How Many Golf Clubs Can (and Should) You Have in Your Bag?

Golfers are often very particular about their equipment. They are meticulous about not only the clubs in their bag, but also how they organize and set it up for play.

We have the answer to your questions about how many clubs you should carry and which clubs you should choose. Let’s take a look at how many golf clubs you can and should have in your bag.

 

How Many Golf Clubs can fit in a Golf Bag

A golf bag can hold more than 14 clubs. However, the USGA has a rule that limits all players to only 14 clubs. This rule was set by the USGA and it is important to comply with it when you are out on the course.

Although you can carry 14 golf clubs, not everyone will need them all. The 14-club limit is a maximum. It is not a minimum number of clubs you must have on the course.

Many beginner golf clubs are made with only 8 golf clubs. This keeps the game simple while players learn how they can improve their clubhead speed as well as their total distance. Great players will find it difficult to narrow down to 14 clubs because they are able to appreciate the differences within each club.

 

Based on your skill level, which golf clubs should you carry?

As I said, not everyone golfers need to worry too much about the 14-club limit. To be honest, as a scratch golfer, I only have 13 in my bag at the moment, and it’s not hurting me. The key is to have the right set of clubs that highlight your abilities and help you navigate the different shots you will hit.

Beginner Golfers

Beginners will often hit all the clubs the same distance when they are first learning the game. When a golf shot hit with a 7 iron goes the same distance as one hit with a 9 iron, it doesn’t really make sense to carry all of the clubs.

In addition, it won’t make sense for most golfers to purchase all of the clubs.

I recommend that every beginner golfer start with at least one of each type. It is ideal to have a driver, fairway wood, hybrid, iron, wedge, and a putter. It will all be just an extra.

The average beginner set will include eight clubs. That is plenty of clubs for a beginner player. Once you start to see significant distance gaps between something like a 9 iron and a hybrid, it’s time to fill in with a few other golf clubs.

After one to three year of being beginners, most beginners will upgrade their beginner sets. This is when it makes sense for a set to each travel a certain distance, approximately ten yards apart.

Sample Club Set Makeup

• Driver
• 5 Wood
• 4 Hybrid
• 8 iron
• Pitching Wedge
• Putter

 

High Handicap Golfers

High handicap golfers have trouble with consistency and accuracy. High loft angles are important for high handicap golfers. They also need to be aware of large sweet spots. Most high handicappers will have a driver, and then a fairway or wood to backup the driver.

Because of its ease of use, I believe the 5 wood is better for higher handicappers than the 3 wood. The 5 Wood has a higher loft and can raise the ball a bit more.

Hybrids are popular with higher handicap golfers. Hybrids are very easy to hit out the rough. The hybrid club is an excellent alternative to long-irons and a smart choice for players who struggle with irons.

The high handicap golfer traditionally won’t want more than 5-8 irons and a few wedges mixed in. Higher handicap players won’t be able to afford more than 10-13 clubs. So many players have a fairway wood or a 3 iron in their bag they never use; it’s not even worth bringing along!

Sample Club Set Makeup

• Driver
• 5 Wood
• 4 Hybrid
• 5 Hybrid
• 6-PW
• GW
• SW
• Putter

 

Mid Handicap Golfers

Mid handicap golfers are those who play in the 11-20 age range and have a lot more consistency than high handicap players. This opens up the possibility of using a number of other clubs such as the 3 wood, or even a 3-hybrid.

These clubs can help golfers improve their distance and maybe even work the ball a little more. Many mid-handicap golfers now incorporate the lob wedge in their sets.

Mid handicap golfers often play in tournament-type events. To avoid the two stroke penalty, they should ensure that they follow the 14 club rule. (If the error is not detected at the start of a round, the penalty is four strokes

Mid handicappers still struggle with consistency and distance in the long irons. This is why it makes sense to carry a few hybrids.

Sample Club Set Makeup 

• Driver
• 3 Wood
• 5 Wood
• 3 Hybrid
• 4 Hybrid
• 5 Hybrid
• 6-PW
• SW
• LW
• Putter

 

Golfers with low handicap

Low handicap golfers are the most exacting when it comes to their club set up. Low handicap golfers are known for their consistent swings and ability to hit the center line of the course.

This skill allows the player to fill their golf bag with the clubs they like and feel most comfortable with. Low handicap golfers will have four wedges, one fairwaywood, and several hybrids.

Low handicap golfers should pay attention to the importance of loft gapping. Each golf club should have its own loft and play characteristics. If your 7 wood and 3 hybrids have the same loft, it’s probably not best to include both in your bag.

Instead, find a mix of golf clubs that you can use to put together a great round.

Sample Club Set Makeup 

• Driver
• 3 Wood
• 3 Hybrid
• 4 Hybrid
• 5-9 Irons
• PW
• GW
• SW
• LW
• Putter