Starting a new adventure . . . Minimalist Golf

[MorganM]

1 hour ago, stryper said:

Not exactly what you asked, but if you have your phone with you on the course, why not just use an app?  No extra weight, either in your bag or your pocket, and so easy to use at a glance.  

Great idea. Can you make a recommendation for an app to use? Not that my little Phantom weighs a lot, but it’s just one more ‘thing’ to keep track of.

[LeoLeo99]

1 hour ago, stryper said:

Not exactly what you asked, but if you have your phone with you on the course, why not just use an app?  No extra weight, either in your bag or your pocket, and so easy to use at a glance.  

I've tried phones and can't get them to work right.  Keeping the screen on constantly drains the battery, having the screen go off defeats the purpose and makes it tedious, I resorted to carrying an large external charging battery but then that defeats the minimalist ambition.  18birdies app worked well for me.

 

The Bushnell Phantom is a nice small GPS unit.  One of the guys that I play with uses it and likes it.   I use a GPS watch.  If it broke, I'd buy another GPS watch.  I have a laser that I carry in my bag but almost never use.  

[WipeyFade]

Looking back and thinking about last year’s and my 2 rounds this year has really got me thinking about my setup. If I only bring the clubs that I enjoy hitting are that didn’t cost me a lot of shots I would only take 3w, 8i and putter 🤣. Driver has always been a liability and honestly so has my 56. My persimmon is really fun to hit so I will probably carry it a majority of the time and deal with the misses, if it becomes too much of a problem I’ll just swap to 3 wood on the next round. I think for my next round I’ll go Persimmon, 8i, I’ll add in a 50*(maybe less loft around the greens will help), and putter. I feel like this set would only be good for someone who is just out to play instead of shooting a low score (though I’m delusional enough to think it will drop my average score).

[Tommy56]

I feel your pain. Most days I do better putting a FW reliably in play and leaving driver at home.

[MorganM]

1 hour ago, WipeyFade said:

Looking back and thinking about last year’s and my 2 rounds this year has really got me thinking about my setup. If I only bring the clubs that I enjoy hitting are that didn’t cost me a lot of shots I would only take 3w, 8i and putter 🤣. Driver has always been a liability and honestly so has my 56. My persimmon is really fun to hit so I will probably carry it a majority of the time and deal with the misses, if it becomes too much of a problem I’ll just swap to 3 wood on the next round. I think for my next round I’ll go Persimmon, 8i, I’ll add in a 50*(maybe less loft around the greens will help), and putter. I feel like this set would only be good for someone who is just out to play instead of shooting a low score (though I’m delusional enough to think it will drop my average score).

Gotta ask 😁 what are the specs of your persimmon? 
One of the issues of a small set, is what about that second shot on longer holes? At my age (I’m in my seventies) length off the tee is a thing of the past. Hitting 3w off the deck is foolish and for some reason, I cannot hit hybrids. A 9w seems to work, if you don’t mind a longer approach shot.

[Tommy56]

@MorganM  I frequently use 7w off the tee and for any long approach shots or to advance the ball on par 5s. I can flight it down enough off the tee but also get plenty of height as needed on approach shots or on long par 3s. I was "okay" with hybrids previously, but have really come to love the versatility of a 7w.

[WipeyFade]

1 hour ago, MorganM said:

Gotta ask 😁 what are the specs of your persimmon? 
One of the issues of a small set, is what about that second shot on longer holes? At my age (I’m in my seventies) length off the tee is a thing of the past. Hitting 3w off the deck is foolish and for some reason, I cannot hit hybrids. A 9w seems to work, if you don’t mind a longer approach shot.

Todd Demsey built my persimmon with 11.5* of loft. It’s close to a 2w, so I can take it off the deck if needed. Right now I’m in my mid 30s so not having distance issues playing from 6400 or less. Low 80s is a good score for me so I’m not hitting a ton of GIRs anyway so even with those 4 clubs I feel like I can play my normal game. 

19 minutes ago, Tommy56 said:

@MorganM  I frequently use 7w off the tee and for any long approach shots or to advance the ball on par 5s. I can flight it down enough off the tee but also get plenty of height as needed on approach shots or on long par 3s. I was "okay" with hybrids previously, but have really come to love the versatility of a 7w.

7w will definitely be tried out in the top of the bag. Honestly, it’s probably the most logical club to put there with such a short set. 

[drn92]

4 hours ago, MorganM said:

Great idea. Can you make a recommendation for an app to use? Not that my little Phantom weighs a lot, but it’s just one more ‘thing’ to keep track of.

If you have a handicap through the USGA they have a GPS on the GHIN app. Works pretty well, doesn’t seem to drain the battery too much. 
 

drn92

[stryper]

4 hours ago, MorganM said:

Great idea. Can you make a recommendation for an app to use? Not that my little Phantom weighs a lot, but it’s just one more ‘thing’ to keep track of.

I’ve been pretty happy with the SkyCaddie app, although it’s a bit pricey at $30/year.  Follows me around the course, which means no manual switching from hole to hole, gives me all the numbers I need, and I’ve had zero issues with battery life.  

[MorganM]

21 minutes ago, drn92 said:

If you have a handicap through the USGA they have a GPS on the GHIN app. Works pretty well, doesn’t seem to drain the battery too much. 
 

drn92

[chuckle] Had it all the time and didn’t know it was there.  That’s about my speed. 🤪 thanks Morgan 

[MorganM]

59 minutes ago, Tommy56 said:

@MorganM  I frequently use 7w off the tee and for any long approach shots or to advance the ball on par 5s. I can flight it down enough off the tee but also get plenty of height as needed on approach shots or on long par 3s. I was "okay" with hybrids previously, but have really come to love the versatility of a 7w.

Hmm… a 7w, at least Taylormade’s, is 21 degrees. That’s kinda close to my 9w at 24 degrees. I guess I will look for something about 19 or 20 degrees. Something to think about.

[Tommy56]

5 hours ago, MorganM said:

Hmm… a 7w, at least Taylormade’s, is 21 degrees. That’s kinda close to my 9w at 24 degrees. I guess I will look for something about 19 or 20 degrees. Something to think about.

My 7w is a Titleist TSR2, which I play at its stock 21º, although it's adjustable.  I used to have an older 5w, and the TSR2 7w is fairly close to it distance wise off the tee, but is better at holding greens given its trajectory and provides a little better gap to my 1st iron @ 29º.

Edited March 30 by Tommy56

[aiyyer]

Thing with using a phone app and looking at the phone, you gotta deal with emails, messages, work etc!!

I just use a Garmin watch. 

Edited March 30 by aiyyer

[TxMike3]

1 hour ago, Tommy56 said:

My 7w is a Titleist TSR2, which I play at its stock 21º, although it's adjustable.  I used to have an older 5w, and the TSR2 7w is fairly close to it distance wise off the tee, but is better at holding greens given its trajectory and provides a little better gap to my 1st iron @ 29º.

I recently picked up a Titleist TSr1 7w which I play at the stock 20*, so far it has been money for me.

[54CW]

I will be splitting a full set of irons in the near future. Maltby Sti2, right handed. X stiff shafts playing closer to stiff. I will do a formal post in classified but I figure I’d share here ahead of time. Great clubs, but I don’t need all of them 😄

[fgsfds]

On 3/29/2025 at 2:48 PM, stryper said:

Not exactly what you asked, but if you have your phone with you on the course, why not just use an app?  No extra weight, either in your bag or your pocket, and so easy to use at a glance.  

 

On 3/30/2025 at 3:20 AM, aiyyer said:

Thing with using a phone app and looking at the phone, you gotta deal with emails, messages, work etc!!

I just use a Garmin watch. 

 

I usually find the apps not to work properly and often drains the battery on your phone a lot, and not to mention what @aiyyer said that you get distracted with other things as well. 

 

The Bushnell Phantom 3 just went on sale here in Sweden so I might give that a try. Thanks for the input everyone, appreciate it.

[aiyyer]

I’ve thought about the Phantom 3 as my garmin watch is old but having battery issues. 
Are those things secure on a.bag. Going through a period of losing towels, brushes and water bottles! 

[djrock89]

How many clubs would be classed as a minimalist bag?

[g_nw]

1 hour ago, djrock89 said:

How many clubs would be classed as a minimalist bag?

 

would say that only you know 🙂 … generally we celebrate <14 clubs 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼

[g_nw]

happy modern 975d release day to all that celebrate

[WipeyFade]

13 minutes ago, g_nw said:

happy modern 975d release day to all that celebrate

April 1st is a funny day to release a club that so many have wanted for so long. Sounds like a great opportunity for an April Fool’s joke. 🤣

[Tommy56]

19 hours ago, djrock89 said:

How many clubs would be classed as a minimalist bag?

You'll get lots of different opinions on this question, but here's mine ... must be less than 10.

But I think it's also a matter of perspective. For example, there was a time years ago when I thought 8 or 9 was a short set, and now that seems almost bloated.

Edited April 2 by Tommy56
clarity

[djrock89]

45 minutes ago, Tommy56 said:

You'll get lots of different opinions on this question, but here's mine ... must be <10.

But I think it's also a matter of perspective. For example, there was a time years ago when I thought 8 or 9 was a short set, and now that seems almost bloated.

Yeah i play with 7 at the minute but i think under 10 is minimalist 

[lil'mike]

5 hours ago, djrock89 said:

How many clubs would be classed as a minimalist bag?

For me it is 8.  That is the minimal bag setup (thru trial and error) that I can get away with and still play the courses!  Anything less, it makes it too hard to play bogey golf even since I am older and don't get the distances now.  Only drive around 220.  So for me it is driver, 3H or 5wd, 4H, 6,8,PW, 56 and putter.

 

If the number is 10, which I didn't have any idea then that makes sense because if it is any higher, then is seems like you can be called a minimalist by removing just one or two clubs from bag like ones you can't hit from a full bag!  🙂

 

Edited April 2 by lil'mike

[g_nw]

On 3/29/2025 at 8:57 AM, WipeyFade said:

Looking back and thinking about last year’s and my 2 rounds this year has really got me thinking about my setup. If I only bring the clubs that I enjoy hitting are that didn’t cost me a lot of shots I would only take 3w, 8i and putter 🤣. Driver has always been a liability and honestly so has my 56. My persimmon is really fun to hit so I will probably carry it a majority of the time and deal with the misses, if it becomes too much of a problem I’ll just swap to 3 wood on the next round. I think for my next round I’ll go Persimmon, 8i, I’ll add in a 50*(maybe less loft around the greens will help), and putter. I feel like this set would only be good for someone who is just out to play instead of shooting a low score (though I’m delusional enough to think it will drop my average score).

 

gt two eightyyyyyy

[WipeyFade]

Just now, g_nw said:

 

gt two eightyyyyyy

Love the look of the GT. I just need it to be a good price in the second hand market lol. 

[g_nw]

Just now, WipeyFade said:

Love the look of the GT. I just need it to be a good price in the second hand market lol. 

 

classifieds f5 situation 👀

[azgreg]

18 hours ago, djrock89 said:

How many clubs would be classed as a minimalist bag?

 

[tatertot]

14 hours ago, Tommy56 said:

You'll get lots of different opinions on this question, but here's mine ... must be <10.

But I think it's also a matter of perspective. For example, there was a time years ago when I thought 8 or 9 was a short set, and now that seems almost bloated.

I think 9 ... it's single digit.

[54CW]

9 - not missing anything 

8 - now you’re making decisions 

7 - now you’re free of decisions 

6 - now you stop keeping score 

5 - nirvana 

4 - oh c’mon 

3 - let’s go MAROOCHI

2 - no bag?

1 - liar