Equipment

Building the perfect half set

Published

6 years ago

Mar 27, 2020

Beyond physically putting clubs together, one of my favorite games to play is trying to build the ideal half set, and taking it out for some testing on the course. The goal is to see how few clubs I can play with before it becomes a detriment to my game and my scoring—while still having fun trying to hit all kinds of creative shots along the way

Many golfers have, at some point, played the “three-club challenge” (three including a putter), but that often becomes an exercise in caution and course management instead of what many would consider a usual round of golf. Although from the conversations I’ve had with golfers about trying out an extremely reduced set, the consensus generally ends up at, “I shot one of my best scores in a long time.”

I’m not sure how that sentiment potentially relates to handicap or not, but one way or the other, it’s a great way to lighten the load and have some fun thinking differently about your shots.

My ideal half set consists of 7-8 clubs including a putter, but in some cases, I will take it all the way down to 5-6. I love having the option to play with a full set and most times do, but I have gone weeks playing only with my half set and don’t see a noticeable variation in my scoring.

It actually makes me question why I carry a full set and in the grand scheme of golf. I think it would be one of the most entertaining experiments to have a PGA Tour event where players are limited to seven clubs. It would have the potential to make gearheads and the general fan engage in an interesting conversation.

Whatever way you choose to build your set, this is a quick start guide to play your best half set golf.

Thinking Your way Through Building a Half Set

The Putter: This is the one club that probably isn’t going anywhere (unless you are a virtuoso putting with a bellied wedge). You are going to be using this club on every hole, and depending on your comfort level hitting certain shots, you might end up using it further off the green than normal—cheers to the imagination! Build out from here, because shots inside 100 yards are still going to take up the majority of strokes on your card, and your putter is going to save you shots.
The “Wedge”: Remember that it wasn’t until the last generation of golfers that players started using a lob wedge. Tom Watson famously never put one in the bag and only carried up to a 56-degree. The ideal loft to start your set with is 52-54 degrees, because you can still hit shots out of the sand if needed, and it’s a great club to still hit full shots with—something that many golfers struggle to do with a lob wedge.
Your “Go-To” Shot: I think most golfers agree that trying to get more out of a club distance-wise often ends with less than great results. This is why as you go through your set and start to pick clubs, it’s important to think about your favorite go-to shots. You want to do everything you can to avoid standing over a ball trying to manipulate a club because you don’t have “that distance” in the bag. This is hugely important when you realize that close to 90 percent of hazards are placed in front of the green or target areas and being able to get over comfortably should be priority number one.
Know Your Iron Lofts: Most modern sets have 4-5 degrees between each club, but as you get to the longer irons, even towards the middle of the set (7-iron to 5-iron) loft gaps can get smaller quickly, and for some this can equal a diminishing point of return on distance gapping. Don’t just grab every other iron, take a few minutes to think about the carry distance of each club, because that’s going to be important.
A Driver is Still Important: We all cant be Henrik Stenson with a 12-degree 3-wood we hit 300 yards. Unless you have plans to go truly minimalist, keeping a driver in the bag is a good idea. It is the largest and most forgiving club off the tee and will help put you into places that will make second shots a lot easier.

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Ryan Barath

Ryan Barath is a club-fitter & master club builder with more than 17 years of experience working with golfers of all skill levels, including PGA Tour players. He is the former Build Shop Manager & Social Media Coordinator for Modern Golf. He now works independently from his home shop and is a member of advisory panels to a select number of golf equipment manufacturers. You can find Ryan on Twitter and Instagram where he's always willing to chat golf, and share his passion for club building, course architecture and wedge grinding.

34 Comments

ShortGolfer

Jun 23, 2021 at 9:16 pm

13 driver, 21 wood, 27 hybrid, 32 7I, 54 PW, 59 SW, Putter (7 clubs)

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Rey S Tolentino

Mar 26, 2021 at 5:49 pm

Driver, 19 Hybrid, 5 & 8 Irons, 56 SW, Putter = 6

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John Gleason

Apr 7, 2020 at 9:13 pm

I shot my career low 66 last month w only carrying 10 clubs

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Paul

Apr 2, 2020 at 8:56 am

During these stressful times, I have been walking with 7 clubs including a putter. Surprised that my scores have not gone uo. I carry a lob wedge, pitching wedge, 7 iron, 3 hybrid, heavenwood, and driver..

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Lou

Mar 30, 2020 at 1:05 pm

I switched to walking with a half set two years ago and I love it…it feels like real golf, go where you want, enjoy the day

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Dale

Mar 30, 2020 at 11:15 am

Recently I’ve been taking only irons and playing the forward tees about once a week. Definitely is helping my iron game.

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WhoaNellie

Mar 30, 2020 at 10:59 am

“Full” Set, or, Nine is Fine – 11* D, 18.5* 5W, 26* 5H, 31* 7I, 36* 8I, 41* 9I, 46* PW, 56* SW, P
Half set – 11* D, 18.5* 5W, 26* 5H, 36* 8I, 46* PW, 56* SW, P
Half Dozen Set – Drop the D
Thrive with 5 – 18.5* 5W, 31* 7I, 46* PW, 56* SW, P
3 and a P – 18.5* 5W, 36* 8I, 56* SW, P
3 Club Cfhallenge – 18.5* 5W, 46* PW, P
1 and Done – 31* 7I
I think about this far too much, but as that great American thespian and golfer, Clint Eastwood said, “A man’s got to know his limitations …” I only use 9 clubs for my Thursday scramble outings. Half set is my “own score” set unless the D is not cooperating, then I go with Half Dozen. I am probably most comfortable with Half Dozen–hit the 5W once (longer par 3), twice (par 4), or 3 times (par5) and then scramble to clean it up.

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joro

Mar 30, 2020 at 10:26 am

No matter what your combo is you are probably finding out your scores are about the same as a full set. One thing is I have found out is that there are fewer decisions than with more clubs to choose from and it also improves your shotmaking to have to speed up or slow down your swing, in other words control the shot. I have tried it all and very little difference in scoring, even to a one time 1 over par with a six iron and a putter. But the main thing is make it fun and learn from it, you would be surprised how it ends up.

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- Acemandrake
  
  Mar 30, 2020 at 11:49 am
  
  All true. Learn while having fun & you’re never “between clubs”. 🙂
  
  Reply Report comment
Karsten's Ghost

Mar 29, 2020 at 7:43 pm

6 clubs, if you must.

Driver, 19h, 6i, 9i, 54, putter.

If it’s down to just one club, I’ll take the 8-iron. I can putt with it.

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Night putter

Mar 28, 2020 at 5:10 pm

7 clubs
2 woods. Driver, 5w Calloways
2 irons . 5 & 8 Hogan edge plus
2 wedges. Pw & sw Ping becu zing2 & eye2
Putters

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tocino

Mar 28, 2020 at 2:36 pm

Driver
3 Hybrid
4, 6, 8, P
58*
Putter

I actually have this setup in the back of my car for whenever i have time to stop by the range after work. The irons are all miss matched between Titleist AP2, 714 AP2, 716 AP2, and a SCOR PW. I’ve been meaning to get a sunday bag to keep everything together. Haven’t tried this set yet playing an actual round but i could probably do “ok” if i had to

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Dane Dresch

Mar 28, 2020 at 10:34 am

Modern 10 Club
Driver
3-wood
19 Hybrid
4 utility Srixon U65 23*
6 Game Improvement Srixon 565 31*
8 Forged Cavity Back Srixon 765 38*
PW Blade Srixon 965 46*
Cleveland RTX 3 52*
Cleveland RTX 3 *60
Cleveland TA Milled 2

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Alex

Mar 27, 2020 at 11:35 pm

Driver, hybrid, 4 iron, 6 iron, 9 iron, 55 wedge, flat stick

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- Bob Jones
  
  Mar 30, 2020 at 10:03 am
  
  Yep. That’s my lineup, too.
  
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Joe Exotic

Mar 27, 2020 at 10:45 pm

What is the driver set at? It’s 8* and set even lower, dang!!

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Josh

Mar 27, 2020 at 9:48 pm

Driver
7 wood
6 iron
8 iron
PW
56
Putter

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- WhoaNellie
  
  Mar 30, 2020 at 10:16 am
  
  Nay laddie. I turn 67 on Friday, arthritic knees, achy right shoulder, decidedly non-hipster. I don’t need 11 clubs to divide up the paltry distance between D and SW.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - WhoaNellie
    
    Mar 30, 2020 at 10:25 am
    
    Also, my vision is going. My comment should be on the post below.
    
    Reply Report comment
Jbone

Mar 27, 2020 at 9:08 pm

Half sets are so hipster

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dave

Mar 27, 2020 at 8:36 pm

Happened to have just posted on this in the thread re Linksoul Color Theory irons the other day. Here’s my post cut and pasted:

Highly recommend trying a short bag. With a short bag I’m currently scoring as well as or better than I ever have with a full bag.

Have always enjoyed playing with one club (usually 4 iron) or three clubs (usually hybrid/5w/7w, 8 iron and putter).

I’ve been playing with only 7 or 8 clubs since early January. D, 3w, 22 deg hybrid, 6i, 8i, (PW), SW, P. Irons are Mizuno MP-69.

Played for a long time with 7 clubs, added PW a few weeks ago. But haven’t scored better since adding it.

I have played to or below my current hcp. in every round since I switched to the short set (about 10 rounds), though admittedly my hcp was a bit high going into the no-score-posting season — it was a 12, usually a 9 or 10.

I also shot my lowest lifetime score on my home course on a crappy cold and wet day in January — WITH 7 CLUBS.

I carry a single strap Jones bag with no stand and it’s an absolute joy to walk our very hilly course with the short bag.

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15th Club

Mar 27, 2020 at 8:16 pm

1. 13* 3 wood
2. 5i
3. 7i
4. 9i
5. 52 gw
6. 58 sw
7. Putter

To whatever extent distance is an issue, I very happily move up a set of tees.
Driver is by far the easiest thing to leave out.

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Knuckles

Mar 27, 2020 at 5:40 pm

Start with the scoring clubs first (the ones I play on 80% of my shots and work it from there).
Putter
56deg
PW
9 iron
7 iron
4 iron
3w tuned to 13.5

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- Gerwyn
  
  Oct 10, 2021 at 2:40 am
  
  Yeah this setup seems like my starting point, I’ll leave a half set in he car, for “emergencies” after work games etc and have a full trundler set option
  
  I Will need a second set of wedges to get the right gapping
  
  Reply Report comment
Jifmoli

Mar 27, 2020 at 5:35 pm

Agree, forget the driver if you want to go below 7 clubs, one-trick pony for me really. But I own 2 and they are expensive so they do go in the bag at times. I vary what I stick in the bag, just for fun and a bit of change:

3w, 5h, 7i, 9i, pw, 56o, p = 7
D, 4h, 6i, 8i, pw, aw, 60o, p = 8

Or extra minimal: 4h, 7i, aw, p

I never play with full sets

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[email protected]

Mar 27, 2020 at 4:36 pm

comment sections is cry baby central get a life

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BringBackOldSchool

Mar 27, 2020 at 4:23 pm

This is truly a lost art. While starting to see a bigger comeback in this new millennium, this is exactly how golfers started out years ago. The half set was, and I believe still is, the best way to start golfers out in this game. It wasn’t until a golfer honed their games with a half set, that they’d graduate to a full set and fill in the needed gaps. I also believe most average golfers hinder their development and play because of all the options of 14 clubs. Imagine if most average golfers played a half set and limited their confusion on the course how faster golf would be? And more enjoyable? I might even solve some of the aliments the game struggles with today?

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Ojhs

Mar 27, 2020 at 2:25 pm

How is a driver the most forgiving club off the tee? And it’s also the only place where you can use it. I’d go driving iron or fw wood without a doubt.

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- gdb99
  
  Mar 30, 2020 at 11:23 am
  
  Because it’s the biggest?
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Ojhs
    
    Apr 8, 2020 at 2:13 pm
    
    Fair enough, guess I confused ‘safe’ and ‘forgiving’. Just thought of most people going literally any other club to play safe.
    
    Reply Report comment
Joey

Mar 27, 2020 at 2:19 pm

Played half-sets for quick rounds after work. Forgot to put the rest back for an outing and raked. Haven’t looked back since.

3W-4H-6-8-PW-56-P

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Max

Mar 27, 2020 at 2:03 pm

Dude, this is Golfwrx. Nobody here is trying to have LESS golf clubs. LoL

But since you planted the seed, maybe I will go and price out a half set of PXG’s.

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- JT Pope
  
  Mar 29, 2020 at 12:15 pm
  
  Lol
  
  Reply Report comment
Acemandrake

Mar 27, 2020 at 1:32 pm

After much trial & error…

12° Driver…24° Hybrid…6…8…PW…SW…Putter (7 total)

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Equipment

Then and now: Comparing Rory McIlroy’s current setup to his record-breaking 2019 Canadian Open victory

Published

1 hour ago

Jun 11, 2026

Alistair Cameron

In Rory McIlroy’s first appearance at the 2019 RBC Canadian Open, he crushed the record books to earn his 16th PGA Tour title in dominating fashion, winning by seven shots over Shane Lowry and Webb Simpson.

McIlroy’s score of 22-under-par 258 is the lowest 72-hole score to date at the Canadian Open, and his closing 61 is also the best final-round score in the history of one of golf’s oldest tournaments. Finally, with his win in 2019, McIlroy became only the sixth player to win the career Triple Crown, adding to his victories at the U.S. Open in 2011 and The Open Championship in 2014, joining Tommy Armour, Walter Hagen, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino and Tiger Woods in a coveted list.

So, with that, why not compare his current setup to the clubs he used to break all the records?

Driver

2019: TaylorMade M5 (9 degrees), Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 70 TX
2026: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees @8), Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7X (45 5/8 inches)

McIroy led the Tour in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee in 2019; he’s doing the same in 2026. Between now and then, McIlroy has switched from the Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 70 TX (a shaft with slightly more feeling in the tip) to the original Fujikura Ventus Black 7X, having just made the change to the heavier version from playing the 60X.

What’s interesting about McIlroy’s 2019 setup is that the weighting on his driver is actually set in the high-draw setting, using the T-Track weighting system, whereas in the Qi4D, he’s currently using a heavily rear-weighted setup. (Two 13-gram weights in the rear and only two 4-gram front weights.)

The TaylorMade M5 driver he played in during his Canadian Open win was the company’s first head that they claimed to design to initially exceed the USGA’s COR limit, and then injected with tuning resin to bring it back in bounds.

Fairway woods

2019: TaylorMade M6 3-wood (15 degrees), Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 80 TX; TaylorMade M5 5-wood (19 degrees), Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 90 TX
2026: TaylorMade Qi4D 3-wood (15 degrees), Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 8X; TaylorMade Qi4D 5-wood (18 degrees), Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 9X

The TaylorMade M6 fairway wood that McIlroy was using during the 2019 season is still in the bag of some of the best golfers on Tour in 2026. Just check out Justin Rose’s winning setup from the Farmers Insurance Open earlier this year. This year, though, McIlroy has still been searching for his top-end-of-the-bag setup, having played both the new Qi4D and the Qi10, which he won the Masters with.

The same shaft swap can be seen in the fairway woods as the driver, along with slightly less loft on the 5-wood.

Irons

2019: TaylorMade P750 (4) Buy here, TaylorMade P730 (5-9), Shafts: Project X 7.0
2026: TaylorMade P760 (4), TaylorMade Rors Proto (5-9), Shafts: Project X 7.0

The biggest difference between McIlroy’s custom set and the stock P730s is the groove design. While the P730s were constructed with 14 MX-9 grooves on their milled faces, McIlroy’s proto heads instead use the higher-spinning, 16-groove layout of the TW2 grooves. Other big differences between the sets are that McIlroy’s 7- and 8-irons have thinner toplines, are 1 degree stronger in loft, and are 1/4 inch longer than the original P730 builds.

With McIlroy’s 4-iron, the switch from P750 to P760 sees a transition to a two-piece construction with Speed Foam in it, which allows McIlroy to launch the ball slightly higher, with more workability.

Wedges

2019: TaylorMade Milled Grind (48-09SB), TaylorMade MG Hi-Toe (52-09SB, 56-09SB, 60-LB09), Shafts: Project X Rifle 6.5
2026: TaylorMade MG5 (46-09SB, 50-09SB, 54-11SB, 60-08LB @61), Shafts: Project X 6.5 (46-54), Project X 6.5 Wedge (60)

Between 2019 and 2026, McIlroy’s focus on his short game has been much more apparent. It was the reason why he switched back to the TP5 golf ball, to help with launch, spin and control with his wedges leading up to his career Grand Slam victory in 2025. The most apparent changes to McIlroy’s wedge setup are his lofts and bounce. He’s slowly delofted his pitching to a sand wedge, but has increased the loft on the lob wedge, bending his current 60-degree to 61. With that, adding more loft to his lob wedge also slightly increases the bounce and leading-edge sit point, so, as a result, he plays a lower-bounce lob wedge compared to 2019. The MG5 wedges are also softer than the first Milled Grind option from 2019. McIlroy also no longer plays the full-face grooves found on the Hi-Toe.

Putter

2019: TaylorMade Spider X
2026: TaylorMade Spider Tour X

Notice anything similar. Yes, the copper finish on Rory McIlroy’s Spider X putter in 2019 is a slightly more reflective finish than the recently released torched PVD finish. McIlroy was using the True Path alignment system, but now uses only a single white sightline.

Ball

2019: 2019 TaylorMade TP5 (#22)
2026: 2025 TaylorMade TP5 (RORS)

As mentioned above, McIlroy had transitioned from the TP5 to TP5x golf ball since his victory in Canada in 2019, but now is black with the same style of golf ball as his victory at Hamilton Golf & Country Club.

Grips

2019: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
2026: Golf Pride MCC

Interesting, McIlroy actually used Golf Pride’s Tour Velvet Cord grips during his victory in 2019 (it was during a 2+ year switch to the corded TV) as opposed to his usual MCC grips, which he has played for most of his career.

Equipment

From the GolfWRX Classifieds: Titleist Vokey Proto Wedges 54M, 60T

Published

4 hours ago

Jun 11, 2026

Will Schube

At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @Putt4Dough is selling some prototype wedges from Vokey Wedgeworks. These include a 54 degree wedge with the M grind and a 60 degree wedge with a T grind.

From the listing:

(1) Titleist Vokey Proto Wedge 54M with a Tour Issue DGS400 shaft and Golf Pride Tour Velvet (logo down). Standard length, lie, and loft. BB&F ferrule. Raw wedge in good condition. No initials. Price is $200 shipped. Buy both wedges for $380 shipped.

(2) Titleist Vokey Proto Wedge 60T with a KBS Tour 130X shaft and Golf Pride Tour Velvet. Standard length, lie, and loft. Raw wedge in good condition. No initials. Price is $200 shipped. Buy both wedges for $380 shipped.

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules.