My Golf Bag – Graeme McLeish                                     23rd May 2008

Driver: - Callaway Great Big Berth II 9.5 degree with a Accuflex Assasin X-Flex Shaft

3-Wood: - Mizuno MP1 13degree with Aldila NV Stiff Shaft

Rescue: - Mizuno Fli Hi 17 degree with Rifle Flighted 6.5 Shaft

Irons: - Mizuno MP-37 3-PW. Two degrees upright and half an inch longer with Rifle 6.0 Shafts

Wedge: - Sand Wedge: Cleveland 900 Form Forged 56 degree Gunmetal with True Temper Shaft

Wedge: - Lob Wedge: Cleveland RTG588 60 degree with True Temper Shaft

Putter: - YES! C-Groove Hanna, 34 inches

Comment:

You should take note that these are my preferred choices for each club - at present.

On a separate note concerning “Drivers”, with effect from 1^st January 2008 there are a LARGE number of Drivers from almost EVERY Manufacturer that have become “ILLEGAL” FOR USE IN COMPETITIONS. This list has been agreed both by the R&A in Europe, the USGA in America and the other associations around the world. For information on which drivers are illegal go to either of the following websites as the list should be the same in both: -

Europe - http://www.theroyalandancient.com/  - and follow the links on this page.

USA - http://www.usga.org/equipment/index.html  - and follow the links to “Conforming” and “Non-Conforming” clubs.
Please check carefully as some clubs look as if they may be Conforming but in fact are not. If in doubt, contact you local Professional Golfer for confirmation – before you start any official competition as penalties will be applied.

Get the Correct Clubs in Your Bag                                23rd May 2008

Are you still carrying just two wedges in your bag? Do you still carry your old trusty two iron that could be used to shave as it was so sharp?

Does anybody know what lofts are on the clubs that they use and the distance that they hit each club?

If not, then that is about to change. Why not make golf a lot easier for yourself?

First of all, you need to start by analysing the type of course that you play most often. Is it a links course that is firm and dry, or is it a parkland course that tends to hold the water and play soft.

If you play on a firm dry course then you will be looking for less bounce on your wedges. The opposite is true if you play on a soft course. You will require more bounce on your wedges.

Bounce on a golf club helps the club-head slide through the turf. If the turf is firm, then too much bounce will encourage the club to skid and will typically result in a thin shot. Not enough bounce on a golf course that is soft will encourage the club to dig in to the ground. Not exactly what you want as it will look like you are trying to dig your way to China with the size of the divots that you will take.

Therefore, for a course that is firm and fast, you are better off with a wedge with less bounce (between 6–10 degrees) and for the softer course, you are better with a little more bounce (between 8–13 degrees).

Most manufacturers produce wedges with a couple of different bounce options for each respective loft. If they don’t you can go to a good club maker and have them grind the sole for you.

Ok, now that I have got you thinking about the wedges that you use, we need to start thinking about the rest of the clubs in just a minute. I would recommend that you use at least three wedges. This would be a Pitching wedge (47–48 degrees), Sand Wedge (56 degrees) and Lob Wedge (60 degrees). This configuration does leave a gap of 8 or 9 degrees between Pitching Wedge and Sand Wedge. With each degree accounting for 3 to 4 yards in distance, you are looking at a difference of approximately 30 yards.

So, what do we do. We get an approach wedge (or a gap wedge) with 52 degrees. This will give you something in between and prevent those awkward in between shots with the Pitching Wedge.

This is where we have to consider the rest of the bag. If you do go for four wedges, then you will lose one club at the long end. But, we don’t need those hard to hit clubs anyway.

This is my suggestion. You should carry the following clubs – remember the maximum allowed in any competition is 14 clubs.

Driver
3 Wood (15 degrees)
5 Wood or Hybrid (18 or 19 degrees)
4 iron or Hybrid (24 degrees)
5 iron to 9 iron
Pitching Wedge (47 degree)
Approach Wedge (52 degree)
Sand Wedge (56 degree)
Lob Wedge (60 degree)
Putter                                    Total of 14 Clubs - Maximum Number Allowed

This will suit most golfers and will make it a little easier for you to hit those great shots. Having four wedges in your bag gives you a variety of different shots to hit. If you have read my book “You Can Easily Knock 10 Shots of Your Score” you will realise how easy this is to do.

It is also the clubs that are the most important, as the majority of golfers throw away shots around the green. 

If you are a low handicap golfer then you may well prefer using a 3 iron or even a 2 iron. Even then, the benefits of using hybrids are hard to ignore. This option will be covered in another article.

If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me. I look forward to helping you.

Have fun on the links!

Graeme
info@wholovesgolf.com

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