Starting a new adventure . . . Minimalist Golf

[9ClubberLang]

That's about as minimalist as a golf club is ever likely to cost!

[ShortGolfer]

I was looking to assemble a minimalist set without using any of the regular clubs in the bag, so I can just grab a bag and go, without having a "Senior Moment" or memory lapse.

 

Stealth Driver 41" 14* loft  Veylix senior flex  12* set up +2.

Stealth 7W 21* loft Veylix senior flex

Mavrik Max ladies flex  5H, 8H

XXIO 12 Prime 7 iron ladies flex LA Golf 45-1 shaft

XXIO 12 SW ladies flex LA Golf 45-1 shaft

Odyssey Indianapolis putter

 

A set of easy to hit clubs for someone with a low swing speed. Seven clubs, five head covers!

2023 Sun Mountain 2.5+ stand bag.  It only weighs a pound more than a pencil bag but has a plenty of room for carrying all your stuff!

 

I'm learning that it often makes sense to take unplayable lie penalties.  Why punch out from behind a tree when you can take a stroke and distance penalty and give it another try from the fairway?

Something to consider when leaving out a rarely used clubs for certain situations.  If you can't hit a bunker shot, why carry a Sand Wedge?  The 2019 rules revision provide additional relief options for getting out of a bunker.

Edited July 27 by ShortGolfer

[edd13]

Didn't mean to suggest you guys were being elitist, just curious where you all were drawing the line between thinning down the bag and ability to score. 

 

EDIT: as a tax I'll attach a pic of my current 8-club bag

 

Edited July 27 by edd13

[WipeyFade]

34 minutes ago, edd13 said:

Didn't mean to suggest you guys were being elitist, just curious where you all were drawing the line between thinning down the bag and ability to score. 

 

EDIT: as a tax I'll attach a pic of my current 8-club bag

 

Awesome set up! That looks like a good minimal set to me. 

[MorganM]

3 hours ago, ShortGolfer said:

I was looking to assemble a minimalist set without using any of the regular clubs in the bag, so I can just grab a bag and go, without having a "Senior Moment" or memory lapse.

 

Stealth Driver 41" 14* loft  Veylix senior flex  12* set up +2.

Stealth 7W 21* loft Veylix senior flex

Mavrik Max ladies flex  5H, 8H

XXIO 12 Prime 7 iron ladies flex LA Golf 45-1 shaft

XXIO 12 SW ladies flex LA Golf 45-1 shaft

Odyssey Indianapolis putter

 

A set of easy to hit clubs for someone with a low swing speed. Seven clubs, five head covers!

2023 Sun Mountain 2.5+ stand bag.  It only weighs a pound more than a pencil bag but has a plenty of room for carrying all your stuff!

 

I'm learning that it often makes sense to take unplayable lie penalties.  Why punch out from behind a tree when you can take a stroke and distance penalty and give it another try from the fairway?

Something to consider when leaving out a rarely used clubs for certain situations.  If you can't hit a bunker shot, why carry a Sand Wedge?  The 2019 rules revision provide additional relief options for getting out of a bunker.

I would be the first to admit that I don’t pay nearly enough attention to the Rules and their nuances. Would you please cite the rule numbers you mention in your post so I can look them up. Thank you!

[ShortGolfer]

https://www.usga.org/content/dam/usga/pdf/2019/rules/Explanation for Each Major Change in the New Rules of Golf for 2019.pdf

33 page document explaining the 2019 rule changes

 

https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules-hub/topics/unplayable-ball.html

If you are in a situation where you don’t want to or don’t think you can play your ball, you always have the option of taking relief under the unplayable ball Rule. You are the only person who can decide that your ball is unplayable, and this can be done anywhere on the golf course except when your ball lies in a penalty area. If your ball is in a penalty area, your only relief option is to take relief under the penalty area Rule.

When you decide that your ball is unplayable, you have three relief options, all for one penalty stroke. Your first option is to go back to the spot of your previous stroke and play again (stroke and distance relief). Your second option is to go back as far as you’d like and drop on the line from the hole through the spot where the ball lies (back-on-the-line relief). Your third option is to drop anywhere within two club-lengths of where your ball lies, no closer to the hole (lateral relief).

If your ball lies in a bunker, you must remain inside the bunker under options two and three. You also have a fourth option for an extra penalty stroke (two penalty strokes total) which allows you to go back on the line and drop your ball outside the bunker.

Edited July 27 by ShortGolfer

[tatertot]

Your second option is to go back as far as you’d like and drop on the line from the hole through the spot where the ball lies (back-on-the-line relief). 

 

I always thought it was the line from your previous stroke through where the ball lies. Learn something new every day.

[MorganM]

5 hours ago, ShortGolfer said:

https://www.usga.org/content/dam/usga/pdf/2019/rules/Explanation for Each Major Change in the New Rules of Golf for 2019.pdf

33 page document explaining the 2019 rule changes

 

https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules-hub/topics/unplayable-ball.html

If you are in a situation where you don’t want to or don’t think you can play your ball, you always have the option of taking relief under the unplayable ball Rule. You are the only person who can decide that your ball is unplayable, and this can be done anywhere on the golf course except when your ball lies in a penalty area. If your ball is in a penalty area, your only relief option is to take relief under the penalty area Rule.

When you decide that your ball is unplayable, you have three relief options, all for one penalty stroke. Your first option is to go back to the spot of your previous stroke and play again (stroke and distance relief). Your second option is to go back as far as you’d like and drop on the line from the hole through the spot where the ball lies (back-on-the-line relief). Your third option is to drop anywhere within two club-lengths of where your ball lies, no closer to the hole (lateral relief).

If your ball lies in a bunker, you must remain inside the bunker under options two and three. You also have a fourth option for an extra penalty stroke (two penalty strokes total) which allows you to go back on the line and drop your ball outside the bunker.

Thank you! Very much appreciated. 🙂

[MackyN]

Famous last words, but I think have found my sweetspot. The wedge is the only thing left to commit to, have tried a  54, now a 58. When it’s worn out a 56 will probably find it’s way into the bag..

 

Driver, 5h, 7 & 9 irons, the wedge and a putter.

 

As a high single digit player, this is enough for me

[azgreg]

On 7/27/2025 at 7:01 AM, edd13 said:

Didn't mean to suggest you guys were being elitist, just curious where you all were drawing the line between thinning down the bag and ability to score. 

 

EDIT: as a tax I'll attach a pic of my current 8-club bag

 

 

My current minimalist setups range from 8-10 clubs, however I recently played in a 3 club tourney and scored within a few shots of my usual score.

Nice set-up by teh way.

 

[Tommy56]

48 minutes ago, MackyN said:

Famous last words, but I think have found my sweetspot. The wedge is the only thing left to commit to, have tried a  54, now a 58. When it’s worn out a 56 will probably find it’s way into the bag..

 

Driver, 5h, 7 & 9 irons, the wedge and a putter.

 

As a high single digit player, this is enough for me

Nice setup!  

[tatertot]

On 7/27/2025 at 4:53 AM, scruffynick said:

Im away in the south east of England on the coast (very beautiful scenery btw) and I just popped to a Sunday car boot sale....just bought a newish 23 degree muzuno clk hybrid....for £4 🤣 headcover included! That's going into bag and replacing my 4 iron, which has been on my mind. So I think Im really sorted for captains weekend this coming weekend...weather looks good as well this weekend too. But I do love a good car boot sake, so British 😀

So ... this is people just selling stuff out of their car trunk (boot)?

[9ClubberLang]

Yes, normally in a field. It's amazing what you can find!

[tatertot]

Been playing a full 14-club bag after getting off to a rough start to the season ... tried out a 7-club bag today (Driver - 5 wood - 5, 7, 9 irons - SW - Putter) ... best ball striking day of the year. 15 GIRs and a tidy little 71, one under.

[tatertot]

3 hours ago, 9ClubberLang said:

Yes, normally in a field. It's amazing what you can find!

In our bigger cities, we also have people selling things out of their trunk (boot) ... but I don't think it's the same thing.

[ForeGeorgia]

I don’t have a minimal bag, but I’ve been focusing on using only 1 of my wedges 100 yards in: my 50°. I love it and makes my choices so much easier and I’ve gotten really good with it this way.

 

The exception is green side bunkers.

[MorganM]

9 hours ago, ForeGeorgia said:

I don’t have a minimal bag, but I’ve been focusing on using only 1 of my wedges 100 yards in: my 50°. I love it and makes my choices so much easier and I’ve gotten really good with it this way.

 

The exception is green side bunkers.

That’s a first step. So have you played a round without the other wedges actually in your bag? The quote from Bobby Jones about knowing your clubs extremely well is pertinent here. Keep us posted 👍

[azgreg]

11 hours ago, ForeGeorgia said:

I don’t have a minimal bag, but I’ve been focusing on using only 1 of my wedges 100 yards in: my 50°. I love it and makes my choices so much easier and I’ve gotten really good with it this way.

 

The exception is green side bunkers.

 

This is where most minimalist start I believe. Next chose your next yardage gap like 100-125 yards. Pick one club for that gap, then another, then another.........Next thing you know you're using only 8 clubs or so. Welcome to the revolution.

 

[scruffynick]

22 hours ago, tatertot said:

So ... this is people just selling stuff out of their car trunk (boot)?

Yep, just type in car boot sale UK into YouTube and watch ha ha. You can get all sorts...but golf clubs definitely around usually. I got lucky with a mizuno hybrid...most of time the clubs are junk. But its the search I like....my Mrs more interested in plants 

[scruffynick]

21 hours ago, 9ClubberLang said:

Yes, normally in a field. It's amazing what you can find!

Sunday morning was in a field next to a safari place...local butchers was there too. Done a fair few in my time, mostly to get rid of baby clothes years back....now that stuff gets sold very quickly especially when selling at 50p. Just want rid ha 

[ShortGolfer]

Brutal weather forecast tomorrow in Hartford Connecticut.  Planning half a set from the Senior Tees for a quick round on the nine hole North Course or Flat Nine.  No bunkers. 6 club set. Driver, 7iron, 9iron, AW, 52* gap wedge, and putter.

Edited July 29 by ShortGolfer

[Tommy56]

11 minutes ago, ShortGolfer said:

Brutal weather forecast tomorrow in Hartford Connecticut.  Planning half a set from the Senior Tees for a quick round. 6 club set. Driver, 7iron, 9iron, AW, 52* gap wedge, and putter.

Play well and stay hydrated !!!

Brutal here in the midwest also; 110 heat index.  Been wanting to try a 4 club set for the last 2 weeks, but just been too hot (for me).

[tatertot]

13 minutes ago, Tommy56 said:

Play well and stay hydrated !!!

Brutal here in the midwest also; 110 heat index.  Been wanting to try a 4 club set for the last 2 weeks, but just been too hot (for me).

Today in Des Moines, 95 with a feels like of 115. It was brutal. Good thing was, I got in 24 holes in less than 3 hours ... after playing a 5 and half hour round Saturday.

[ShortGolfer]

I mowed the lawn and finished at 9AM this morning.  I've been taking it easy in preparation for tomorrow's round.  I did 18 on Monday with a full bag in less than 3-1/2 hours walking a hilly course in 90 degree/50% humidity weather by drinking water on every hole and waiting in the shade for the golfers in front of me.  I've revised my course management philosophy to favor quick play versus fewer strokes as that is what everyone wants on the private course I play.  Why risk blowing up the hole when I can take an easy chip out of the rough back onto the fairway with my trusty gap wedge?

I see so many golfers trying to hack their way out the rough, obviously aiming at the green, with such a tiny chance of it getting there.  Much better to put it in the middle of the fairway.  Then I can hit approach shot that, if its not on the green, is within range of a "Texas Wedge" or putter.  My misses are close enough to roll the ball up a well mowed fairway nearly to the green.

Edited July 29 by ShortGolfer

[WipeyFade]

4 minutes ago, ShortGolfer said:

I mowed the lawn and finished at 9AM this morning.  I've been taking it easy in preparation for tomorrow's round.  I did 18 on Monday with a full bag in less than 3-1/2 hours walking a hilly course in 90 degree/50% humidity weather by drinking water on every hole and waiting in the shade for the golfers in front of me.

The most miserable sounding part of that round is the full bag 🤣

[Tommy56]

@ShortGolfer  @tatertot  I like your course management strategies of prioritizing a quick pace vs always trying to hit the perfect shot.  I wish this would become more prevalent. 

 

Like @WipeyFade says: try making your next shot easier than your last one (or something to that effect).

[subh2905]

On 6/14/2025 at 5:20 PM, 9ClubberLang said:

Still experimenting here. I really want to find something and stick with it, so I'm increasing my analysis. My minimalist bag is 9 clubs. This gives me 3 long-game clubs, 3 mid clubs, and 3 short-game clubs (including a putter). 

 

I look at this 9 club set though as not really having any compromises. It feels like a full-set to me. There's nothing missing at all. I feel a minimalist set should probably have a compromise somewhere. 8 or below feels minimalist to me. I always think an 8 club bag constructs itself pretty well. My Hoofer-Lite has four dividers and two clubs per section looks great etc, so I'd really like to play an 8 club bag.

 

I wasn't sure where to remove a club from though. Not being a long hitter I feel I need my longer clubs, but I've recently had success with a 50/56 wedge set-up so didn't really feel like compromising there either.

 

So, I'm going to swap out the 5W in my 9 club set-up and get my 4W/7W combo in there. I love playing the 7W and that will make a 10 club "full" set-up which gives me a bit of a gap to the 8 club set-ups. I'm then going to play the 8 club set-ups in rotation and log my scores/GIR to see what comes out on top.

 

If I can prove that my scores are similar with an 8 club set to the "full" 10 club set-up then I think I will go minimalist full-time. Although some flexibility is good, I would like to have a clear ranking on the 8 club set-ups too.

 

It's interesting where minimalists choose to make the most compromises. I wonder which of the three 8 club set-ups would be the most popular with people in here? I see a lot of people in here compromising the top or bottom ends more than the middle for example. Some have multiple wedges even in a minimalist bag while others don't use any woods or hybrids. There's no right or wrong but it's a lot of fun working it out!

New WRX member from Singapore and this is a very useful thread as I keep wondering what clubs should carry when I travel around the Southeast Asian region- lots of  beautiful courses around here!

My bag is the 8 club Set-up 2 except I use a 3 hybrid instead of a 5 wood. Not a long hitter, so like many of you I'm keeping the top-end strong while compromising the middle. Will post pic of my setup.

[ciscojaws]

I’ve always found it ironic in other threads where folks have said they go out for nine holes with a half-set to keep it easy or stress free.

 

Why wouldn’t you want to feel that way for a full 18?  Why does playing 18 have to feel like you’re going into battle?

 

The more I play this game the more I believe that a minimalist set should be a couple clubs to get you down range and most of the other clubs should be to attack the green inside 150 yards.

[aiyyer]

15 minutes ago, ciscojaws said:

I’ve always found it ironic in other threads where folks have said they go out for nine holes with a half-set to keep it easy or stress free.

 

Why wouldn’t you want to feel that way for a full 18?  Why does playing 18 have to feel like you’re going into battle?

 

The more I play this game the more I believe that a minimalist set should be a couple clubs to get you down range and most of the other clubs should be to attack the green inside 150 yards.

The middle clubs need to just work for the par 3s. It’s funny all the things a 4 hybrid can do. 

[stryper]

12 hours ago, WipeyFade said:

The most miserable sounding part of that round is the full bag 🤣

Agreed.  No way I’m walking with a full bag anymore, even pushing.  I’ll gladly set a few clubs aside to still have something left in the tank coming down the home stretch.