The 12 club theory

[Webster]

For the past couple of months, I have been playing all my golf with only 12 clubs in the bag, set up as follows:

Driver
18* 5 wood
24* hybrid
5i-PW
53* & 58* wedges
Putter.

I dropped out the 7 wood and 4 iron as I found I wasn't using them (regardless of where I was playing) and I could cover them with the hybrid anyway. Since going to less clubs, I can't honestly think of an occasion where a shot called for a club that was no longer in the bag, that I couldn't hit with something else I already had, ie soft 5 wood covers the 7 wood, hybrid hit easy covers the missing 4 iron. I also find that by taking the longer club and playing it easy the results have been collectively better shots overall. My confidence in the set up has definitely resulted in better recent ballstriking and scoring.

Anyone else tried this before or currently using less than the maximum 14 clubs?

[Bruce]

Has it impacted how you play Par 5s? Are there any you might have been having a crack at in 2 but now can't?

[Webster]

Bruce, my par 5 play in general is poor because I try to hit too many greens in two, resulting in poor shots and a lot of bogeys. Unless the approach is wide open, I rarely try to hit em in two now, unless I can get the hybrid there easily. I seem to be making more birdies by laying up anyway..

[just]

Jack
I play something similar except 13 clubs, I have an extra wedge. Having said that I could probably play 12 with a different wedge set up and it wouldn't make much of a difference.
Driver
20* hybrid
23* hybrid
5i-PW
50*, 54* 58*
putter.

The only thing I might change is to put a 17* hybrid instead of the 20*.

[Captain Nemo]

13 for me, regardless where i play!
Driver
17* 4 wood
3-pw (47*)
52*/58*

[Scottt]

Jack,

I have carried only 11 or 12 clubs for years (driver, 3h, 4i-PW, SW, putter with occasionally a GW or fairway wood in, but rarely).

I can't ever think of a situation where I thought "I really wish I had a...".

My opinion of most amateurs carrying surplus hybrids and/or wedges is that it encourages them to try shots that they shouldn't be playing: long approaches to par 4s and 5s, flops to tight pins etc. If the average amateur, say my ability or worse, is 180m or further from the green, I think the % of situations where going for it is the best play is extremely low. I stopped going for par fives all the time - to get on or as close as possible - about a year ago and my par five average has dropped from 5.5ish to almost even par.

Last week I went even further, carrying only dr, 2h, 4i, 6i, 8i, PW, GW, SW and putter.

There were perhaps 1-2 shots over 36 holes where an iron I wasn't carrying would have been ideal, and I hit a bad shot, but as I become used to carrying fewer clubs those rare instances should be eliminated completely.

On a number of occasions I hit an 8i or 6i when I would certainly have grabbed 7i or 9i and as a result of having some more club, hit a nice smooth shot to the heart of the green. I think I, like most golfers, overestimate how far I hit my irons, and also the smoother tempo meant better contact. I have been averaging 6 or 7 GIR this year so far, and last Friday I had 8 in the morning and 10 in the arvo using half a set of irons.

To me, fewer clubs is the way to go. If people would let themselves try it and trust it, I reckon very few wouldn't see their scores improve.

[mint]

were you hitting either club poorly or just decided that you didnt need them ?

[Webster]

didnt need them.

[oz]

I could see that working well for me. I don't carry any more loft than 58*, and if I could find a 4 wood that I liked, I could drop the 3 wood, for sure. I love the 18.5* 3DX DC hackstick, so if I could find a 22-24** or thereabouts, that would fit together pretty well. My 4 iron only usually gets a run on long par 3's - and occasionally on 1 par 4 at my home club - nothing that wouldn't be covered by the hackstick.

[razaar]

What ever works, but there does seem to be a gap between the driver and 18* - another option off the tee rather than fairway. Not sure what your reasoning is here.

[Webster]

razaar, there is no gap at all. If I need to hit the fairway but no more than 215 metres I hit the 5 wood. Any more and I hit the driver. The bunted driver is one of my most reliable shots. Just cos it's the driver doesn't mean you have to smash it every time you hit it.

[razaar]

Yep that will work if your 5-wood can get 215metres.

[senecio]

I have been playing 12 clubs for years. My set-up is

Driver
16.5° 4 wood
3-PW
56° SW
Putter

I'm rarely left wanting for the right club and my bag is lighter. I could probably drop to 11 clubs if I could find a Hybrid I could hit to replace the 3 & 4 iron.

[fatbastard]

How many times have you played a 4 or 5 club event and played just as good, if not better than with 14 clubs??? Makes you think more and be creative!!! Then we go back to playing with 14 clubs and play like a jack ass!!! Go figure... :smt102

[grandmasterb]

I only started carrying a 5 iron 12months ago prior to that was 6-PW. Depending on how im feeling i dont carry the putter either but usually i'll have 9-12 clubs (varies with the weather)

Usual set up:
9* driver
18* hybrid
5-PW
2-3 wedges

I've started playing differently the past 12months as well and hoping that 2010 will see me obtain the handicap i desire and stick to it with correct club/shot choice.

[Ferrins]

I carry 16, who checks?

[Yossarian]

You stole adlo's theory.

[markTHEblake]

I can easily let one club go, and often do, usually the 3 or 4 wood. Though I couldnt leave two at home though, I use my 4 iron too much.

[mike]

I only use 12.
Driver
3 wd
3-P
52°
Putter

Quite a gap between 3 wood and 3 iron but is rarely an issue.

[damoocow]

Been using 10 clubs for years but this year have lashed out and added an extra one - I love the fact that I have less things to consider and erase a lot of the 'what ifs'.

10.5 Driver
16 Driver
20 Hybrid
25 Hybrid
6 - SW
Putter

[dodgem]

12 club theory has a lot of merit, Jack.

My bag set-up is 13 clubs -
Driver
17* 4 Wood
20* Hybrid
4 to PW
52* & 56* wedge
Putter

I only started carrying the 4 wood late last year and I could easily drop it from my bag based upon how many times I have hit it this year (twice in comp) and the end result (crap!).

On long Par 5's - always try to lay up on the second shot about 100 to 90 metres out and then 9 iron or PW on, better results for me at my current skill level.

The 20* hybrid is a gem and I'm using that for both full and 3/4 shots which sort of covers my my 4 iron. Much more accurate with the 3/4 hybrid shot, so I'm now picking up points using that shot!

Could I drop a club and continue playing to, or better than my handicap? Yep, for sure.

[Pieface]

I'm running on 12 clubs atm too

Driver
3W
22* Hybrid
5-SW
58* wedge
Putter

I still suck

[andigold]

I've been in the 12 club club for over a year now. :)

10.5* Driver
19* 5 Wood
23* Hybrid
28* Hybrid
7i - PW (44*)
50* Wedge
54* Wedge
58* Wedge
Putter

Works for me.

[adlo]

As Yoss suggested, I have been pondering the 12 club bag for a while.

I went to 13 clubs a while back and like it, and I could easily drop out 1 more club to join the 12 club club. I will more than likely do so in the next few weeks as a few small adjustments are made to my current bag.

I will go:

11* Driver
19* Rescue
22* Hybrid
5i-PW
53/12
60/06

Werd.

[Courty]

I only use 12.
Driver
3 wd
3-P
52°
Putter


If you regularly played at a course with more than 2 bunkers you might find the need for another wedge with more loft. ;)

I have had 13 in the bag for a number of years now. I dropped the 3 iron to make room for an extra wedge when I was trying to work out the best loft combo for me. I found that I didn't miss the 3 iron so never put it back in. Although I've recently decided to put it back in in an attempt to find the right club for the tee shot on the 14th at Cairns (what I bought the Tour Duffy for :roll:). I'm also considering taking the 3 iron back out and purchasing a lower lofted hybrid purely for that one shot.

[Iain]

I've got 14 atm

Driver
3 wood
19 hybrid
3-pw
54 & 60
Putter

Could comfortably drop the 3 iron and 3 wood as I use 4 iron a lot off shorter par 4's (350m and under) and don't really hit 3 wood a lot.

[Yossarian]

I smoked a 3 wood the other day so I am going to stay with 14 for a bit longer.

[markTHEblake]

I smoked a 3 wood the other day so I am going to stay with 14 for a bit longer.

This link (http://www.moviewavs.com/php/sounds/?id=gog&media=MP3S&type=Movies&movie=Cheech_And_Chong&quote=smoked.txt&file=smoked.mp3) is appropriate for that

[mike]

If you regularly played at a course with more than 2 bunkers you might find the need for another wedge with more loft. ;)

I'm yet to find a bunker I can't get out of with the 52.

[Courty]

I'm yet to find a bunker I can't get out of with the 52.

You should play the 9th at Cairns more often. ;)

[mike]

Every time I play that bastard hole I end up in the right bunker.

And I get out every time. I'm as good as Mickelson out of sand.;)

[henno]

I'd like to see you get one out of a hard-pan, compacted clay and rock bunker on the 1st at Gailes with the pin tucked about two feet from the lip which is six feet high. Seriously. I would like to see that.'


Stupid Dingo Hill. I know that Hux's wedge has a "momento" from this very situation.

[IanO]

You have talked me into it (well partially). I am going to drop the 3 iron, leaving me with:
Driver
3 Wood
19* Hybrid
4-PW
54* Wedge
60* Wedge
Putter

[razaar]

Good idea...replace it with a 50* wedge.

[leighthebee]

just moved my 3 iron out....

tried 3 wedges for awhile and found i was always in 2 minds. back to 2 and much more settled...

[Jarro]

You have talked me into it (well partially). I am going to drop the 3 iron, leaving me with:
Driver
3 Wood
19* Hybrid
4-PW
54* Wedge
60* Wedge
Putter

Same for me :)

[BrisVegas]

I've been playing 15 clubs for years. Didn't realise there was a 14 club limit....:oops:

[sms316]

I've been playing 15 clubs for years. Didn't realise there was a 14 club limit....:oops:
Serious?

[IanO]

Good idea...replace it with a 50* wedge.
My PW is an AP2 47*

I have been tossing up going to 47*, 51* or 52*, 56*, 60*which is the Dave Pelz "Short game bible" recommended approach. Reality for me at the moment is that my current 3 give me the flexibility I need at the moment.

[BrisVegas]

Serious?

:-s

[AndyP]

Your reputation is now tarnished. The merit bar should be removed.

[BrisVegas]

I was taking the piss obviously.... Or at least, I thought it was obvious.

Feel free to take my merit bar. I'll get mike to build me another one just like it.

[AndyP]

I thought it was obvious too. Maybe SMS thinks you're a bit dumb.

[sms316]

I was helping out Vegas' self esteem. Leaving out a bait like that and not getting a bite can make one feel bad about themselves.

[KristianJ]

I'll check his bag at Twin Creeks on Fri morning just to make sure. :p

[BrisVegas]

I've got a shaftless 3 iron in the bag, does that count? Which reminds me, I need to find a shaft for that thing one of these days...

[Iain]

I was helping out Vegas' self esteem. Leaving out a bait like that and not getting a bite can make one feel bad about themselves.

Nice backpedal.... :roll:

[LarryLong]

I used to carry 3 iron that I'd snapped in half years ago to make up the 14 - just in case I ever got stuck under a tree and needed something to bunt it out where a longer stick wouldn't do. The sad thing is that I actually used it from time to time.

Nowadays I'm sorta in the 12 club club even though I carry 14 - I don't carry a fairway wood (even though I actually hit a fairway wood quite well) and I have 2 hybrids (can't remember the loft), 5-9, 10 (44), pw (48) and 3 wedges - 52, 56, 60. I basically carry 5 wedges - because my short game is terrible and I don't have enough feel to manufacture shots.