Interlocked Summer Series Part 4 – The Final Touches

Blogger’s Note: This is the final of four posts designed to help you put your optimum golf bag together. Today, we concentrate on reinforcing the “playability” of each of your clubs.

(Oh yeah, we’ll tip you off on how to find the proper “flat stick” as well!)

Question 11

What exactly does our set look like right now?

Now that we have decided on a driver, the number of long game clubs to carry (we’re using a combination of 3 fairway & hybrid metals for our example), an iron set make-up (4-9) with its foundation resting on your longest playable iron, and a wedge set-up (3 of them) let’s look this over:

10 degree driver

15 degree 3 wood

19 degree hybrid

24 degree hybrid

4 iron

5 iron

6 iron

7 iron

8 iron

9 iron

48 degree PW

54 degree GW/SW

60 degree LW

This set looks pretty good, eh?

Wait, there’s only 13 clubs?!?

We’ll get to that in a minute.

Question 12

How Can We Tell That We Made The Right Decisions?

In my “intro” for this post I noted the importance of carrying “playable” clubs.

Playable clubs are simply ones that are serving a direct purpose in your bag from round to round.

In leading you to this final post on this subject, you’ll note that I have encouraged you to think about scenarios where you will use your clubs.

A great example is the 24 degree hybrid that we have selected.

Will that 24 degree be used primarily from the rough when you don’t trust your 4-iron as much, or will you rely on that more for safe plays from the tee of narrow par 4′s. Will you use it for both?

Which wedge do you use for shots from a greenside bunker? Do factors such as the height of the bunker’s lip and the overall distance of the shot play a factor, or do you use one wedge for all greenside bunkers?

These are the types of things that you should be making note of to yourself when you are out on the golf course.

Trust me, nobody knows your individual game like you do and gaps such as tough distances (you know those distances that you “just don’t seem to have a club for”) or clubs that you simply do not trust will identify themselves over time and point to potential changes in your set make-up.

Question 13

How Do I Choose The Best Putter For Me?

Should I get a putter with an insert?

What does it mean to me if my putter is face balanced??

Mallet or blade???

Do I need to go to the Belly????

Any of these questions can be very important for your 14th club, however in my opinion no individual characteristic of a putter should be weighed heavier than either of the following 2 equally vital factors:

-How does the putter set up to your eye at address?

-How does the putter feel when you strike a putt?

If you have ever gone to an off-course golf retailer, you’ve surely noticed that they will have a putting area with a myriad of models available for viewing/demo and, if you are like most, you will gravitate toward certain styles that fit your eye better than others.

Do you like something with a plumber’s neck or a straight, center insert? Does the extra mass of a mallet inspire confidence, or do you prefer the sleeker style of a more traditional blade-type?

Once something sets up nicely to your eye, stroke a few putts and see how it feels. You’ll notice that some feel softer off the face while others have more of a spring-like feel.

Feel -like set-up- is player dependant, so it is up to you to decide on a putter that feels the best on putts both short and long. (If you go “the Belly” route make certain that you are comfortable on putts of all lengths!)

How confident you are in your choice will make all the difference in whether or not that putter stays in your bag!

Question 14

Where Do I Personally Get Started On Putting My Optimum Bag Together?

Now that we have mapped out a hypothetical game plan to follow, it is important to know that if you are starting from scratch you may end up with any of a number of set make-ups depending on the characteristics of your game.

As I have (not so subtly) mentioned throughout this series of posts, getting fit by a trained club fitting professional is highly recommended.

Iron fittings to determine your proper length and lie, driver fittings to determine appropriate loft and shaft, and wedge fittings to discover the best loft make-up for your set are all out there for you.

Demo days are a great way to get started, with a major benefit being that most major manufacturers attend each of the same events giving you the opportunity to find specific models that fit your preferences.

From there you can choose to get fit by a PGA professional or, in some cases, you can actually go to the manufacturer’s facility for a more in-depth fitting.

Most every major club manufacturer will list opportunities to help you get started and, as with choosing your putter, the method/level of the fit you attain is up to you!

Greg

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