Are links golf architecture designs such that fewer clubs makes the game easier?

[Sean_A]

Tom

I always thought that if the club limit was 9 or 10, that people would still buy more clubs and then try to "club the course" they are playing that day...at least for a generation or two anyway.

Ciao

[Thomas Dai]

I could be mistaken but isn't there pictures and other reference to many of the players (of the links no less) in the early 20th century carrying rather large numbers of clubs?
Is not where the 14 club rule stemmed from?

Various specialist clubs used to be carried in yee olde days that changes in both playing conditions and the rules over time mean are no longer applicable, clubs like rut irons and water irons for example.

I think it was the actions of players like Lawson Little, who carried something like 25 clubs in his bag, that caused the USGA to introduce the 14 club rule. Anyone know if the R&A introduced the rule at the same time, and if not, when they introduced it?

atb

[Sean_A]

TD

I think the USGA instigated the 14 club rule sometime in the 30s and the R&A followed not long after.  I think once rules about clubs were first brought in sometime around the turn of the century that slowly many clubs were banned over the following 25-30 years to the point where it didn't make much sense for there to be more than 14 clubs allowed.  I also think there was an issue with hickories being better for some shots so guys double carried.  The 14 club rule was the definitely the final death blow for hickories. 

Ciao

[Grant Saunders]

I could be mistaken but isn't there pictures and other reference to many of the players (of the links no less) in the early 20th century carrying rather large numbers of clubs?
Is not where the 14 club rule stemmed from?

Various specialist clubs used to be carried in yee olde days that changes in both playing conditions and the rules over time mean are no longer applicable, clubs like rut irons and water irons for example.

I think it was the actions of players like Lawson Little, who carried something like 25 clubs in his bag, that caused the USGA to introduce the 14 club rule. Anyone know if the R&A introduced the rule at the same time, and if not, when they introduced it?

atb

So, is it not feasible to possibly entertain the idea that maybe these players weren't the tremendous shot makers that nostalgia would would seem to sell us on and they saw the advantage in matching equipment to the shot as opposed to creating shots?