Willow Valley Blog  

Did you know there is a maximum amount of clubs you can carry in your golf bag at a time? You are only allowed to have 14 clubs in your bag during a round. Typically this consists of 3 woods, 8 irons, and a putter. This only adds up to 12 clubs, so you can add 2 more clubs of any kind. For many golfers hybrids take the place of an iron or a wood in their bag. If you have more than 14 clubs in a tournament, you can have penalty strokes added to your score. It seems like an easy thing to keep track of, but it happens from time to time. Woody Austin was given a 4-stroke penalty at the PGA Championship in 2013 for having 15 clubs in his bag. It could happen to anyone, so if you are playing competitively count your clubs before your round! Of course if you play for fun it is a bit more lax. You might find that you don't even need 14 clubs in your bag!

The Average Bag

Now you might be wondering, well what would the average golfer carry? The average golfer will usually carry between 10-14 clubs. There aren't any restrictions as to what types of clubs you can carry. If you wanted to have 12 drivers in your bag, you are free to do so. You might not have the best round of your life (or a fun time putting) but hey, no one can stop you! If you find that you often don't have the right club for your shot, it might be time to reevaluate your bag. Below, i've outline a good combination of clubs you could use in your bag. Keep in mind everyone has a different preference for clubs. I just happen to prefer to use woods for distance and don't enjoy long irons. If you play well with long irons feel free to change up the combo of irons and woods in your bag, this is just what I believe my ideal bag would consist of.

Starting Point

A good place to start is with a putter and a driver. These are two clubs you will always need during your round. Next, choose your irons. A 7, 8, and 9 iron will allow you to have controlled mid to short game shots. If you play a course regularly with sand traps, I would also suggest including a sand wedge. A pitching wedge should also be included in your bag to help with shots within 60 yards of the green. Next choose your woods. If you have chosen the irons suggested, a 4, 5 and 6 wood would be a good fit for your longer shots. So far, this is a total of 10 clubs, so you have 4 left to fill your bag. Try to think of clubs that can help with shots you make often, as well as shots that you haven't had the correct club for in the past. Hybrids are a great tool to have in your bag. To learn more about hybrids click here. 

It All Depends On Your Game

Of course, the clubs you choose all depend on your game! If you have a hard time with chipping, make sure you have the right clubs to help improve this area. Tailor your bag to your strengths as well as to help improve your weak spots. Don't let your game suffer by not having the right clubs available! If you also religiously play the same course, it might be a good idea to take the layout into consideration. If there are tons of water hazards, ensure you have the right clubs to maneuver around them. Try to play a course with multiple hazards to test all aspects of your game, and see if you have all of the right clubs to get through your round. At WillowValley we have a variety of hazards, as well as beautiful bluegrass fescue, making it the perfect way to test your skills! To book your tee time call the pro shop at (905)-679-2703 or click here to book online.