Carrying the right set of golf clubs is critical to going low. Unfortunately, no one set fits all golfers. What works for you may not work for me. For example, if you have a good short game, it might make sense to carry four wedges. If you have a good long game, it might make sense to carry a 2-iron or 3-iron. In other words, you need to tailor your set to your game—regardless of your golf handicap. Without the right set, you can’t play your best—golf lessons not withstanding.
Covering distance gaps is the key to creating an effective club set. Distance is the first—and usually the most critical—factor you consider when deciding on a shot, not trajectory, spin, wind, or anything else. You don’t consider these other factors until you’ve decided on how far you need to hit the ball. But choosing some clubs over others creates distance gaps in your set. Covering those gaps is critical to going low. Thus, you need a way to cover them no matter what your set of clubs.
Dave Pelz, the well-known short-game guru, covers golf sets in his book, Dave Pelz’s Short-Game Bible. His golf tips on golf sets, which we’ve provided below, are instructive. Keep in mind they’re based on the idea that the short game is the key to cutting strokes from your golf handicap. Also keep in mind that Dave bases his options on your ability to make consistent swings from the 7:30, 9:00 o’clock, and 10:30 swing positions.
Here are his club-set options:
Drop a long iron and add a wedge. This is the simplest option, but it leaves a large gap in your long game. It gives you a 3 x 3 wedge system (3 different clubs, 3 different swing positions: 7:30, 9:00, 10:30)
Drop two long irons and add two wedges. This leaves a gap in your long game, but you can cover it. You can drop your 2- and 3-irons, for example, and choke up on your 5-wood. This gives you a 4 x 3 wedge system—a system Pelz advocates.
Drop two clubs and alter the specs of the others to produce consistent distance gaps. A lot of pros do this. They keep 15-yard gaps between clubs.
Create a 16-club set by adding two wedges, dropping nothing, and picking the 14 clubs you’ll use according to the course you play.
These are good options. But Dave is also convinced that weekend golfers can drop all of their even numbered irons and still whittle strokes from their golf handicaps. He may be right.
Dave’s other golf tips covering distance gaps in creating your golf set are also good to keep in mind:
You don’t have to make perfect swings. Just make a good shot and get safely on the green.
In most cases you’re already making finesse swings to compensate for 10-yard gaps in your clubs. Adding another 5-yards to the gap won’t make that much difference.
You usually would rather be short than long to avoid bunkers. Of course, long can spell disaster, too. If you’re not sure, play the shot that will get you there.
Obviously, Dave’s options favor the short game: For him, it’s not important what or how many long irons you drop, it’s adding wedges that count. Adding an extra wedge to your bag—can save you three, five, or even more strokes if you hit the wedge well. It’s a great way to chop strokes off your golf handicap without taking golf lessons or attending group golf instruction sessions.
Personally, we favor the 16-club set. It gives you more flexibility than the other options, but you must have a “balanced” game to do it. In other words, you must have good long and short games.
What you choose as a golf set depends on your game. But keep Dave Pelz’s suggestions in mind. He may be on to something. And don’t worry too much about what clubs you drop. You can always bring them back.