OT-Golf Thu: What's in Your Bag?
What is the weapon of your choice? Did you get something new? Do you have some good luck charm you carry? Your all time favorite club?
When I was playing a lot, I liked to buy a club or two every year since I just like trying out new stuff, but since I don't play as much anymore, my bag has been steady for the past few years. However, I did splurge for my birthday and got the new Ping G425 driver and it definitely is the most forgiving driver I have hit. It is a fantastic club.
Here is my set:
- Driver: Ping G425 Max, 10.5, Tensei AV Orange stiff shaft
- 3 wood: Taylor Made R15, Fujikura Speeder stiff
- 3 hybrid: Taylor Made R15 22', Fujikura Speeder stiff
- 4-PW irons: Mizuno MP-4H, True Temper Dynamic Gold S300
- 52', 56', 60' wedges: Cleveland RTX 2.0 CB Black, Cleveland stiff shaft
- Putter: Scotty Cameron Newport 2
I carry Sun Mountain Three bag with 14 way dividers. I really like the dividers since I know exactly where my clubs are (or which one I just left in the last hole) at all times.
I've been updating my bag this year as I have been playing with the same irons I started with when I was around 14. I also finally got a three wood.
Driver: Titleist 915 9.5 loft
3 Wood: Ping G425
3 Hybrid: Some old Ping I15 or something like that
4-PW Irons: Callaway Apex 21
54', 58' wedges: The 58 is a SM8 Vokey, the 54 is a SM5 I believe. Still trying to figure out my gap with the new irons and if I should get a 50 or 48 Vokey.
Putter: Scotty Cameron Newport 2
Ball: Pro V1 hand me downs. I've been really liking the AVX.
Bag: Just splurged on the Titleist 5 Hybrid bag at Radrick Farms. Maize and Blue with an awesome logo.
I’ve also done a lot of updating recently
- Titleist Cart 14 bag (mid 30’s and I finally have my first stand bag, though I still have my Mizuno carry bag)
- TaylorMade Burner Driver 10 degree (Next update)
- TaylorMade M6 15 degree with Fujikara atmos orange stiff shaft
- Titleist T-100 3- 50 degree with True Temper AMT white X Stiff shafts
- Cleveland 588 56 degree
- Odyssey Rossie II (circa ~1997)
I play straight up Pro V1’s, and bought the Titleist microfiber towel with the abrasive pad for myself for Father’s Day, along with some new all white Footjoy’s (can never have too many shoe selections)
Oh, and it’s all left handed!
How do you like the Apex 21 irons?
Driver: Cobra F9, HZRDUS Smoke Green 70 6.0
3W: Cobra F9, HZRDUS Smoke Black 70 6.0
3H: Cobra F9 One Length, Atmos 7S
4i-SW: Cobra F9 One Length, KBS Tour S
LW: Cleveland Smart Sole 3 58'
Putter: SeeMore mFGP
Switching to one length clubs, finding the right shafts that killed spin on the long clubs, and getting a putter that makes me take a little time on the setup brought me from 80-90s down to 70-80s. If you're a bogey golfer or worse, highly recommend at least giving one length a try.
Our bags are remarkably similar. I switched to Cobra single length at the end of 2019. I broke 80 for the first time two weeks ago. Love the F9 driver as well.
For woods, I have a 3 and 5 from Tour Edge that were fitted with shafts to match the irons.
Could not agree more on finding consistency. A shorter driver has me about 255 or so out there, but in the fairway very consistently. I will take a 25-yard drop in my distance any day to avoid the blow-ups that used to ruin my rounds.
I roll with a Scotty Circa 62 No. 2 with a custom black paint job. I actually own two of that putter model.
The other was a wedding gift from my wife almost 15 years ago which does not leave my office. That one was refinished matte metal, with maize and blue lettering and our wedding date stamped on the toe.
Yea 100% with that. I'm 36, took me 30 yrs of golf to figure out that not going full John Daly on the driver is key if I want to shoot well. Sounds like we have similar games. I'm 240-260 off the tee now. About 20 yds less than what I am capable of carrying. 75yds and in is what's keeping me from consistently breaking 80s. Tee to green I'm happy.
I'm 42 and from 17 - ~35 my strategy on the tee was jsut hit it as far as I could. I could break 300 yds, but it'd be all over the place. Finally I matured, took some violence out of my swing on the tee, switched drivers to a more controlled face, and went down to about 240-260 off the tee. But now I'm in the fairway or just off it and I'm consistently putting for pars (even if not on green in regulation). Much happier player.
75 yds and in keeps you from consistently breaking 80's, yet
Switching to one length clubs, finding the right shafts that killed spin on the long clubs, and getting a putter that makes me take a little time on the setup brought me from 80-90s down to 70-80s.
Sorry, I'm calling BS
Was a teens HDCP before. Right driver shaft eliminated two-way miss; one-length significantly improved accuracy 160+; and taking more time on putts/verifying alignment definitely shaved a few. What makes you call BS? Last 4 rounds 84/78/82/80. 84 was on a 139 slope course and was actually my best day hitting the ball.
dupe
and yes - 75 and in, consistently making that an up-and-down or birdie is what keeps me from 70s. i'm baffled why that gets a BS flag lol
I am surprised to see how many people carry Scotty. Or may be I shouldn't be so surprised...
One length??? Wow, do let us know how that goes. Simplifying swing does sound nice, but it is such a fundamental change, I would be nervous.
It honestly wasn't a big change for me. It comes down to two things IMO. What is your clubhead speed (how high in the bag do you go before the carry distances compress) and how good of a wedge player you are.
I'm on the higher end of swing speed and can carry my one length 4 in the 180s.
I'm a picker and never have been a strong wedge player and found that I'm much more consistent with one length on full swings down to my SW.
Some ppl might only want to play 5i-9i or pitching wedge.
But I will say it absolutely changed my game and it took almost no adjustment. Added tons of confidence and consistency to all clubs, especially my 4-6 irons. Give em a swing if you're on the fence!
I was very intrigued by the on length concept and actually built a set of Cobra F7 Ones (a beautiful looking iron BTW) which I only hit once before selling them. Here’s the problem: one length sticks are typically spec’d to an 8 iron length. I carry 6,7,8,9,P,G,S. Going to an all 8 iron length only shortens 2 of my clubs and lengthens (or sub-optimizes, in my case) 4 of them. Plus, one length clubs only affect a sub-set of you entire bag so while they do reduce the number, they only take it from 13 (discounting the putter) swing/set-ups to 7, not 1.
Ounce of Citral Glue and an ounce of Orange Kush
Oh wrong thread
I can't wait to get into golfing again some day. Kids, jobs, etc. put my golf game on hold for the better part of the last 25 years. I still see my vintage early 1990's clubs sitting in my garage looking so forlorn and covered by cobwebs. My woods are still woods...can't wait to hit some modern metal woods some day. Bottom line: this thread will make me extremely jealous.
I feel your pain. While I still get out occasionally, it's nowhere near the levels before kids. I was at the range 2x a week playing 1x a week shooting low-mid 80s consistently. Now I'm lucky if I get 4 rounds in during the year. Oh well - guess it'll give me something to look forward to in retirement :)
I was a Taylormade loyalist since I was 14. Burner bubble, ti bubble 2, r7, r9 super tri, SLDR. I made the switch to a Ping G400, and I've never been able to crush something so easily.
To this day however, my favorite golf purchase is my push cart. Took me awhile to swallow my pride, and now I wish I bought one 10 years ago. Go ahead and make fun of it, as soon as you play a round with one you will know you're wrong.
Don't most people have push cart these days? That is pretty much all I see on the courses now. I am also beginning to see more and more motorized push carts.
They exploded in the last year because covid regulations allowed only one person per car, or no carts at all.
What is wrong with having a push cart? I sure as hell don't want to play 18 while carrying my clubs.
I like carrying them for the workout in addition to the golf. I was playing about a month ago with a coworker who uses a pushcart. I put my bag down on the teebox to check that we weren't hitting into the group ahead of us and he had to move my bag to hit. He was astounded at how much it weighed and the fact that I'm willing to carry it on my back for 18 holes. I guess I'm so used to it that I don't notice how much it really weighs.
We are a little different then that's all. By no means am I an avid golfer, but I will get my workouts off the course so I can enjoy the game a little bit more.
P.S. I sweat a lot. I would be soaked by the end of the round!
I carry and walk only unless I am forced to do otherwise, though after my back surgery, I used push cart for awhile. I like the exercise aspect of carrying. I have done 57 holes in a day carrying.
400 or 400 Max?
I am a total Callaway snob. After I got my first big boy job I had my first fitting with a pro and flight-scope software and dropped $1,000 on my first set of Callaway Razr Irons and Hybrids - my wallet was hurting but by golf game improved so much after getting irons tailored to my height and swing. I went from basically a bogey golfer to being able to mix in a healthy amount pars along with the bogeys. I have never been able to play enough to take the next step but in my opinion there's nothing wrong with playing in the low to mid 80's consistently.
This is me. I play bogey golf or better, I'm happy, and I'm never out of place with pretty much any group I want to play with. I'll probably never break par without going all in on training and lessons, but for what time I have available and resources, I'm happy just being out there. I got to 3 over on a 9 hole course once on a work trip and I was so proud, I bought my mates beverages for the entire night.
I’ve been playing a really long time, and never heard of a Callaway snob. My buddies and i usually think of them as being the economical, though still good, off the shelf club. I can understand your loyalty... seems most people tend to stick to their first brands (TaylorMade for me). You’re definitely correct in there being nothing wrong with slightly-better than bogey golfing!
I have an old Callaway Big Bertha x460 8 degree, bought brand new in 2007. I had to get it regripped because of its age/usage. I fear getting anything new because I hit this club so long and straight.
There are definitely some clubs in there as well as a consistently packed variety of big lake brewing cans
Driver: TaylorMade M2 9.5 degree w/fujikura pro stock shaft
3(16) & 5(19) wood: TaylorMade Raylor (need new ones)
Hybrid: M2 22 degree w/fujikura pro stock shaft (probably should have gone with a lower loft but too late now)
3-PW & LW: Adams Tightlies (need new ones and I can't hit a 3 iron)
Putter: TaylorMade Rossa
Just got a new post-grad school job so looking to update my irons and possibly woods now that I have some more spending money.
Switched to Ben Hogan PTX Pro irons last year and really like them. Also upgraded my driver to the Cobra SZ Extreme. It is way more forgiving than my old TaylorMade driver. Looking to get a couple Ben Hogan wedges to replace my Mizuno wedges. For my putter I use the Kirkland blade.
Some of those Hogan irons are beautiful. I hope they sell enough to stay in the game.
Driver Ping G410 LST 7.5 degree Ventus Velocore Blue 7x
3 Wood Ping G410 LST 14.5 degree Ventus Velocore Blue 8x
Hybrid PXG 19* Hybrid Hazrdus Smoke 6.5
Irons Mizuno MP 20 MMC 4-PW DG X100
Wedges Callaway Mack Daddy 4 50* and 58* DG S400 Taylormade Hi Toe 64* DG S400
Putter Changes all the time but currently Rife Mr. Beasley
I spent way too much on new-to-me clubs this off-season. I ended up buying a brand new driver, and used irons, a 3-wood, hybrid, and one wedge. My game is still underachieving, but my bag looks good! Looking forward to getting out on the course once June rolls around. So far I've only played on my brother's simulator a handful of times this spring due to a busy baseball season.
- Titleist TS2 Driver
- Callaway Epic Flash 3+ wood
- Titleist 818 H2 hybrid
- Mizuno 919 forged and TaylorMade p790 (A-4)
- 54°/58° Mack Daddy wedges
- Scotty Cameron Newport 2.6 putter
I have a bag of clubs that someone from my office put together for me. He was a big time golfer and had tons of extra clubs at home. Cleveland irons and I have no idea what anything else is. I don't really pay attention because it doesn't matter what type of clubs I use.
My golf bag is from my Papaw and I think it's from the 70s or 80s. I have a pretty sweet fucking setup! Also, whole lot of balls. I no longer take the time to try to find every shot I shank. Typically just play best ball with my friends, so no need to go hunt for them.
As you can tell, I'm a super serious golfer. The most important item in my bag is the cooler that fits inside the golf bag and holds 9 beers.
The most important item in my bag is the cooler that fits inside the golf bag and holds 9 beers.
This is the correct answer. Keeping score is overrated. I almost always play best ball with friends to avoid the anger I get from any one colossally bad shot that goes 3 fairways over.
If you're three fairways over, you're still playing from the good stuff!
Dr: Titleist 915D3... the only club in my bag I got fitted for and don't regret it one bit
Fairway woods: Nike slingshot 5W (I only carry 1 fairway wood, difference for me between 5W and 3W is minimal)
Irons: Nike slingshot 4D (used these once as a rental set out in Colorado, loved playing with them, bought a set for myself when I got back home)
Putter: 1930s era Spalding flat blade putter... grandpa's putter.. got too used to how the ball rolls and how I have to hit a ball to get the effect I want to change to anything else
Ball retriever: Charter supergrip 18'.. best investment in golf equipment I ever made
Bag: two... my usual is a Travelmate 3 hybrid golf travel bag... thing is indestructable and I've used it 100s of times taking my sticks on a work trip with me. All-in one, so I can carry my shoes, balls, clubs, etc all in one bag that has wheels and is a hard case to protect the sticks. I also have a Ogio cart bag personalized with my name and my old USAF squadron patch on it that my mates gave me as a going away present when I left the Air Force.
Two gallons of regular unleaded.
Don't forget to grab a lighter. I'm always misplacing those things...
How can you function in life and be that stupid?
Driver + 3W: Cobra speedzone, 60, Stiff Shaft. Driver is variable 9-12deg, I've got it set at 9.
3+4H: Callaway Mavrik Catalyst 75, Stiff Shaft
5-gap: Callaway Mavrik Max, Steel shaft.
52deg: Cleveland Tour Action 900
56deg: Callaway Jaws MD5.
My parents surprised me with everything but the wedges for Christmas this year. I'm 36 and haven't gotten more than a set of bluetooth headphones from my parents in 20 years, so it was quite the surprise, but a pleasant one. The clubs are freaking amazing. I've never felt more comfortable driving the ball than I do right now, and I'm averaging around 280.
My game was always mediocre to yuck and has gotten worse as I've aged, so the main thing I look for on the course is good company and liquid refreshment. That said, I got some Calloway knock off irons and a Big Bertha driver which suit my game--no need to spend a ton on clubs so I can look good duck hooking it into the deep grass. I use an ancient blade putter, first because it was most comfortable and now out of conversation.
I caddied for awhile in high school and my favorite loop ever was a guy who was a hilariously drunk and profane guy who didn't give a shit about his score. I have become him.
Fun twist: what fun things are in you bag that AREN'T your clubs. I just looked and for me, it's:
- Pair of sweaty socks from god knows when
- Half bottle of lemon lime gatorade, also from god knows when
- Wads and wads of paper receipts from various rounds
- Two gloves that have worn through yet never got thrown out
- a broken plastic swingyde training aide
As for clubs, I'm a Ping fanboy now. Vokey wedges 48 52 56, Scotty Newport 2 putter.
Beer, and occasionally liquor. I would check that "lemon lime" Gatorade before drinking as well. May not be what you think
A plastic tee in the form of a naked lady. Hubba hubba.
As a new golfer, does it really help to buy nicer, better quality clubs? I am asking because I have been looking at clubs lately and they are so expensive. I am wondering if they would really help all that much over my cheap set of clubs from Dunham's?
It helps more to be fitted correctly, IMO. Go get fitted for clubs, and then find that setup gently used online from various second hand golf websites. A 3 year old set of quality used clubs that fit are vastly better than a new set you get off the rack that doesn't.
Chances are your cheap clubs are both inferior quality and don't necessarily fit. Going the second hand route gets you into a better spot in a more budget friendly way.
2ndswing.com, the manufacturer's preowned options, or even golf shop demo clubs can be great options.