What Makes an Intimidating Bag of Clubs?

[ashpga]

Was having a discussion with a couple of my golfing buddies and we were trying to come up with the most “intimidating” bag setup. In other words, a bag to make you look like a scratch golfer. Here is what we came up with—curious to see what you guys think?

 

1. Ping Hoofer Bag. Bonus points if it is faded and has a T100 course logo on it.

 

2. Non-OEM Headcovers. Either leather or knit pom poms. Again, T100 course logo(s) are a bonus.

 

3. Season-Old Driver. Likely TaylorMade, Titleist or Callaway with an upgraded shaft.

 

4. Older Fairway Wood(s). Once you find one to trust, hard to knock out of the bag. Maybe a V Steel? 

 

5. Forged Cavity Back Irons. Mizuno is at the top of the list, followed by Titleist.

 

6. Vokey Wedges. Bonus points if they are raw finish and have S400 Tour Issue shafts.

 

7. Scotty Cameron. Controversial one. An older Newport or Newport 2 head with a well used PP58 or other pistol grip installed.

 

8. Towel. McArthur Wincraft Caddy towel draped over the irons with one side wet before the round.

[Abh159]

The easiest way to spot a good player is lead tape. Most people don't even know it exists much less how to use it. If I guy (or gal) rolls up with lead tape all over their irons be prepared to lose some money.

[ashpga]

Just now, Abh159 said:

The easiest way to spot a good player is lead tape. Most people don't even know it exists much less how to use it. If I guy (or gal) rolls up with lead tape all over their irons be prepared to lose some money.

100% agree!

[MtlJeff]

LOL probably a little dated now

 

https://www.golfwrx.com/49131/how-to-build-an-intimidating-bag-of-clubs/

 

[Mitchell]

Paging @MtlJeff…sure he would be interested in revival of this topic since wrote an article for site on very subject back in the day

[Mitchell]

2 minutes ago, MtlJeff said:

LOL probably a little dated now

 

https://www.golfwrx.com/49131/how-to-build-an-intimidating-bag-of-clubs/

 

Was a bit late on trigger on my post

Edited February 6, 2023 by nochrome

[MtlJeff]

8 minutes ago, nochrome said:

Was a bit late on trigger on my post😂

 

My bat signal went off!!!

 

lol

[BIG STU]

7 minutes ago, MtlJeff said:

LOL probably a little dated now

 

https://www.golfwrx.com/49131/how-to-build-an-intimidating-bag-of-clubs/

 

IMHO best article you ever wrote

[2bGood]

Nothing really. I have seen plenty of posers that had a bag that would make you think they were a +6 cap and they could not break 80 and I have seen guys that shoot in the 60's with game improvement irons. 

 

As the years pass, I have to say a barley notice what clubs someone has. 

Edited February 7, 2023 by 2bGood

[Putter Addict]

Season old driver? As in one season??? Playing a Cobra Fly Z still... then again I am terrible so not sure what that says.

 

As far as the Scotty thing, I think the opposite. Honestly I have never played a round with someone using a Scotty that could putt to save their life. Not a knock on Scotty, but I think they are more the Rolex of putters. Great quality but give me the Jaeger putter equivalent and then we can talk. Haha

[BIG STU]

22 minutes ago, ashpga said:

Was having a discussion with a couple of my golfing buddies and we were trying to come up with the most “intimidating” bag setup. In other words, a bag to make you look like a scratch golfer. Here is what we came up with—curious to see what you guys think?

 

1. Ping Hoofer Bag. Bonus points if it is faded and has a T100 course logo on it.

 

2. Non-OEM Headcovers. Either leather or knit pom poms. Again, T100 course logo(s) are a bonus.

 

3. Season-Old Driver. Likely TaylorMade, Titleist or Callaway with an upgraded shaft.

 

4. Older Fairway Wood(s). Once you find one to trust, hard to knock out of the bag. Maybe a V Steel? 

 

5. Forged Cavity Back Irons. Mizuno is at the top of the list, followed by Titleist.

 

6. Vokey Wedges. Bonus points if they are raw finish and have S400 Tour Issue shafts.

 

7. Scotty Cameron. Controversial one. An older Newport or Newport 2 head with a well used PP58 or other pistol grip installed.

 

8. Towel. McArthur Wincraft Caddy towel draped over the irons with one side wet before the round.

Look at my signature I am sorta close and yes I am Dr Lead Tape around here--- Now on the rusty Santa Fe I have a Superstroke 3 XL that is old and taped with medical tape. Towels can be tricky. I have so many I have won in club comps I use them but then again I have a bunch of blue stripe motel towels I buy by the pound at the local thrifts. I know someone is going to give me crap over the mini staff but it is one I carried years ago on the minis. I decided to use it again since I am not able to walk and got aggrevated with club tangle in my Jones or my old Hoofer riding a cart

[Putter Addict]

4 minutes ago, BIG STU said:

Look at my signature I am sorta close and yes I am Dr Lead Tape around here--- Now on the rusty Santa Fe I have a Superstroke 3 XL that is old and taped with medical tape. Towels can be tricky. I have so many I have won in club comps I use them but then again I have a bunch of blue stripe motel towels I buy by the pound at the local thrifts. I know someone is going to give me crap over the mini staff but it is one I carried years ago on the minis. I decided to use it again since I am not able to walk and got aggrevated with club tangle in my Jones or my old Hoofer riding a cart

Agree, this is an intimidating bag... Would not be making any bets with you that is for sure. 

[anser85029]

Dime size groove wear heel side of center on scoring irons is a tell-tale signal.

[Putter Addict]

Couple more things I would add based on experience... 

 

1. Fewer than 14 clubs (especially 10 or so)

2. Regular or SR flex shafts

3. No rangefinder 

4. Untucked shirt and non golf brand hat 

[iknowbagu]

Nothing specific, but the entire bag just has a well broken in look to it. Real players aren't going through 6 drivers, 4 sets of irons, 19 wedges and 8 putters every season. 

 

However, in the spirit of playing the game, it's the grips, you can always tell by the grips. Keeping with my statement above, they'll be broken in, but clean and no more than a few months old. 

[drumdude96]

Doesn't matter what kind of clubs, if they have wear marks in the center of the faces, don't play that guy for any serious money.

[EaglesGolf99]

Callaway Epic Speed 10.5° LOOP Proto GK X

Callaway Apex 2H | 18° Speeder Ion 904HB X
Callaway Apex 4H | 23° Speeder Ion 904HB X

Callaway Apex 5H | 26° Speeder Ion 904HB X

Miura Craftsman CB•301 5 & 6 iCWT Proto 105 X

Miura 1957 Series CB•57 7, 8 & 9 iCWT Proto 105 X

Miura Raw Hand Grind 46° | 06° iCWT Proto 105 X
Miura Raw Hand Grind 52° | 10° iCWT Proto 105 X
Miura Raw Hand Grind 58° | 10° iCWT Proto 105 X

Miura Raw High Bounce 64° | 16° iCWT Proto 105 X

Mills GSS Hand Made Naked Fleetwood

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.....ROFL

 

Edited February 6, 2023 by EaglesGolf99

[Poor Mans Ty Webb]

I rarely ever see combo sets and I feel like if someone has a "not sold as a set" combo set that they put together themselves, it has my attention.  I assume this person is humble enough to know they can benefit from help in the longer/mid irons, but good enough to strike the scoring clubs well.

 

Proper Mizuno irons are a bit of a red flag for me, as well.

 

Adding the two together, I'm not getting into a skins match with someone rocking an MP-60/MP-32 combo set.  Not even once.

[Pepperturbo]

Interesting.  Outside theorizing, or what rattles inexperience, there's NO such thing as an intimidating bag of clubs. 

 

If you compete enough for stakes, you'll in time see the accurate sign of good player, regardless of his equipment, is the person with a cool, calm demeanor, willing to play for any amount, and has cash in his pocket. 

 

As for the link above to intimidating bag; I had to laugh.  It's almost as if the author made it up based on what intimated him. LOL 

[GHIN n Juice]

There are so many clubs, and bags, and after market covers that it is tough to tell anymore.  Plus, most solid players have an industry connection so rotating into new clubs is not the hacker symbol it used to be.  I have scratch friends playing rocketblade irons and a 983K, and others who have full current TM sets with a staff bag.  
 

I will say the only guys I know with top 100 course headcovers are 18 hcps who travel for work.

[caniac6]

The guy swinging the clubs.

[DangerousDan]

As stated above, the one that seems to hold "the most" true in my experience is related to grips.

 

A putter grip that has seem many rounds and you can see the spots the hands have worn in

 

All matching grips on all swinging clubs.  In my experience, that is the last piece of equipment that gets swapped for a a different model. The best golfers I know are very particular about their grips, any time a new club is put in the bag, the matching grip gets put on too.

[amace04]

Old-a** set of player cavityback irons with fresh grips

Old Ping Karsten putter that he bought in high school

Non-matching Titleist Driver and 3w (preferably one is several generations old, such as a 917)

56* is the highest lofted wedge in the bag, but it gets replaced every two years at most

Bonus points if he's only carrying 13 clubs in the bag.

[BHI 99]

An “intimidating” golf bag and a guy that doesn’t waste money on bullschit looks a lot alike. 

[Jayjay_theweim_guy]

1 hour ago, Putter Addict said:

Great quality but give me the Jaeger putter equivalent

Interesting point.  What would that be, do you think?

 

Some sort of thing like a MannKrafted or Artisan?

[Putter Addict]

24 minutes ago, Jayjay_theweim_guy said:

Interesting point.  What would that be, do you think?

 

Some sort of thing like a MannKrafted or Artisan?

Hmmm... no idea. Haha. 

[LUXOR54]

Thinking about what combination of all the clubs I have would create the most intimidating bag, golden oldies and a little bit of new drizzled in

 

-SLDR 430 10.5° HZRDUS smoke red RDX 6.5 pulled out of a stealth.

 

-R7 TP 3 wood

 

-P790 UDI

 

-2003 RAC CB 4-p

 

-Mizuno MP-T  51° gap wedge

 

-56 / 60 PM grind 

 

-Odyssey DF-550 putter

 

I have a handful of blade sets, but there's something about those RAC's that just scream "I'm a player". Throw in some lead tape on the driver, irons, and putter, it would have me shaking in my boots. 

Edited February 6, 2023 by LUXOR54

[BIG STU]

2 hours ago, Putter Addict said:

Agree, this is an intimidating bag... Would not be making any bets with you that is for sure. 

Thanks man but I am not all that intimidating anymore. 65 Yoa with a broken back. I do not hit it that far any more about 225 or so with the driver. My home course I vary from like 75 to maybe 82 hitting from 5500 at sea level. I play what I play because that is basically what I have played all my life. 

[mat562]

It doesn't really apply anymore, but it used to be a battered old set of blades with penny-sized bullseye marks worn into them, with new grips and lead tape on them, and a Ping 1-iron poking out between the headcovers.

 

An old putter with a grip with visible thumb marks worn into it is still a red flag though. That's a timeless one. If they pull it out and idly knock in a dozen six footers in a row with it on the practice green, walk away.

 

 

Edited February 6, 2023 by mat562

[Dill Pickleson]

Usually some older Mizuno blades, like mp-33's.