Opinion & Analysis
Swanson: How to choose the 14 clubs in your bag
Meet new GolfWRX Senior Expert on Everything, Swanson. We recently spotted him playing in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am with Al Czervik, David Simms and the “Tiger Woods” from Dan Jenkins’ Golf Digest Interview. Swanson asked to write a few articles for GolfWRX’s Front Page. We told him if the readers like his stories, we’ll let him keep writing. If not, he’ll have to go back to trolling the forums.
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By far my least favorite part of playing tournament golf has always been deciding which 14 clubs to put in my bag, but I’ve learned a few tricks over the years.
During normal rounds of golf, I’ll have anywhere between 20-24 clubs in the bag; that includes drivers with different shafts, long irons (I don’t play fairway woods or hybrids), backup wedges and a few different Scotties.
Practice rounds are for testing equipment, not for playing by imaginary rules contrived by the USGA. But when it comes time to play in a USGA-sanctioned event, 14 clubs is the maximum they allow.
And this is a topic that really hits home for me.
You see, a few years back I qualified for the U.S. Senior Mid-Am Junior event in the second position after firing 71-68 (I hit 18 greens in regulation and had 44 putts in the first round), but a rules official saw I had 17 clubs in the bag after the event. I still have no idea how he saw the extra wedges hidden beneath my driver head cover, but I learned a lesson that day – the 14-club rule penalizes you two strokes for each hole played with more than 14 clubs, for a maximum of two holes. Safe to say, I didn’t qualify.
But now I’m an expert on selecting clubs for my tournament bag. And if chosen, they should be honored and thankful, and perform accordingly during the tournament. So do yourself a favor, print this out, put it in your bag and read it every time you’re deciding what clubs are going to make the cut for your next event.
Driver
Compile all of your driver heads and shafts, and head to your nearest Trackman facility. I have one in my basement, but you may need to go to a custom-fitting shop or a top teaching pro in your area. You don’t actually want a fitting or a lesson; you just want to rent the Trackman for an hour or two. Hit every driver head/shaft combination possible, and then print out a sheet of the averages.
Listen carefully, because this is the important part. You want to play the driver that has the lowest spin rate. No matter what. You can figure out how to launch it higher and make better contact (therefore increasing your ball speed) another time. I don’t hook or slice the ball, but if I did the low spin would help the ball curve less, and of course, it maximizes distance.
People say a 17-degree launch angle and 1700 rpm of spin is optimal, and I can do it every time with my forward-CG, low-MOI driver. You’re probably not good enough to play one, but maybe one day you will be. So buy the hottest low-spin driver every year on the off chance you start striping it one summer.
Editor’s Note: Swanson’s opinions on club fitting are his own, and don’t reflect the opinions of GolfWRX (at all).
Fairway Woods/Hybrids
Personally, I don’t use fairway woods or hybrids because:
- I don’t see the point.
- I don’t have yardage gaps big enough to need them.
I hit my driver 315 yards (on average), and carry my steel-shaft, hand-ground, muscleback 1-iron 275 yards. When would I hit a three wood or hybrid? From 290 yards into a par 5? And what par-5 in America would require me to hit a shot 290 yards on my approach?
None. The answer is none of the par 5s.
Irons/Driving irons
In making the decision on what long irons to carry, you’ll want to check the wind for the day, the par-3 distances and how many irons you’ll need off the tee on par-4s. I usually carry my 1, 2 and 3 irons during tournament play because it intimidates my competitors, and I can launch my 1-iron off the deck really high.
Most golfers will probably need to play irons that are more forgiving than the one-piece forgings I use, but you should test both. Blades are a huge advantage if you can play them, because they’re so much more workable and so much better in the rough.
Also, you may notice I use iron covers; you would too if your irons were hand ground from the same guy who forged Tiger’s Miura irons.
Wedges
This is the trickiest part of the equation. In my current practice bag, I have eight wedges: 50 degrees (bent to 49.5), 54 (bent to 53.5), 54 (bent to 54.5), 56 (bent to 55.5), 56 (bent to 56.5), 60 (extra heel grind), 60 (v-grind) and a 63 (bent to 63.5).
I know how far every one of them flies to a dime, but predicting exactly what yardages I’ll need during a round used to be difficult for me. That’s why I started getting my hands on a yardage book of the tournament course, and picking my targets for each hole. Since I rarely miss my target, especially under tournament pressure, all I have to do is decide which wedges I’ll need most often. One time, through my preparation, I found out I wouldn’t need a club from 197-203 yards, so I didn’t need my 8-iron. I played with six wedges that event and won the National Ultra-Private Country Club Championship.
For beginners, I suggest letting your long iron/fairway wood/hybrid setups dictate the wedges you choose, and simply fill in the yardage gaps appropriately.
Putter
I sleep with both of my Tour-Only Scotties the night before any event; one on my left side and one on my right. Whichever putter I wake up facing is the one that goes in the bag.
Choosing a golf ball
Just kidding. They make other balls than a Pro V1x?
This past Monday, I played in the U.S. Amateur local qualifier at Rock Creek Country Club in Portland, Oregon. A full tee sheet from 7:30 a.m. to 1:55 p.m., the top 11 scores would make it to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying.
I teed off at 10:48 a.m.. With the 7:30 am tee time, you can get a feel for the leaders’ pace, and they were off and running on the challenging setup at Rock Creek.
View this post on Instagram
Getting to the highlight of the round on the par five 17th, a drive up the left side and 212 yards left to the front hole location. I took out a 5-iron with plans of middle of the green. The ball ended up 8 feet left of the hole, pin high. A slight downhill putt dropped in for an eagle 3 on the 17th. With the cut line looking to be anywhere from -2 to even par. This was the boost I had been waiting for all day.
With making par from the trees on 18, it was time to wait for a potential playoff with a posted score of one under par 71.
Three hours later, it was playoff time. 8 players for 6 spots. I made par on the playoff hole, which was good enough to advance to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying in July. USGA qualifiers sure deliver on all of the emotions in golf!
Club Junkie
Building my 2026 gamer WITB: Ranking the contenders and new putter projects – Club Junkie Podcast
The annual What’s In The Bag build is underway, and on this episode of Club Junkie, Brian breaks down the clubs currently leading the race for a spot in his 2026 gamer setup. From drivers and fairway woods to irons, wedges, and shafts, he ranks the equipment that’s performing best and explains what’s separating the front runners from the rest of the field.
Brian also heads into the workshop to discuss several putter projects currently on the bench. From head options and shaft choices to build ideas and testing plans, he shares what he’s working on and which putters could become serious contenders for the bag this season.
If you’re a gear junkie who loves equipment testing, club building, and the never-ending pursuit of the perfect setup, this episode is for you.
Follow Club Junkie:
Instagram: @clubjunkiepod
TikTok: @clubjunkiepod
Threads: @clubjunkiepod
X: @ClubJunkiePod
Club Junkie
Tour Edge Exotics mini driver review + TaylorMade Spider ZT Max first look – Club Junkie
On this episode of Club Junkie, I put the new Tour Edge Exotics Mini Driver to the test and break down the performance, forgiveness, distance, and where it fits compared to a traditional driver or strong fairway wood. If you have been curious about adding a mini driver to the bag, this one is worth a look.
I also dive into the new TaylorMade Spider ZT Max putter that was recently spotted and discuss the growing zero torque putter trend. Plus, there is a closer look at the new Project X Titan Yellow shaft showing up on the PGA Tour and what makes it different from other profiles currently out there.
What’s the story behind Webb Simpson’s custom-stamped irons?
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Cadillac Championship Tour Report: Spieth’s sizable changes, McLaren Golf launches, and more
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Kristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
Best irons 2026: Best irons overall, most forgiving irons, and more
J.T. Poston’s winning WITB: 2026 Memorial Tournament
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2026 Cadillac Championship
Details on Jason Day’s latest prototype Avoda iron setup
Christiaan Maas WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D LS (8 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 6 X 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black...
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Driver: Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond (9 degrees) Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Blue RDX 60 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees) Shaft:...
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Bud Cauley had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament. Driver: Titleist GTS2 (8 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura...
Hannah Green WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Titleist GTS3 (10 degrees, D4 SureFit setting) Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana RB 53 S 3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees,...
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Equipment6 days agoMemorial Tournament Tour Report: Rory McIlroy, Cameron Young switch up drivers, and more
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News2 weeks agoRussell Henley’s winning WITB: 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge
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Equipment3 days agoBest irons 2026: Best irons overall, most forgiving irons, and more
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Whats in the Bag4 days agoJ.T. Poston’s winning WITB: 2026 Memorial Tournament
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Equipment1 week agoDetails on Jason Day’s latest prototype Avoda iron setup
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Equipment3 weeks agoCJ Cup Byron Nelson Tour Report: Koepka and Kim’s newest putters finally get hot
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News2 weeks agoCharles Schwab Challenge Tour Report: MacIntyre, Åberg and Spaun all switch putters, TaylorMade launches new Spider
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Tyler
Apr 20, 2016 at 1:25 am
Hilarious! Best part was the trackman in the basement. I guarantee someone on here convinced the wife to spend $20k on a trackman for the basement.
Timbleking
Apr 16, 2016 at 3:44 am
Jiiiiiiiiiizzzzz ! Swanson, the 8 iron comment made my day! ROTFL!!!
Jason
Apr 15, 2016 at 11:42 am
Coming out of the gates strong…I love it.
Boomshaboom
Apr 15, 2016 at 11:00 am
Wow, God wrote an article about how to select your 14. Suprised he needs a putter.
Cyd2293
Mar 30, 2016 at 8:53 pm
Great Article.
Loved it.
A little humor goes a long way.
Martin
Mar 28, 2016 at 2:15 pm
Hi Swanson!
I always support anyone who wants to be funny, and I think you did ok for the first time. BUT you have to train harder and score better if you wanna make the cut!!! 😉
Good Luck!
Mike Honcho
Mar 21, 2016 at 1:37 pm
So bad Spaulding Smails gave it a shank and two nose picks.
Junior
Mar 21, 2016 at 12:49 pm
where can I get a set of those iron covers?
northgolf
Mar 21, 2016 at 11:11 am
Effective satire requires actually being humorous. This is just old, tired, and worn out. Iron covers in the top photo was the highlight and it went downhill from there.
insider
Mar 21, 2016 at 9:45 am
is this a stab at early ian poulter when he was a club pro?????????????
Mike Honcho
Mar 21, 2016 at 1:38 pm
Go easy or IJP will tweet (whine) about it to your employer and get you fired.
nath
Mar 21, 2016 at 7:33 am
Back to the forums buddy, cmon, you have had your fun!
The front page is no place for you.
I’m glad I just wasted 15mins
Double Mocha Man
Mar 21, 2016 at 11:09 am
Slow reader, huh?
Nath
Mar 21, 2016 at 9:35 pm
Umm Yeh
Jim
Mar 21, 2016 at 5:19 am
I learned nothing, finally.
Steve
Mar 19, 2016 at 3:39 pm
What a dumb article, what was the point? To fill space? Sometimes less is more. Definately less of this guy
Double Mocha Man
Mar 19, 2016 at 12:00 pm
Relax! The guy actually has a 17 handicap and is trying to be funny. Though I did appreciate the part about all his wedges… I carry 5 of ’em in a 14 club bag. Inevitably, the one I want to use is hidden from sight under the other wedges. This a Murphey’s Law, even if the wedge is the longest of the bunch.
The red booties for his irons in the photograph should have been a dead giveaway.
Mill Fickelson
Mar 19, 2016 at 6:13 am
Wow “Dufner” do you even know how to read? You must be from the south if you don’t understand satire!
Ps- nothing funnier than internet outrage, relax everyone it’s just an article and it accurately depicts 99.9% of you
ryan
Mar 19, 2016 at 3:14 am
those who are butt-hurt from this article probably just realized that it’s about people like them and how ridiculous they can be. A+
Jim
Mar 19, 2016 at 1:29 am
This could have been a funny article if it had been done correctly. The manner in which it was written and came out, was lacking and wasn’t funny at all. The only slightly amusing part was the wedges bent by like .3 degrees. Other than that, a waste of what could have been a really funny article.
Cptdot
Mar 19, 2016 at 2:31 pm
10000% agree.. Beat it Swanson
paul
Mar 19, 2016 at 11:20 pm
i have to admit i laughed out loud when i read this article. all parts of it are funny even the disclaimer from Golfwrx . made my day
DB
Mar 19, 2016 at 12:03 am
I haven’t read such a good laugh in a while. I would swear I know this guy in real life. hahahaha, Keep the articles coming!!!
Marc
Mar 18, 2016 at 8:41 pm
Loved the wedge lofts .
RHJazz
Mar 18, 2016 at 8:40 pm
Serious or satire? It’s a fine, line to get right. Problem I had with this is, for some it’s kind of true – over thinking one’s needs and ability and the elitist attitude of some narcissistic players we may actually encounter. For others, it’s just rubbish and so fantastical it almost makes no sense. Good try with high level of difficulty, but failed to stick the landing. I’d judge it “m’eh.”
Kevin Hawkins
Mar 18, 2016 at 7:41 pm
Waste of time reading this. It wasn’t even funny.
PAUL CLARKE
Mar 19, 2016 at 10:53 am
He must be writing about you!!
Kyle
Mar 18, 2016 at 6:53 pm
This is probably the best article I have ever read on this site.
The funny part is that I opened it actually looking for some good advice.
JustTrying2BAwesome
Mar 18, 2016 at 6:38 pm
Hahaha this was great. Thank you.
EO
Mar 18, 2016 at 5:32 pm
The article made me chuckle, the replies gave me a nice belly laugh. Funny article. Of course it’s pointless.
JustPlainCarpe
Mar 18, 2016 at 4:57 pm
Hilarious!
Nolanski
Mar 18, 2016 at 4:44 pm
Lol! I about lost it after the muscleback 1 iron part. You shoulda said something like “I have my putter shafts pured weekly”. Keep em coming.
Tom
Mar 18, 2016 at 4:39 pm
“I sleep with both of my Tour-Only Scotties the night before any event; one on my left side and one on my right. Whichever putter I wake up facing is the one that goes in the bag.” Some golfwrxer’s should try this with their Scotties.
Tom
Mar 18, 2016 at 4:34 pm
6 wedges..ROFLMAO….ya got me.
Scooter McGavin
Mar 18, 2016 at 3:55 pm
Wow, this was dumb. I’m sad I wasted my time reading it. If you’re going to post something meant to be funny and satirical, at least make sure it’s actually funny.
Bishop
Mar 18, 2016 at 3:17 pm
If you didn’t realize this was a satire by the second paragraph “During normal rounds of golf, I’ll have anywhere between 20-24 clubs in the bag; that includes drivers with different shafts…” you may want to lighten up a bit. If you have 20-24 clubs in your bag at one time, you deserve to have to carry your bag 18 holes once per year…. This was funny, albeit a waste of 10 minutes…
Birdie?
Mar 18, 2016 at 2:14 pm
April 1st isn’t for another 2 weeks or so. WTactualF
RG
Mar 18, 2016 at 2:12 pm
What a loser! 8 wedges? I don’t carry a wedge because I never miss a green and I can reach any par 5 with a 2 iron or less. I haven’t been in a bunker since Clinton was in office. Heck 50% of the time I don’t need a putter, I just tap in with whatever club is in my hand. I know your thinking “Why isn’t this guy on tour?” My answer is to much travel, not enough prize money.
Random Reader
Mar 18, 2016 at 1:51 pm
Ha! Good for a smile.
Marc G
Mar 18, 2016 at 1:45 pm
Worst article I’ve read here
Philip
Mar 18, 2016 at 1:42 pm
Too funny! However, can you now write a proper version of the article that gives up a nugget or two? Or are you hoarding those for yourself?
ca1879
Mar 18, 2016 at 1:40 pm
Oh my… some of the comments. I am now certain that it’s impossible to write a satire that’s too obvious.
Wow123
Mar 18, 2016 at 1:34 pm
Funny! But that is because I speak sarcasm.
Clowone
Mar 18, 2016 at 1:29 pm
1st of April is soon this year..
Weekend Duffer
Mar 18, 2016 at 1:16 pm
GolfWRX – The article
michael johnson
Mar 18, 2016 at 12:46 pm
this is the most pointless article ever. it is not a good troll, it is not funny and it is uniformative. booh!
mvandy
Mar 18, 2016 at 12:34 pm
This is a joke right? wtf is this
duffer
Mar 18, 2016 at 12:27 pm
Wow. Send this guy back to trolling. This article was just a forum for him to brag about how he can hit a 1-iron unlike us mere mortals. Completely useless article if you are a normal human being who hits their driver 230 like 95% of us. Get off your high horse buddy! Write an article this isn’t all about how great you are.
Mike
Mar 18, 2016 at 1:49 pm
You do realize it was a tongue-in-cheek article, right?
mhendon
Mar 18, 2016 at 8:24 pm
Lol and someone thought this was serious
Greg V
Mar 18, 2016 at 12:12 pm
I can’t believe I read the whole thing.
Satire
Mar 18, 2016 at 12:02 pm
Enjoyable
Bobtrumpet
Mar 18, 2016 at 1:23 pm
Someone gets it.