Set make-up/critique my bag

[LilGasPasser]

Not really a "swing tip" question, but...

I feel like I rarely use my 5-wood, and never use my 4-iron. I can't hit my 4-iron at all, and I'll usually use 3-wood off the tee if it's tight/short, or my 3-wood or hybrid for long 2nd shots. Also, my SandWedge is 15 years old, it's a second-hand club, and I never seem to hit it well off of short grass (not sure of the bounce, but seems "average").

Any thoughts on modifying my set? Right now, I'm thinking "Drop the 4-iron, dump old SW (56), and insert 2 wedges, 54 and 60."

Keep in mind my HCP is just under 30, and I'm just starting to play seriously this summer.

Any input appreciated, thanks.

[dave s]

This year, it's been a season of taking stock of my game and gear. Like you, I don't hit the long irons and rarely have a need for anything more than a 6-iron.

Also, I'm not going to reach many par-5s in two, so it's driver off the tee and an 18* hybrid that gets me to within short iron or wedge (usually) range.

Now that this is a 'known' for me, it's allowed me to take a few unused sticks from the bag and do exactly what you stated: add scoring clubs.

Now in the bag is: Driver, hybrid, 5-9 irons, PW, SW, LW and a putter. I don't miss the other club 'possibles' like a 3w or 5w or a 3-4 iron one bit. Actually, I'm hitting the ball better, more solidly and scoring better as well!

dave

[jrode]

I'm probably not any better than you and I'm playing with an old Walmart brand of clubs, but I'd stick with the 4 iron. I can't hit the 3 worth a crap, but I hit the 4 fairly well and once I get better, I'm sure I'll hit it better.

[Bluenoser67]

30 Handicap = Hybrids and lots of them(get rid of the 3, 4, 4 and maybe even 6 iron in favor for the hybrids). Forget the 60 lob wedge its too hard to hit (most pros dont even use them for that reason) go with a 52 and 56 degree wedge if you want two. Think oversize and perimeter weighting for the rest of your irons. High lofted driver around 12 degrees. If you take the game serious this year work on chipping an putting its well over 50% of a 30 handicaps game. Goodluck

[m11]

30 Handicap = Hybrids and lots of them(get rid of the 3, 4, 4 and maybe even 6 iron in favor for the hybrids). Forget the 60 lob wedge its too hard to hit (most pros dont even use them for that reason) go with a 52 and 56 degree wedge if you want two. Think oversize and perimeter weighting for the rest of your irons. High lofted driver around 12 degrees. If you take the game serious this year work on chipping an putting its well over 50% of a 30 handicaps game. Goodluck

Definitely agree with the hybrids. You dont need anything lower than a 5iron. Thats a definite change that i think we can all agree on. However, i think a 58/60* wedge is a necessity. There seems to be about 2 schools of thought around the green. Learn how to utilize many clubs to chip and pitch around the green. Or get familiar with 1 or 2. I think its much easier to develop touch with 1 or 2 clubs than it is with 4 or 5 clubs. The reason i stick with the 60* is that having that much loft available gives you more versatility. And i feel that even a beginner can learn to hit the club properly. That is, you need to research what to do to hit it properly (or ask us)..just grabbing it and swinging away will cause a lot of skulled shots and grief. Yes, you can take a 56* (a sandwedge basically) and open up the face if you need more loft...however then you are messing with the bounce and just putting yourself in position to hit bad shots. But nonetheless, im definitely adament about the necessity of a 60*.

[GaijinGolfer]

If it were me, Id replace the 5-wood with an 18* hybrid, replace the 4-iron with a 22* hybrid and get 52*, 56* or 60* wedges. I personally like having a 60* wedge (I used to carry a 68* wedge) because it allows you to hit those greenside flop shots that go high and land soft.
If your wedge is old, chances are the grooves are pretty worn-down, so some new wedges would probably really help your short game because youd actually be able to put some spin on the ball.

[zebrasinamerica]

I LOVE my long irons so I will be kind of biased on that issue (plus I can't hit a hybrid to save my life as I have tried many), so thats your call, hit some hybrids before you buy them.

As far as wedges go I would go with 52 and 58 if you're a 30ish handicapper 60's and up can be tough clubs that take a lot of time to get the hang of for some players. I personally dropped my 56 and kept just the 52 when I started playing competitively again.

just my .02

Z

[Shindig]

Not really a "swing tip" question, but...

The 4-iron in your set is close in loft to your hybrid, and you probably don't hit it as high - even if it is a UFI. Dropping it probably won't hurt you - I bet the 20 degree hybrid and 5-iron can cover for the 4-iron. Dropping your SW and adding a new one is probably a good plan, unless you hit the old one well. As for whether or not you need a LW - what's your distance on the SW?

By the way, there are SW and LW in the UFI brand at 54 and 59, if you want to use them. You can probably order them individually at your local golf shop.

[JtotheD]

Before you get too concerned about you set make-up.....

1. Get some lessons, at least one, to actually figure out some major swing flaws.

2. Decide what type of game suits YOU best. Bomb-gouge (probably not yet) or Fairways and Greens (we can all hope).

3. It won't hurt to have a 56* and a 60*, but until you get lessons they will make you miserable.

Example: You hit a good drive, decent second to greenside. Grab the 60* and try poppin' it in the air (no reason) and proceed to skull it over the green, which leads to probably double or worse. All you had to do was grab the PW, or even up to an 8-iron (depending on how far off the green you are) and basically putt it up there for a par chance. Why add loft when the situation does not dictate it?

--There is no magic to the short game, but you do need to manage it well

4. Fill that bag with hybrids, a 30 handicapper needs hybrids, that is who they were intended for. You might even get rid of the driver (or just leave it at home for a round) and opt for a strong 3W for tee shots (~13*).

Best of luck to you and your pursuit of this magnificent game.

[LilGasPasser]

As for whether or not you need a LW - what's your distance on the SW?

A full swing SW usually gets me about 80 yds. A full swing GW usually gets me about 110. Part of my problem is not being able to consistently use a partial swing on the GW for 80-100yds; sometimes it's the yardage I wanted to hit, oftentimes not...

Thought about the UFi branded wedges; still may go that route. But, wanted to get "regular" wedges; ie. cleveland. Stupid thought? I have enough Cobra clubs already! JtotheD: I am taking lessons, and yes it's helping immensely. My HCP may not reflect it, but I'll frequently get back to back pars, followed by a pair of 8's. Such is the fate of the newly obsessed: I lack consistency. Thanks to all for the advice/input.