Do I really need 14 clubs??

[JeffG]

Here's my current setup:

TM R7 460 9.5*
TM R7 3 wood 15*
TM Burner 3h 19*
MP-57 4i
5i
6i
7i
8i
9i
PW 47*
Scratch TNC 53*
Scratch TNC 58*
Odyssey Black #2

I thought about adding a 2 hybrid, rescue dual..but thats 16* and only 1 degree dif from my 3 wood. I really like my 3 wedge setup, don't want another wedge (like a 60 or something)..so, I guess I should stick with what works? I guess I feel like i'm wasting something if I don't have a full 14 set. What do you think? Thanks!

[CG031]

no, you don't. but why put yourself at a disadvantage when you have the ability to?

[glebert]

I shot my best score ever with six clubs in my bag (driver, 5w, 7w, 9w, SW, putter). I think it can be better to have fewer choices, it makes you think more about your shot, rather than your club.

[jonanator]

Not necessary, but if you can afford it, why not?

[GaijinGolfer]

Having more clubs allows you to fine-tune your distances more. Its really more personal preference though. I like having a driver, 3-wood, 3-9 irons, PW 52*, 56* and 60* wedges and a putter.
I prefer long irons over fairway woods/hybrids though, so if you wanted to substitute a 5-wood and a hybrid for the 3 and 4-iron, that would be fine.
No way would I carry less than the maximum number of allowed clubs though.

[DDBowdoin]

The pro at The Country Club (Brendan Walsh) beat me with a 6 iron... thats it

[golf_junkie27]

You don't necessarily need 14 clubs. FWIW, I believe it depends on three things:

1) Length of the course
2) Weather conditions
3) Distance gaps are covered

I have 10 clubs in the bag and it's made playing easier. Takes a little bit of second guessing out of the shot and better course management. For me, that means less stupid attempts.

[GaijinGolfer]

You don't necessarily need 14 clubs. FWIW, I believe it depends on three things:

Am I reading your sig right? The only irons you have (besides your wedges) is an 8, 9 and PW?

[golf_junkie27]

Am I reading your sig right? The only irons you have (besides your wedges) is an 8, 9 and PW?

Yes, that is correct. I play only one course that is close to 7000 yards. The rest are in the 6500-6700 range. Therefore, I have my distances covered.

My Driver is anywhere from 245-275, 5W goes anywhere from 215-235, Hybrid from 175-210, 8I from 155-170, 9I from 135-150 yards and PW from 115-130 yards. These distance include all types of lie and tee box. I don't have problems hitting my irons. I just made the switch because I found that I was carrying three to five clubs that I either never hit or hit once per round. Since the hybrid allows me flexibility, I'm carrying that. Occasionally, on par 5s, I'll go for it if its perfect. Otherwise, it's Driver, 8I and wedge.

[DDBowdoin]

170 for an 8 iron is long... getting close to tour length there big guy

[golf_junkie27]

170 for an 8 iron is long... getting close to tour length there big guy

That's off the tee. I've done it a few times and it's been on good days. Obviously, into the wind, bad lie, out of the rough, that would never happen nor would I attempt it.

[packerfan1]

I carry 10-12.

I think that if you are a long hitter, you probably need all 14 clubs, but for short hitters 10-12 is probably OK; you have less gaps to fill if you are a short hitter.

I always carry:
Driver
4W
19 hybrid
22 hybrid
5 iron (26*)
7 iron (34*)
9 iron (42*)
PW (46*)
GW(50*)
SW(56*)
Putter

Sometimes a LW(60*)...although I can't hit it well.

[Cody]

Need? No.

Want? I sure hope so.

I'm at 10 clubs now and sure i could play a course and play it just as well as if i had 14 clubs. However!! There are quite a few situations where i COULD USE another wedge or a 3w or something I'm missing.

If i was you i would just pick up an extra hybrid or wood. Like say 4h just incase someday youre in some deep rough and are thinking SHIT a hybrid would be great here but a 3h is just too much...

A 5w just incase you've got a beauty of a fairway lie but that 3h could get the job done.. A 5w or a 4w or a 4w just something in there to add.

[Doctorfro]

No. It wouldn't let me reply with just the word "no"

[NM Golf]

No but you really should either get 14 or drop down to 12. 13 is just an unlucky number.

[Shindig]

I thought about adding a 2 hybrid, rescue dual..but thats 16* and only 1 degree dif from my 3 wood. I really like my 3 wedge setup, don't want another wedge (like a 60 or something)..so, I guess I should stick with what works? I guess I feel like i'm wasting something if I don't have a full 14 set. What do you think? Thanks!

I'm faced with a similar dilemma. As I'm hitting my FLI HI (3-hybrid) better and better, I'm getting more tempted to remove the Cobra 3H and put in something else. My plan is to remove the 3H and play with 13 for a while, and when during a round I decide I need a club ("dang, I'm between my 3H and 3W, I wish I had something between"), I'll make a note about it.

My suggestion - and something I plan to do myself - is to play with fewer and note what you decide you need. The 2H could well be less distance than the 3W but more than the 3H, or it could be a duplicate distance. See if you find yourself needing something between your 3W and 3H.

[RickPro]

when i use to play on the golf team in high school i only used 12 clubs in a team ping hoofer bag.

we had to carry our bags, so im glad i only had 12 clubs. won the championship with that setup, and made it to state finals singles tournament without my team.


driver

4 wood

3 iron
4
5
6
7
8
9

pw
sw

putter

[clemsontiger]

I agree with most of the responces. Unless there is a reason why you are not carrying a 14th club, you should find something to add into the bag. You never know when you might need a little something extra.