DUMP these 5 CLUBS to play better golf

[@rustyturner431]

Few notes, from a guy who's been playing even longer than you've been alive (I'm 86, with 75 years playing experience). First, most average golfers carry WAY too many clubs. You don't need 14 cubs to play effectively; I'm a 6 handicap from the middle tees and I carry 8 clubs - driver/7wd/4-6-8-P-S irons/putter. One of the best things an average golfer can learn is how to hit some half and 3/4 shots; develop some FEEL!! Second, ALWAYS walk the course. Either carry the bag (much easier with fewer clubs) or use a pull/push cart, but never ride. Walking stretches the big muscles you use to hit golf balls, so it's not only good for you, it's good for your game. Third, THINK!! Admit that you are not always going to hit a perfect shot, and place yourself so that your misses are less painful. Fourth, learn to love your sand wedge. Study how to hit from bunkers with different types of sand, and learn how to use it from the rough. This club is designed to get you out of trouble, so learn how to use it! Last, spend just as much time on the practice green as you do on the range, and spend that time on 4-10 footers, not 30-foot snakes (you're not going to make many of those, no matter how much you practice). When you start making more of those 4-10 footers, your score will drop nicely...and you'll start to get into your playing partners' pockets!

[@RavenThom]

80 yrs old and agree totally I walk 9 holes almost every day. I need more practice w/ sand wedge , putter.

[@rustyturner431]

@@RavenThom Keep at it, brother...

[@Speedslays]

Best golf comment I've read ever. You're absolutely right about everything you've mentioned. Cheers

[@rustyturner431]

@@Speedslays Well, sh*t...at least I can claim to have learned a bit over 7 decades!! When I was a junior, I had a sort-of mentor who once asked me what I'd shoot at the new course where he'd just been hired as assistant pro, if we went out and dropped a ball in the middle of the fairway 250 yards out on the par 4s and 5s. My reply was, "Dick, I dunno, I am always well beyond that, but seldom in the middle..." Dick looked me in the eye and gave me the simplest golf lesson I've ever heard, "Golf's a lot easier and more fun from the middle of the fairway." Pity I didn't listen; I might even have been able to make a living at it (which was my goal at that time, when I was about 14). But I was young and very strong (3 sport varsity athelte in both high school and college) and I LOVED bombing tee shots, even when it meant fighting the grasshoppers to find the ball afterwards. I'll admit I probably don't have as much fun as I did when I was young. Maybe youth isn't ALWAYS wasted on the young!

[@aluminumfalcon552]

For me PW instead of SW

[@zac7695]

After years of struggling on the golf course, I have decided to go a step further and dump all my clubs and the bag too.

[@SpartacusColo]

The bag can be useful for holding beers while you are on the course though... don't ruin your game...

[@PaulOrong]

Sometimes you need...."to now when to hold'em and when to fold'em". Try pickleball. Just kidding.

[@rayvoorhees5096]

😂

[@sc100ott]

Golf is fishing-time wasted.

[@IIExhibitAII]

🤣😂🤣

[@PaulOrong]

I am a 60+ yr old golfer. (Started playing after nearly 12 yrs away from the game about 3 yrs ago) I use to be a solid 8 handicap before my extended break. On my 1st year back I struggled to a 12 handicap. So I made the decision to toss my ego the window and play what gives me THE best chance to play golf. So away went my blade irons. Reducing DISPERSION was the goal (both in side to side & long to short). I picked a 44" driver (260yd carry) that wasn't the longest - but was more giving on misses left the right. I tossed my 3-wood for a 5 wood (235yd carry) that I can adjust to a 4 wood loft but was more useful from the fairways. Added a 7 (210yd - 220yd carry) wood & an occasional 9 wood (190yd-200yd carry) . Narrowed my irons from PW to 5 iron and selected a really consistent players distance iron (Mizuno 245) (130yds to 180yds carry). The MOST important change was to select MUCH more forgiving wedges - because they are called "scoring irons" for a reason. I chose wedges that on mishit shot reduced my distance dispersion - this enables me to carry my shots over bunkers, water, and hit more "pin high" on the greens. My choice were the Edison Wedges (my Backup are the Cleveland CBX wedges) 49 degree, 53 degree, 57 degree. Putter I selected based on how I was able to align my eyes to the intended target line. Since I made these changes my handicap in now hovering around 1.8 and trending downward. I no longer play from the championship tees - but I do play from the "blue tees". My quest is to be a scratch golfer by the end of 2025 at the ripe old age of 62.

[@TheAverageGolfer]

What a target and I hope you achieve it 👍

[@twostate7822]

As a previous 8 handicap, why did you ever have blade irons?

[@kevinconnolly754]

​@@twostate7822 ego. He said that in his comment.

[@lkae4]

@@twostate7822 Why can't an 8 index have blades? If he was carrying his 7 iron 200 yds, blades could be the preferred iron.

[@lkae4]

Great story. A mallet putter with better alignment is half the putting battle IMO.

[@toddkirch613]

Love my 58 degree. 60-75 yards deadly with it. Hate hybrids. Love my 7 wood. Putters are definitely an individual thing. Switched from mallet to blade and dropped from 33 putts a round to 27.

[@kcsunshine3659]

I have a low-bounce 60 degree lob wedge which I canot hit initially. But after lots of practice and improved understanding of how the wedge work now I can use it effectively.

[@madaxeman9386]

Another way to improve the Driver and the 3 wood is gripping them short a.l.a. Lydia Ko. When my game is really off, I even grip them almost to the shaft and hit them like hybrids, and the accuracy improves greatly w/o losing too much distance. Thinner grip seems to help with the release too, and doing it that way is free!!!

[@Adrianbudiman]

Ngl, this is what i do too.

[@Giz-7531]

This surely causes you to slice the ball.

[@madaxeman9386]

@@Giz-7531 It didn't for me. I don't see why it would cause the ball to slice. As matter of fact, when I tried it the very first time with a driver, the ball went dead straight, I was surprised that it worked so well.

[@bmc2828]

@@madaxeman9386 Every swing is different, but by gripping down with a full swing, you change the point at which the clubhead fully recovers from being flexed. This can be altered by swing speed, shaft alterations, or any of the other hundreds of adjustments, but pound-for-pound, if you swing the same club, the same speed, the same way but have gripped it down, the face will be open. Physics.

[@madaxeman9386]

@@bmc2828 Right, so I don't swing same way when I grip down as I said in my OG post.

[@lanced4114]

Totally agree with all but one. I switched my driver a couple of months ago to a 44.75" shaft from a 46" and made a HUGE difference in center ball strikes. I also ditched my **cough** 62* wedge (I didn't understand wedges at the time I bought it!!) so now carry a iron set PW and AW and then a SM9 54* and 58*. Subbed the 5i for a 9W. Golfers - MAKE THAT SWITCH. I have the Ai Smoke 9W and it's literally a cheat code. It only knows how to go high and straight. Blades work better for me than mallets but that's just personal preference. BUT I do think 3W is good to have. I almost exclusively use it off the tee. Wide fairway? Driver. Narrow fairway (or course management)? 3 Wood. Otherwise, totally agree 5W off the deck is a much safer option than 3W for sure! great video!

[@lawr66]

A 60 lob wedge does one special trick - if you are hitting in to the 18th green with the clubhouse just behind the green, hitting it thin will put it right through the clubhouse window.

[@Diogenes-ty9yy]

🤣🤣🤣

[@glenw-xm5zf]

and so tell us how you know this :-p

[@ebaileymershon]

Good advice! Rather than dump shaft, choke down 1”. Big CBX fan, 3 in bag. Keep 58 blade in bag, Left blade putter 20 years ago. On 3rd Rossie. Love my 3W, never tee off with it, second shot on par 5’s. Almost 10 years ago ditched 5w, added 3U, lately though put 20 yr old Adams back in play. Changed golf apps because FMB was harder to access.

[@blackheart7886]

A 58 degree is my favorite wedge... absolutely not a waste of space.

[@TheAverageGolfer]

🤣 chill out

[@blackheart7886]

@TheAverageGolfer not annoyed... I'm just saying. After putter, it's my most used club.

[@TheAverageGolfer]

In that case it’s a keeper

[@QuantumSecureCrypto]

He literally kept showing a 58 and 60 degree wedge, was he throwing them away, lol what was that?

[@bentring333]

Then he shows that he has a 58 degree wedge

[@MSDOGS1976]

I’m 70 and my driver is 45 1/2” and is my favorite club in the bag. Not changing it. I have got rid of a lot of irons. I have 4-7 hybrids and love them. Wedges I have pw a 52 and 58 degree. Putting has been a problem my entire life. I have mallet and blade putters. I suck with them all.

[@danielives379]

IF you struggle with the putter , pace out your putts so you get a number in your head of how far the putt is... inside 10ft you do t need to really do this , but when you have a 25-40ft putt, pace it out. How far is the hole? = 380yards How far was your 2nd shot? 145yards.. How far was that pitch shot after you missed the green? ... 30 yards. So you know every distance you just hit but you don't have a clue how far that putt was after you got onto the green. Get a number in your head , it will help. Then practice 10 & 30 foot putts on the practice green.

[@JodyH66]

Taylor Made Mini-Driver, 7 wood, 4 Hybrid added to the top of the bag. Cleveland Smart Sole S wedge, Ping Chpr and a Scotty Phantom 9 putter at the bottom. 5 wood and Cobra One-length PW-4i fill out the bag. Use the Chpr for 90% of my shots inside 80Y the Mini-Driver or 5 wood for most tee shots and the 7 wood and hybrid for long lay ups. Scores dropped from 100 to mid-80's within 10 rounds. I now leave the Driver, 3 wood, long irons and gap wedge at home.

[@golfhound]

All of the advice you've given is great advice, except perhaps about the putter. Find what works and gives you confidence regarding a putter. ie. I just switched back to an Acushnet Bullseye putter that I used as a teenager. One other piece of advice I'd add is check grips and regrip when necessary. Many an amateur has never cleaned grips, let alone changed them.

[@FJA---]

I'm 73 and my clubs are all old now. But despite what I see from advertisement they still work. All have Senior or Ladies flex in them except for the wedges. Used to be a 12, but now with age and injuries if I break 100 it's a good day. Driver: Cobra FlyZ. Callaway Fairways: X2Hot4 (17º), X2Hot7 (21º), X2Hot11 (25º). Taylor Made Aero Burner Hybrid: 28º. Callaway Big Bertha Hybrid: 32º. Cleveland 588 Altitude Irons: 8 (35º), 9 (39º), P (44º), Callaway Wedges: MD3 Milled, 46º, 50º, 54º, Mack Daddy, 58º. Putter: Taylor Made Daddy Long Legs, Left Handed. Yes, I play right but putt left. I was born a lefty but we lived with my grandmother for a while when I was young and she believed that left handednass was the debil. Have a cousin that's the same as she was also born a lefty and forced to change.

[@Kaiju-Goji]

Old cluds still work good

[@McLovin1759]

I appreciate the video. Anecdotally, the only 2 real differences between when I played to a 4 handicap and now is 1) age (51 now) and 2) practice time. When I was “at the peak”, I would hit a bucket of balls singly only wedges. Wedge from 120, wedge from 100, wedge from 80, wedge from 60 and then go hit the practice bunker and chipping green. Today, I play a round or two a week. I can still break 80 (shot 79 today) but I find my way up the fairway good enough. It’s those wedge shots that are so much more inconsistent. Yeah, maybe a 44” driver shaft might help a little. But honestly, no amount of $$$ that I spend can make up for knowing how far a 3/4 swing with a 56* will go and being able to consistently put it within 1 putt distance.

[@bfriendly100]

Think you made his point. Lost balls off the tee are detrimental to a guy like me trying to break 80. I am much more consistent with my shorter shaft driver, than that long whip that is the standard. I also have 4 wedges but I only need 2 or maybe 3 to cover 115 to green side shots……think I’m gonna leave out or replace that blade wedge too

[@McLovin1759]

@@bfriendly100 Hey, don’t disagree that lost balls hurt the score card. Hit whatever keeps you in play. Some of my lowest rounds have come with the driver left in the bag. So I get it. Just a thought though… If you are consistently in the 80’s, my guess is that you are either missing a fair number of GIRs or when you do hit a GIR, you are far outside the hole more often than not. Probably hitting more than the average golfer as you can play, just not enough to score low. Meaning instead of 1 putt max 2 putt distance, you are nearly automatic 2 putt possibly 3 putt when you hit the green. Or 1 chip 1-2 putts if you miss the GIR. If you are objective about it, I think you’d find a lot more strokes if you could find a way to nearly automatically get close from a set distance (eg. From 120 in). Play to that set distance off the tee and break that 80. Anyways, good luck and cheers,

[@bfriendly100]

@@McLovin1759 my short game usually keeps me in the low 80s, but my tee shots have been inconsistent lately so that penalty stroke or 3 each round AND a bit of what you mentioned (like putting) keeps me from breaking the 80 mark. FWIW-I’ve switched my traditional style to Saguto taught S&T. I’ve gotten back into golf after an 18 year hiatus……raising a son who is now my golfing buddy!. Like so many others doing it, my wedges through long irons are money! I’m taking nice dollar bill divots again, but my woods are not there yet……..got that big hook or blocking it out. You are spot on though in most instances no doubt, mine included! I really like what you said about hitting to a certain specific distance out. I’ll stay back to 80 or 100 vs a 40 yard pitch over a hazard, but will think about that instead of just how close I can get……thanks a bunch!

[@realSS00]

@@bfriendly100many drivers are draw biased and that may be the problem. Try out a Ping driver on flat lie angle setting

[@bfriendly100]

@@realSS00 thanks man I did move the weight a little face bias and it made a difference. If I make a decent swing, it goes right where it’s supposed to….lol

[@RichardMau-jn5ci]

This is an amazing video coach! I’m going to cutdown driber to 44” Thank you for all your content. I just hope you know how many of us average golfers appreciate and love you . Extremely grateful. God Bless

[@fredfish4316]

That will fk the balance of course.

[@stephenlane1428]

Will change the stiffness of the shaft and massively alter the swing weight. If you shorten the shaft you will need to get it done by a competent club fitter. Try gripping down first and see if this makes any difference.

[@Papaspronator]

Why not just grip lower? Lol

[@Rob-on-the-go]

Great video for us average golfers. I agree with all of your suggestions. And after over 50 years of golf, I have figured out all of these suggestions for myself, and am already doing them. There is one thing though, I still keep my 4 iron. sometimes under a tree, you just need a low shot.

[@laurentsamson8927]

I agree. My 4 iron is my best low puncher when it's necessary to get out of the wood even if it's just 100-150yds to go. And still use it for fairway or T shots between 190-200yds. I also have an hybrid 4 which it is kind of equivalent on distance but my iron tends to fade and my hybrid tends to draw, so it depends on what shape I hope to get.

[@stevehainestrumpet]

I'm with you on keeping that 4 iron!

[@mikemantan]

This is generally good advice, I replaced my 5 iron with a 5 hybrid and it’s been a god send. Also ditching super high lofted wedges is a really good shout, I generally chip now with a 54 at the max, and a 56 at a push. The piece you mention about driver shaft length is probably the most relevant thing ever. Being a shorter golfer I actually play all my drivers at minimum driver length and it has helped tremendously. We aren’t all 6foot+ giants that need the length and I’m sure even some of those fellows would benefit. Another thing I’ll mention, that a mini driver off the deck as a replacement 3 wood has been a real highlight for me this year. They are awesome if your main driver isn’t working that day, and also great for a second shot on a par 5. The Callaway ai smoke is particularly forgiving as well. Cheers for the video!!

[@johnkelsey8830]

My 58 and 60 Degree wedges are always in use and I love them. Yes sometimes I hit fat or thin but from last year to this year those misses have greatly gone down and I continue to improve with them and from 100 yards in those are my two go-to clubs. Paired that with a Vice pro plus ball and I can actually produce some back spin and hold the greens. I want to dump my 5 iron and for a 7wood but still looking for a decent used one I can try before I commit to a pricier option.

[@richardmanion6132]

How I went from averaging 95 to low 80s in a season: 1: swapped a Dunlop blade putter for a Lazrus Mallet 2: swapped my 3 and 4 irons for used hybrids 3: aimed for the safer miss (better over the green than short in a deep bunker, etc) Andy, you nailed it!

[@robertbentzel8105]

Love my Lazarus mallet

[@RavenThom]

except for in my case our gteens are elevated. even short it can run up. Going over rolls down into rough

[@AllTradesGeorge]

I played with a mallet putter for the last decade or so...decided to try out a blade putter last year. I'll stick with the blade, much happier with the results. But I got rid of my long irons in favor of hybrids years ago, and just a couple of years ago, I found a 4 wood (or what would be a 4 wood...17deg of loft instead of the standard 15deg of a 3 wood). Night-and-day difference for a second shot on a par 5, and I hit it a good 10-15 yards or more longer than my 5 wood.

[@stugoodman7407]

Good video as always. My set up is traditional Driver, 3 wood and 5 wood. Next club is a 5 hybrid. Contemplating taking 3 wood out and adding a 7 wood. Im not a big hitter Driver and Fairways woods are Cobra Air X range so light and high lofted.

[@ianpowolny6455]

I’ve just gone to senior flex woods and been fitted for senior flex irons. All are graphite. At 72 this has added back yards to my game and better dispersion.

[@darthvader1402]

This was nice to watch,. I watched Rory at times go down the grip of his driver. I was struggling with my driver at the time, so I tried it and it made a difference in being more in play and hit well. So I got the shaft cut down and now it is much better. I consider myself a good putter so do not struggle with that and I use a blade putter which I love, so wont change that. I invested in 7 wood and now a hibred 5 which has added value to my game. So I do not use the 4 iron any more. When it comes to the range finder it is a valuable tool that helps a lot and I also have a gps watch. For me I would use both together as it helps. Keep up the good work. Have a good day.

[@JohnnyDSR]

Thanks Andy. You are so right about 5W. I find the 7W also a very powerful tool. I carry a 22deg hybrid for out of the rough situations. In fact I dumped 5 iron. Since I have a favorite wedge I only carry 6,7,8,9 irons from the same mfg. As a side benefit also makes iron changes more affordable. I have 5 iron yardages covered by either my 7W or 4Hybrid. I have watched your videos for several years. Its been an interesting and insightful evolution. !! Thanks!!

[@ChildoftheMostHigh1]

Same here, but I kept the 22 degree strong lofted 5 iron for those windy days from the tee and also use a 2 piece softer ball for those days also.

[@robenright4524]

Good advice. Nice to see Holywell golf club again as my dad was a member there before he died about 17 years ago.

[@gibfear]

I bought a range finder and I like it, I also have a watch, and you're right the front to back distance is more important overall. But the more info you have the more confident you can be, in my case when I duff it 10 yards.... But at least I know exactly what I wanted to do!!!

[@Rap101online]

100% agree with each suggestion. Since switching to a 44.5in driver, I’m 10-15 yards longer and more often in the fairway. My triple track 10 mallet has shaved off 5 putts per round. My 5w goes just as far as a 3w I used to carry. And I don’t carry a lob wedge. Two other suggestions: 1. the Ping ChipR wedge is a stress-saver (no more chip yips) and very versatile from 50yds and in. 2. Although I do not play one length clubs anymore, I kept the one length 4hybrid in the bag because it allows you to escape from under the trees or hit punch shots into the green from anywhere… you can even chip with it. As a 15 handicap golfer who can only play once per week on weekends, the ChipR and One Length hybrid has made golf way more fun for me. Thanks for all of the great videos!

[@richardllewellyn2633]

I have done all those things you suggest in the video. Started playing regularly again after taking early retirement at 60. I now use cobra trail irons 7-pw cavity back wide sole wedges my driver I had cut down from 45.75 to 45 made huge difference. Agree 100% about 3 wood recently picked up proper old school Taylor Made 3 Rescue Fairway. It’s 17 degrees and is like a 5 wood and strong 3 hybrid cross which I can shape

[@seanbaines]

Old club tech (build, repair, fitting), speaking here. On hybrids and fairway woods. It's not the extra bulk and mass that makes them easier to hit up to fly. The heads actually aren't any heavier. In fact, since most hybrids and high lofted woods are longer than their equivalent irons, noticeably so with the woods, the heads are lighter to keep the swingweight under control. What is different is HOW they are weighted, and how people react to them. First of all, they are hollow bodied, and therefore perimeter weighted. They tend to have more head MOI (moment of inertia), and therefore more resistance to twisting on off centre hits. More so even than game improvement irons. So they don't lose as much distance. Secondly, they are more low and back weighted than irons. That lower and further back centre of gravity helps launch the ball higher, which helps out average golfers enormously. It also magnifies the head MOI, adding to the forgiveness. Finally, most people seem to feel more confidence with that more substantial clubhead sitting behind the ball. So they hit it better, and get it up in the air more. Without a doubt they work better for most people than long irons. That's why.

[@TheAverageGolfer]

In short bulk and mass reflect size of head and there was no mention of weight. It is the bulk and mass (size of the head) that allows weight to be distributed and impact on MOI and lower CG helps with launch 👍

[@seanbaines]

@@TheAverageGolfer Ah, I see what you mean. Bulk, yes, absolutely. Weight and mass are two different concepts in physics, but in standard earth gravity, they are identical in measurement. Mass and weight have a 1:1 ratio in Earth gravity. Or so my physics teacher taught me. So what counts in this case is how that lesser mass is distributed, utilizing the greater bulk, the greater head area. I guess I'm getting pedantic. Picky about wording. But I get your point, and I agree with it. Thanks for the clarification.

[@Ethan-bw8mx]

@@TheAverageGolferyeah increased mass = increased weight by definition

[@home4ya]

agree 100%!!! Id add: 1. toss S/XS shafts (get fit & swallow ego). 2. Putt more chips. 3. ditch 3/4 hybrids for 7 woods. 4. consider mini driver off tee for shorter tee shots rather than long hybrids/narrow woods. 5. $350 custom shafts wont help as much as the cost. Cheers f 110* AZ!

[@brucenorton5410]

Makes sense to me. I will try these tips and see what happens. I read the comments and he clearly said this aint for everyone. Thanks

[@TheAverageGolfer]

😂 don’t read comments…..crazy people out there

[@josephdubiel7129]

Very constructive advice. I have found your comments to ring quite true. My bag is full of hybrids and woods. I have found the 5 & 7 Woods far more effective than a 3 wood. Playing with a near 46 inch length driver is total nonsense for most. 44 or 44.5 inches is sound . Good video my friend. You are right on

[@lioneldaigle453]

I started playing 4 years ago now and I have a 6 hybride, 9 Wood, 4 hybride and love them, it’s really helped my game. Keep up the great videos 😊

[@TheAverageGolfer]

Sounds good to me

[@mikepugh2806]

I agree with your all your recommendations but the putter. I have a mini driver, two hybrids and a 5-wood at the top of the bag. I use the PW and AW that came with my Stealth irons and added a TM high toe 54* sand wedge. My putter collection includes a copper Ping Anser and a B60 that I will never part with. My gamer is a Meridian Charleston with a 370g Anser-style head. The heavy weight makes it more stable for me, and it is easy to align.

[@jjflash1645]

I followed your advice and used my 7 wood instead of my driver and the results were great. I hit it long and straight. THANK YOU!!!

[@TheAverageGolfer]

Oh wow that’s great news 👏

[@kcs05]

This was a well timed video for me. I was just adjusting the clubs in my bag. I will take out the 4 iron I just put in, and put in a 4h. I use my 60*, so I will test my 54* by opening the face. I may remove the 60*, I will see how it goes. I need my 5i as I need a low shot from time to time, but I may be adding my 5h. Thank for helping me think through my bad.

[@JTCulverhouse]

Really great advice - thanks! I've used a mallet putter for ages, and it just seems so much easier to hit the longer putters. I'm also a fan of the larger soles for wedges. I'll have to investigate the shortening of the Driver.

[@davidcharlesianson8749]

Andy, the very best video you have ever posted. And I have to say I have all five suggestions in my bag arrived at after years of trial and error. I’m an amateur club fitter and your comments and suggestions are fully supported by me 👍

[@roeydaz]

I love woods! I carry an old Taylor made R7 3 wood an R9 5 wood and Pine meadow 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15 woods and Taylor made 9, pitching and SW. I DO use a driver as well ….I presume shortening your grip down the shaft is equivalent to using a shorter shaft driver. The pine meadow woods all have the same shaft length with different lofts. They absolutely awesome clubs! Recommend them highly for higher handicappers golfer’s who struggle with irons. Thanks for a great video sir.

[@andrewframe4678]

Great advice. Ditched the 3 and 4 irons for hybrids and the 3 wood for a 5 wood. All good decisions.

[@allihhussainmazari168r]

Very nice advice I liked your advice on the putter and the 44.5 inches on the driver. Thankyou from multan pakistan.

[@davidkristamcgee6893]

I am 55yrs. 4 HCP (from 5900 yards). I took my Driver shaft (46'') and exchanged it for my 3w shaft (44.5'') and saw an immediate improvement to 245 yard drive (previously 230). The 44.5'' shaft was a massive improvement. I then took my 5w shaft and placed my 3w head on it (200 yards), and took my driver shaft and placed the 5w (210-220 yards off the tee, only). Callaway with removable heads gave me this flexibility. Playing the correct yardage is key. I would suggest playing the Reds (most forward tees) and learn how to score, then move back slowly and break par at the next tees. Playing the shorter courses exposes weakness in the game, but improvement makes playing so much fun. I have broken par (-1) from 4800 yards, 5400 yards, and 5900 yards.

[@darthvader1402]

I am 53 and an 11 index. So are you saying even if I have been playing for several years, I should go to the forward tees and try to break par and then move back one? Or are you recomending for beginners or those who are recently learning the game? I have thought about if it would make sense doing that but was not sure if it would be worth paying to play a course and not playing the tee box distance that is considered fair for my lenght, which is between 6000 and 6200.

[@SeanNsl]

That’s some solid advice!

[@laurentsamson8927]

@@darthvader1402 I'm not convinced that will improve your overall game but definitely improve your fun and proudness. I can score near par on 18 holes at 4800-5000 yds or so but barely break 90 on regular tee on a 6200yds. That's certainly because of my lack of consistency on longer shots and a shorter course will give me more reasonable distance on my 2nd shots after a miss.

[@rmclark339]

Informative video. I've dropped the 3 wood, 2-5 Irons and added 3-5 hybrid plus a 5 wood. I love my Calloway Rogue driver and it's the club I hit the straightest most of the time. I can't explain it but I feel every time I can hit it down the middle of the fairway.

[@TheAverageGolfer]

Sounds good

[@nbleafer]

Good advice Andy. I have a mini driver and really feel it is a great option on the tee when control becomes an issue. I have a 4 wood i the bag along with a 7 wood which I went to after some research and watching you talk about it. I tried and have added the Callaway mack daddy cb wedges to my bag and it has given me much more consistency in my short game. Nice to get a little help to enjoy the round a little more.😊

[@LewF20]

Kind of agree with the 3 wood point - only use it as an alternative to the driver when I need a little less distance. You gotta be confident hitting them off the fairway.

[@dg-wq4py]

Switched my driver shaft a year ago and after a few months mentally getting used to it the overall results have been fantastic...also put a 7wood shaft in my 5wood and dispersion has improved also.

[@TheAverageGolfer]

That’s good to read

[@chrisgirling1097]

When i had my woods fitting my fitter suggested dropping 3 wood and replacing with a 5 wood as it was only 5 yards shorter, went driver, 5 & 7 wood and they''ve been brilliant. At the other end ive ditched my Kirkland wedges an replaced them with Cleveland smartsole 50 degree and 54 & 58 CBX's wedge game has improved significantly as for putter i have my trusty Odyssey mini jailbird i wont even pick up another putter in case i upset it 😊

[@mmtoyota18]

My 3W is adjusted 1.5 degrees and it's been one of my best clubs. Added a 7w this year and has been game changer. Even being the same loft as hybrid I hit them different distances. Haven't found a mallet I like yet so still sticking with the blade. Maybe they'll make the right one for me sometime.

[@AndrewTaylor-i3n]

Hi Andy, I’ve changed to a centre shafted mallet putter , really helps. Struggle out of bunkers so probably need to move away from a vokey, to something more forgiving. Play off 11, seen recent wedge videos makes sense to me👍

[@davidaceto8502]

Excellent video everything he suggested was spot on I have tried all of this and he is just replaced my blade putter with a mallet with a stroke lab shaft the shaft really works and added to hybrids only difference is I choke down on my driver I like it better than a shorter driver length

[@geoff376]

Great advice Andy, worth mentioning though that cutting down driver will make it feel lighter in the head as swingweight is reduced. This can affect timing for some. A good local pro or fitter can add a bit of weight to equalise.

[@louofm1]

I haven't played too many rounds this year but I know I was really struggling with my 3 wood about a month ago. Then, I was asked to sub on a golf league. I decided to use just the 5 wood for longer shots, off the deck. I had one of the best rounds I've had in the last 2 years. You are right. Distance wise, 3 wood is not much better than a 5 ...but a 3 wood is difficult to hit well, off the deck.

[@BEAN9999]

Lab putters are the greatest. I played with scotty camerons fir 2+ decades and recently bought a custom df2.1 and after 2 months after using it, i will always use a lab putter.

[@sheelmirji5494]

Scotty Cameron better 👍

[@BarneyG350]

I am 78 years old and drive with my 3 wood and it goes as far as my driver did, but a lot straighter. I also crush it off the fairway. Love my 7 wood also.

[@Mike_MTB_XC]

Totally agree on the driver length. I feel much more comfortable with the 43.5 inch driver and didn't notice much in distance loss but accuracy was greatly improved.

[@TheAverageGolfer]

Would help so many golfer

[@jeffduran9272]

Can i just choke up on my driver​@TheAverageGolfer

[@jeremyperkins1890]

Same. Mine is just a hair under 44 and I’m my dispersion is so much better

[@mdarnell08]

Where are you measuring the length from?

[@jeremyperkins1890]

@@mdarnell08the official USGA is the end of the shaft to where the club base hits the ground on a 60 degree lie. This means a 44” club length on a modern driver will have a shaft length around 42-43” depending on the hosel and insertion depth.

[@coachanderson2704]

The driver length is avg like 5'10 to 6'1 so is just right. for 45inchs , 58 is great wedge, saved me shots to put right by the pin. Mallet is a great kind of putter. Hybrid 3 and 4 perfect to replace the 4-3 iron. 3 Wood is perfect for me I can hit it off the tees so easy! I have a 3 wood and 5 wood! I Keep the wedges 58 and 54, I keep both putters, keeping the 2 hybrids 3 and 4, and keeping the 3 wood and 5 wood and I got a 7 wood too! I like all my clubs! I have around a 8 handicap too! I''m 52!

[@omgoIf]

I feel like a 58 or 60 degree wedge are both great especially inside that 60-80 yard range. I use a RTX 6 and it is my favourite and most accurate club!

[@hankhillz]

My 58 is one of my favorite clubs. It's also a Callaway Jaws so I feel a little judged by the video but I totally understand what he means. I really love the bounce ony 58 though. I'll still usey trusty rusty, but that iron is basically an extension of my arm at this point.

[@anonymousfu]

As long as you're not hitting that thing full. I don't think a 56 or 60 should ever be hit full. Know your 50% and 75% distances for those clubs. That's all you need.

[@brettknutsen6476]

Definitely agree with long irons. Changed out for 9W, 7W. These two are dialed in for me. Can shape my shots with as well on command.

[@goldtigre4979]

Ditched my 3 and 4 irons for a 3 Hybrid a while back and it was a game changer, still a 22 handicap but I lose way less strokes from 200 yards now it was a great decision! Also, mallet putters are good but if you play heads up putting like I do the blade putters allow your arms to correct the face of the putting stroke a lot more subtly

[@blaszsr]

Same around Here ... Drop my 3 W and 4-5I for 5W , 4-5H... Irons starts a 6I trough 9I, A-P-52-56-60..Mallet Putter of course !!! i do like to use my 60 in specific condition , not specifically tight lies...and i do control it pretty well...Score is going down , as i do break 90 regularly this year, thanks to a lot of putting and chipping Drills... Keep the good work..

[@ThePgbabini]

I fully agree and I have got in my bag a 2 inches shaft shorted 10,5 MITZUNO driver - a great PING 5 wood - PING 3/5/7 hybrids - PING 5/PW irons - Vokey 52/56 wedge - and a 2 balls Odyssey putter

[@briarmeadow]

When i first read the Heading about dumping clubs, i thought to myself "Oh No, not another one of these"; but i watched anyway. And after watching, i think you're take is right on. I remember playing with shorter shafted drivers before all the manufacturers found an easy way to add a few yards to One Up the competition with their advertising. I've actually been looking at trying some shorter shafts with my driver to see if i could pick up some improved dispersion AND more centered hits giving me better overall consistency. As for wedges, I've played game improvement wedges before and found them very helpful with improving confidence hitting out of the rough as well as consistency in distance. My current LW and SW are muscle backs, which i quite like and i just recently added a new 60* with a lower bounce that has helped greatly with the very firm end of summer turf conditions. Putter - I use a face balanced mid-mallet putter that has a great sight line for proper alignment and is much more stable than a blade. My 2i, 3i, 4i are long gone. I hit my 3w from tee and fairway. Love it. I have a Callaway Apex UW 21* that handles my less than 3w and more than 5i. Shorter shaft that a 7w yet longer than a hybrid. Super adaptable for lots of shots; FW bunkers, rough, punching out from under low hanging trees, tee shots or the fairway. As for range finders - You have me thinking on this. Nice to know distance to flag, BUT, nicer to know how far to the front and back of the green, or to carry bunkers or corners of doglegs and such. I'm good with a range finder when I'm on a course I know real well. Better to know all the distances that might possibly be important. Good information, got me thinking.

[@bund440]

Absolutely right Andy I recently took my 3 wood out and put in a 5 wood, I’ve taken out a 5 iron and put in a 7 wood. What a revelation my scores have dropped along with my handicap. They have only been in my bag for 5 weeks and I’ve dropped a shot.

[@michaelrood2751]

Same. 5 wood goes far enough and much easier to hit

[@lovetrainsme7970]

I have a three wood and I agree, they're a nightmare off the fairway. I got mine altered to nearer a 4 wood and it was a game-changer - particularly off the tee.

[@donphillips3294]

you just reaffirmed the changes I've made over the last season and what a difference! Spot on kudos and thank you

[@hubertgreene1230]

These are all great suggestions. I would add this: Get all of your woods the same length. I use PXG 211 3/5/7 woods, all at 42.5" - normal 5 wood length. Most woods length increase as the number decreases by 1/2". I get better results from my 3 wood and hit all woods more consistently. My 7 wood is my favorite club.

[@philgoss165]

interesting vid mate enjoyed it …two things I tend to disagree with…one the 60 degree…I find I use that when short sided off the green to fly to the pin and even open the face up on that and the 3 wood, if my driver is misbehaving my 3 wood comes out off the tee and goes as far…I’ve also just switched for the first time ever to a center hosel putter…omg what a difference that has made…face balanced and altho I have a slight arc it’s changed my putting…very rare u see golfers nowadays with centre hosel…like I said interesting video really good 👌👌and the hybrid change is a must especially for someone like me age58 single figure golfer but finding that forgiveness in a long hybrid a god send..keep ‘em coming

[@astronorthwet636]

I agree. I can’t hit my 58 wedge at all. May see what I have in an older set of Pings or just find that Cvx 4 used. Agree on the 3 wood. I get as much out of a 5 or even a 7 wood because I can at least connect with it. I’ll keep the 4 though for getting off low shots under the trees. Agree on 5 iron but I rarely use it anyway. It’s out! My driver is shorter for me. Tried longer and was terrible. Great subject! Thanks!👍

[@paulsummerside]

Ah, the 3 wood. Love mine, off the tee or off the fairway it works fine for me & if many years ago I had ditched my driver all together I’d have found more fairways & actually lowered my handicap. Hybrids or fairway woods, well, my preference is these days more towards the fairway wood. Hybrids have their place but I consider them overhyped in general. But I’d give anything that works on the day & conditions a chance. Back in the day I could easily hit my 3 iron & 4 iron, but happy to include a fairway wood or two up that end of the bag; not getting any younger. Now, wedges. I’ve never had any issues with wedges, as it’s always been a very strong part of my game. I remember using a 64 degree wedge many years ago & very successfully, but it does have limited use, where opening up a 60 degree or 58 can achieve fairly much the same thing. So certainly agree with leaving out anything over 60 degree. Putters. Small headed mallets I can use & use as well as my bladed putter, but those mallets the size of a small aircraft carrier that seems to be the current fad I have never managed to feel comfortable with at all. But there again I have inherited a few aircraft carrier putters off my father, who can no longer play and would give them another chance if my short game ever suffered, but that end of my game has never been an issue. My wedge game & my putting game have never been an issue. I might experiment with a short shafted driver after watching this. But after my putter & wedges my 3 wood is my favourite club. So that is going nowhere

[@merocaine]

I switched to a 5 wood off the tee, it's a big improvement, the head is smaller than my driver, but I am far more consistent with the 5, I put it down to the shorter shaft.

[@Roy19861]

I tried mallets but hated them expecially from longer distances. Went back to my trusted blade putter and felt comfortable right away. Agree with the rest while still using a 60deg wedge😅 just a fun club to play around with.

[@davidsanders4826]

Yep....I agree in on your thinking. And in practice I've been doing exactly as you do. These tips resonate 100%

[@TheAverageGolfer]

Glad they help

[@tcnelsonwi454]

I went to a L.A.B mallet putter and it is like having a cheat code. I am not a good putter and since I got it everything is either going in or just barely missing. Best thing I ever did. I amazed.

[@ribusgan]

Just bought a Cleveland CBX4 54 degree, and it's fabulously forgiving!! I need to get my bunker game to a consistent level.

[@chrisrosa9024]

Wow, at 62, I am already doing what u just said in the video. I just cut my driver shaft down by an inch; in my bag I have a 9 wood, 5 wood, 3 wood and a hybrid. I got rid of the 4 and 5 irons; so i have 6,7,8,9 irons and wedges ; You just assured me I made the right decision with my woods instead of irons.

[@kevos65]

Even though we know we carry too many clubs and unsuitable to our (often limited game, or over ego) sometimes we need to hear the truth being told.. Good advice here and will be applied..

[@CPBuilds]

Totally agree with looking at what you use and don't' use in your bag. I got rid of my fairway wood and 2 hybrids and opted of for a P790 4-iron (2019 version) and I use that as my DI. I also got 2 more wedges, 58 and 64 (soon to be 62), since I can still hit over 300 off the tee...need more wedges. I play blades, MP-69's but soon to be the 2024 Wilson Staff blades, and have more confidence with looking down at basically nothing with minimal offset than I do looking down at a chunky wood or hybrid. I do love me a mallet putter though. I game the Tyne C 2021 now but ordered a Jailbird Mini based on how well it rolled for me. Great video...appreciate your ideas and suggestions.

[@ChildoftheMostHigh1]

That's super 👌 I do not mean to sound like Captain Obvious but he was not talking about your percentage of golfers. Thank you for your time. Good day, sir.

[@CPBuilds]

@@ChildoftheMostHigh1 I know but I still agreed with him on some of his suggestions. Mallet putter for sure and just looking at what's in your bag and taking a look at what you don't use or rarely use. Thanks for your time as well....good day to you as well.

[@mikesmith8100]

100% no BS. I would like to add that an 11 wood really comes in handy. Super easy to hit. Sails high and can stop quick. So my modern set is (a driver, hardly used. apology), 5 wood, seven wood, eleven wood., 9 through 6, adams 5 trouble, and an old ping sand wedge for every short that comes up, and a bettenardi big ben center shafted putter.

[@edwinlambley2801]

Some good points. Driver loft is just if not more important than length. How many play 9 deg thinking it will go further? 12 deg will help more and think you need a "stiff" shaft, get fit and don't let your ego take over (easier said than done) . Yep 7 and 9 woods will transform many golfers. Don't agree about wedge lofts. A good 60 say Ping Eye wedge will get you out of any bunker and so easy around the green. Putter wise my mate has just been fitted for a LAB putter and I had a go with it, simply fantastic could not believe it if you can try on please do. Expensive yes and no. Against a New driver very good value, what will save you more shots, it's a good fitted putter.

[@les4767]

I play with a driver, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 irons, approach wedge, regular wedge and a putter(the same one you recommended...and I love it). I can't hit with hybrids/woods. My game is improving all the time.

[@tigcarn]

I use both a range finder and GPS device. I used to only use a range finder, but that was when courses used red white and blue flags to tell you front mid or back pin position. Now they just use a single color flag for all pin positions and it was frustrating trying to guess what I should be shooting for

[@emmetwesley]

I had the pro shop cut two inches off my driver when they regripped it YEARS AGO because I knew that I had more control with a shorter club. The change in flex is not noticeable. No need to get a whole new shaft.

[@edr4973]

How was the swingweight? Two inches is a ton of swingweight. I went down that path with an R5. 44.5. Then 44. Then 43.5 and I lost all consistency. A clubfitter measured it and the SW and it was like C4 or something.

[@emmetwesley]

@@edr4973 I have no idea. Maybe I just adjusted the swing. But all the tinkering is just a racket to sell more equipment. My first set of clubs in the 80s was a persimmon wood driver with a little divot on the face. I learned how to avoid the divot. I was a much better golfer then. I have a buddy who upgrades his clubs every year. Probably costs him $2,000/year. His game never changes, but what a customer for the pro!

[@jshumphress13]

Rarely use my 60 degree so I’m with you there, but I’m not playing a cavity backed wedge. I think many people should play them, but “blade” wedges are all I know, and I like the versatility.

[@gordonsteen5560]

Regarding the wedges it all depends on what type of course you play most of your golf on. If thecourse tends to give you tighter firmer lies then if you have a lot of bounce your liable to thin the ball ore

[@DonAl9114]

Thank you Andy. Enjoy a great weekend. 😊😊😊

[@matttysondesign]

I love a lot of these suggestions, especially driver length. Wedge suggestions, not so much. Best clubs I bought were theTM Hi-Toe (52,56,60), alongside some lessons. That being said, I practice this side of the game a lot and I enjoy improvement.

[@mikejones-go8vz]

I’ve always used standard wedge and 56 sand wedge. The best part of my game has been my short game. I have now got a set of Cobra irons with strong lofts so I needed a gap wedge rather than choking down on the standard. I now have all Cobra clubs, 50, 54, and 58. I am learning to love them. The weight of them feels great. Snakebites. I’m starting to hit 80, 81 consistently, still throwing in the doubles, the odd wayward drive does that! Turning 71 soon. Not playing off the back tees yet, I’m not that good 😂

[@alanhopkins4879]

Just got fitted at PXG Esher with Gen 6 and two Sugar Daddy wedges and agree no 3 wood and maybe stop at 6 iron although included a 5 iron links courses - but best advice GPS and I would add - go lower compression ball - even a Supersoft makes it easier to compress 👍

[@GrumpyTy34er]

I sinplified my wedge game to have a 54 and a 58. Completely changed my short game. Yeah, I have a 64 and a 72, but only for range fun or if I know I need that height and don't want to bring my chipper.

[@johnwilson6336]

Solid advice. What you’ve said applies to most recreational golfers. The only deviation should be if and when a golfer has a natural aptitude for any of the clubs you mentioned dropping. For example I stink with a 3 Wood and haven’t carried one for over 20 years, so that fits with your advice. But I’m a good wedge player and make great use of a 60 degree with high bounce. However, also to your point, I have a Vokey 64 degree and it’s the devil to hit cleanly, so it resides in my closet. I carry a standard driver and hit it when the fairway is wide and favors a good run-out, but also have a mini driver for tight fairways and situations where run-out with a tee shot is not desired (like on a dog leg for example). I’ve liked and subscribed; look forward to more of you useful content. Cheers from Savannah, Georgia. John W.

[@TheAverageGolfer]

Thank you for logical feedback and you have nailed it, horses for courses as I like say, its not a rule book but maybe some value if anyone is struggling

[@micko2007]

Great video with superb tips. I use a mallet putter, game improvement irons and I use hybrids instead of long irons. The only one I haven't used is the shorter shaft on the driver, which might solve the problems I'm having lately off the tee. I agree with the 3 wood (which is fairly redundant in my bag) and have invested in a 5 wood which has become my favourite club this year.

[@DonMcFarlane-sf7lw]

I have played golf for 50 years. Not a single digit handicap, but I can hit all the clubs in my bag. I use a rangefinder as all pGA players do. Love my 3 & 5 woods, one 4 hybrid, irons 5-pw plus 52, 56, and 60. No reason to change. Point is he paints with a pretty broad brush.

[@petekenny3774]

6 handicapper here ...i ditched my 3 wood 8 9 years ago 5 wood in and staying in 👍👍👍

[@markyoung2981]

Once again thank you for your effort and time spent on sharing this information.

[@TheAverageGolfer]

Glad it was helpful!

[@buckstraw925]

Driver shaft - choke up. Wedges - highly personal but yeah try a few things. Putter - totally personal, one can putt with anything. Long irons - yes, for 90% of golfers drop them. 3wood - yes, same as the long irons.

[@oliver69cork46]

Have a 64 degree wedge-time and time again it serves me so well from slopes,roughs to popping the ball from short distances on the green. And from the bunker,unbeatable too. Maybe not for evetyone but with the 2 iron its my favorite club. Never getting my 2,3 or 4 irons out of my bag,use no driver nor hybrids and tee off always with my long irons.

[@Randsurfer]

Same. My 64 is golden. So nice to take 3/4 to full swing on 40-60 yard shots and hit a soft lob in.

[@oliver69cork46]

@@Randsurfer not all that difficult to use,easier than opening a lower degree wedge where blading the ball could happen. Love the sensation with the 64 of that sky high pop up then plumet to 3 feet or less of the hole. A wonderful club. There are players who use 68 or 72 degree wedges too,wilson superfly modèle. Clubs are as good or bad as their owners.

[@guilhermeherzogneto5046]

A lot of great advice and comments. If I were to follow them all I would have to switch to tennis . In other words, find the clubs that work the best for you.

[@michaelritchie5303]

So glad I came across this video. I just removed my 3 wood from the bag. It was 30 years old and I never use it (never learned how). My wedges have a nice fat sole are nice and fat. I don't have no wedges flatter than a 56, my driver shaft is only 44 inches and I have a mallet putter. I use a Garmin watch and take the distances with a grain of salt but I will now look at the back of the green number as I tend to come up short rather than go long. There. I'm all set. Now my bad results are up to my lack of talent.

[@timholstpetersen79]

Funny thing about the 3-wood for me; It is a love/hate-relationship. At the moment it is absolutely my best friend from both the tee and on the fairway. I've absolutely smashed it from the fairway the last many rounds and it has _saved_ me !