Crosshair Golf Blog
October 16, 2009
Fourteen Sticks in a Sack
Per U.S.G.A. rules you can have 14 golf clubs in your bag.You can only have 1 putter, in fact, you can only have one club set up like a putter. For instance, some people have chippers in their bag, these clubs have to be set up like an iron even though you stroke them like an iron. The rest of the clubs are up to you. Phil Mickelson, for a while, was carrying 2 drivers.
What do you have in your bag? When I got my first set about 7 years ago, I had the typical Driver, #3 and #5 Fairway Woods, 3 thru 9, Pitching Wedge and Sand Wedge iron set, and a putter. That is 13 clubs, I felt I needed 14. At that time hybrids were in their infancy and they were more like woods than irons, so I got one. I got one that was similar to a #7 wood, it was the first to go.
Then I got rid of the #5 wood. Now, when I get new clubs I only get the Driver and #3 for woods.
I got rid of my Sand Wedge and now i have a 64 degree wedge, in the sand i open the face of my pitching wedge, it works for me. And I now have a Hybrid equal to a #1 iron.
I have a putter also, that makes my set 13 clubs. There is no rule that states I have to have 14 clubs, but I will probably get another wedge.
Basically, my message in this article is this. Get the clubs you use, if you use them you need them, if you don’t use them then you don’t need them. Do not get clubs that the Pro’s use because they use them. I love to watch Tiger play. I am inspired by his playing, he carries a 5 wood and I have no intention of getting one.
If you are new to golf or have no Idea what clubs you need, then get the basic set. Driver, #3 and #5 Fairway Woods, 3 thru 9, PW, Sw Iron set, and a putter. Then if you are not hitting your long Irons, (#3 and #4) try replacing them with some hybrids. Get some wedges if your short game is strong. Experiment, Experiment, Experiment.
As you learn the ways of your clubs don’t worry about the 14-club rule. When you are out with your buddies for round just tell them you are bringing a few extra clubs to try out, as long as you are not in a tournament or league event they shouldn’t mind.
After a few months you should have the perfect set, although, it will only last a month or so before the next best thing comes along. Enjoy many years of collecting Golf Clubs.
Tip #1 For the Beginner Golfer.. Take a Lesson
“Keep Your Head Down”
You will get a thousand bits of advice when you start the game of golf. Most of this useless information will come from the buddies you are going to play golf with. Keep your head down, bend your knees, loosen your grip, etc.,etc.
Now, I will give you some real useful advice. Do not under any circumstances go and play golf with your buddies unless they are all certified Pro’s. The worst lessons any beginning golfer can get are from their buddies. I am not saying they are not good golfers or they do not know what they are doing. I am saying, they do not know how to teach or observe.
The only thing your buddies are going to say is, “You picked your head up”. Well, maybe you didn’t pick your head up. A golf Pro is trained to observe your swing and adjust it for you.
So, my advice to you is to get a lesson. Most golf courses have a resident Pro and you can get a lesson for $50.00 to $100.00, you could also find a group lesson for around $25.00. A lot of new golfers, especially those that play sports, think they can teach themselves. Well, they are only kidding themselves. If you take that attitude you will be a lousy golfer and probably give up the game in a few weeks.
Get a Lesson!!! First, before you even buy your first golf club. Most Pro Shops that offer lessons will probably rent or loan a few clubs for a first lesson, just make a few phone calls.
