of 6 more clubs isn't noticeable at all, so it really only makes sense to me if I'm actually carrying the bag... perfect sense.

 

Any other reasons to do it?

When you come to a shot and you’re between clubs, if only 1 of those clubs is in the bag, it makes the decision for you. Plus, you will learn to create shots better. I went to a full time half set about 3 years ago and probably won’t ever go back. I competed in Section PGA events with 7-8 clubs. Scores have always been the same, if not better than with a full set. Try it, I think you’ll enjoy it. 

[ciscojaws]

I’ve been thinking of it would be better to lose a longer club in lieu of another wedge as a scoring club.

D - 250

4i - 200

8i - 150

PW - 125

GW - 110

SW - 100

Putter

[bobfoster]

On 11/12/2021 at 12:11 AM, kiwihacker said:

I carry the 14 in my signature on a motocaddy electric trundler during Saturday club games but for casual Sunday/evening rounds I like to carry so I only play 8 clubs. 

 

Clearly on a Top Ten list of "Sentences you'll only read on GolfWRX".

Edited April 19, 2024 by bobfoster

[miles2go]

 

D-230-240

4FW-190-210

5hybrid-160-185

6-7. 150

8- 110-130

pw-80-100

56

60

putter

9 clubs seems like my minimum. 

[Nickb333]

I took 8 clubs today for 9 holes. I only used 6. Dr-7w-6h-46-56-P

[Georgie Z]

2 hours ago, WipeyFade said:

@Georgie Z, what 6 clubs are you using?

D, 7W, 7i, PW, SW, putter.

 

When I was playing 7 clubs I was playing a 6i and 8i instead of the 7i. 
 

How about you?

[aiyyer]

54 minutes ago, miles2go said:

 

D-230-240

4FW-190-210

5hybrid-160-185

6-7. 150

8- 110-130

pw-80-100

56

60

putter

9 clubs seems like my minimum. 

Love this setup as it’s similar to mine and has all types covered - Driver, FW, HY, Irons, Wedges and putter. 
D, 4 Wood, 4H, 4,6,8,G, 56, P.

 

 

Edited April 19, 2024 by aiyyer
Spelling

[Tommy56]

8 hours ago, WipeyFade said:

Like I mentioned earlier, I have been a minimalist for 2+ years. I have noticed that the more I play, the smaller my set is getting. I think I started out with 9-10 clubs, now I'm down to 5-7. Have you experienced the same thing?

 

Yes indeed.  9 -> 8 -> 7.  Planning to go down to 6 right now.

[WipeyFade]

@Georgie Z, Driver, 8i, 56, and putter are always in the bag. For my 5 club bag I’ll either add a 7w, 3h, or 4i. For a 6 club bag I’ll add a pitching wedge in addition to one of those 3, and for my 7 club set I’ll add in my 6i. I did change it up today and went out with D, 6i, 8i, pw, 56, and putter, but I don’t know how I feel about that. I feel like I need a safety club off the tee and the 6i only does ok in that position. 

[WipeyFade]

@Tommy56, what 6 are you planning on going to?

[Tommy56]

With 7 clubs, I go D, 4h, 6i, 8i, pw, sw, P.   For 6 clubs, thinking D, 5h, 7i, 9i, sw, P.  

[Tommy56]

18 minutes ago, WipeyFade said:

I feel like I need a safety club off the tee and the 6i only does ok in that position. 

I agree with you that having a versatile safety club off the tee that can also handle 2nd shots on par 5s and long par 4s comes in handy. 

Edited April 19, 2024 by Tommy56
typo

[Georgie Z]

15 minutes ago, WipeyFade said:

@Georgie Z, Driver, 8i, 56, and putter are always in the bag. For my 5 club bag I’ll either add a 7w, 3h, or 4i. For a 6 club bag I’ll add a pitching wedge in addition to one of those 3, and for my 7 club set I’ll add in my 6i. I did change it up today and went out with D, 6i, 8i, pw, 56, and putter, but I don’t know how I feel about that. I feel like I need a safety club off the tee and the 6i only does ok in that position. 

If I was to go down from 6 to 5, I would probably try do drop driver first. Have you ever tried that since our 6 club bag seems similar.

[WipeyFade]

@Georgie Z, Ya I’ve done the 3 wood thing before and it works pretty well I just love hitting my driver lol. I play a persimmon driver and it’s my favorite club in the bag. I’m starting to work on a driver off the deck shot since it has a pretty shallow face. 

[Georgie Z]

22 minutes ago, WipeyFade said:

@Georgie Z, Ya I’ve done the 3 wood thing before and it works pretty well I just love hitting my driver lol. I play a persimmon driver and it’s my favorite club in the bag. I’m starting to work on a driver off the deck shot since it has a pretty shallow face. 

I’ll try dropping the PW like you and see how it goes next time 

[freddy1682]

Has anyone added a mini driver to their bag to replace driver and fairway? Just picked one up. Waiting for the rain to stop so I can do some testing with it

[WipeyFade]

@Georgie Z, ya my 8i is my most versatile club. It’s my Tin Cup club. I can play it back in my stance and hood it and can get 170ish out of it if I get great contact or I can hit a knockdown fade around 100 yards. I have spent more time playing it than any other club so I can control it pretty well. 

[WipeyFade]

2 minutes ago, freddy1682 said:

Has anyone added a mini driver to their bag to replace driver and fairway? Just picked one up. Waiting for the rain to stop so I can do some testing with it

Mini drivers have intrigued me since they came out. I haven’t hit one, but judging from the looks of them they don’t look like they would be that easy to hit off the deck. I think if you can hit a mini off the deck you could hit a regular driver off the deck. I do like the idea of a small driver though (I mentioned playing persimmon above), so for me it would just be a driver alternative. 

[WipeyFade]

@freddy1682, which mini did you pick up?