Picking a new driver and irons is generally fairly simple. But what clubs should you put in play in that awkward gap in the middle? Traditionally it has been a driving iron but should you be swapping to a fairway wood or hybrid?
I headed down to the Titleist Performance Centre at Woburn to dial in the gap in my golf bag and find out how to gap your golf bag correctly.
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So many golfers make the mistake of sticking to a traditional golf bag set-up. A set of irons from pitching wedge to 4-iron, a driving iron, a 3-wood and a driver. But is this the optimal set-up to get the most out of your game?
How to gap your golf bag: Fairway wood or hybrid or long irons?
So when it comes to picking a fairway wood or hybrid or long iron, how do you know which one to put in play?
Well, the first place to start is to find out how far your irons go. Most high handicappers are carrying numerous irons that are travelling the same distance.
There is a logical reason for this. Longer irons have a longer shaft and less loft which makes it harder to hit the sweet spot and means the ball typically doesn’t launch as high. All this leads to less distance and consistency.
According to ShotScope data, the average 20 handicap hits their 6-iron 131 yards yet their 4-iron or hybrid only travels 130 yards. 15 handicappers carry their 6-iron 134 yards and their 5-iron travels a grand total of 5 yards further at 139 yards.
There is no point carrying a 6, 5 and 4-iron that all do the same thing. If you are at a fitting it is worth hitting all your irons and working out your carry distances. If your 7, 6, 5 and 4-iron all go the same distance, take the 6, 5 and 4 out and add something in as a replacement.