We each have our own strengths and weaknesses when it comes to golf.We should also take that into account when we decide what clubs to have in our golf bag. Though you are allowed a maximum of 14 clubs in your bag, many golfers realize that they don’t need the max allowed. So – let’s go through a “set” of clubs. Driver: Yes – that would get you the most distance off the tee IF YOU HIT IT SOLID WITH A POWERFUL MOTION. If you have a hard time getting the ball up in the air, or it goes sideways a lot instead of straight – try a high lofted driver OR use a 3 WOOD. If you have trouble hitting a 3 wood off the fairway, then I would suggest using a 5 or 7 wood. Again, you need loft to get ball up in air – so more loft on the club would most certainly help. IF you cannot hit your 3,4,5 or 6 irons solidly and get them up in a air – then get rid of them and use a 3,4,5 or 6 hybrid! Hybrids are great – a combo of loft and length (slightly longer than iron length), will help you off the tee, out of the rough and hitting off the fairway. Now, everyone needs a high lofted club to get the ball out of a bunker. A sand wedge has 56 degrees of lift, and lob wedge has 60 degrees. Try them both out of the bunker and see which one you can consistently get out of in 1 shot.
You also may be duplicating clubs in your bag. For instance, a 7 wood is basically the same loft as 3 iron or 3 hybrid – so decide which you hit best and take the others out. A 54 degree sand wedge and a 56 degree sand wedge — again – practically the same, and unless you are a LPGA or PGA or low handicapper, you won’t be able to tell the difference, so choose one over the other.
If you find you don’t use certain clubs at all – then take them out. That will save up space in order for you to add the extra fairway wood, hybrid or wedge. You hear a lot about “gapping” – especially your wedges (pitching, sand, lob, approach).. If you hit two the same distance then that is telling you that you need to “gap” or adjust your wedges so that they fly 8-10 yards between the clubs. If you get less than that, then you are duplicating.
So check out your bag and see if you can add or lose a club. It would be to your advantage to play clubs that suit YOUR game.
