What is best combination of clubs for a trip to the UK?

[Chanceman]

Preparing for our trip to play 20 courses in England in September. Only 5 are links courses, the rest heathland and parkland. Taking 14 clubs of course. Question is which clubs should I take and which to leave at home? I usually have Driver, 3w, 5w, 21 degree hybrid, 456789 irons, PW, 56 degree SW, and putter. Other clubs to consider might be 3 iron, gap wedge, lob wedge or perhaps buy another higher loft hybrid. 

[jvincent]

I'd lean towards another wedge. 

 

There will be lots of juicy lies around the greens on the heathland and parkland courses so having options there is probably a good idea.

[thecumbrian]

I would just take your normal set up. I play 90% of my golf on links and just leave the 2 iron and low bounce lob wedge in the bag when I play parkland. No point putting unfamiliar clubs in the bag.

 

Don't know where you are going to be based but if it's anywhere in the south of England it's most likely not rained for months and the courses are like concrete.

 

 

[hammergolf]

9 hours ago, Chanceman said:

Preparing for our trip to play 20 courses in England in September. Only 5 are links courses, the rest heathland and parkland. Taking 14 clubs of course. Question is which clubs should I take and which to leave at home? I usually have Driver, 3w, 5w, 21 degree hybrid, 456789 irons, PW, 56 degree SW, and putter. Other clubs to consider might be 3 iron, gap wedge, lob wedge or perhaps buy another higher loft hybrid. 

Just play the same clubs you do at home. If you wanted to make a change, you could swap a 3 iron for your hybrid if you hit it equally as well. I think many guys make a mistake of changing their clubs or technique and overthink it. Courses over there have tee boxes, fairways, and greens. Same as here. While summer conditions on links turf can be tight and firm, you have more options in approach play and around the greens. For most players, the closer you get to the green, the better it is to play the ball on the ground. If one doesn’t use a lob wedge here, I definitely wouldn’t recommend taking one to use there.

[Chanceman]

13 hours ago, thecumbrian said:

I would just take your normal set up. I play 90% of my golf on links and just leave the 2 iron and low bounce lob wedge in the bag when I play parkland. No point putting unfamiliar clubs in the bag.

 

Don't know where you are going to be based but if it's anywhere in the south of England it's most likely not rained for months and the courses are like concrete.

 

 

Going London-Yorkshire-Cotswolds-Cornwall-Kent-London so a fair mix of locations.

Thanks everyone, I think I’ll stick to my usual bag. Wedges over 56 don’t agree with me and 3 iron is dodgy so best to stick with the regulars.

As always in England it’s the weather that will have the biggest influence.

[El Gringo]

48 minutes ago, Chanceman said:

Going London-Yorkshire-Cotswolds-Cornwall-Kent-London so a fair mix of locations.

Thanks everyone, I think I’ll stick to my usual bag. Wedges over 56 don’t agree with me and 3 iron is dodgy so best to stick with the regulars.

As always in England it’s the weather that will have the biggest influence.

What is your course itinerary? 

[Chanceman]

2 hours ago, El Gringo said:

What is your course itinerary? 

Old Fold Manor

Beau Desert

Hollinwell

Seacroft

Ganton

Alwoodley

Delamere Forest

Cavendish

Church Stretton

Kington

Rolls of Monmouth

Minch Old

Perranporth

St Enodoc

Pulborough

St Georges Hill

Royal Ashdown Forest

Deal

The Addington

Reigate Heath

 

[El Gringo]

18 minutes ago, Chanceman said:

Old Fold Manor

Beau Desert

Hollinwell

Seacroft

Ganton

Alwoodley

Delamere Forest

Cavendish

Church Stretton

Kington

Rolls of Monmouth

Minch Old

Perranporth

St Enodoc

Pulborough

St Georges Hill

Royal Ashdown Forest

Deal

The Addington

Reigate Heath

 

I like the eclectic nature of your choices! A lot of cool courses. 

 

The only course I haven't seen is Old Ford Manor. If I go back to the area it will be to see Hadley Wood again. The club has started to work on the course using an excellent shaper/architect. 

 

I will be playing Deal and Addington in a few weeks. Should be interesting to see the changes to these courses, especially Addy. Also playing West Byfleet and North Foreland on the trip. Never seen these courses before and don't know anything about them. 

 

Anyway, enjoy your trip. 

[Chanceman]

1 hour ago, El Gringo said:

I like the eclectic nature of your choices! A lot of cool courses. 

 

The only course I haven't seen is Old Ford Manor. If I go back to the area it will be to see Hadley Wood again. The club has started to work on the course using an excellent shaper/architect. 

 

I will be playing Deal and Addington in a few weeks. Should be interesting to see the changes to these courses, especially Addy. Also playing West Byfleet and North Foreland on the trip. Never seen these courses before and don't know anything about them. 

 

Anyway, enjoy your trip. 

Thanks! Hopefully the legs can survive the test . One of our guys has a medical exemption for a cart/buggy so I think we might rotate the passenger seat. 

[Frank_Kasule]

On 5/12/2023 at 9:44 AM, Chanceman said:

Old Fold Manor

Beau Desert

Hollinwell

Seacroft

Ganton

Alwoodley

Delamere Forest

Cavendish

Church Stretton

Kington

Rolls of Monmouth

Minch Old

Perranporth

St Enodoc

Pulborough

St Georges Hill

Royal Ashdown Forest

Deal

The Addington

Reigate Heath

 

What an incredible list, sounds like a fantastic trip! A lot of my most memorable rounds have been played on these courses. 

 

In terms of clubs just take what you are comfortable playing. Doesn't make sense to learn a new club for the trip. 

One thing I always try to do when playing these top 100 level courses is just to focus on enjoying being there, the scenery, the architecture and if I play well then that's a bonus but I try not to stress about playing amazingly. 

 

Genuinely excited for you, I hope you can provide updates during the trip with pictures! 

[Chanceman]

3 hours ago, Frank_Kasule said:

What an incredible list, sounds like a fantastic trip! A lot of my most memorable rounds have been played on these courses. 

 

In terms of clubs just take what you are comfortable playing. Doesn't make sense to learn a new club for the trip. 

One thing I always try to do when playing these top 100 level courses is just to focus on enjoying being there, the scenery, the architecture and if I play well then that's a bonus but I try not to stress about playing amazingly. 

 

Genuinely excited for you, I hope you can provide updates during the trip with pictures! 

Thanks Frank. I’ve done it a few times now and you just have to accept whatever happens. At Kingsbarns a few years ago my caddie said “nice shot laddie but you won’t like the result”. Says it all. 
I actually have wanted to play a second XI rota for a while now hence the unusual courses. England is par excellence for this idea.