61 replies to this topic

[dlygrisse]

What is everyones thoughts on changing the 14 club rule?  If you think it should be changed should there be more or less clubs allowed?  



I think it would be interesting if they cut the limit back to 12 clubs to encourage shot making.  A typical set make up could easily be a 5* gap between all clubs and could look somehting like this



10* Driver

15* 3w

20* 3iron/hybrid/7 wood

25* 4 iron

30* 6 iron

35* 7 iron

40* 8 iron

45* 9 iron

50* Pitch/gap

55* sand

60* lob

putter



This would give nice spacing between all clubs and I would bet that most peoples scores would not change much.  Of couse there could be a million other combinations on how to make up your bag, just like there is now.  



My guess is that the OEM's would scream bloody murder if the USGA did this but then their marketing departments would realize the opportuniites to sell more specialty clubs and re-gap'd sets of irons etc.  



Cant wait to hear everyones opinion.

[dubbie]

I play my weekend rounds under the newly adopted local rule of a 22 club limit.

[dlygrisse]

 dubbie, on Feb 18 2007, 12:22 PM, said:

I play my weekend rounds under the newly adopted local rule of a 22 club limit.

LOL I hope you dont carry your clubs, that could be bad on the old back

[Constantin]

I usually play with only 13 clubs anyway. I think I could also go with 12.

[justinq721]

when playing with friend si think a fun event is always the 3 club challenge, really brings out the best in our games

[690MB]

Anyone know the origin of the 14 club rule? things like : since when, why 14 and who and were implied first?

[smarshal75]

I sometimes remove clubs from the bag when walking to reduce weight.  When I cut clubs, I usally go with:

Driver, 19* hybrid, 4, 6, 8, P, 52*, 56*, Putter.  

Having fewer clubs really helps you learn knock down shots.

[dlygrisse]

 690MB, on Feb 18 2007, 02:52 PM, said:

Anyone know the origin of the 14 club rule? things like : since when, why 14 and who and were implied first?

I found on the internet that it was a rule the USGA implemented in 1938 because players were carrying so many clubs.  There were actually some players who were carrying 1/2 clubs.  1 iron 11/2 iron 2 iron 2 1/2 iron etc all the way through the set.  How they came up with 14 as the limit I am not sure.  I would guess at the time a "standard" set of clubs was 1,2,3,4 wood, 1-9 iron and a putter, which equals 14 clubs.  Of course back then a 9 iron had about the same loft as a gap wedge does today.  I have an old matched set of top flight clubs with what has to be one of the first sets of steel shafts and I think the 9 iron has about 52* of loft.

[PlayerJason]

I would love to see the limit dropped to 10-11 clubs simply to force true shot-making.  Requiring golfers to shape and control their shots is part of what the game is all about.  Having a club for every distance seems to be against the spirit of the game.  

Here's a great article by Frank Thomas about that very issue.  The second half of the article is about the number of clubs being carried.

http://www.franklygo...nyt_april06.asp

[choeppner]

 dubbie, on Feb 18 2007, 11:22 AM, said:

I play my weekend rounds under the newly adopted local rule of a 22 club limit.

At Least I am not alone :)

I got to carry extra putters you know...and wedges.....as sometimes I git shots and wonder WTF will I have to do from here. LOL

With 22 clubs I have more options

-CHRIS-

[oatsjohn]

I have a rule for my students that allows them to carry only 8 clubs until they get below a 15 handicap. They get better faster because with a bigger distance gap between clubs, they tend to take "enough club" more often and develop a feel for shot making .

Suggested set make up:
3 wood
19* to 22* hybrid
5 iron
7 iron
9 iron
Gap wedge
Lob wedge ( with at least 8* bounce)
Putter

Bonus: It's great advice for amatuers in pro ams. You'll take "enough club" more often. Your Pro will be much happier and your caddie will send you a Christmas card!

Try it, you will be pleasantly suprised.

[mikpga]

I think reducing the number is a great concept...

I also think that everyone playing this game would benefit...

1. Less decision making...Hopefully leads to a slight decrease in pace of play...
2. Majority of golfers have no need for fourteen clubs...
3. Could make the Tour a little more interesting...

I played with only 13 clubs last year, had no difficulties...

I like the #12, but wouldn't mind seeing a limit of 10!!!

The manufacturers may not like this idea, however...

Edited by mikpga, 19 February 2007 - 11:47 AM.

[ZealousGolfer]

I've always enjoyed playing a couple holes with a 7 iron and a putter. Nothing takes more strategy than making par on a decently long par 4 using only a 7 iron. It really helps you learn to play golf nd get out of sticky situations. I'd be better off a lot if I drove with a 7..lol.

The Zealous Golfer

[bwg03]

14 is way too much. I carry 11 and get around the course just fine, it takes a lot of questioning out of the mix.

[sheppy335]

14 is fine with me, I will not carry more then that number.

[sync71]

14 is fine with me, I think it'd be great if he was decreased to 10,11, or 12 it would make it easier and more challenging at the same time. I played 13 last year and I'm doing the same thing again this year.

[threeputter]

And see I want one or two more.  I currently carry D, 4W, 7W, 4,5,6,7,8,9,PW, 52, 56, 60, Putter.  I want to keep my wedges, and still carry my three iron.  In addition, there are a few courses where I actually carry two drivers and take a wedge out because they have lots of varied dog legs, but long so I need the distance.  I could easily carry 16 clubs and then not having to shift the bag based on which course I play.  

[Andariego]

I wish the PGA had a 3 club event...I think it would get huge ratings!

[parpar41]

I think the 5 degree gap rule is brilliant;  I offer one refinement:  Just drop the 60 degree wedge and then you have the ultimate Eleven club set !!!

 dlygrisse, on Feb 18 2007, 11:10 AM, said:

What is everyones thoughts on changing the 14 club rule?  If you think it should be changed should there be more or less clubs allowed?  



I think it would be interesting if they cut the limit back to 12 clubs to encourage shot making.  A typical set make up could easily be a 5* gap between all clubs and could look somehting like this



10* Driver

15* 3w

20* 3iron/hybrid/7 wood

25* 4 iron

30* 6 iron

35* 7 iron

40* 8 iron

45* 9 iron

50* Pitch/gap

55* sand

60* lob

putter



This would give nice spacing between all clubs and I would bet that most peoples scores would not change much.  Of couse there could be a million other combinations on how to make up your bag, just like there is now.  



My guess is that the OEM's would scream bloody murder if the USGA did this but then their marketing departments would realize the opportuniites to sell more specialty clubs and re-gap'd sets of irons etc.  



Cant wait to hear everyones opinion.

[drlarsson]

I thought that Frank Thomas article was great.  
Implementing a 10 club limit is worth considering.  In 1938 when the USGA Implemented the 14 club limit I presume the reason was to bring back some shotmaking to the game.  Why not reduce it again?
Oh yeah,  it makes the bag lighter for walking too !!!  

[knudson81]

I also think it would be very cool to see a small event with limited clubs for the pros. how cool would it be to watch those guys get super creative with the few clubs they would carry. anyone who watched would have quite a few "WTF" moments!

[packerfan1]

Here is the bag that I always play:

Driver: 10.5
4W: 16*
Hybrid: 19
Hybrid: 22
5 iron: 26
7 iron: 34
8 iron: 38
9 iron :42
PW: 46
GW: 50
SW: 56
Putter

My yardage gaps are really consistent, for some reason my 6 iron went as far as my 5 iron.

Lots of times I take out the 19 degree hybrid and the 8 iron and toss it all in my Sunday Bag, 10 clubs, rarely a scoring change or an "I wish I had X club for this shot".  You would be surprised how well you can get along with a half set of irons at 8 degrees separation, especially 9 iron and lower, for most of us that is only a 15 yard or so gap, and most of us, in reality don't hit that gap squarely every time, anyhow.  Chart how many times you use each club per round over a number of rounds at different courses, I will bet that there are 1 or two irons you use maybe every 2-3 rounds at most.  Just take a look at your bag....I'll bet some of your irons are a heck of a lot shinier than others.

[Swingtheclub]

Wow why do we not go back to wooden shafts and gutta percha balls while we are at it.

After the 14 club rule came about . We have invented things like gap wedges lob wedges hybrids
utility fairway woods  among other things.

Honestly I would like to see the rule go to 15 or even 16 clubs.

[timcrane78]

Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't the USGA have a rule during the US Open back in the day that a player could only carrying 10 clubs or 12 during the US Open?  The only reason I am asking is because I remember reading in the book Hogan, that during the US Open he won a Merion that he had a hard time deciding what clubs to drop from his bag, which is why he added the now famous 1 iron from the famous Hogan photograph from that same US Open and Merion.

[frozen_rope]

Never happen. The golf equipment industry would sue the USGA.
These days the USGA has sold out and is interested in money ahead of the game, so they don't want to spend money in a lengthy court case..

 dlygrisse, on Feb 18 2007, 11:10 AM, said:

What is everyones thoughts on changing the 14 club rule?  If you think it should be changed should there be more or less clubs allowed?  



I think it would be interesting if they cut the limit back to 12 clubs to encourage shot making.  A typical set make up could easily be a 5* gap between all clubs and could look somehting like this



10* Driver

15* 3w

20* 3iron/hybrid/7 wood

25* 4 iron

30* 6 iron

35* 7 iron

40* 8 iron

45* 9 iron

50* Pitch/gap

55* sand

60* lob

putter



This would give nice spacing between all clubs and I would bet that most peoples scores would not change much.  Of couse there could be a million other combinations on how to make up your bag, just like there is now.  



My guess is that the OEM's would scream bloody murder if the USGA did this but then their marketing departments would realize the opportuniites to sell more specialty clubs and re-gap'd sets of irons etc.  



Cant wait to hear everyones opinion.

[frozen_rope]

At a tour event (or any amateur event), scoring would be the same if players carried 9 clubs instead of 14.

 knudson81, on Apr 16 2008, 09:19 AM, said:

I also think it would be very cool to see a small event with limited clubs for the pros. how cool would it be to watch those guys get super creative with the few clubs they would carry. anyone who watched would have quite a few "WTF" moments!

[avrag]

 midasmulligan2000, on Feb 18 2007, 10:08 PM, said:

Actually ... instead of reducing it from 14 to 12, I've always wondered what the pros would do if there was simply no limit whatsoever. If they could carry as many as they wanted (or as many as their caddy could manage anyway) ... I wonder if most of them would add only one or two, or whether they'd all be playing with 18 or 20.

Three or four different putters, I think. For long and short putts, uphill and downhill putts.

To the original topic: I think 12 would be a good idea. Won't happen because of the influence the industry has nowadays.

[Swingtheclub]

I have no idea how any of you play that think you could do as well with nine or ten clubs.

But I would have serious doubts that you could.

I am also surprised that the only ones who seem to be commenting on this thread seem to want to reduce the number.

Its just not in the spirit of the club ho's  on this forum.

Ken

[golfbum9]

Great thread idea!
I think it would be a good thing.
It would possibly encourage more people to walk.  
May even lower scores as well.