In Defense of Fewer Clubs

14.

The maximum allowable number of clubs in a bag, according to the USGA. It’s a rule that’s been around since 1938.

This constraint forces the conversation around club lofts, gapping, and wedge sets. How can I build a set that most adequately suits my particular game?

This rule leads us down the path of carry distances, lofts, spin rates and the whole shebang. As a classic tinkerer myself, this is a rabbit hole I’ve gone down too many times.

It’s hard to not think of golf as a game of equipment, however above all, golf is a mental game. 14 clubs leads to an endless number of choices for each shot you face. Endless decisions on how to play a particular shot.

I heard a quote recently that stuck in the back of mind.

“There are two types of errors in Golf. Execution Errors and Decision Errors.”

Execution errors are part of the game as an amateur, they simply can’t be avoided. Decision errors are what plague us at the amateur level. We all have tried the flop shot trying to stick it close to the pin, where we could’ve easily opted for a more conservative bump-and-run with much better success. We all think our 8 Iron goes 150 every time, when in reality it doesn’t always. We all make decisions on the course we wish we could have back.

My response to this issue was simple. Play with fewer clubs.

Less clubs, less decisions, more creativity.

The result? One of the more memorable and enjoyable rounds I’ve had in a long time. My setup was simple. I went with an 8-club bag. Driver, 2-hybrid, 4 Iron, 6 Iron, 8 Iron, PW, 60 degree wedge, and putter.

There’s times where the yardage doesn’t match a club, where you just don’t have your usual club available, and that’s where the fun really begins. Golf with 14 clubs can be a game of check yardage-grab club, check yardage-grab club. With little room for thought.

Golf with 8 clubs forces you to try half swings, choke-down swings, and constant bump-and-runs.

You may think to yourself, “I paid for this round and I’m going to use all my resources.” I can understand that reasoning. My defense of fewer clubs is simple. We’re there to have fun and trying new, unusual shots when you don’t have all your tools is simply fun.

When you go out for your next round, consider leaving half your clubs at home. You won’t regret it.