2025 Bag is Set Challenge (BISC) Thread!!!!!!!

[Dan Drake]

Well it's Groundhog day.  Again.....

 

Actually, it's everyone's other favorite time of the year because the Bag is Set Challenge is here!! The idea is simple, how long into the new calendar year can you last without changing clubs in and out of your bag?

 

Here are the rules for 2025's Bag is Set Challenge (almost the same as last year for those who may or may not ever read rules or instructions......):
1. Don't talk about Bag is Set Challenge (except on WRX, of course).  Obvious Fight Club reference aside, your normie golfing buddies will look at you like you are a complete & total nut job if you try to explain this to them.  And they wouldn't necessarily be wrong.....

2. You must "set" your bag BEFORE your first GOLF-LIKE ACTIVITY of 2025. First round, first range trip, first trip to the practice green, first lesson, first session hitting balls in your $2,600 garage simulator setup, whatever. Post your full bag setup in this thread to "set" your bag.  This one seems to be very hard to understand for some folks, not sure why.  The rule is written this way to make the challenge somewhat equally difficult for participants who play golf in early January and those whose season doesn't start until the much warmer months.
3. Put your bag in the post on this thread before you engage in that first golf-like activity of the year. It doesn't have to be on Jan. 1, but posting it in the middle of June just isn't really in the spirit of this whole ridiculous fiasco. Also, posting "See sig" in a post doesn't work for this Challenge because the signature can change without record. Please, no editing your original post either. We need hard evidence, people!  (See Rule #7 below for more info)

4. If you have had the same exact bag for more than 3 years, you do not need to attempt the BISC.  You have already completed the Bag is Set Challenge and your WRX'ness will forever be in question from this moment forth.  Please leave the BISC to those of us who are wholly unable to stop our lustful ways.  People who don't have a drinking problem don't go to AA meetings to gloat, you know? 
5. Grips, specs, and "decor" are the only thing that may be changed throughout the year. You may adjust lofts, lies, swing weights, MOI, paint fill, ferrules, etc. and you may replace/change grips. Also, golf balls do not need to be the same throughout the year.  But, no new heads, shafts, 15th clubs, swapping clubs for different courses, seasons, etc. It's supposed to be a challenge!
6. There is no fame, fortune, and very little glory for completing this challenge.  Actually, there's none at all of any of that I'm aware of. In fact, now that we've got a few years of viable evidence, ridicule will be the most likely result, win or lose.  Really makes you want to join in, eh? 

7. This year, let's add another layer to this.  Add in the date that you think you are most likely to make it to before you give up and give in.  Let's see who is most accurate and who is completely delusional.  This got missed last year (and the year before......honestly, doesn't anyone read anymore!!!), let's give it another go this year!  Kudos to @Hester65 who put his post in a great format 2 years ago if you want to follow suit:

 

Lumber 

Driver - Sim with a sweet dent near the toe, fujikura pro 2.0 6x

2 hybrid - 910h, made for ahina 90x

4 hybrid - 915h, ventus blue 80s 

Irons

Apex pro 2021 6-aw, kbs tour v 120x

Wedges 

Mg 3 52.09

Mg 2 56.12, kbs 610 wedge 125s+ in both 

Putter 

Odyssey O works 1w

12 clubs total 

Causes for concern

I have never completed this challenge. In fact, I’ve gone down in Q1 each time I have enter. 
Prediction 

Moral victory by going deeper than ever but a defeat none the less. I expect to make it to the beginning of Q3. August bonus check will be my downfall.

8. Check back in if (when) you change something. It's part of the fun!
 

Decisions on the Rules by the Committee (me, lol!)

a. You may replace a broken club with a new/different club, but you may NOT intentionally break a club, just so you can replace it, lol!  Any normal repairs are certainly allowed. 

b. All wagers placed on the 2025 BISC shall be paid in full. Failure to do so will result in permanent banning from all future BISCs!

c. If there is ever a rules vote on which the Committee's vote is split, @Mych has been selected to cast the tie-breaking vote.  

Good Luck (if you are posting in this thread, you're gonna need it!  (I set my bag last year on 1/30/24 and held fast and strong all the way until 3/24/23, and I'm pretty proud of that.  It was only two rounds, mind you, but that's just like, your opinion, man.)

 

And lastly, a huge CONGRATULATIONS goes to our big winner/loser from last year @cardoustie.  He played 2 rounds on Jan 1 and swapped out 5 clubs in between rounds.  I know this is a family site, but his performances kinda remind me of that joke about the hunter who goes into the woods and shoots the bear.  Let's just say Uncle Cardy ain't here for the hunting, gnowhatimsayin'?  The "normal" winner was @ShAMbotay who lasted all the way until Jan 5, which is actually kinda late in the year for us to have our first subject of ridicule.  

 

Here's a few high (low?) lights from last year:

 

@Ephemerlol "A quick question for the comittee.  It's probably a moot point due to my driver situation, but if I were to get a new set of irons with heads, shafts, and grips all identical to my current set but 1* strong am I out?" - This is just to beautiful to behold.  

@Mitchell - Tried to kick himself out of the competition before he had even begun.  It's a bold strategy Cotton, let's see if it pays off.....

@cardoustie - Claimed 12 to 15 changes by Jan. 23rd.  But if you know him, (as I've already referenced above) this really isn't THAT impressive.  

@Mych - March 6th, eh?  For you, that's like mid-October!

 

I'm also very impressed, as I am every year, with the amount of new rules questions that I'm asked to bring forward to the Committee.  As you all know, I take my self-appointed position as BISC Caesar (mmm, lobster bisque and caesar salad.  Is there a steakhouse nearby?) very seriously and I make sure the Committee gives appropriate attention to each of the ridiculous reasons that you all ask for leniency regarding the rules of this exclusive club.  

 

 

For those that don't know, here are the current faces (atrocious that they may be) on our Mount Rushmore:  

Quickest Fail: @cardoustie in 2022 - Changed clubs DURING his first round on Jan. 1.  Virtually unbreakable, well done sir! (please note above about his failure this year and how it wasn't quite up to his brilliant work in '22!)

Most Epic Fail: @Mccaria in 2023 - That kind of commitment to breaking each and every rule possible with almost all 14 spots in the bag really is special.  If you haven't participated in the BISC before, take note, this is the type of determination that we expect from each and every entrant.  

Most Fails consecutively: @Dan Drake - Every single year since the BISC started in approx. 2014.  Seriously, this guy has zero chance, ever.  He did make it to early March one time, so maybe, just maybe? Nah, no chance! Honorable Mention - @Mych He's just as pitiful. 

Most Fails in a career:  @Mych - Every single year since the BISC started in approx. 2014.  Seriously, this guy has zero chance, ever.  He did make it to early March one time, so maybe, just maybe? Nah, no chance! Honorable Mention - @Dan Drake He's just as pitiful.   

 

So will you make it to the end of 2025 with the same sack of sticks that you started your golfing year with?  Will you be Master of your domain?  Or will you meet and exceed expectations and you make your case for the BISC HOF? 

 

Only one way to find out!

 

Also, this contest is 100%, absolutely, unequivocally, unapologetically, holistically, completely and totally stupid, and all who participate in it need to seek actual serious professional help.  And I don't mean a golf professional, I mean a mental health professional.    

 

Hi, my name is Dan, and I'm a clubaholic.  

 

Hi Dan.........

 

(Also, if you really aren't sure after reading all of that, we are all just here for the funny gifs. jifs. moving pictures. whatever they're called.)

Edited November 15, 2024 by Dan Drake

[Bad9]

First in. 2025 bag will be:

 

Callaway Rogue ST Max 10.5° LS/Xcaliber SL 55 a flex

Callaway Rogue ST Max Heavenwood/Xcaliber FW a flex

Callaway Rogue ST Max 9w/Xcaliber FW a flex

Maltby KE4 TC IST 4h/Xcaliber Rapid Taper a flex

Maltby KE4 TC IST 5h/Xcaliber Rapid Taper a flex

Maltby KE4 Tour+ 6-G/Xcaliber Rapid Taper a flex

Maltby Max Milled 54° & 58°/Xcaliber Wedge 85

Maltby Moment X Tour

 

Prediction: I make the whole year with this bag.

Edited November 14, 2024 by Bad9

[getitdaily]

Not even trying next year...BTW, change 2024 to 2025 in item 2.

 

New driver went in around April when callaway released the triple diamond max. Also tried the qi10. Have qi10 for a try again, at a lower loft. Tried a couple different 4i. Tried 2 3ws and landed on the smoke 3d...sold my paradym 3d. Changed putters after a quintic session around July. 

 

No way I make it through February with all the new stuff coming. I know my limitations. 

[JAM01]

Ugh - ok. I have been out by February every year. 
 

Driver - Taylormade BRNR Minidriver 10.5 

Wood - Taylormade BRNR Minidriver 15.5

yup two of them with stock Proforce shafts 

Iron - Takomo 101 - 4-Pw

Wedges - Mizuno S23 50 & 56 

Putter Evnroll Zero Z1 

“I’ll be back” 

 

[ldh692002]

Sigh 😌 

this is pointless but here I go 

 

Wilson dynapower carbon 8* RDX 60 Blue 6.0

Wilson dynapower 15* RDX Red 6.0

Wilson dynapower 18* RDX Red 6.0

Wilson dynapower forged 4-GW, KBS Tour Lite S

Cleveland RTX 6 54,58

Evenroll ER2 black

 

please pray for me on this arduous journey 😂😂😂

[g_nw]

by far and away my favorite part of my (second) favorite thread is the early optimism,@Dan Drake! i’ll be watching for the most optimistic category 🥃

[Poor Mans Ty Webb]

I was out in 2024 because I knew I was getting new wedges in the spring. Bought a 50-54-58-62 setup, brand new, and about 2 months later decided to bend my PW and all the rest of my irons 2* weak, which meant I needed new wedges, again. Lol. 
 

Was also done in by a dream set on the BST, so I just had to buy those. But I’m trying to recommit for this year. Been taking much of 2024 to build a new bag, so I really shouldn’t be buying anything new…

 

Driver: TSr3 with Aldila Rogue Silver 130, 60g (15th club is a BRNR with Rogue Silver 130 70g that replaces the driver sometimes).

 

Long Game:

Ping G425 5w and 7w with Aldila Rogue Silver 125, 80g

Nike VFP 4 iron with DG Onyx AMT X100

 

Irons:

Bridgestone J36 Black Oxide 5-PW with DG Onyx AMT X100

 

Wedges:

Mizuno T24 Raw 52-56-60 with DG Onyx S400

 

Putter:

Mizuno M Craft Type III with a Onyx KBS steel shaft

 

Bag: Sun Mtn 2.5+
 

Areas for concern: Gosh, where to start. I need to do quite a bit before 2025 in order to ‘set’ the bag. Need to SW fit just about everything and build/assemble all of it. Hotmelt for the 4 iron, tip weights for the Bridgestones/wedges, new weights for the FW’s, and ferrules/reshaft for a bunch of stuff, too. And grips. 
 

There’s also the concern that I have a two other finished sets just yearning to be played, plus three unfinished sets of irons yearning to be tinkered with, one of which is my classic Apex set. I haven’t played them for about 18 months, and I’ve got the itch. 
 

There’s also the general concerns. Impulse purchases, impulse decisions, and impulse experimentation. 
 

Prediction: No chance in Heck that I only play one bag for all of 2025. However, if I can finish this new bag by the spring of 2025, play it consistently as my main bag, and together we shave enough strokes to make Q School, then I’ll consider BISC 2025 a resounding success.

 

I’ve thought I had the one before with other bags, but I’ve never felt this way about a bag before. It’s not like other bags. I don’t want to ask it to change. I love it for it, just the way it is. I want to take things slow, build a rock solid foundation, and settle into a long-term relationship. I’m not afraid of commitment…

 

As long as I’m still allowed to have a little fun on the side. 

[PhilWhitUK]

Oh dear!

 

So I just bought my daughter some i230 irons and have been looking at them jealously thinking they might be a nice change from my original PXG 0211.  I would put the odds on my irons surviving much past Easter 2025 as less than 50%.
 

And, even though I am on my second driver of 2024, I am debating either the new rumoured Titleist mini driver or just accepting that I need a reliable, properly fitted PING.  Odds on me playing my current driver through 2025?  I would say close to zero chance.

 

Not fancying my chances here!

 

For the record currently playing:

 

TSi 1 driver, fairway and hybrid.  PXG 0211 irons. Vokey wedges and PXG putter.

[scott406]

Made it through last year by only changing my putter shaft and getting a new golf bag

Will not make it this year

Not even going to try

 

Good luck to everyone else

 

[NoTalentLefty]

My year just ended and won’t start till April so even if I’m not in a hurry, accepting this as an early challenge:

1) Driver: Callaway Paradym.

2) FWs : 3&5 Callaway Epic Flash

3) Hybrids: 4&5 Callaway Epic Flash

                   6&7 Callaway Big Bertha

                   7 Ping G430 playing as my 8

4) Irons: 9-GW PXG XP Gen 4

5) Wedges: 50 degree Vokey SM7

                    56 degree Mizuno S23 Cobalt

6) Putter: Ping Sigma G Ketsch B

 

First possible changes will be irons and putter. 

 

 

 

 

[g_nw]

only variable in my bag is the 4-iron slot, i’m testing a ‘24 p770 4-iron vs. my gamer p7mc 4-iron this winter, identical specs/loft — just appreciating a bit of support on long par3s, for now… we’ll see

[jvincent]

Just getting ahead of the game on this............................

 

[Ripken08]

Same old boring topic and just like Christmas, offered even earlier this year.  I vote that it's started at Halloween next year 🤣

[philly2kuk]

I’m disappointed I didn’t get mentioned as the epic fail where I knocked myself out by accident, leaving in a five wood I didn’t remember putting in 🤣

 

It’s wet but we are still playing here until the end of the year. So I’ll post my witb Jan 1 before I play. I can’t foresee any changes next year as I’ve changed EVERYTHING in the last 2/3 years now.

[gator022]

@Dan Drake maybe this competition should run from May through August. Sadly I think most of us would still fail.  Myself included. But at least conditions are similar then where you don’t start thinking the grass is beginning to go dormant so I need a different grind wedge or to swap out that driving iron for a hybrid now.🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[cardoustie]

Shifting from defcon level 5 to level 4

 

i did get new irons last week but have zero chance again, too many spare clubs down here in Florida

 

i had 3 drivers in the bag yesterday and someone wants my TD Max, so I’m already scheming on potential replacements 

 

plus, I’m home up North Dec 11  to 30 so when I get back South on New Year’s Eve I will be like a fat kid in a candy store

 

I have had shaft changing done in 3 shops over the last 2.5 weeks so I don’t get labelled as completely unstable

 

the last shop in the owner exclaimed “oh oh, Cardy is back !”

[Mych]

Not making a bag list yet but I've already made a request to my family to give me any Christmas golf gift cards a week or two early so I have time to buy and test before Jan 1. Yes, I'm asking my family to sacrifice the joy of surprising me on Christmas morning to help me get off the BISC Mount Rushmore. 

 

Currently I'm deciding whether there will be any changes to my driver or wedges. It's time for me to change wedges anyway, so I may swap my Titleist wedges for Ping S159's. This would be a complete vanity change to align with my iron change from Titleist to Ping. If this change doesn't happen, I'd be completely content playing my current wedges through next year.

 

Driver is the big issue. After lots of swing work I'm hitting my current driver better, but it wouldn't take much more than a good simulator session with a different driver (and a decent pricetag) for me to make a change. 6 weeks and counting to figure it out...

Edited November 18, 2024 by Mych

[NoTalentLefty]

On 11/15/2024 at 10:56 AM, NoTalentLefty said:

My year just ended and won’t start till April so even if I’m not in a hurry, accepting this as an early challenge:

1) Driver: Callaway Paradym.

2) FWs : 3&5 Callaway Epic Flash

3) Hybrids: 4&5 Callaway Epic Flash

                   6&7 Callaway Big Bertha

                   7 Ping G430 playing as my 8

4) Irons: 9-GW PXG XP Gen 4

5) Wedges: 50 degree Vokey SM7

                    56 degree Mizuno S23 Cobalt

6) Putter: Ping Sigma G Ketsch B

 

First possible changes will be irons and putter. 

 

 

 

 

1) Driver: Callaway Paradym.

2) FWs : 3&5 Callaway Epic Flash

3) Hybrids: 4&5 Callaway Epic Flash

                   6&7 Callaway Big Bertha

                   7 Ping G430 playing as my 8

4) Irons: 8 thru GW Mizuno JPX 921 Hot Metal

5) Wedges: Mizuno S23 56

6) Putter: Versa Works Tank 1W 

 

Now I’m set. 

 

[Haber]

I say it every year but I think this year is the year for me. I have a sim in the garage now so I don’t get the urge to tinker as much. All the clubs are dialled in and a good fit…. Here goes nothing

 

Driver Ping G430 LST Tour black 60s

3 wood Ping G430 Tour chrome 70s

3 hybrid Ping G430 Tour chrome 85x

4 iron Titleist T200 Project X IO6.0

5-7 Titleist T150 Project X IO6.0

8-P Titleist T100 Project X IO6.0

50,54 Titleist SM9 TI s400

58 Titleist SM10 TI s400

putter Lab DF3 broom

 

 

the only caveat is the broom is in production and I’ve never rolled one. Hopefully it gets here soon so I have some time to decide between that and my armlock Df2.1. Clearly the putter is my weakness and is more than likely my certain demise. If it’s not the armlock my Ping DS72 will tempt me at some point. I’m hoping to use this thread as my excuse to stay faithful to one putter all year.

[daniel gibson]

Nope. I'm not doing it! Because I have to come on here after promising myself once again that I am set. 

 

I have a problem, and I am happy about it!

[SnowbirdTom]

Lumber 

Driver - Titleist GT3 9.0* Tensei Blue 1k 55g stiff

3W - Srixon ZX Aerotech Ti-Fiber Tour 70 stiff

7W - Srixon ZX Aerotech Ti-Fiber Tour 70 stiff

9W - Callaway Paradym Kai'li stiff

 

Irons

Tourstage 709MC 5-PW Graphite Design AD75-R  

New ferrules sitting on workbench. 🙂

 

Wedges 

Fourteen DJ-5 50*/54*/58* wedges JDM - NS Pro TS-114

 

Grips

Golf Pride MCC Plus 4 mids

 

Putter 

TBD by Jan 1 (testing a few) lol 

Front runner is TM Spider GT-x w/plumber’s neck from last year

Prediction 

Putter's the wildcard.  Been eyeballing the LAB broomsticks real hard again.  The new EvnRoll Zeros are getting some side eye too. Mighty good looking offerings.

___________

 

First time entrant and my season's over for 2024.  Just had my appendix out a week ago and bought the TSR4 5 days after that, so I'm going with hopeless class for entry.  😃  Several driver shafts are still in transit or awaiting new adapters and no swings till after Dec 7 per the surgeon.  Getting twitchy already with normal routine being 3-4 rounds a week.

Edited December 8, 2024 by SnowbirdTom
Pre-season changes. lol I'll never make it to April.

[Mych]

Tested the Ping S159 and Glide Pro wedges and wasn't crazy about them so I think my Vokeys will survive another year.  Driver and fairway wood are still open competitions, 12 of 14 spots are firmly set. I'm starting to get excited about the 2025 BISC.

Edited November 20, 2024 by Mych

[MtlJeff]

I'm in but I have no interest in winning or even trying to win or even pretending I'm trying to win. 

 

I am here to basically be the joker, and introduce anarchy. 

 

Anyone who is very confident they will win , I intend to buy them a club and send it to their address just to corrupt them 

[Bye]

It’s my third or fourth attempt, with April being the best so far.

 

GT3 Driver - Ventus Blue

TSR3 3 wood - Tensei CK blue

TSR3 Hybrid - Tensei 1K Black

4 & 5 iron 620 CB

6-pw 620MB - all X100

Vokey 52, 56S, 60L - all S400

Spider X3

 

There is a chance this year.

[Dan Drake]

6 hours ago, MtlJeff said:

I'm in but I have no interest in winning or even trying to win or even pretending I'm trying to win. 

 

I am here to basically be the joker, and introduce anarchy. 

 

Anyone who is very confident they will win , I intend to buy them a club and send it to their address just to corrupt them 

So I think that makes you Chaotic Good?  But there could be a case for you as Lawful Evil?  

 

[DE-ILLINI]

Is the bag is set challenge for 2024 already over?  I am still trying to make it thru the next six weeks.

[dufferaaron]

@Dan Drake I think I can win (lose?) this! One question...I own two driver shafts currently...does swapping them count since I'm not technically buying anything?

[MtlJeff]

16 hours ago, Dan Drake said:

So I think that makes you Chaotic Good?  But there could be a case for you as Lawful Evil?  

 

 

I think chaotic good is more apt.

 

I ain't got no time for lawfulness 

[Mych]

12 hours ago, DE-ILLINI said:

Is the bag is set challenge for 2024 already over?  I am still trying to make it thru the next six weeks.

You're still alive for 2024? Congrats!!!

[Kyfra]

This feels like spring training for a Pirates fan. One can always hope.

 

Posted with my confidence level of year long staying power

 

Mizuno ST Max Driver 6/10

BRNR Mini Driver 4/10

Tour Edge C723 3 Wood 7/10

Ping G430 7 Wood 4/10

Titleist U505 4 Iron 4/10

Maltby KE4 Max 6-GW 8/10

Maltby Max Milled 54,58 4/10

Bobby Grace F22 Putter 8/10