Playing a hole with only one club

[ks8829]

Yesterday, just for fun, I played the 18th hole par 5 using a 5 iron for all the shots including putting and boogied the hole, I missed a 5 foot downhill putt.

It help me be creative with the the 120 yard approach shot and pitching from 40 yards off the green, opening up the club face and hitting partial shots.

Maybe next time I will use three clubs, 5 iron, 56 degree and a putter and see how I do for 18 holes.

Anybody else play around with just a few clubs?

[Golf_Gal]

Esp for Par 3 courses, you only need your putter an iron or two and a wedge and you're all set

[GaijinGolfer]

Heard of it, never tried it though. No need making this game more difficult. Sounds like you were having a, "Tin Cup" moment...

[NormH3]

I played my first 9 holes yesterday in not so nice conditions. Bunkers filled with water, leaves everywhere, sticks, mud. I think I played 5 and 7 iron most of the time. Even from the tee.

[ThomasG]

Sounds like a fun experiment. I might try it when I play the 18th and no one is behind waiting (after I play it the conventional way).

[Jay-Bird]

I played nine holes with five iron ONLY this year once. I played OK, it was good for focus and feel. Even putted with five iron. I made a few putts of decent length - just bellied (bladed) them on a line toward the hole.

[ThomasG]

How did you score, Jaybird?

[Fourputt]

Yesterday, just for fun, I played the 18th hole par 5 using a 5 iron for all the shots including putting and boogied the hole, I missed a 5 foot downhill putt.

I try to do it several times a year. It's the best way I know to work on creative shotmaking. Imagination is a huge part of a good golfer's arsenal, and the best way to practice that is to force yourself to play shots in ways and with clubs which you wouldn't usually use. I'll head out to the course with only 6 or 7 clubs, including my putter, and play the middle tees (6500 yard full par 72 course) that way. I find it both fun and game improving.

Then the next time you are forced to play a 6I from only 100 yards to keep the ball under a tree limb, it won't be a completely unknown experience. You won't be afraid of the shot because you've done it before and you know you can pull it off.

[Jay-Bird]

How did you score, Jaybird?

40.

I remember making par "putts" on #s 1,5 and 8. I got on #2 in GIR but 3 putted. #3 is a par 3 - usually a 8 or 9 iron at most - so knock down five iron hit the green and jumped off - made 5 there. Made par on the par 5 4th. par on 5. Par on 6 (easy hole - 330). Bogey on 7. Par on 9.

[iacas]

I beat a team of high schoolers with just a five iron. I parred the last five holes when I caught up to them. Only had my 5-iron for demonstration purposes, and so I decided to "demonstrate" to them why they should still listen when I had something to say, seeing as how they couldn't even beat me when I only had a 5-iron.

Was all said in good fun and ribbing... but still drove the point home, I think.

[billysandy]

I have played a club and a putter competition. Used my 20* hybrid, a 7 iron and a 54* wedge. Worked out very very well. Came second with 34 points in a stableford format. I hardly get 34 using all 14! It always narrowed down ways to play holes, and it was great to get some practice off each tee with the hybrid.

[PiustheDrGolf]

When I was competing a PAT event last year, a young kid from PA was in my group. He said his hcp is 3 but did play very poorly for the first 18 holes, probably 20+ or something. Then as you probably know, PAT is 36 holes test. and less than +15 over 2 rounds is to pass the test. He pulled out 6 iron and played the 2nd round of 18 holes with the 6 iron only, from tee to hole for fun. Well.. he was a very good ball-strker and with just 6 iron, he was finally PLAYING golf. FYI, PAT is all about hitting fairway and green. He ended up 78 or something for the 2nd round.

[RIduffer]

My friends and I do this alot (usually betting for beers, hotdogs, etc.) I almost always use my 3-iron hybrid. Lots of fun and I think it's a great golf exercise, learning to be creative.

I've learned to use my hybrid in some different ways now: punch shot under trees; putting off the fringe or stuck against the collar; low runner; fairway bunkers. Also made me think about course management, and that I might be better off not hitting driver on lots of holes, even some par-5s.

[doof_dizzler]

I will play probably one month a round with just one club or maybe a couple. I used to play 18 with just a 7i when I lived on the coast. It was hard on the long par 4s but the 3s and 5s were where I'd make my pars... Even on a long par 4 I'd be on or near the green in 3, so putting (if you can call it that with an iron) or chipping for a par...

[microcrayfish]

One time when I was really hung over and couldn't be bothered carrying my bag anymore I played the back 9 with just a 7 iron. Didn't do too bad, I actually found putting surprisingly easy. If I had to play 18 with one club I'd probably use by 4 hybrid. I've already learned how to play a whole bunch of shots with it as it's my go-to club when I get myself in a spot of bother.

[-BAMA-]

ive done it with a 4 iron, 9 iron and putter several times.

probably the most fun golf ive ever played. scores were not much higher than when i carry 14 clubs...

[2bGood]

I did it one day with out trying. Short par 4 - hibred of the tee, hit it very poor and was in the trees. Try to recover and advance out of the trees, with the same hibred, ended in touble near the green, funky chip shot with my hibred that put my me in thick rough green side, where i hit a deep rough putt with my hibred that in for par.

Par with the same club, and I wasn't trying to play the hole with one club, it just worked out that way.

[Mr Taylormade]

the 14th at my course is a par5 510yard uphill monster. i always play it with
4i tee
4i fairway
pw pitch and then hav two putts. those that count.

when i was younger me and my mates used to play the first 7 holes using only 6i and putters for pro vs or infamous callaway blues