Bag setup Question

[Jbmullin]

Looking for advice and thoughts on the long end of my bag.

Last year I carried a 3w/5w/4h irons started at 6. This year my new irons have a 4h/5h. So i am trying to decide best approach for my bag set up.

 

I like the flexibility that the 3w/5w/4h gave me last year, found that I was using all 3 frequently enough based on the setup of my home course. ( couple par 4’s where driver is not a great or ideal play, couple long par 5’s where its always driver 3w, one long par 3 where i use 5w/4h).

 

Just looking for how others filled those spots in their bag and what was the thought process in doing so?

 

 

 

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[tchat07]

I carry 3w, 2iron, 5iron at the top of my bag. The only issue I find is if I have a par 3 at a distance of 215. I think the key is your gapping and what you are looking for from those clubs. I mostly use 3w (fairway finder) off the tee and 2 iron (I'll keep it in play) off the fairway.

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[LeftyHawk]

I honestly believe that you need to find out what clubs work best for you and your game. I would offer that you get to a place that has some kind of launch monitor and get yardages for the clubs then set up you gapping based on the numbers. Another way is to, through playing the course, find the set up that fits you and your game. There is no right answer to this question. No wrong answer either. Being that your in Canada finding an indoor sim would be a litter easier I suspect. Enjoy the new sticks, nothing better than new stuff !!!!

Chris

[Letthebigdogshunt]

I carry 3w,5w, 7w.5h.

[cnosil]

I carry 3w, 2h, 3h, 4h, 6 iron. I dropped the 5 due to inconsistent strikes. The clubs in the bag were selected based on distance gapping.

[Kenny B]

I carry a 3W, either 2H or 3H, 5H, 6i is longest iron.

At my slow swing speed I don't need a lot of clubs at the top end of the bag.  Actually, the 3W and the 2H go about the same distance; different trajectories.

[JDHolmes]

My suggestion is to determine how far you hit your 6 iron and how far you hit your driver...normally, not best shots. Then fill in a club every 10-15 yards. This club you should hit and hit straight normally to the distance you're looking for, regardless of the type or designation.

Example. My 6 iron is 160. I have a 6 hybrid for my 170 club, a 7 wood as my 180 club, a ping 3 crossover as my 190 club, a 5 wood as my 200 club, a 3 wood as my 220ish club and my driver is 240. 6h and 3h and D are ping, the rest each is something different.

The point being, I can count on the club to go that distance and it goes straight if I put an average swing on it.

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[Mr. 82]

I always ask myself why I have a specific club in the bag for.  For example, obviously driver and putter answer their own questions, but beyond that, everything else should be examined.

In my situation, I play the same course several times every week, and I know what clubs I will typically need on most holes.  I typically look at the par 3 holes on my course and analyze what clubs I need to hit into those greens, and on the two front ones it can be anything from PW to 7 iron, depending on wind, tee and pin placement.

Next, I look at the par 5s on my course.  The front nine par 5s I can and typically do hit a 3 wood from the fairway for the 2nd shot, and on the first par 5 it's probably a lob wedge from there.  But the 2nd par 5 is quirky so that I'll probably have the same irons into that green that I probably have on one of the par 3s.  Back nine par 5s can be played several ways.  I can hit 3 wood on both, or layup to a number on both, or something in between.

Most of the par 4s on my course I won't need more than 7 iron for a 2nd shot, unless the wind is really strong into my face, then I'll need a 5 or 6 iron, but not that often.

So when I sit down and analyze my round, I find that I rarely if ever use a 3 hybrid, 4 iron or 5 iron on my home course.  But I keep them in the bag because I can have 14 clubs.  I also rarely use my gap wedge.  If I manage my way around the course properly I can eliminate that club from my bag as well.  Not 100% guaranteed, but I should be able to eliminate it if I am playing well.

So yeah, you are getting the long answer to an easy question.  Ask yourself what you'll use each club for on the course, and then go from there.  The pros will switch out clubs weekly, depending on the course they play.  They rarely play the same clubs week in and week out, and will always vary based on what they think they'll need where they are playing.  Everyone else should do the same thing as well, including you and me.

[Jbmullin]

My suggestion is to determine how far you hit your 6 iron and how far you hit your driver...normally, not best shots. Then fill in a club every 10-15 yards. This club you should hit and hit straight normally to the distance you're looking for, regardless of the type or designation.

Example. My 6 iron is 160. I have a 6 hybrid for my 170 club, a 7 wood as my 180 club, a ping 3 crossover as my 190 club, a 5 wood as my 200 club, a 3 wood as my 220ish club and my driver is 240. 6h and 3h and D are ping, the rest each is something different.

The point being, I can count on the club to go that distance and it goes straight if I put an average swing on it.

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Thanks for the reply. I’m currently in year 2 of lessons and last night was hitting my 6 iron 165, my instructor was targeting 160. So I’m close to what you are seeing distance wise. I’ve never hit a 6 165... ever so I’m a little amped about my progress.

I’m thinking I’ll stick with the same set up for now 3w/5W/4H and keep working on my swing and distance.




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[Jbmullin]

I always ask myself why I have a specific club in the bag for.  For example, obviously driver and putter answer their own questions, but beyond that, everything else should be examined.
In my situation, I play the same course several times every week, and I know what clubs I will typically need on most holes.  I typically look at the par 3 holes on my course and analyze what clubs I need to hit into those greens, and on the two front ones it can be anything from PW to 7 iron, depending on wind, tee and pin placement.
Next, I look at the par 5s on my course.  The front nine par 5s I can and typically do hit a 3 wood from the fairway for the 2nd shot, and on the first par 5 it's probably a lob wedge from there.  But the 2nd par 5 is quirky so that I'll probably have the same irons into that green that I probably have on one of the par 3s.  Back nine par 5s can be played several ways.  I can hit 3 wood on both, or layup to a number on both, or something in between.
Most of the par 4s on my course I won't need more than 7 iron for a 2nd shot, unless the wind is really strong into my face, then I'll need a 5 or 6 iron, but not that often.
So when I sit down and analyze my round, I find that I rarely if ever use a 3 hybrid, 4 iron or 5 iron on my home course.  But I keep them in the bag because I can have 14 clubs.  I also rarely use my gap wedge.  If I manage my way around the course properly I can eliminate that club from my bag as well.  Not 100% guaranteed, but I should be able to eliminate it if I am playing well.
So yeah, you are getting the long answer to an easy question.  Ask yourself what you'll use each club for on the course, and then go from there.  The pros will switch out clubs weekly, depending on the course they play.  They rarely play the same clubs week in and week out, and will always vary based on what they think they'll need where they are playing.  Everyone else should do the same thing as well, including you and me.

Thanks, I’m in a similar spot. I play the same course all the time so I sat down with a score card and figured out what I need. Couple long par 5’s I typically hit driver /3w on, couple short 4’s that a well struck driver gets me in jail but a 5 wood is just right to set up the next shot. It really is a thinking game.

I’m re tooling my swing and as I improve I am getting more distance. I took my 4 and 5 iron out last year as I could not hit them and added the 4H.




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[Jbmullin]

Thanks for the input everyone , much appreciated. Really focusing on what I need for my home course and then round out my bag. Sticking with the 3w/5W/4H but thinking it will change as I get more confident in my swing and distance


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[HardcoreLooper]

What I carry probably isn't right for you, but I would strongly suggest getting on a launch monitor or getting a shot tracking system to see if you carry multiple clubs that go the same distance.  That happens to lots of people around the fairway wood/hybrid/long iron range.  As for me, I hit my 4 and 5 irons the same distance.  I do have a bit of a gap between my 5i and my 2h.  I just haven't found anything I like that goes between those two clubs.    

[RoverRick]

I was planning on a ST190G, ST190TS 3w, ST190 5W, CLK 4H & 5H then 6-P 52-56-60 but before I bought the 5W I discovered a gap between my 5H and 6 iron. I have Mizuno clubs in the bag. So I set my ST190TS to 17° (4 wood?) and cranked the 4H to 20° and 5H to 23° and added the MP5 5 iron instead. And now I have even gaping.

Moral of the story, hit em and see what you need. Doesn’t matter what you have as long as you don’t end up with a big gap in the middle like I was going to have.

I was also went to 46-52-58 on wedges, but decided I was gong to score better with more wedges than fairway metals. So I have 4 instead of 3.


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[SmoothG]

When I got on trackman I found there wasn't very much different in distance between some clubs at the top of the bag.  I spread out the gaps a little bit and its working out better for me.  

I go:
Driver 
14.5* 3W
19* Hybrid 
24* Crossover 
27* 6 Iron

[J_L_35]

I need to dial in the top of my bag as I am finally upgrading my clubs after 10 or so years....Driver | 3w is set...there's a TaylorMade demo day this weekend and I am probably going to see if I can't figure out which combination of FW and Hybrids fit in before the 5i

[GaDawg]

As stated, you need to find a store or get with the person you are taking lesson from and find out your yardages. Once you know that, then fill the gaps with the club you hit the best whether it be a hybrid or iron.

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

Really depends on gapping first me anyway and what you’re comfortable with hitting. I have 2H and 4H the. 4 iron (my 4H is 3 degrees less than my 4 iron). Gapping for me is 240/220/205 and then 10 yards down from there. My 2h is also my go to for when the driver doesn’t want to cooperate.

[Jbmullin]

I’m going to a sim tomorrow and try gapping my clubs. It’s really difficult now as every lesson I’m gaining more confidence and seemingly more distance. I’ve never hit a 6 iron 165 before and at my lesson the other night with my adjustments it was common. Might need to hold off on filling the bag until I’m more confident in my swing. My instructor is setting the distances he feels I should be getting and so far I’m there. Appreciate all the info.

 

 

 

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[LeftyHawk]

1 hour ago, Jbmullin said:

I’m going to a sim tomorrow and try gapping my clubs. It’s really difficult now as every lesson I’m gaining more confidence and seemingly more distance. I’ve never hit a 6 iron 165 before and at my lesson the other night with my adjustments it was common. Might need to hold off on filling the bag until I’m more confident in my swing. My instructor is setting the distances he feels I should be getting and so far I’m there. Appreciate all the info.

 

 

 

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Excellent Idea. Keep on your current path and you you'll be pleased with where it takes you. Good luck !!!!

Chris

[Jbmullin]

After the sim testing I have to say I’m as undecided now as ever. I am so inconsistent with my 3 wood that I am leaning towards going all hybrids and no woods. I feel way more confident with hybrid than 3w.. historically from the fairway I top 3w. Reading a lot about clubs that don’t leave the bag and 3w when I think back on it barely leaves. Thanks again everyone for the discussion. I’m stoked for the 2020 season and seeing improvements.


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