We've been limited to 14 clubs for many years now, but should that change? Hannah Holden and Alex Perry have vastly differing opinions on the subject
Golfers, the authorities decided many years ago, are allowed to carry up to 14 golf clubs in their bag. But is it too many or, indeed, no enough? Two of our writers discuss…
‘Why do we limit our options?’
You could use endless amounts of clubs if you think about it, writes Hannah Holden. Why do we limit our options?
I would love to have the option of a 3- and 4-iron as well as my 3- and 4-hybrids so I could switch things up depending on wind, lie, and what ball flight I wanted to create.
Why not a specialist putter for holing out and another for honing your pace control? Or specialist wedges with different lofts and bounces giving you something with which to play every conceivable shot.
Or maybe you’ll go like Phil and put a driver in play for fairway finders and other for hitting bombs.
I just love tinkering with equipment so the more options I can have in my bag all the better.
‘Would it dramatically alter your game?’
I reckon I could lose five clubs from my bag and it wouldn’t change a thing, writes Alex Perry.
Would my game alter dramatically if I had, say, a driver, fairway wood, hybrid, three irons, a couple of wedges, and a putter?
Probably not.
I’m not a ball striker. Certainly not a consistent one. I, like most mid-handicap golfers, am generally happy if I get the ball off the ground and in the direction I’m aiming.
My six-iron, with its ability to go anywhere from 100 to 190 yards, is my very own multi-purpose tool.
Now, I better watch my back otherwise I’ll end up like that bloke who invented the car that runs on water…
Do you think 14 golf clubs is the right number?
Hannah wants the restrictions lifted while Alex thinks they should be tightened. Who do you agree with? Or would you keep it as it is? Let us know in the comments below, or you can tweet us.
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