Would you score worse with only 10 clubs?

[ronaldkuntoro]

Suppose you are trying to lighten your golf bag. You bring only 10 clubs (with a putter of course). Would you score worse than a full 14 clubs bag? Have you tried it?

[groovezilla79]

I know for sure I wouldn't score any different. I already only carry 12 clubs. Could easily take out the 3 and 4 irons. I actually grew up playing 3W, 5W, 4i, 6i, 8i, PW and putter. Got down to 8 handicap with those 7 clubs alone before my parents bought me a full set.

[zeg]

Probably not.

[MasterP]

I carry 11 clubs including my putter, and could really do without my 4i since I rarely hit it. So no, I wouldn't score worse.

[mdl]

I carry 12 clubs including my putter. I could easily drop my 3W, which sucks and I rarely use, and maybe the 6i, and barely miss them.

[goob3r]

Nope. I rely mainly on the same seven or eight. The rest I might use once every few rounds when I put myself into some weird position.

[Colinb913]

I could drop my 3 wood, and 3/4 irons. I barely ever use them. Maybe once every two or three rounds.

[play4him]

I remember my first set was a Northwestern Chi Chi Rodriquez set from KMart. It included a Driver, 3Wood, 5Wood, 3,5,7,9, and putter. My dad gave me a Sand Wedge to round it out. So that made 9 clubs. I got to where I could shoot in the 70's with those clubs, so I know it can be done.
What it did for me was make me a better striker of the ball, as well as taught me to be creative on shots in between clubs.

[ChipShot]

Nope. I have never used a 3I or 4I and not sure why I even carry them. I could probably get rid of my 6I and PW as well and never know they were missing.

[NickDarius]

A couple of months ago I tried playing with only 4 clubs, 5i, 7i, pw and putter. Only shot 1-2 strokes more per 9!

Was a real interesting experience.

[BC24]

It would make my course management a whole lot different. I guess I could drop the 3 wood, a wedge or two(I carry four) and a three iron. Usually play a few three irons from the tee on short par fours. Might be fun to try though!

[steelernation]

I use driver,7w 6i 8i 9i pw 53degree lob & lob with long shaft & putter.

My problems are 240 to 260 yard doglegs or 270 yard hazards.

[AceDunk]

I have played a few times with just 5 clubs. Putter, 52 deg, 7 iron, 4 iron, and 3 wood. With careful planning I can shoot pretty well, my best being 77. I normally play 13 clubs so 10 would be no problem. I'd get rid of 3i, LW, and another iron it doesn't matter, say 9i. Just have to set up the shots. In the long run though, I think it would cost me. Par 3s with set distances, and having a poor set up shot could cost a couple strokes.

[Easy]

Exactly the same. Give me my hybrid, 5,7,9, pitch, sand and putter. That's all I need atm.

[max power]

Depends. There are definitely clubs that get used less than others, but I can't predict ahead of time exactly what shots I'll have that day. I'm talking a few strokes here-I have played with only 5 wood, 7 iron, GW, Putter, and shot really well, but I would probably have been 2 or 3 shots better with every club in the bag.

[Brendon]

I am pretty sure I'd do just as fine with only 10 clubs in my bag. I have 14 in there, but I don't use them all. I use my driver, putter, P wedge, and a my irons and wedge get some use though.

[WUTiger]

It could work if it's a course with a fairly common theme to the holes: let's say fairly open fairways, long and narrow greens, lots of greenside pot bunkers requiring lofted blast shots. In a case like that, I could probably drop out three (let's not go overboard!) clubs and not suffer too bad in scoring.

But if it's a course with a lot of variety in the holes, or if the front and back nines are distinctively different, I want all 14 clubs.

Another factor: If I know the course well, I might consider dropping out a couple of clubs.

[melchior]

I carry 12 right now; and there's still rarely a time I use my PW (well, "EW" in my set). I rarely find an opportunity to use my 3w too unless there's a couple long par 5s (where I *could* hit my 3i just as well; and probably should....) I see people with 14 clubs and I just wonder "what do you use them all for?" Course, I'm one of those people who have a decently lofted club and use it for every single shot within 50 yards or so; from a full high pitch to a bump and run.