Do you have a "range only" club?

[Pcmart03]

I have a couple of clubs that I love hitting at the range, but don't put in my bag. The first is a PXG Gen 5 XF 3 wood. I got fit into it and had some luck with it at a time when I couldn't hit my driver, but these days, I'm better suited with a driver and 5 wood. But, damn is that club fun to hit. Pure strikes feel amazing and go for miles. The problem is they're at best 2/15 swings. The same goes for my 5-iron. Nothing feels better than a well struck shot with it, but on the course, for that distance, I'd rather have the consistency of a hybrid.

I'm fortunate in that I can often go to my local range on my lunch break, so it's as much recreation as practice, so I was curious to see if anyone else had clubs they like to break out when the pressure is off.

[GolfWithWes]

Funnily enough I have the same with my PXG 5 wood! Love hitting it at the range when it goes right but it's not worth the risk on the course as I've been so inconsistent with it! Was not fitted for it unfortunately as it was a gift from family so they just went with the standard spec on the website. My hybrid 4 does the work on the course for me

Sent from my SM-S928B using Tapatalk

[GolfSpy_APH]

I have a few that I've only ever used on the range but can't say I have specific range only clubs.

By this I mean got a club to try and test. Used it, compared it but never made the bag.

[Josh Parker]

I have a few clubs that don't make the cut for the course. I built a strong 3i driving iron that doesn't fit my course but I'll practice with it occasionally.  I have my Toura clubs I built that get pulled off the wall to hit and stay fresh. 

 

[TJ Hall]

I generally don’t have extra clubs around.  I have some but these were prior gamers that weren’t working anymore.

[Rob Person]

I can't see myself practicing with a club I don't intend to play.

I've picked up a number of goodwill/thrift store clubs to tinker with,  take them to the range, then either put them in a spare bag backup set or give them away to friends who can use them. 

If a particular club isn't working for me, I will pull out it's equivalent, if I have one, and see if it works better.

[MidwestGolfer74]

I do but probably not the way OP was asking. I have 2 fairway woods I consciously practice with on the range and then rarely pull it out of the bag on the course. I feel like being 200-225 out with greens guarded by bunkers or water gives me pause. I tend to layup with an iron and then pitch on. 

Edited September 5 by MidwestGolfer74

[ClarkWGriswoldIII]

I don't have any range only clubs but I do have a range only bag- a Sunday Golf Loma Bag big enough to carry 4 or 5 clubs and my tees.

[Medfloat]

Negative ghost rider, my bag is full.  I used to use “range” clubs before my fitting but changed afterwards.  The fitter explained that I could be constantly making swing compensations with different sets than the fitted set and even from club to club in the range set.  After researching his claim, I agree.  Loft/lie can vary from club to club and I have enough issues with ME, let alone variable clubs.  I stay with the fitted set.

[zengineer]

I will sometimes take this to force a better iron swing. Not convinced it works but it fun all the same.

In cold weather off a mat its borderline dangerous.

[TJ Hall]

7 hours ago, zengineer said:

I will sometimes take this to force a better iron swing. Not convinced it works but it fun all the same.

In cold weather off a mat its borderline dangerous.

My hands hurt just at the thought of hitting that club!

[dhosford11]

My Ping Icrossover 2 iron is usually it. Every once in a rare while I’ll game it and have a spectacular shot but more often than not it’s just a range hero 

[RyanGi]

On 9/5/2024 at 12:49 PM, ClarkWGriswoldIII said:

I don't have any range only clubs but I do have a range only bag- a Sunday Golf Loma Bag big enough to carry 4 or 5 clubs and my tees.

I have the same (well, it’s the Lite version, but still). I love having a range bag. It keeps me from feeling like I have to hit through all my clubs and keeps me focused on the clubs I chose to take to the range to practice with. I like the Lite, but it could use just one more pocket. I can cram the MLM into it, or hang it on the side in its case, but it’s truly a ‘lite’ bag. And for what the bag costs, it’s well worth the investment. 

It’s fully big enough to carry a couple range clubs, plus a couple wedges and a putter (even with a fat grip) so I can get in practice on both sides, which is nice. 

Some day, when I’m brave or board, I’m going to force myself to walk a round with that bag and only the clubs I can fit in it!

Edited September 7 by RyanGi

[Donn lost in San Diego]

I keep a few.  I have a driving iron that I use a lot to work on technique.  And 1 or 2 older that I range instead of donate.  And because of the course I now play a lot, no deep grass rough, I don't use my 2 hybrids but I do practice with them.  When I got back into the game 10 years ago, my 1st club was a used Apex Pro 6 iron, I used a lot for 6 years on the range.  I also keep 2 rare:  Ginty 2 BeCu 7 iron and sand wedge. 

[BIG STU]

Yes I do and not for reasons others state. I have a beater Power Bilt persimmon I use for training purposes. It is such a beater I do not worry about range rocks. If I can hit that thing reasonably in the face then my semi-modern Cally is a no brainer

@zengineer I have quite a few 1 irons ranging from a Tommy Armour blade to a Ping Eye2. The TA and Top Flite ones are too stiff for me to hit anymore. I do mess with the Eye2 some in my vintage rounds because it has a regular shaft. I can elevate it some about chest high with a 175 yard cut. But it is kicks and giggles for me. Actually 20 years ago I played it front line. LOL back then I could hit it about 40 ft high or so and about 230 250 with roll out. Those days are way back in the rear view mirror for me now. The TA blade I actually carried about 40 years ago now and the Ping replaced it.

@TJ Hall-- We have raised now 2 generations of golfers that will never enjoy the vibration and sting of a bladed 1 or 2 iron blade on a chilly morning. When you brought that up I can remember the feel on that with the old TA 1 iron

 

[TJ Hall]

3 hours ago, BIG STU said:

Yes I do and not for reasons others state. I have a beater Power Bilt persimmon I use for training purposes. It is such a beater I do not worry about range rocks. If I can hit that thing reasonably in the face then my semi-modern Cally is a no brainer

@zengineer I have quite a few 1 irons ranging from a Tommy Armour blade to a Ping Eye2. The TA and Top Flite ones are too stiff for me to hit anymore. I do mess with the Eye2 some in my vintage rounds because it has a regular shaft. I can elevate it some about chest high with a 175 yard cut. But it is kicks and giggles for me. Actually 20 years ago I played it front line. LOL back then I could hit it about 40 ft high or so and about 230 250 with roll out. Those days are way back in the rear view mirror for me now. The TA blade I actually carried about 40 years ago now and the Ping replaced it.

@TJ Hall-- We have raised now 2 generations of golfers that will never enjoy the vibration and sting of a bladed 1 or 2 iron blade on a chilly morning. When you brought that up I can remember the feel on that with the old TA 1 iron

 

I still remember catching a 3 iron thin one Thanksgiving morning…first tee shot of the day.  It was quite a few holes before my hands recovered!

[tony@CIC]

My 'retired' clubs are generally relegated to the range. I just replaced my Radspeed 3 wood with a Qi10, and I'll spend my exclusive range time with the Radspeed. On the other hand when I go to the range to warm up before a round, I'll only use my playing clubs. 

p.s. same thing for my shoes. I wear my old golf shoes to the range - better use then just throwing them out. 

Edited September 8 by tony@CIC

[Old New Golfer]

On 9/6/2024 at 9:04 PM, zengineer said:

I will sometimes take this to force a better iron swing. Not convinced it works but it fun all the same.

In cold weather off a mat its borderline dangerous.

Oh yes! I'm in love! You're my kinda guy!

[Biggsenator]

Great idea for a thread! I have a set of odd-numbered Wilson Staff FG-17s that I use for practice. The chrome is worn off of the sweet spots but I don't care and they hit just the same without the chrome. They're the clubs I played junior golf with, and I've always loved them. Great practice clubs. You can work the ball and you know if you don't make a good pass at it.  

[BIG STU]

On 9/11/2024 at 11:50 PM, Biggsenator said:

Great idea for a thread! I have a set of odd-numbered Wilson Staff FG-17s that I use for practice. The chrome is worn off of the sweet spots but I don't care and they hit just the same without the chrome. They're the clubs I played junior golf with, and I've always loved them. Great practice clubs. You can work the ball and you know if you don't make a good pass at it.  

My old man was a worse old school guy than I am. I can remember when Ping first came out with CB clubs and marketing "forgiveness" My Old Man said " if you want forgiveness go to Church and pray because Old Man Macgregor and Wilson will not forgive you"

Now this may be me but when I hit a bad shot with a blade it may be ugly but not as far offline etc. as a more modern hot faced CB iron. And I flat refuse to debate the Blades versus CB thing either. As far as I am concerned, I play what I want to and others can play what they want to.