Unusual bag setups

[KGC]

Just like to see what types of unusual bag setups are out there. Over the weekend played at a reciprocal course and had driver, 3 wood, 19 degree hybrid, 4,6-9, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64 and putter. Used all of the wedges in the bag, probably simply because they were there and did not miss the 5 iron.

Am thinking that I may continue with this setup as I'm not that accurate with distance using the longer sticks and gain a ridiculous array of wedges.

I realize that I will get many posts deriding my use of more than three wedges but I'm really looking for responses from posters on particular club setups for their bag.

[Danattherock]

My signature shows my set up. All brand new except the wedges and the putter. I have to drop one club. Not sure yet. Maybe the 5W, maybe a hybrid, maybe the 6 iron. Still figuring it out.

[Big_M]

  Danattherock said:

My signature shows my set up. All brand new except the wedges and the putter. I have to drop one club. Not sure yet. Maybe the 5W, maybe a hybrid, maybe the 6 iron. Still figuring it out.

Ditch that 5-wood... who needs one. At least that's what I would do, thing was a moon ball for me with real inconsistent distances. Of course last time I had one it was from 1994 and had a reg flex steel shaft and head the size of a my 3 month old daughter's fist (very small).

My bag is not really unusual, but I like the 58* lob... much more versitle than the 60* for me. Also fan of my 2H over a 5W.

[Danattherock]

I may do just that. I am hitting the 3h and 4h so well, it would be fairly easy to ditch the 5W.

[KGC]

  Big_M said:

My bag is not really unusual, but I like the 58* lob... much more versitle than the 60* for me. Also fan of my 2H over a 5W.

Mostly I have played with a 54 degree and 60 degree, how did you arrive at the 52 58 combo? Do you play the 52

out of the sand on long bunker shots? Totally agree re: 5 wood, I have a 2H that flies a little lower and further than the 5 wood and is easier to control.

[doof_dizzler]

Whatever works is about my only rule for how I set up. Sometimes, I'll carry a 7W & 9W instead of my hybrids, or a 2H & 9W makes for interesting options. I'm the opposite in terms of wedges, I'd like to get to the point where I only have 2 other than PW. Would rather have an 'extra' longer club for more options myself.

[Leftygolfer]

I carried 5 wedges for a bit with no 4 iron. I have read alot of Pelz's research and he says there is really no scoring advantage to carrying all the long irons. You just don't make alot of birdies and a good 5 iron to the middle of the green and 4 iron to the back of the green will result in the same score. When I was walking 36 a couple of years ago I carried 11 clubs just for the weight. During the winter I only carry 10 clubs just to help me learn how to hit different shots. I carry D, 5w, 4,6,8,9,PW,W, and 58 plus my putter and honestly my scores aren't much different. If I was playing for money or competitively I would carry all 14 but when it is just practice it makes it interesting. It is fun to try to hit little 6 irons 150 yards and use a different swing other than stock.

[wolverine_man]

I currently carry no woods, other than my driver. I've been pretty effective so far with that setup, but I will try replacing the 2 iron this year with a 2H so that I can really attack those par 5s and start putting more for eagle.

[enis750]

not sure if mine is unusual or not...BUT I only carry 12 sticks
see sig for set up

see no need for more...MAYBE, just MAYBE a 60º wedge will find its way in my bag......but i might have only needed it like 10 times all year...so who knows

[Big_M]

  KGC said:

Mostly I have played with a 54 degree and 60 degree, how did you arrive at the 52 58 combo? Do you play the 52

well... two things led me to it, I previously had a 53/60 combo, but the 60 was ONLY used for sand and flops... I decided to try a 58, just to see if I had more control and it has been great. I can hit a lot of shots with the 58 and will sometimes even use it for a semi-full shot. It is possible that part of the change is actually me using and trusting the club more, but either way, I can use the 58 for a lot of shots... I hit it whenever I'm 70 and in and the pin is tight; most greenside bunkers, open it up to hit a flop, various other greenside chips where I need the ball to land softly. The 52 is spot on from 105, it is also easy enough to play on medium length greenside bunkers where I want the ball to release more, and I also hit a lot of chips with it.

Apparently, the new grooves are supposed to make it more difficult to play lob wedges because the ball will ride up the face, but we'll have to see if that's the case or not... maybe I'll be playing 51/56 when I change... we'll just have to see.

[Fourputt]

Right now in the winter, I trim my bag down to only 7 clubs. Driver, 4H, 6I, 8I, PW, SW (56°), and putter. With frozen fairways and mostly frozen greens (when we can even play), you are almost never hitting a "normal" approach shot. Every shot is an exercise in creativity, so carrying a full bag is just overkill. Half the time I don't even bring the driver because you can't get a tee in the ground, so you are always trying to balance the ball on top of a short one or something... not worth the hassle most of the time.

My scoring with the short bag is no different than in summer when I carry 12-14 clubs. The up side is that it makes me a more imaginative player during the regular season too.

[Meddle]

I find 3 woods really hard to hit off the ground, so I carry a 5 wood instead. I carry a 45* PW, a 48* and a 56* wedge, with no gap wedge. I like the 56 from 85 yards and in, but I just use a 3/4 swing and a full swing to vary distances with my 48* when I'm 90-120. I only use my 60* SW out of the sand. It's old and heavy, but I can't find new sand wedges with a wide flange like it has.

[sean_miller]

  Meddle said:

I find 3 woods really hard to hit off the ground, so I carry a 5 wood instead. I carry a 45* PW, a 48* and a 56* wedge, with no gap wedge. I like the 56 from 85 yards and in, but I just use a 3/4 swing and a full swing to vary distances with my 48* when I'm 90-120. I only use my 60* SW out of the sand. It's old and heavy, but I can't find new sand wedges with a wide flange like it has.

I know their new stuff is basically crap, but I just bought a new Ben Hogan Colonial 60' wedge and it's really wide and his a bit more bounce than my other 60s. I've only hit it at indoor golf with favourable results.

I'm looking forward to hitting it out of the sand and marking it up.

[KGC]

  Fourputt said:

Right now in the winter, I trim my bag down to only 7 clubs. Driver, 4H, 6I, 8I, PW, SW (56°), and putter. With frozen fairways and mostly frozen greens (when we can even play), you are almost never hitting a "normal" approach shot. Every shot is an exercise in creativity, so carrying a full bag is just overkill. Half the time I don't even bring the driver because you can't get a tee in the ground, so you are always trying to balance the ball on top of a short one or something... not worth the hassle most of the time.

This is what I'm trying to do with the top end of my bag, just to see whether I miss the couple of sticks that might be included. I don't have the restraint not to include the quota 14 and want to give my short game as many advantages

as I can. Noted that 5 wedges is overkill but using the same swing has been easy, even on the 64.

[FHopper]

I carry four wedges and use them all. PW, Approach, Sand, and Lob

[ControlJunkie]

  KGC said:

Just like to see what types of unusual bag setups are out there. Over the weekend played at a reciprocal course and had driver, 3 wood, 19 degree hybrid, 4,6-9, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64 and putter. Used all of the wedges in the bag, probably simply because they were there and did not miss the 5 iron.

I don't know man, if it works well for you, stick with it. I applaud the fact that you're familiar with your strengths and weaknesses, and you're giving yourself lots of options in an area that's one of your strengths. I say stick with what's working for you during rounds that count, but when you set out to practice, bring your long irons and progressively get better with them. I'd also look at working on partial shots with your PW, and one or two of your higher lofted wedges. It will definitely add more shots to your repertoire. Of course, that's just a suggestion, so if your happy with where your game is right now, disregard my ramblings

Hell, you'll see all kinds of wild set ups. Didn't Phil bag two different putters once or twice? (IMO, fixing the player was a better option, but if there's millions on the line, I guess anything goes!) And for the record, my bag has rotated between two setups: I'll either go with only 13 clubs (Driver, 3W, 3i-PW, 56°, 60°, putter), or I'll add a 20° hybrid as the 14th club. Lately I've really liked the ballflight and distance of my 3i, and want a little more distance out of the 3H, so I'm considering a 5W instead. I take the 3 wood off the deck well, so I assume the 5W would be close to the same.

[murpbrad]

I play driver, strong 3 wood, 4 wood, 20* hybrid, 23* hybrid, 5-pw, 52* wedge, 58* wedge, putter. I haven't seen many others use the strong 3 wood/4 wood combo.

[doof_dizzler]

  murpbrad said:

I play driver, strong 3 wood, 4 wood, 20* hybrid, 23* hybrid, 5-pw, 52* wedge, 58* wedge, putter. I haven't seen many others use the strong 3 wood/4 wood combo.

That sounds like a good setup for sure. It's not that different from 3W & 5W, just slightly less loft on your woods. i like it myself