I would actually say most people don't even need a driver. I went through a serious struggle with my swing for a while and I didn't even carry a single wood in the bag for about 4 months. I teed off with a 3h or a 4i depending on how I was feeling. My scores were lower without the driver because I couldn't hit the thing straight. For me, 170-180 yards straight was better than 220 yards in the other fairway.
Big facts. When I got back into the game as an adult, I only had an iron set and a putter. I got the only eagle I’ve gotten in 4 years with that setup. 4i 190, 4i 190, pitch that rolled right into the cup.
That being said, consistently being able to hit a driver straight has been the biggest hype for me in the last two years.
Oh 100% being able to hit driver well feels amazing. But it really isn't that important for most people.
There's just a certain quality to admiring an absolute bomb off the tee. Not too many better moments on the course than that.
True story.
It’s true. I have rounds where I do only odd/even irons, those are usually my lower rounds. I tell myself that I only need driver on par 5s, Par 4s are reachable with two iron shots. I play with some guys just learning the game and I bring just a 7, wedge, and putter. It doesn’t feel like they are as bad, and I still end up with a decent score every time.
These are definitely my most-used clubs. But I'd also throw in a 5i for the long fairway shots, the 7i doesn't get enough distance for me.
I'll admit, I usually do toss the 5 hybrid in there.
What kind of yardage are you getting with a 5H? I'm just curious to hear what kind of situations you'd want to bring that out in.
150-170 probably. I only use it when I'm on the fairway and need to close distance to the green. So, par 5s. Par 4s sometimes.
Fair enough.
I wonder if it's better to have more options you know just well enough or less options that you know better. I'm going to guess the latter.
That's a great question! In my experience, it's been the latter, hence the post. I'd rather hit a solid, decent shot consistently, while avoiding trouble, than sometimes nail cool specialized shots, but risk screwing them up and piling unnecessary strokes on my score.
A pro will absolutely use every club in their bag, because they're consistent with all of them.
I learned chipping old school with a 7 iron for pitch and runs and a sand wedge. Took 5 years off. Decided to get lessons to start back. My coach looked at my bag and was confused how I chipped. Ran out and bought 3 wedges. I do like them, but think my wedge game was better before.