And it doesn’t matter what combination of clubs you choose. If you want 2 Drivers you can have that.

But what 14 clubs should you have?

This all depends on you as a golfer.

To determine which clubs should be in your bag. think to yourself:

• What are my strongest areas
• Where do I struggle
• Do I know the distance gaps between my clubs?

These are all important questions to ask because it identifies the clubs that you need to use and tells you the clubs that might not be as important.

What Are the Rules Regarding Golf Clubs?

The United States Golf Association (USGA) has established rules for the number of clubs that can be carried in a golf bag during a round of golf. These rules are in place to ensure fairness and consistency in the game. Here’s an overview of the rules:

The USGA rules state that a golfer can carry no more than 14 clubs in their golf bag during a round of golf. This includes all clubs, such as drivers, irons, wedges, putters, and hybrids.

The rules regarding the number of clubs allowed in a golf bag apply to all types of golfers, including amateurs and professionals. It is important to note that these rules are not specific to any particular golf course or tournament, but are standardised across all golf courses and tournaments.

While the 14-club rule is the same for all golfers, there may be additional rules or restrictions in place for specific events or tournaments. For example, some tournaments may limit the type of clubs that can be used, such as prohibiting the use of certain types of putters or drivers.

It is important to always check the rules and regulations of the specific golf course or tournament before participating to ensure compliance with all regulations.

How Many Clubs Can Amateur Golfers Carry?

Amateur golfers, like all golfers, can carry up to 14 clubs in their bags as per the rules set by the United States Golf Association (USGA).

Some may opt for fewer clubs to simplify decisions and reduce bag weight, especially if they are still developing their skills.

Others might carry the full 14 or more for added options on the course. The choice of clubs is a personal one based on playing style and preferences, as well as any course or tournament rules.

How Many Clubs Can Professional Golfers Carry?

Professional golfers, like amateurs, are limited to carrying 14 clubs in their golf bags during a round.

This rule is standard across all major tours, such as the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour. The choice of clubs varies based on playing style and course conditions.

Some may carry fewer clubs for simplicity and weight reduction, especially when walking the course. During practice rounds, golfers may experiment with more than 14 clubs, but in official tournaments, they must stick to the limit.

The Most Common Golf Clubs in a Bag

The most common types of golf clubs found in a bag are drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, wedges, and putters.

Drivers

Drivers are typically used to hitting tee shots on longer holes.

They have a low loft and a longer shaft, which can help generate more distance.

Drivers can provide more distance, but they can also be more difficult to control and may be less forgiving on off-centre hits.

They are typically used by golfers with faster swing speeds.

Fairway woods

Fairway woods are similar to drivers but have a higher loft and shorter shaft.

They are typically used for longer approach shots or shots from the fairway.

Fairway woods can be easier to hit than drivers and can be used in a variety of situations.

However, they may not provide as much distance as a driver.

Hybrids

Hybrids are a cross between a fairway wood and an iron.

Hybrids are generally easier to hit than long irons and can provide more forgiveness on off-centre hits.

They are a popular choice for golfers of all skill levels.

Irons

Irons are used for a variety of shots, including approach shots, shots from the rough, and shots from the fairway.

They come in a range of lofts and are numbered based on their loft and length.

However, they may be more difficult to hit than hybrids and may not provide as much forgiveness.

Wedges

Wedges are designed for shots around the green and in bunkers.

They have a high loft and a short shaft, which can help create more spin and height on shots.

Putters

Putters are used on the green to roll the ball into the hole.

They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and the choice of putter can depend on personal preference.

Putters are a crucial part of a golfer’s game and should be chosen based on personal preference.

However, carrying multiple putters may not be necessary for most golfers.

Ultimately, the choice of which types of golf clubs to carry will depend on the individual golfer’s playing style, the course conditions, and personal preferences.

It is important to find a balance between having enough clubs to cover all situations on the course and not overloading the bag with unnecessary clubs.

How to Choose the Right Clubs for Your Game

When selecting golf clubs, there are several factors to consider, including your skill level, playing style, and physical abilities. Here are some tips for selecting the right clubs:

Consider your skill level

If you’re a beginner or high-handicap golfer, you may want to consider clubs that are more forgiving and easier to hit, such as hybrids or cavity back irons.

If you’re a more experienced or low-handicap golfer, you may prefer clubs that offer more control and workability, such as blades or muscle back irons.

Evaluate your playing style:

Your playing style can also affect the types of clubs you choose.

For example, if you tend to hit the ball low, you may want to consider clubs with a higher loft, such as hybrids or fairway woods.

If you tend to slice the ball, you may want to consider clubs with a more closed-face angle, such as draw-biased drivers.

Get fitted for your clubs: A professional club fitting can help ensure that your clubs are the right length, lie angle, and shaft flex for your swing.

This can help you achieve better accuracy and distance on your shots.

Try before you buy: It’s important to test out different clubs before making a purchase.

Many golf stores have demo clubs available that you can try on the driving range or golf course. This can help you determine which clubs feel the most comfortable and provide the best performance for your game.

Several factors can affect club selection, including swing speed, course conditions, and personal preferences. Here are some explanations of how these factors can impact club selection:

• Swing speed: Swing speed can affect the types of clubs that work best for your game. For example, golfers with slower swing speeds may benefit from using clubs with a higher loft, as this can help generate more height and distance on shots. Conversely, golfers with faster swing speeds may prefer clubs with a lower loft, as this can help reduce spin and provide more control.
• Course conditions: Course conditions can also impact club selection. For example, if the course has a lot of water hazards, you may want to consider carrying extra balls and using clubs that can help you avoid water, such as hybrids or fairway woods. If the course has a lot of uphill or downhill shots, you may want to consider using clubs with a higher or lower loft, respectively, to help adjust for the slope.
• Personal preferences: Finally, personal preferences can play a role in club selection. Some golfers may prefer the look and feel of certain types of clubs, while others may prefer clubs that provide more forgiveness or workability. Ultimately, it’s important to choose clubs that you feel comfortable with and that help you play your best golf.

In summary, selecting the right clubs for your game involves considering your skill level, playing style, and physical abilities, as well as taking into account factors such as swing speed, course conditions, and personal preferences. By following these tips and getting fitted for your clubs, you can help ensure that you have the right equipment to improve your golf game.

Clubs every (well most) golfer will have in their bag.

• Driver
• 3 Wood
• 6-9 iron
• Putter
• Pitching wedge
• Sand Wedge

So there are 9 clubs to get us started. Ok, so there are going to be golfers out there who don’t carry one of these, but these are going to be the clubs which are bought most frequently.

Now it’s all about finding which other clubs can complement your game. If you struggle to hit low irons then totally ignore them, why bother to have a 3 or 4 iron in the bag when you can’t even hit them?

People who struggle to use low irons replace them with hybrids because they are easier to hit. You want to find the degree on the hybrid to replace the lower irons.

Traditionally golfers would have a Driver, a 3 Wood a 5 Wood and perhaps even a 7 Wood.

What’s the penalty for carrying too many clubs?

If you carry too many clubs it’s only natural you’re going to get a penalty for it. If you go 18 holes with too many clubs there’s a 2-shot penalty on each hole. Thankfully it’s only up to a maximum of two holes so the maximum penalty is four strokes.

If you realise mid-way through the 1st hole then assess after the 1st hole is over.

Or if you’re walking to the second tee and realise you’ve got an extra club the penalty will be applied to the hole you just played.

What happens if my putter or driver breaks, can I borrow my playing partners?

If one of them breaks, it’s going to be unfortunate because it’s not possible to use a playing partner’s club.

[New Rule]

It’s now possible to add to your bag mid-round. If you start with less than the 14 clubs permitted, on any hole you can choose to add a new club as long as it doesn’t go over 14 clubs.

Examples of players who’ve broken this rule

In 2001 Ian Woosnam was aiming to win the Open Championship. When he was walking to the 2nd tee he realised there was an extra club in the bag, dropping in to position 6.

In 2013 Woody Austin got a four-shot penalty and this was during a PGA Championship. It wasn’t until the 3rd hole he realised he had an extra club in his bag