The 14 club rule

[robrey85]

Try a 4w while you are looking at it, if you can get on a monitor you may find you get more out of it then a 3w.

I found that I can hit a 4w (16.5*) longer then a 3w just from the height and carry I get from it. JMO

Cool, thanks for the heads up, I'll try that.

[hacker101]

Cool, thanks for the heads up, I'll try that.

Let me know how it worked out, my son plays a 4w also on the monitor he hit it about 10 to 20 yards further then a 3w.

Hope it works out for you.

[Fourputt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by robrey85

Cool, thanks for the heads up, I'll try that.

Let me know how it worked out, my son plays a 4w also on the monitor he hit it about 10 to 20 yards further then a 3w.

Hope it works out for you.

Another thing to consider is that not all 3 woods are created equal.  When I bought mine, Bridgestone made a 13° and 15.5° 3W, and a 17° 4W.  I ended up with the 15.5° 3W as a better step after my 22° hybrid.

[robrey85]

I ended up buying a Nike VRS covert 3W, 15° after hitting a few different clubs. Super nice club and I was murdering it about 250-280 off their Trackman launch monitor, which may have been full of shit but at least it made me feel good, haha.

Plus it's pretty to look at. *drool*

[JP golf]

Currently D-3W-3H-4H-4 Thru GW-SW and putter which is 14. Trust me...every club gets used on an 18 hole round ...it isnt that unusual given the yardage and layout of my local track...(Indian Canyon) in Spokane WA. Ill use every iron within the front 9 alone given the long par 3s.

At a an estimated 7.4, you really probably know the answer - It's course management and strategy... based on your strengths and what the course requires .  Utilizing every iron on the front nine indicates that you are not playing to certain yardages to capitalize on your strengths (I don't either, but I used to when I played competitively - now I play more for enjoyment and I'm likely to try to pull off that crazy shot- high risk/high reward shot that isn't the smartest play for your score - but that's my style and what makes it fun for me).

What gaps do you have? - What is the course going to require? - What types of shots do you play and what are your strengths? - BETTER, what type of strategy can you play to utilize your strengths and what clubs will that require? - Only you can answer...

i.e. - I want to add a hybrid to fill my gap from 4 iron (205) and 18* H (ideally 235-245)...  I want 215 hybrid....     Personally, I would pull my 48* as I have other types of shots to cover that club.

Driver 290

3W 255-260

18* H 225-245 (don't like to play it less than 235)

4 205

5 195

6 175-180

7 165

8 155

9 140

P 125 (also 70,80,90 -if I don't have to check it)

48* -100 (don't hit full)

52* - 60-50 (play it 100 on full shot if needed)

56* - 50-40

Putter

Hope that helps a little...  Either way, good luck and do what makes the game FUN! -playing for money or for handicap, play by the rules...  just practice- carry 18 clubs, i'm cool with that, but u don't have bragging rights lol...

[PA Golf Info]

Not your driver or putter but pull the club you do not like the most from your currant bag and add in that wedge and try that setup for 3-4 rounds and see if you gain anything.  Remember if you pull  a club you will have to work on a 80-85% swing on the next club up to try to fill that gap.  Some people it works for and others it does not.

[ev780]

I read most of this thread and I am amazed how many people were obviously toilet trained at gunpoint!!

"Can't turn in a score with 15 clubs." "Cheater"  and all of that.

Lighten up. Its just golf.

[Fourputt]

I read most of this thread and I am amazed how many people were obviously toilet trained at gunpoint!!

"Can't turn in a score with 15 clubs." "Cheater"  and all of that.

Lighten up. Its just golf.

It's golf if you use 14 clubs.... otherwise.....

[cfritchie]

I read most of this thread and I am amazed how many people were obviously toilet trained at gunpoint!!

"Can't turn in a score with 15 clubs." "Cheater"  and all of that.

Lighten up. Its just golf.

I get what you are saying...I also get what the "OCD/Purist" think about the rules. Thank goodness none of the guys that are that smitten with the Rules of Golf are our pastors! LOL!

I'm capable of having 15 or more clubs in my bag and "designating" one as "not in play" and not using it (if it is a serious money game we'll even turn the club upside down.) Same way I am able to accept a buddy kicking back a 4" putt and counting it and would never consider myself a "cheater." Tossing around that word in what is supposed to be "fun" is a bit over the top. I've been in the golf business, I only needed my oral interview for my Class A..I've had to lecture members on why they can't turn in a card when they are playing mulligans, not going back and re-teeing after finding a ball out of bounds (which is damn near impossible to do and not piss off the groups behind you) and other rules violations. When playing in a tournament there just isn't any room for "fudging" the rules...most people get it.

You'll never win an argument with those who take rules as it is the only way to play the game. Thank goodness these guys are not the ones in charge of marketing the game..

Personally I hit the ball where it lies...won't post a score if I couldn't re-tee a shot found to be OB..take proper relief and I don't take mulligans. With that said I'll post my score if a buddy kicks back a ball within a foot of the hole....pace of play is a big deal...

[Gunther]

I have a somewhat different problem. Put my 4I into my buddy's bag accidentally 5 weeks ago. Played 5 rounds without it so far (getting it back on Sun). Have to say I haven't missed it. Only really needed it maybe 3 times in 5 rounds, on 5 different courses no less. Not sure what I should add now. Already have 4 wedges. 3h is 200 to 220 and 3w beyond that. Should I keep the 4I for longer punch shots or maybe pick up 4h? Good problem to have I suppose but I'm stumped.

[Fourputt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ev780

I read most of this thread and I am amazed how many people were obviously toilet trained at gunpoint!!

"Can't turn in a score with 15 clubs." "Cheater"  and all of that.

Lighten up. Its just golf.

I get what you are saying...I also get what the "OCD/Purist" think about the rules. Thank goodness none of the guys that are that smitten with the Rules of Golf are our pastors! LOL!

I'm capable of having 15 or more clubs in my bag and "designating" one as "not in play" and not using it (if it is a serious money game we'll even turn the club upside down.) Same way I am able to accept a buddy kicking back a 4" putt and counting it and would never consider myself a "cheater." Tossing around that word in what is supposed to be "fun" is a bit over the top. I've been in the golf business, I only needed my oral interview for my Class A..I've had to lecture members on why they can't turn in a card when they are playing mulligans, not going back and re-teeing after finding a ball out of bounds (which is damn near impossible to do and not piss off the groups behind you) and other rules violations. When playing in a tournament there just isn't any room for "fudging" the rules...most people get it.

You'll never win an argument with those who take rules as it is the only way to play the game. Thank goodness these guys are not the ones in charge of marketing the game..

Personally I hit the ball where it lies...won't post a score if I couldn't re-tee a shot found to be OB..take proper relief and I don't take mulligans. With that said I'll post my score if a buddy kicks back a ball within a foot of the hole....pace of play is a big deal...

If this is in response to me, note my "Smart ass" smilie.   I don't care how many clubs you carry as long as we don't have a "game " on.

[cfritchie]

If this is in response to me, note my "Smart ass" smilie.   I don't care how many clubs you carry as long as we don't have a "game " on.

No it wasn't in response to you, lol...

I honestly don't care how many clubs someone carries when we have a game on. 15, 16, 25, 3 putters...it doesn't matter to me. I believe in what I'll shoot and your (not you Fourputt, but you as in any golfer) handicap is your handicap. If you got there bumping balls, carrying 19 clubs and not taking full relief it will catch up to you when we do play by the "rules."

[David in FL]

I get what you are saying...I also get what the "OCD/Purist" think about the rules. Thank goodness none of the guys that are that smitten with the Rules of Golf are our pastors! LOL!

I'm capable of having 15 or more clubs in my bag and "designating" one as "not in play" and not using it (if it is a serious money game we'll even turn the club upside down.) Same way I am able to accept a buddy kicking back a 4" putt and counting it and would never consider myself a "cheater." Tossing around that word in what is supposed to be "fun" is a bit over the top. I've been in the golf business, I only needed my oral interview for my Class A..I've had to lecture members on why they can't turn in a card when they are playing mulligans, not going back and re-teeing after finding a ball out of bounds (which is damn near impossible to do and not piss off the groups behind you) and other rules violations. When playing in a tournament there just isn't any room for "fudging" the rules...most people get it.

You'll never win an argument with those who take rules as it is the only way to play the game. Thank goodness these guys are not the ones in charge of marketing the game..

Personally I hit the ball where it lies...won't post a score if I couldn't re-tee a shot found to be OB..take proper relief and I don't take mulligans. With that said I'll post my score if a buddy kicks back a ball within a foot of the hole....pace of play is a big deal...

Does it really take you that long to tap in a 10" putt?

Don't misunderstand.  I agree with everything you've said here.  I just get a little weary of people justifying not putting out as a pace of play issue.

[cfritchie]

Does it really take you that long to tap in a 10" putt?

Don't misunderstand.  I agree with everything you've said here.  I just get a little weary of people justifying not putting out as a pace of play issue.

If someone is holding the flagstick and they are right there...walk up, tap it in...then hold the stick for someone else..

No it's not that big a deal or time killer...but over a round of golf with 4 people it can sometimes be the little things that make a difference.

[JP golf]

Quote:

I read most of this thread and I am amazed how many people were obviously toilet trained at gunpoint!!

"Can't turn in a score with 15 clubs." "Cheater"  and all of that.

Lighten up. Its just golf.

Depends on the situation and context

U playing in my group for fun - carry 20 clubs - but you don't get bragging rights for your score, only on shots you hit

U playing in a tournament - only 14, not 15 with one not in use... only 14 in the bag - end of story no exceptions

U playing for money - depends on size of group and competitors - just among foursome - it's up to your foursome - more players than that involved you are asking to be questioned and starting controversy for no reason - just pull the club and leave it in the car - no reason to have it in the bag.  Why carry 15 and designate one as "not in use"? just pull the club out, because I'm not checking you each shot to see what your hitting....

You can talk in my swing, walk in my line, ask me what club I hit, play ready golf.... you won't offend me-  but respect others and never assume, I'm not going to walk in your line, talk in your swing, and I'll ask if it's cool that we play ready golf...  unless you birdie, then the box is yours my friend (unless you did it with that 15th club lol) jk

Either way, do what makes the game fun - just don't take the fun away from others...

It's really simple and not overly complicated...

[ay33660]

I was just thinking about the number of clubs the other day.

But I was going the other way.

I was thinking of playing a few rounds with only every second iron in my bag.

So I would have:

Driver

4 wood

23 degree hybrid

6 iron

8 iron

PW

56 degree wedge

60 degree wedge

putter

I based my choice of irons off what I would need on the par 3's at my course.

At a minimum it would make it a lot lighter to lug around on a hot summer day.

Did the originators of golf have 14 clubs in their bag?

Why 14?

[Rulesman]

One theory

in http://thegratefulgolfer.com/2014/02/15/why-14-clubs/

[joekelly]

Another theory.

This technology, drop forging, allowed matched sets of clubs to be made as well as speeding up the manufacturing process . With so many different designs of club, some players were carrying a set of around twenty to twenty five clubs. In response to this and in order to preserve the skill element in the game the USGA imposed a rule, limiting players to only fourteen clubs in 1938, with the R & A bringing the rule into force in 1939.

So we can see that those golfers of yore, (Sarazen, Jones, Guldahl, etc) like  during the mid-1930s ,  were 'almost' cheaters because they should have foreseen the upcoming rule. Like every rule in golf, it's totally arbitrary and IMO, hardly makes a bit of difference, regardless of what some say here.  Give me 200 golf clubs and i still could not compete with say, Erik, and he playing only a 6i and putter.

Tourneys, for money or prizes , are where most of these quiet rules belong. For the normal golfers I say 'let the games continue' with etiquette, course care and  fun.