Putting together a set of clubs

As a relative newcomer to the game, I've struggled with what to put in my bag. Here is what I carry now:

Driver: Wishon 915CFE, 11 deg. loft, neutral face, 420 cc w/ SK Fiber Lite Revolution I shaft.

Irons: Tommy Armour 845 FS, PW - 3 iron. I took the 4 iron out (see below)

Wedges: (All Clevelands) 588 60 deg., 900 56 deg. and 52 deg.

Hybrid: Adams Idea 21 deg. (supposedly a 4 iron replacement).

Like many newcomers, I focused heavily on driving and that is the reason for the custom driver. I've had it about a month. Last couple of weeks, I've been hitting it extremely well and I love the club. If I catch it well, it will go 260 to 280 yards. Miss hits will generally go 220 to 230.

I like my irons, and can hit most of them reasonably well. The 3 iron is a challenge but I can hit it pretty far off the tee (200 + or - yards) and so I use it when I don't want to hit the driver.

I picked up the hybrid on a whim because everyone said they were so easy to hit. Took me a long time to get used to it but I think I now have the hang of it and can hit it just under 200 yards off the deck. Further off the tee.

I like my wedges and putter, but wish I were more consistent.

Here's my question: You can see that I don't carry any fairway woods - just driver, irons and a hybrid. I think I could use another club that can hit reliably 210 to 230 yards, but I'm confused whether to get a fairway wood or a hybrid. In the past, I've had trouble hitting fairway woods. They just seem too long (shaftwise) and unless the lie is exceptional, I can't use them in the rough or in less than ideal conditions. I'm also unclear how to optimally space out the clubs in the bag. Wedges and low irons are fine but once I get to the five iron, it gets more difficult. I feel like the overlap between clubs and yardages is much more problematic as I move into the lower irons, hybrid and fairway wood realm. Are there any rules of thumb to guide me here?

Many thanks for your help.

A 3-wood is a must- IMO.

A 3-wood off the tee and Hybrids for 3-5 irons would be my recommendation for beginners.

I thought I'd show you the lofts of my clubs which might help you understand what you need.

Driver: 9.5° 3-wood: 15° Hybrid: 20° 3-iron: 22° 4-iron: 25° 5-iron: 28° 6-iron: 32° 7-iron: 36° 8-iron: 40° 9-iron: 44° PW: 48° GW: 54° LW: 58° As your swing improves you'll find it easier to hit a fairway wood off the deck. It is something that I have struggled with. Often I've elected to hit my hybrid off the deck as it is pretty long. I wouldn't advocate getting a 13° fairway wood as they can be difficult to get up in the air off the deck unless you have a high swing speed. The main thing about selecting lofts is choosing clubs that will fill in appropriate distance gaps. You can see how lofts gaps decrease as the clubs get longer, especially in the irons.

I have got pretty much the same clubs you've got, GreensDruid. I have also been wondering what I should get. I really lack distance on the long par 4 and 5 holes. I start off really well with the driver, then I move slooowly towards the green - Or so it feels. With a wood I would probably save atleast one shot.

I was advised to get 3, 5, possibly a 7 wood and maybe a hybrid too. I think I will atleast get 3 and 5 wood.

Wishon talks about the "second longest wood": the club you hit for the second shot on a par 5. Four times per par-72 18, not counting bad tee shots and those with shorter drives on long par 4s. To Wishon, its loft should be what you can hit off the deck.

Pelz emphazies a strong short game with multiple wedges (with different bounces) that you can hit effectively and consistently. He strongly feels an extra wedge--which can save a put--is more important than a long iron which you might use once per round. To Pelz, not having that long iron (leading to a 2-putt) leaves you with short wedge shot leading to a 1-putt.

I only count 13-clubs in your bag. So adding the 3 or 4 wood shouldn't be a problem. I would also try replacing the 3-iron with either a 20° 3-hybrid or a 19° 5-wood. Whichever you hit better (distance with acceptable accuracy).

woah david nj u got some crazy stuff in your bag... or im just overhwlemed by so much writing.

You just end up with different brands when you build it yourself from components. I had a Golfsmith Lynx putter I loved until my bag was stolen from my truck. I must have tried 30+ putters in the store before settling on my choice. The Dyncraft heads were a lower cost temporary solution after my bag was stolen until the various '07 models come out. However, they feel pretty good and might stay anyway.

I've also tested 3-4 different shaft brands/models before deciding on the SK Fiber (to me, they simply feel better). The A-flex fits my swing and speed.

I tried 3 grips (Wynn, GP New Decade, and the Lamkin Torsion Control); the Lamkins are my favorites by a bit. Bulding them up (it is an M58 grip on butt built up to .640 with buildup/masking tape) just lets be hold the club with a looser grip.

If you really want to improve your game, take everything out of your bag but a 3wood (15-17* just like other have suggested), 5iron, 8iron, SW, and putter.

Keep it simple, start out with just the basics and build from there. Once you start to become confiendent (most likely will be your 8iron) than add a 6 or 7. The next club you should become confident is your 3wood, than add a lower lofted club or your driver. The key is once you start to become more confident than add more clubs.

Start with the basics, build from there and remember keep it simple.

Sounds good...won't work. Each club is a different distance, baring bad shots. Since adjusting club lengths, all hit about the same except for distance and dispersion (greater at a longer distance). So, at this time, that isn't a solution.

I don't put a lot of power in my swings (I'm a pretty strong guy). And I believe I have the tempo pretty slow. Both giving lots of room to add distance later.

Right now, the things I'm working on are: improving aim (which may be a large part of the dispersion), controlling putting distance (aim is decent, using a PinShot to work on distance), and hitting the wedges (which where fine until I changed my irons when my bag was stolen; I may buy another set of the old wedges). After that, reading breaks (probably costing 5-10 strokes/round) and improving chipping and pitching. As the full swing becomes more consistent and the aim better, I will add distance (otherwise it is distance into the rough or woods).

To achieve this weekly practice has been playing 9 holes or so 3-4 times, hitting 400-600 range balls, 200 or so wiffle balls in the yard, and 200-300 putts on the PinShot.

BTW, the cold weather has seemed to make the greens very fast which is taking some time to adjust to.

again...keep it simple, and have fun