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C. Squier

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Fewest number of clubs in the bag and...
« Reply #25 on: December 14, 2008, 10:57:36 PM »
We used to play practice rounds in high school w/ just a 7 iron.....nothing else.  It was fun until you got into a bunker.....blasting out backwards isn't the greatest of fun. 

I'd say a 3w, 5/8/gap wedge and putter is pretty doable and could still have a really fun time without feeling that holes weren't totally unplayable. 

Philippe Binette

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Fewest number of clubs in the bag and...
« Reply #26 on: December 14, 2008, 11:57:23 PM »
didn't seve shot Even par on the old course with a 3-iron...

man a wish they would have filmed that round and put it on a dvd

Patrick Kiser

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Fewest number of clubs in the bag and...
« Reply #27 on: December 15, 2008, 12:18:33 AM »
I play year round with an odd set myself (e.g. Driver, 3W, 3i, 5i, 7i, 9i, GW, SW, LW) and enjoy the game just as much. 

This mainly helps to develop feel and touch, but also because I find it annoying to lug more clubs.  I think it works to an extent.  I will admit to bringing in the 5W now and again for the longer par 3s where I just can't seem to throttle back enough on the 3W.

But I have to agree on a fast and firm course I could probably play with an even smaller bag.  All about more distance control flexibility with fast and firm conditions.

“One natural hazard, however, which is more
or less of a nuisance, is water. Water hazards
absolutely prohibit the recovery shot, perhaps
the best shot in the game.” —William Flynn, golf
course architect

Chip Gaskins

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Fewest number of clubs in the bag and...
« Reply #28 on: December 15, 2008, 12:35:10 AM »
didn't seve shot Even par on the old course with a 3-iron...

man a wish they would have filmed that round and put it on a dvd

is that a true? wow, i so wish i had a high def dvd of seve!

i could probably take 3-4 clubs out of my bag and not see the difference.

Steve Lang

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Fewest number of clubs in the bag and...
« Reply #29 on: December 15, 2008, 07:22:01 AM »
 8)  5i, 8i, PW, putter, D & 4w make for hot summer fun
Inverness (Toledo, OH) cathedral clock inscription: "God measures men by what they are. Not what they in wealth possess.  That vibrant message chimes afar.
The voice of Inverness"

TEPaul

Re: Fewest number of clubs in the bag and...
« Reply #30 on: December 15, 2008, 07:54:08 AM »
Joe:

Here's an interesting little fact for you. In my tournament playing days I ran into a really really competitive player (in big time tournaments) who always played golf with what we used to refer to as a "stripped set". He was probably in the top echelon of competitive amateurs in Eastern Canada and he never competed with a full set. He always carried his own bag too---a little tube-like thing. That guy was really something to watch---he was really long and when he got to iron shots he would either draw it for a bit more distance or fade it for a little less because his irons went something like 3-5-7-9.

Only player I ever saw who did that in class A competition and Man did he do it well. Up there in Canada in those days was another player some of the guys I knew up there played a lot with who was apparently one of the most remarkable shot-makers golf has ever heard of for accuracy and everthing else. His name was Moe Norman. Apparently some of the tour players of the day like Crenshaw heard Moe was the best ball striker in the world and a few of them went up there to check him out and word was they were in no way disappointed with what they saw.
« Last Edit: December 15, 2008, 07:56:25 AM by TEPaul »

Sam Maryland

Re: Fewest number of clubs in the bag and...
« Reply #31 on: December 15, 2008, 08:48:10 AM »
didn't seve shot Even par on the old course with a 3-iron...

man a wish they would have filmed that round and put it on a dvd

is that a true? wow, i so wish i had a high def dvd of seve!

i could probably take 3-4 clubs out of my bag and not see the difference.

Thad Daber, who played at NC State, was one of the best with just one club.  Several times he won a big one-club tourney that was held in NC for years.  I remember seeing him on the charity outing circuit afterwards.

http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1016344/index.htm

This article references the Seve/Trevino round at St. Andrews...says Seve shot 3-over for 9-holes.

http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1127005/index.htm

Paul Perrella

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Fewest number of clubs in the bag and...
« Reply #32 on: December 15, 2008, 09:48:41 AM »
I have played the last two years, at my home course, with 9 clubs in my bag which is how many I want to carry. During that period my handicap index has fluctuated from .9 to 4.2 which is a range I can live with. Many times I let the bag room kids pick my clubs just to test myself.

John Kirk

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Fewest number of clubs in the bag and...
« Reply #33 on: December 15, 2008, 01:09:28 PM »
Ditto on Ballyneal. Last trip out there, I played the front 9 with only 7 clubs (sans caddie, so no GPS assistance, either). The course allows you to score in so many ways, regardless of how many clubs you have.

On that 9, I managed 5 birdies (missed a 4 footer for eagle) and missed a 6th on #9 from 8 feet. I call that a LOT of fun. :)

Sheesh!

Bill Shamleffer

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Fewest number of clubs in the bag and...
« Reply #34 on: December 15, 2008, 01:15:13 PM »
There is another active discussion on this site about the possibility of the USGA limiting the loft of wedges.  I have appreciated the recent comments by some in golf (including Seve), that there is too much loft in some of the wedges being used by today's pros and that there should be a limit on the legally allowed loft.  However, after reading some of the postings about this possibility it made me realize the logistical difficulty of creating, legislating and enforcing this type of rule.

PROBLEM:
Too many wedges in bag being used as “specialty clubs” and viewed by some as reducing shotmaking.

HISTORY:
In 1938 USGA created 14 club limit because pros had too many clubs in their bags, and some perceived this as reducing shotmaking.

SOLUTION:
Same as 1938.  In 1938 20+ clubs was seen as too many for a competitive round of golf.  The 14 club limit was enacted to correct this problem.  Now the 14 club limit may be too high.  Something less than 14 clubs may be needed.  Thus 10 club limit is proposed.

DISCUSSION:
One of the reasons (among others) for limiting the allowed clubs to 14 was so that golfers did not just have a club created for every imaginable shot, but instead would have to use some clubs for a variety of different shots.  This removed the benefit of carrying spare left-handed clubs by right-handed golfers for example.

With today's pros having as many as four or five wedges, each for a variety of specialized situations for shots around the green, it appears there may again be an "over specialization" of clubs in the pro's golf bag.

It would seem that the USGA could use this theory to change the rule limiting golf clubs from 14 down to 10.  They could state that they are using the same theory they used when the 14 club limit was enacted, and in an effort to preserve the purpose and spirit of the 14 club limit, that they must now reduce the number to 10.

The good thing is that weekend golf can easily comply with this rule.  No clubs in current existence need to be declared illegal.  Most occasional golfers can not properly use the high-lofted wedges.  As evidenced by prior comments in this discussion most have seen very little change in their scores.  Yet those that have played with smaller sets, have found it easier to walk rather than ride (good for ones own health and for the environment) and have enjoyed the challenges presented with not having the "ideal" club at hand for a particular shot.

How would this affect the pro's bag?  I would expect that they would start with 4 automatics: driver, putter, PW & SW (the driver may be close to a 2wood for occasional 2nd shots off the deck).  The next 3 may be the 7, 8 & 9.  The 8th club will be a choice between a fairway wood, hybrid or long iron (e.g. 2iron).  The last two club may be between a long iron or mid iron (e.g. 4 & 6 irons?), or maybe just a 5iron, with than a 3rd wedge thrown (depending upon the course).  However, I would be shocked to anything more than 3 wedges in a bag, and I would expect only 2 wedges would more common.
“The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that's the way to bet.”  Damon Runyon

Tom Huckaby

Re: Fewest number of clubs in the bag and...
« Reply #35 on: December 15, 2008, 01:28:59 PM »
1

I have played maybe ten rounds in my life with only a seven iron and I have never shot over 85. The key is using versatile clubs in that for example I can hit a hook 7-iron 200+ yards, and a choke down soft 7-iron 100 yards if I have to.

Pat - do people call you Tin Cup?

And man you must have putted darn well each time with said 7iron....

 ;D

Mike Benham

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Fewest number of clubs in the bag and...
« Reply #36 on: December 15, 2008, 01:31:10 PM »

1




These responses remind me of the topic about how far you drive the ball ...

Pat - What do you normally score with 14 clubs?
"... and I liked the guy ..."

Pat Burke

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Fewest number of clubs in the bag and...
« Reply #37 on: December 15, 2008, 01:32:46 PM »
I've finished a lot of rounds with 10 clubs
Unfortunately I started them with 14

Tom Huckaby

Re: Fewest number of clubs in the bag and...
« Reply #38 on: December 15, 2008, 01:36:25 PM »
I've finished a lot of rounds with 10 clubs
Unfortunately I started them with 14

DYING.
 ;D ;D

I assume you too always kept the trusty 7iron?


Greg McMullin

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Fewest number of clubs in the bag and...
« Reply #39 on: December 15, 2008, 02:13:05 PM »
at my club we have a 3 club championship every fall. Last year I played with a driver, 8 iron and putter. Shot 84 and won the event. Next day went out with 14 clubs and shot 86!!! Is there a lesson here?

John Burzynski

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Fewest number of clubs in the bag and...
« Reply #40 on: December 15, 2008, 02:47:28 PM »
There is another active discussion on this site about the possibility of the USGA limiting the loft of wedges.  I have appreciated the recent comments by some in golf (including Seve), that there is too much loft in some of the wedges being used by today's pros and that there should be a limit on the legally allowed loft.  However, after reading some of the postings about this possibility it made me realize the logistical difficulty of creating, legislating and enforcing this type of rule.

PROBLEM:
Too many wedges in bag being used as “specialty clubs” and viewed by some as reducing shotmaking.

HISTORY:
In 1938 USGA created 14 club limit because pros had too many clubs in their bags, and some perceived this as reducing shotmaking.

SOLUTION:
Same as 1938.  In 1938 20+ clubs was seen as too many for a competitive round of golf.  The 14 club limit was enacted to correct this problem.  Now the 14 club limit may be too high.  Something less than 14 clubs may be needed.  Thus 10 club limit is proposed.

DISCUSSION:
One of the reasons (among others) for limiting the allowed clubs to 14 was so that golfers did not just have a club created for every imaginable shot, but instead would have to use some clubs for a variety of different shots.  This removed the benefit of carrying spare left-handed clubs by right-handed golfers for example.

With today's pros having as many as four or five wedges, each for a variety of specialized situations for shots around the green, it appears there may again be an "over specialization" of clubs in the pro's golf bag.

It would seem that the USGA could use this theory to change the rule limiting golf clubs from 14 down to 10.  They could state that they are using the same theory they used when the 14 club limit was enacted, and in an effort to preserve the purpose and spirit of the 14 club limit, that they must now reduce the number to 10.

The good thing is that weekend golf can easily comply with this rule.  No clubs in current existence need to be declared illegal.  Most occasional golfers can not properly use the high-lofted wedges.  As evidenced by prior comments in this discussion most have seen very little change in their scores.  Yet those that have played with smaller sets, have found it easier to walk rather than ride (good for ones own health and for the environment) and have enjoyed the challenges presented with not having the "ideal" club at hand for a particular shot.

How would this affect the pro's bag?  I would expect that they would start with 4 automatics: driver, putter, PW & SW (the driver may be close to a 2wood for occasional 2nd shots off the deck).  The next 3 may be the 7, 8 & 9.  The 8th club will be a choice between a fairway wood, hybrid or long iron (e.g. 2iron).  The last two club may be between a long iron or mid iron (e.g. 4 & 6 irons?), or maybe just a 5iron, with than a 3rd wedge thrown (depending upon the course).  However, I would be shocked to anything more than 3 wedges in a bag, and I would expect only 2 wedges would more common.

Excellent posting response.  Well written and thought out.

In my experience, I have found that whether I play with my normal 10 clubs or with a limit of 14, my scores really are no different.  Sometimes, my scores are better with 10 - 11 clubs, as I have less indecisiveness per shot.

I suspect reducing the bag # to 12 or 10 clubs would not affect most golfers (except less aching backs), but would cause the pros to rethink their games.

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