Starting a new adventure . . . Minimalist Golf

[AdamMW]

How many have experience playing minimalist at say usga level events? 

[MorganM]

2 hours ago, 54CW said:

I have a Todd Demsey Driver and Cinco club. His version of an 5 wood/Hybrid. I also have a Cleveland Classic but I’m worried about breaking that one so I leave it alone. I have cracked the white parts of the cinco recently so I might shelve that one soon. 

Gorgeous!! Thank you!

[lil'mike]

On 6/14/2025 at 9:27 AM, lil'mike said:

My bag is setup exactly like the 8 club bag #3.  If I am playing a longer course or want to mix it up, I can swap out the 5wd for a 3wd and a 3H for a 9 club bag but really haven't found any need for that yet.  That gives me a bit more help at the top since I don't hit them very far! 🙂

 

Okay so I did this little experiment.  I played the same course two weeks in a row that played right around 6000 yards give or take,  including a par 3 at 209 yards (measured 206) and as discussed above my typical 8 club bag is based on my normal 5500-5600 yard course which I think I can cover it, give or take a hole.

 

Driver

5 Wood - 19⁰

4 Hybrid - 23⁰

6 Iron - 30⁰

8 Iron - 37⁰

PW - 45⁰

SW - 56⁰

Putter

 

So I talked about changing it up a little to cover the extra distance so I swapped out the 5wd for a 3wd and 3H.  This took me from 8 clubs to 9 clubs.

 

Driver

3 Wood - 16⁰

3 Hybrid - 20⁰

4 Hybrid - 23⁰

6 Iron - 30⁰

8 Iron - 37⁰

PW - 45⁰

SW - 56⁰

Putter

 

I can honestly say I don't think I gained anything.  The 3wd didn't seem to hit as well or any farther than the 5wd, just lower.  I did hit the 3H a couple of times because it was so windy out there and for a punch out by trees.  Now I am thinking if I stay at 9 clubs, I would replace the 3wd with the 5wd and keep the rest.

 

Driver

5 Wood - 19⁰

3 Hybrid - 20⁰

4 Hybrid - 23⁰

6 Iron - 30⁰

8 Iron - 37⁰

PW - 45⁰

SW - 56⁰

Putter

 

So decision is to go back to the 8 club bag or go with the updated 9 club bag above!  I will say that I do have a yardage gap (170-180 yard) from 5wd to 4H and the 3H does fit that spot pretty well but I don't have that yardage often or at all unless bad drive or layup so not sure if it is worth keeping it in the bag!  

 

Thoughts anyone!

Edited June 24 by lil'mike

[Tommy56]

 

55 minutes ago, lil'mike said:

So decision is to go back to the 8 club bag or go with the updated 9 club bag above!  I will say that I do have a yardage gap (170-180 yard) from 5wd to 4H and the 3H does fit that spot pretty well but I don't have that yardage often or at all unless bad drive or layup so not sure if it is worth keeping it in the bag!  

 

Thoughts anyone!

 

Personally, I don't worry about filling a 10 yard gap and would rather carry less clubs ... but that's just me.

[aiyyer]

With a minimal set, dealing with those yardage gaps is the challenge.. 

[Nickb333]

37 minutes ago, Tommy56 said:

 

 

Personally, I don't worry about filling a 10 yard gap and would rather carry less clubs ... but that's just me.

 

29 minutes ago, aiyyer said:

With a minimal set, dealing with those yardage gaps is the challenge.. 

Both of these. If you’re over 8 clubs, you’ve missed the point IMO but…

 

That’s Ok too! 😉
 

 

[lil'mike]

15 minutes ago, Nickb333 said:

 

Both of these. If you’re over 8 clubs, you’ve missed the point IMO but…

 

That’s Ok too! 😉
 

 

Yeah I get that but for me 8 is the minimum that I feel I can play a course around 5500-5600 yards.  Otherwise I don't think I can score decent or even enjoy it. That said, I understand the 8 club thing for sure and like the ones I have but as I stated I do have a pretty good gap between 5wd and 4H so just thinking if filling it is actually worth it to add a club.  I figure if I go over nine clubs since I am not a long ball hitter, then I missed the point!  🙂

 

More than likely I will stay with the 8 since I can choke down a bit on the 5wd and should be close to yardage needed! 

 

[Nickb333]

Understand I’m not bagging on you. It’s just my opinion that once you’re over 8, minimalist is over. 
 

I’m a firm believer that playing what you like is the perfect amount of clubs. 

[BlackFlamingo]

15 hours ago, lil'mike said:

Okay so I did this little experiment.  I played the same course two weeks in a row that played right around 6000 yards give or take,  including a par 3 at 209 yards (measured 206) and as discussed above my typical 8 club bag is based on my normal 5500-5600 yard course which I think I can cover it, give or take a hole.

 

Driver

5 Wood - 19⁰

4 Hybrid - 23⁰

6 Iron - 30⁰

8 Iron - 37⁰

PW - 45⁰

SW - 56⁰

Putter

 

So I talked about changing it up a little to cover the extra distance so I swapped out the 5wd for a 3wd and 3H.  This took me from 8 clubs to 9 clubs.

 

Driver

3 Wood - 16⁰

3 Hybrid - 20⁰

4 Hybrid - 23⁰

6 Iron - 30⁰

8 Iron - 37⁰

PW - 45⁰

SW - 56⁰

Putter

 

I can honestly say I don't think I gained anything.  The 3wd didn't seem to hit as well or any farther than the 5wd, just lower.  I did hit the 3H a couple of times because it was so windy out there and for a punch out by trees.  Now I am thinking if I stay at 9 clubs, I would replace the 3wd with the 5wd and keep the rest.

 

Driver

5 Wood - 19⁰

3 Hybrid - 20⁰

4 Hybrid - 23⁰

6 Iron - 30⁰

8 Iron - 37⁰

PW - 45⁰

SW - 56⁰

Putter

 

So decision is to go back to the 8 club bag or go with the updated 9 club bag above!  I will say that I do have a yardage gap (170-180 yard) from 5wd to 4H and the 3H does fit that spot pretty well but I don't have that yardage often or at all unless bad drive or layup so not sure if it is worth keeping it in the bag!  

 

Thoughts anyone!

 

I've been using a close version of exactly this:

Mini-Driver

5 wood - 19

DHY - 23

6 - 29

8 - 37

PW - 46

SW - 55

Putter

 

I've toyed with a 7W or 4H to replace the 5W/DHY combo, so might still land with that, but I like your 8. I have also at times added a regular Driver to the set, depending on the course.

 

Love it so far.

 

Have also tried:
Driver

7W - 21

5 - 25

7 - 33

9 - 41

G - 50

LW - 58

Putter

 

Really like the low bounce on my LW during the summer, might add that at the top end for certain courses as well.

[Tommy56]

On 6/22/2025 at 3:08 PM, WipeyFade said:

I know the Summer Solstice is over but I’m heading out tomorrow to walk 72 holes for my annual Solstice round. This is my 3rd year doing it and I’ve played 5 clubs each year. My WITB for this year is drive, hybrid, 8i, 56, and putter. Last year my group got behind some slow groups at the local muni and it took us 15+ hours to finish. The goal this year is <12 (I play fast, I hope my group can keep up). 

How did you do on your annual summer solstice day?

[WipeyFade]

4 hours ago, Tommy56 said:

How did you do on your annual summer solstice day?

As far as the event in general, it went great. I actually ended up walking 5 rounds. We finished up earlier than expected so I headed out for another and it was a grind. I found that my max amount of enjoyable golf is 72, after that it’s no longer fun. 

As for the golf, I played my worst rounds of the year. I just couldn’t find the center of the club face. Oh well, it was still a lot of fun. 
 

I will add one thing, all of my playing partners only brought 5 clubs and they all shot their normal scores. 

[Tommy56]

Walking 5 rounds - WOW!  I've done a lot of rounds much earlier in life, but never close to that. Glad you enjoyed the day and the company, even if not at your best. You'll probably shoot lights out next time you play.

[Nickb333]

Yeah that’s nuts wipey. A good buddy of mine hosts a 3 day, 36 hole per tournament in July. It’s usually over 100* every day but, we RIDE! 
 

Rock on! 

[WipeyFade]

Just now, Nickb333 said:

Yeah that’s nuts wipey. A good buddy of mine hosts a 3 day, 36 hole per tournament in July. It’s usually over 100* every day but, we RIDE! 
 

Rock on! 

Ya, I was told about halfway through my 5th round that we were under a heat advisory 😬.

[Nickb333]

1 hour ago, WipeyFade said:

Ya, I was told about halfway through my 5th round that we were under a heat advisory 😬.

My man, I’m under heat advisory at breakfast during my buddy’s tournament. 

[ebitdaiquiri]

I'm now down to 5 clubs

3h 21*

7i 33*

PW 45*

SW 56*

Putter

Playing much better without driver

Playing with confidentiality

[Tommy56]

@ebitdaiquiri  Love it.  I'm in the "no-driver" camp also for the same reason. 

[9ClubberLang]

On 6/24/2025 at 2:21 AM, lil&#x27;mike said:

Okay so I did this little experiment.  I played the same course two weeks in a row that played right around 6000 yards give or take,  including a par 3 at 209 yards (measured 206) and as discussed above my typical 8 club bag is based on my normal 5500-5600 yard course which I think I can cover it, give or take a hole.

 

...

 

Thoughts anyone!

Interesting experiment @lil'mike, I think I'd try and stick with the 8 club bag.

 

My own 8 versus 9/10 club set-ups continues. I've logged all of my rounds using 9 clubs + from this year and now I'm playing my three 8 club set-ups. Limited data at the moment to even out poor/especially good putting displays. 

 

I'm learning quite a lot about my game already though. Firstly, as a typical amateur I'm a scrambler by nature. A tidy and sharp short game dictates my better scores. My long game is fairly consistent and my scores aren't, so it's all about the short game. Maybe that implies 8 Club Set-Up 1 with its extra wedge may end up being best, although maybe hitting more greens in reg would help, so maybe one of the other set-up's will be better with more options as second shots.

 

With another 50 rounds logged, I could easily see the graph showing none of the four set-ups standing out. I anticipate that we would adapt our game to any set-up, and unless we have a strong personal preference towards some individual clubs, it's probably better to pick a set-up and work at it. Getting to know the clubs and practicing hard with them is key. Still, I'll keep logging as it's fun and maybe something will jump out as giving me an advantage set-up wise.

[azgreg]

[MorganM]

3 hours ago, Tommy56 said:

@ebitdaiquiri  Love it.  I'm in the "no-driver" camp also for the same reason. 

Me as well. Too old to be chasing balls in the trees. To quote the inestimable Nancy Reagan,”Just say No to drivers”. Well, something like that! 😉

[stryper]

1 hour ago, MorganM said:

Me as well. Too old to be chasing balls in the trees. To quote the inestimable Nancy Reagan,”Just say No to drivers”. Well, something like that! 😉

I, too, am old, but driver is the best club in my bag.  So even when playing minimalist, it stays in the bag…I need the distance!!!

[ciscojaws]

6 hours ago, ebitdaiquiri said:

I'm now down to 5 clubs

3h 21*

7i 33*

PW 45*

SW 56*

Putter

Playing much better without driver

Playing with confidentiality

The way of the playa. 🪶

[JungleJimbo]

1 hour ago, ciscojaws said:

The way of the playa. 🪶

 

 

Edited June 26 by JungleJimbo

[MorganM]

14 hours ago, stryper said:

I, too, am old, but driver is the best club in my bag.  So even when playing minimalist, it stays in the bag…I need the distance!!!

No, I hear you. If I could control it, I would consider it, but…you gotta play the cards you’re dealt.

[stryper]

51 minutes ago, MorganM said:

No, I hear you. If I could control it, I would consider it, but…you gotta play the cards you’re dealt.

Other than a putter many years ago, driver and fairway are the only clubs in my full set that I’ve been fit for professionally, and they’re a dream to hit.  So when I sort out a minimalist kit, I start from the top.

[djrock89]

Ive taken my driver out the bag tried with a shorter shaft aswell and nothing was helping so its strictly 3 wood off the tee now played a society sunday just gone and was hitting it 230 yards consistently so didnt loose out too much to the other lads playing driver

[MorganM]

1 hour ago, djrock89 said:

Ive taken my driver out the bag tried with a shorter shaft aswell and nothing was helping so its strictly 3 wood off the tee now played a society sunday just gone and was hitting it 230 yards consistently so didnt loose out too much to the other lads playing driver

Yes indeed, I tried that as well, mini-driver & 3 wood. I put my 5 wood back in the bag a month ago and I can count the number of missed fairways on one hand playing every week. It’s such a funny game!

[djrock89]

@MorganM 

2 hours ago, MorganM said:

Yes indeed, I tried that as well, mini-driver & 3 wood. I put my 5 wood back in the bag a month ago and I can count the number of missed fairways on one hand playing every week. It’s such a funny game!

 Is is indeed mate for some reason i just dont get on with the big stick at all might have afew lessons see if that helps

[stimpmeterp]

Personal best 6-club 78. 15°, 23°, 8, P, 60°, P. Fox Hollow outside Denver.

[Skeez]

For those of you that aren’t carrying a driver, what length of tees are you playing?