Help with which clubs to keep in the bag.

[ndb8fxe]

I want more than 14, but I know I can't.  So here's the dilemma:

I've got:

Calaway Diablo D, 3w, 5w, which I love.

TM Burner 2.0 4-AW, which I also love.

old SW and LW that will be replaced.

and a putter for a total of 14.

The problem is that I have a large gap between my 4 iron and 5 wood.  I went to Golfsmith and hit a few 3 hybrids that I feel could bridge that gap between 195(4i) and 220(5w) yards, but I will need to lose a club in order to add the hybrid.

Since I'm planning on replacing the SW and LW I'm thinking of replacing with a single club in 58*.  I've always like the versatility of having both, but something has got to go.

What do you all think?

[xmanhockey7]

How my bag is set up I have a 52, 56, and 62 degree wedges. My long clubs go 3-wood then 3 hybrid. There's a decent gap there but honestly I just learned how to control my 3 wood. And I've found if I need anything longer than a 3 hybrid I'm typically going for a par 5 in two which usually requires a 3 wood. Another option would be take out that AW. Have your PW loft at about 47 then have your SW be set to 54 degrees. Learn to hit controlled shots with your PW.

[Golfingdad]

One 58* wedge might leave you too big of a gap down at the bottom.  What is your AW, 50*?  If it was me, I'd lose the 5W because based on your 4I and 5W distances, I'm assuming the the 3H is probably going to be in the 210-215 range, no?  A gap between 90-120 yards seems to me, a lot worse than a gap between your 3H and 3W ... I'm guessing 210-240???

[pixel5]

I need to make a thread dedicated to the 54* wedge. Not many use it, but it is so incredibly versatile. Use a 54* and a 60* in your set, get a hybrid. Get rid of the SW. Ta-da! 14 clubs.

[drmpb]

You could have your 4 iron bent one degree strong- I looked up the specs on burner 2.0 and your 4 iron loft is 21 degrees so you could have it bent to 20 degrees and it should/could give you maybe 5 more yards.  And then I would practice choking down on your 5 wood to hit it 210 when you need to. Distance gap wont be completely closed but it should be a little narrower.  I would completely agree with the above comments about remaining a 4 wedge guy and keep your distance gaps as small as possible when under 125 yards. Much much much more scoring going on from 125 and in than 200-210.  good luck

[ajst22]

Haha I am more of a 56* person not a 54*. My opinion the most versatile

[caniac6]

Try choking up on the 5 wood. That should lessen the gap, and you could keep your set the same. I have the same gap, and that is how I handle it.

[tefunk]

Good evening ndb -

I had to make the same decision as you in the last year.  What did I do?  I ditched the 5 wood.

My reasoning... the percentage that I that I hit the green from 200+ is pretty small (maybe 25%).  So to me there was no point in having a 5wood for 235 yards when I hit a 3h 220 and still don't hit the green the majority of the time.  15-20 yards doesn't make a difference when you're not hitting greens.  I'd rather have the better gaps in the wedge when I'm in scoring range.

As for your thought on having a 58 degree wedge to replace your SW and LW, I personally don't think it's a good idea.  Reason being is it's good to have a wedge with a lot of bounce (SW) for sand and thick rough, and to also have a wedge with very little bounce (LW) for hard pan shots and lob shots.

At the end of the day... it's really all up to you though.  If you're really confident with the 5wood, I'd be reluctant to tell you to take it out of your bag!  I have a friend who only carries two wedges (SW and LW... no GW (or AW in your case)) and he's a +1 HCP.  There's a lot of ways you can set up your bag!

Good luck man!

(Pixel - not to be a jerk, but he'd still have over 14 clubs.  3 woods, 4-AW is 8 irons, 1 hybrid, 1 putter, and 2 wedges... 15 clubs.  The AW is basically a GW, but still 15 clubs).