Do You Carry Clubs You Can’t (or Won’t) Hit? Let’s Talk About It!

Hey there, fellow golfers! Recently, I’ve been diving into some fun discussions over on Reddit, seeing what folks think about everything from the biggest money pits in golf to why the game can be so darn tough. This time, I hit up our own MyGolfSpy Forum with a question that’s come up quite a bit among my golf buddies:

“Do you carry clubs in your bag you can’t (or won’t) hit?”

You wouldn’t believe the variety of answers! Some admitted to lugging around a 3-wood that hasn’t seen much action, a 4-iron that feels like a cruel joke, or a lob wedge that only makes an appearance when all hope seems lost. On the other hand, there are golfers out there who proudly claim their bags are completely free of “dead weight.”

Humble Truth: Ego vs. Reality

One of the responses that struck a chord with me was, “Yes, when I was younger and delusional.” Isn’t that a perfect way to sum up why so many of us cling to clubs that just don’t cut it? When you’re new to the game, it’s easy to think, “I should be able to hit this club” or “This is what all the pros use.”

But here’s the thing: clubs are just tools! If they aren’t getting the job done, then they don’t belong in your bag. Accepting that is a key step toward dropping those strokes that always seem to plague our scores.

Embracing the Minimalist Approach

A good number of golfers in the Forum shared that they actually prefer to play with fewer than 14 clubs—some stick to 12 or 13. Why? Because fewer clubs means making fewer bad decisions.

Instead of cluttering their bags just because the rule allows it, they stick to gear they trust and know they can hit. A lot of them mentioned they hardly ever missed any extra options. This gives them the flexibility to switch things up or add a club when needed without dragging around gear that just weighs them down.

The Usual Suspects: What Clubs Aren’t Getting Love?

If you’re carrying clubs that barely see action, chances are they’re either a long club or a high-loft wedge. The most common offenders are 3-woods, 4-irons, and lob wedges.

Let’s be honest—the 3-wood can be a real pain to launch off the deck. Many golfers admit it’s more of a comfort item, just in case their driver goes on the fritz. Long irons require a solid swing speed and pinpoint contact, and lob wedges can scare off less consistent players. It’s time we face the facts!

Course-Specific Clubs: Don’t Be Afraid to Customize

A few savvy players keep a spot open for “course-specific” clubs in their bags. For instance, you might want to add a high-loft wedge for those days when deep, fluffy bunkers are lurking on the course. Or maybe you swap in a 1-iron for those short, tight par-4s. This flexibility makes your bag more relevant to the day’s round rather than weighing you down with clubs that rarely see the light of day.

What’s the Average Setup? Let’s Talk Numbers

So how many clubs are golfers actually schlep around these days? According to Shot Scope’s data, most golfers stick with the full 14-club setup or something pretty close to it. But interestingly, once you get into the 20- to 25-handicap range, the average drops to about 13 clubs.

Shot Scope Data: What Clubs Are Actually Getting Used?

Next, I took a closer look at how often specific clubs get used. The findings are revealing and might just show you why carrying fewer clubs can still keep your game sharp.

• Driver: The most popular club for all skill levels, accounting for 27-31% of tee shots.
• 3-Wood: Not much love from better players (just 3-9% usage), but higher handicaps might use it 14-21% of the time.
• Long Irons & Hybrids: See single-digit usage across the board.
• Lob Wedges: Usage wanes as player handicaps increase.

Here’s a breakdown of the least-used clubs by handicap:

Notably, data shows that 20- and 25-handicap golfers often skip the lob wedge altogether.

Wrapping It Up: Cut the Dead Weight

So what’s the takeaway here? If you can’t hit it, why carry it? If you’re scared to use it, the best place for it might just be at home.

Every club in your bag should have a purpose tied to shots you know you can execute. Thinking about getting a fitting? That could really help narrow down exactly what you should be carrying around on the course.

In the end, it’s all about playing with confidence and making sure you have the right tools for your game. By cutting out the dead weight, you’ll not only lighten your load but also focus on what truly matters—hitting great shots and enjoying the game we all love.

So, what’s currently sitting in your bag that should probably be benched? Share your thoughts, and let’s keep this conversation rolling!