Starting a new adventure . . . Minimalist Golf

[stimpmeterp]

Best minimalist bag I’ve owned, and have used for 2 years with no issues and get compliments on routinely is on sale at Mizuno. It has everything. And I zip off the pocket for more streamlined look.

 

https://mizunousa.com/golf-br-d2-carry-bag?utm_content=1744211015255&utm_campaign=addc0000_1390754&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=perform&affsrc=1&adId=368370&irgwc=1

 

 

Edited April 9 by stimpmeterp

[djrock89]

@stimpmeterp great bags mate ive got the black like you and the grey i wish they done single strap for them

[WipeyFade]

My son just sent me this. I’m not on social media as much as I used to be so this may be old news. Is this the Holy Grail of mini drivers?

[MorganM]

2 hours ago, WipeyFade said:

My son just sent me this. I’m not on social media as much as I used to be so this may be old news. Is this the Holy Grail of mini drivers?

I’ve never been able to hit them consistently well. I must be doing something wrong  <sigh!> 😑 

[Ivyguy]

16 hours ago, WipeyFade said:

My son just sent me this. I’m not on social media as much as I used to be so this may be old news. Is this the Holy Grail of mini drivers?

This is a thing. 
 

Ya gotta hit’em. 
 

The R7 was a cult classic. Great driver. 
 

I typically look for what PING does because the are less marketing and more engineering.  
 

My brain works like that. 
 

PING isn’t offering right now.  I read an article with a quote from one of their big dogs (JertyBird) that they found that a normal driver at 12-ish degrees with a “short build” was best for most.  
 

To each their own. 
 

It feels like a 1iron….. A joker of two is an Ace of none. 
 

PING did have the Rapture TI (or something like that) that was a “big” fairway like what Cobra did a tick ago. 
 

That thing was hot and TI faced at 13 degrees.   
 

It didn’t pan out.  
 

Its hard to say what’s best. 
 

You want the control of a fairway wood at the distance of a driver.  These things are designed at 110+ club head speed. 
 

At that speed the minimalist golfer gaps would be VERY large. 

[WipeyFade]

4 hours ago, Ivyguy said:

This is a thing. 
 

Ya gotta hit’em. 
 

The R7 was a cult classic. Great driver. 
 

I typically look for what PING does because the are less marketing and more engineering.  
 

My brain works like that. 
 

PING isn’t offering right now.  I read an article with a quote from one of their big dogs (JertyBird) that they found that a normal driver at 12-ish degrees with a “short build” was best for most.  
 

To each their own. 
 

It feels like a 1iron….. A joker of two is an Ace of none. 
 

PING did have the Rapture TI (or something like that) that was a “big” fairway like what Cobra did a tick ago. 
 

That thing was hot and TI faced at 13 degrees.   
 

It didn’t pan out.  
 

Its hard to say what’s best. 
 

You want the control of a fairway wood at the distance of a driver.  These things are designed at 110+ club head speed. 
 

At that speed the minimalist golfer gaps would be VERY large. 

I understand what you are saying. I think to get the full benefit of a mini driver you have to possess great skill, but that goes for any club in the bag lol.

 

In my opinion these are a great option for a minimalist golfer looking for maximum versatility. It will not go as far as a driver in most cases and it will be more difficult to hit off the deck than a 3 wood, but it could be a good option for someone looking to carry less. 

 

[djrock89]

Any thoughts on having 10° between clubs?

[MorganM]

14 minutes ago, djrock89 said:

Any thoughts on having 10° between clubs?

Depends on how each of us likes our gapping. I have 14* between my 9I and my utility wedge, 40 to 54. But between my 3W and my 3 h-Iron is 4* and widens as I go down.

[g_nw]

18 minutes ago, djrock89 said:

Any thoughts on having 10° between clubs?

 

go for it, why not 🙂 …some people develop a system, maybe you don’t need one! my only system is to club up and flight it if I’m in-between clubs… if you can hit cuts, same thing…

[WipeyFade]

20 minutes ago, djrock89 said:

Any thoughts on having 10° between clubs?

That’s what I’m moving towards. I’ve been playing 5-6 clubs for the past year and really like it but I have had to take a lot off my 8 iron for many shots so I’m adding in a pw. My iron lofts are going from 24, 38, 56 to 25, 36, 46, and 56. 

[djrock89]

I think il try it for afew rounds still only 7 clubs all 10° gaps apart from the 2 wedges that will be °6

[jordan2240]

I'm your average recreational golfer. I don't keep score but do track how many pars or better I get during a round.  Early this year, I decided to take my set down as far as seemed reasonable.  For me, that includes 6i, PW, driver, mini-driver, and putter.  The numerous advantages are outlined in a separate thread I started that was placed in the instruction forum, but suffice to say I think the vast majority of recreational players would have more fun using far fewer clubs.

[3rutu5]

I was thinking about this, bought a pencil bag from Japan, 3d printed an insert for 6 clubs. Then put the following in there 

* Driver

* 5w 

* 5i

* 7i 

* PW

* putter

And did alright at the sim. Only thing I was thinking was at a sim, the white may pretending to be sand isn't really the same as a proper bunker, so might need to rethink my choices

 

Edited April 17 by 3rutu5

[Tanner25]

Is it ideal to go SW, 9, 7,  5 hybrid, 5 fairway wood, driver or SW, PW, 8, 6, 4 hybrid, 4 or 5 fairway, driver? 

 

I've played hybrid irons for years, I think this is a great way to check out regular GI irons.

 

Also, cutting down space in the car.

[Tommy56]

@Tanner25 I wouldn’t consider one method more ideal than another… it’s all about what you find works best for you.  With no standard between club numbers/lofts/construction, it further depends on what works best for each person. And, what you find works best right now will likely change over time. 

 

Trying different setups is part of the minimalist fun. Experiment and enjoy the journey.  

[stryper]

1 hour ago, Tommy56 said:

@Tanner25 I wouldn’t consider one method more ideal than another… it’s all about what you find works best for you.  With no standard between club numbers/lofts/construction, it further depends on what works best for each person. And, what you find works best right now will likely change over time. 

 

Trying different setups is part of the minimalist fun. Experiment and enjoy the journey.  

I agree.  There is no right or wrong.  I’d also suggest that it’s not always about finding out what works, but figuring out how to make improbable things work instead. Figuring out the art of shot making…or the true art of golf.

Edited April 17 by stryper

[fr0sty]

Some great bags in this thread. My own minimalist set has evolved, the old school Bridgestone irons simply looked too strange to my eye. These Yamaha irons do not. That taylormade r7 mini looks so good, gamed the OG superquad for a long time and it was a beast. Speaking of Minis, I'm pretty pleased with the Eleven Mini although I have only hit it on the range and sim so far. Looking forward to seeing how the scores compare with the minimalist vs full set. 

 

 

 

 

[MorganM]

5 hours ago, jordan2240 said:

I'm your average recreational golfer. I don't keep score but do track how many pars or better I get during a round.  Early this year, I decided to take my set down as far as seemed reasonable.  For me, that includes 6i, PW, driver, mini-driver, and putter.  The numerous advantages are outlined in a separate thread I started that was placed in the instruction forum, but suffice to say I think the vast majority of recreational players would have more fun using far fewer clubs.

Sorry if this is a dumb question but I’m still learning my way around; if I go to the instruction forum the thread will be there? Is there a particular name?

[djrock89]

@fr0sty whats the lofts on ur set mate?

[fr0sty]

10 minutes ago, djrock89 said:

@fr0sty whats the lofts on ur set mate?

 

12° mini

19° hybrid (can probably be knocked down...but gapping is not too bad) 

22° 4i

28° 6i

36° 8i

46° pw

56° sw

[g_nw]

4 hours ago, Tanner25 said:

Is it ideal to go SW, 9, 7,  5 hybrid, 5 fairway wood, driver or SW, PW, 8, 6, 4 hybrid, 4 or 5 fairway, driver? 

 

I've played hybrid irons for years, I think this is a great way to check out regular GI irons.

 

Also, cutting down space in the car.

 

Let the vibes tell you what’s right!

[MorganM]

3 hours ago, stryper said:

I agree.  There is no right or wrong.  I’d also suggest that it’s not always about finding out what works, but figuring out how to make improbable things work instead. Figuring out the art of shot making…or the true art of golf.

If Minimalist Golf became a movement that needed an official motto, that should be it, “The art of shotmaking, the true art of golf.”

[azgreg]

3 hours ago, MorganM said:

Sorry if this is a dumb question but I’m still learning my way around; if I go to the instruction forum the thread will be there? Is there a particular name?

 

[stryper]

2 hours ago, azgreg said:

 

Oh come on, it’s not like we think we’re better than everyone else….🤷🏻‍♂️

[WipeyFade]

8 minutes ago, stryper said:

Oh come on, it’s not like we think we’re better than everyone else….🤷🏻‍♂️

Minimalist golf is a more enlightened way of playing the game😂😂😂 

[3rutu5]

11 hours ago, Tanner25 said:

Is it ideal to go SW, 9, 7,  5 hybrid, 5 fairway wood, driver or SW, PW, 8, 6, 4 hybrid, 4 or 5 fairway, driver? 

 

I've played hybrid irons for years, I think this is a great way to check out regular GI irons.

 

Also, cutting down space in the car.

you raise a good point, i've been on a pursuit for Japanese irons that i forgot about GI's. i might look at the 3 irons\wedges i have in my current kit and use my Ping G20s. They would be like hybrids in a way i guess. 

[3rutu5]

On 4/10/2025 at 1:05 AM, stimpmeterp said:

Best minimalist bag I’ve owned, and have used for 2 years with no issues and get compliments on routinely is on sale at Mizuno. It has everything. And I zip off the pocket for more streamlined look.

 

https://mizunousa.com/golf-br-d2-carry-bag?utm_content=1744211015255&utm_campaign=addc0000_1390754&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=perform&affsrc=1&adId=368370&irgwc=1

 

 

 

thats a really nice looking bag. I was thinking about some bags from "Sunday Golf" but didnt want to spend 250aud, so bought a NEW ERA pencil bag with a lot less functionality (dividers/pockets) for 80AUD and thought that would be cool, but then got slapped with 200 AUD in shipping/taxes etc. I should have stuck to my guns and gone the Loma XL.

 

not sure about what happens state side, but for me in sub tropical Australia i dont really want to use a carry bag that is heavy especially on the hilly courses in summer as there isnt enough water and shade to stop me having a heart attack 🙂

 

https://sundaygolf.com.au/collections/golf-bags/products/loma-xl-matte-black-new

[scruffynick]

12 hours ago, WipeyFade said:

Minimalist golf is a more enlightened way of playing the game😂😂😂 

He's trolled every thread with the same cobblers....so again, if you don't like it don't read it or comment or try and belittle people who enjoy golf a different way. It's arrogant and childish, so grow up

[scruffynick]

Few tweaks this year, steel stiff shafts were hurting me so I've gone graphite...plus added a 9 wood which I found. 

Driver

7 wood

9 wood

7 iron

9 iron 

Pw sw & putter

 

[WipeyFade]

57 minutes ago, scruffynick said:

He's trolled every thread with the same cobblers....so again, if you don't like it don't read it or comment or try and belittle people who enjoy golf a different way. It's arrogant and childish, so grow up

I’m confused, are you telling me or @stryper to grow up? I took his comment as sarcasm so I joined in. I tried to indicate that with the emojis at the end of my comment.