Being a subscriber to Golf Monthly and an equipment fanatic, I look forward to receiving each new edition and skipping straight to the equipment section with special interest in the ‘what’s in the bag’ section. Being like most single figure golfers I have always based my equipment on what the pros use, to the extreme that if it were not for the recent move to rescue clubs I’d probably still be struggling with those long irons. More recently I’ve enjoyed your online equipment blogs discussing your own equipment and the dilemmas you face, which has really struck a note with me. I’ve really spotted some similarities and because of this would like to see more in the magazine, maybe ‘what’s in the bag’ for amateurs, with advice on any changes.
 
See below what clubs I carry and the constant dilemma I face when passing a golf shop.
 
Driver: Last month I bought a G10 10.5 degree with a Proforce V2 high launch shaft. This was after 16 years of playing golf (the majority of which playing to a 5 handicap), I finally went on a launch monitors which said that my G5 9 degree driver with an NV shaft was hitting well below the 13-14 launch angle advised. Touch wood, this has really helped my consistency and the extra carry is really noticeable in the wet winter conditions.
 
3 wood: TaylorMade 13-degree V steel with a steel shaft. This has been my saviour off the tee, but since getting my 10.5 degree driver, I’m weighing up getting a more lofted G10 3 wood with the same shaft, which will help me off the fairway. But with this comes the worry that it won’t be as good of the tee.
 
Utility: I have finally found a utility that isn’t too heavy, regularly pulling the ball. I originally had a TaylorMade rescue which when hit stayed hit but generally had the odd pull OB. I then bought a Mizuno CLK Fli-Hi, which in addition to the odd pull also had the odd thin too. But I now carry a Ping 18 degree rapture. The only real issue I have here is that I don’t carry a 3 iron so have to hit the odd knock-down shot with it. I have experimented with also carrying a 21-degree but generally see little gap between distance and don’t wish to take out a wedge.
 
Irons: Titleist 690CB 4-PW and the oldest clubs in the bag, almost 6 years. This is an area which although overall I’m happy with these irons (visually), I probably don’t consider myself a good iron player, whether this is down to technique or equipment I’m not sure. As a result I’m thinking about testing the new Ping S57s to see if they offer any more consistency whist keeping the playability of a blade-type iron.
 
Wedges: 50 and 56-degree Titleist Vokey and a 60 degree Cleveland 588 tour action. Although I consider my play around the green to be my strength (despite being made fun of the fact I always use the 60 degree wedge), my full shots are poor. As a result I’ve considered swapping my gap wedge to a semi-cavity and also carrying a stronger SW and LW (54 and 58), oh and I’ve also toyed with buying a spin milled LW for those hard summer conditions. Despite these thoughts, I’ve resisted buying anything new on the grounds that these clubs are perfectly good and any change will not reap any major improvements.................. or will they
 
Putter: Long story, a lot of trade ins and substitutes waiting on the subs bench. But recently have found some consistency since cutting an old 2 ball down to 33 inches.
 
Ball: During the summer I generally use a pro V, but not really sure which one suits me. I did win a dozen Srixon URCs, but struggled with the firm cover around the green. During the winter months I’ve be using Srixon AD333, which are cheap and when it’s wet lose little in the spin department, whilst having good feel.
 
Where next?

Sergio Garcia: What’s in the bag?
Padraig Harrington: What’s in the bag?
Ian Poulter: What’s in the bag?
Jeev Milkha Singh: What’s in the bag?

Golf Monthly Forum: Tell us what’s in your bag  

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