Hi Deno,

If I know the course, I will usually take a club or two out. For real creativity there is nothing like playing with just one club. When I worked as a bag boy we would grab our 5 irons and see how many holes we could play.

Good topic, Deno.

Yes, I tend to agree that having lesser clubs in the bag makes me or rather forces me to be creative and I like that opportunity in a game- it is fun to try those shots. To me, it's like reading greens I've played for the first time as to whether I'm correct not to borrow too much or what have you. So on the fairways when faced with a shot I need to shape in a fewer selection excites me to be in such opportunity to be able to judge how much of a draw or fade to shape shots with a much longer club and apply just enough strength for the distance. Of course, not all of them worked for me, but there were a few times that I have walked away from tree lines when playing partners have said something to the effect of, when you're out of the hole, stay out of the hole. Was it luck? I think there are much of it as I don't practice those shots, but the fun and glory of it is amazing whenever it happens. But not just that, having just a few clubs also forces me to be conservative and always try and play from a safe position.

The other thing I like about fewer clubs in the bag is that carrying makes it so much fun and light.

Although I would never just buy or just own a handful of clubs, having a complete set of 14 clubs as a gamer is always a preference for some reason.

And yes, it has happened to me, some of my low rounds came in when I only had 9 or 10 clubs in the bag.

I disagree. The majority of amateur golfers aren’t good enough to drop seven clubs and still have a decent round. I’ve played courses that are are driver wedge into most par 4s, but I’ve also played courses that require me to hit all 14 clubs.

Nice article, but I will stick with 14. Feel free to play with 10 though, I will not hold it against you…

Depending on the golfer, I think there is something to this. I'm playing with 13 right now because I am purposely and methodically rebuilding my bag. Even still, I have noticed there is a club to two I don't use that often.

The current number I feel is just fine.. There's other rules and equipment issues that need addressing!

Nice article Deno. Once a year, we play a 3 club tournament, and it forces you to not only get creative, but to think ahead; anticipating the shots you're expected to face, based on the clubs you've chosen.Some guys don't like it. Those guys tend to be "the bombers"...driver, wedge guys, where everything is a full swing. I learned (thankfully) to work the ball as a kid; how to cut it, draw it, punch it etc.Those skills come in handy in a situation like that.

I think as amateurs we can use all the help we can get, however, every now and then, it's fun to see how creative you can be when you have to.

Very good read, but I’m sticking with 14 clubs. I need all the help I can get at the moment hahaa ️‍♂️

When I play golf, I generally walk and carry. For the last couple of years, I've removed one club and play with 13 clubs in the bag. If I play a course I haven't played before (doesn't happen often in a year), I'll add the club back in the bag.

After playing as long as I have, I have a good sense of my game and my abilities. I believe someone new to the game may need the full number of clubs to see which "tools" they'll need to play golf the best way that they can.

Has merit. Very seldom use all fourteen clubs. The game is all about course management in the first place. So what if you have three or four less clubs. Just requires you to manage your shots a little more closely. If it would speed up play and help folks repair those marks on the greens, I would be all for it. Agree with Todd in saying, more important issues that need addressing. Just sayin'.

I play with 13 clubs, but adding a T200 22 Utility Build into my arsenal this season. Adding an extra wedge didn’t make sense for me. I can play with my current setup, but I run into yardage issues at 200-210 yards at par 3s or approaching par 5s. 7 wood goes too far and 5 iron can’t reach it. I’m going to use Arccos data to determine what clubs to remove from the bag.

Good read, with that said I only carry 12 clubs . So it's easier/lighter to carry.

Nice article. I have seen this story floating around in the past year or two. Probably even longer. If you carry your clubs like I do then it certainly lightens the load. Next time I'm going to remove 2, maybe three clubs from my arsenal and see if it make a difference. it will be an interesting round for me and one that depending on the circumstance will get me to think even more!