Per U.S.G.A. rules you can have 14 golf clubs in your bag.You can only have 1 putter, in fact, you can only have one club set up like a putter. For instance, some people have chippers in their bag, these clubs have to be set up like a iron. The rest of the clubs are up to you. Phil Mickelson, for a while, was carrying 2 drivers.
What do you have in your bag? When I got my first set about 7 years ago, I had the typical Driver, #3 and #5 woods, 3 thru SW irons, and a putter. That is 13 clubs, I felt I needed 14. At that time hybrids were in their infancy and they were more like woods than irons, so I got one. I got one that was similar to a #7 wood, it was the first to go.
Then I got rid of the #5 wood. Now, when I get new clubs I only get the Driver and #3 for woods.
I got rid of my Sand Wedge and now i have a 64 degree wedge, in the sand i open the face of my pitching wedge, it works for me. And I now have a Hybrid equal to a #1 iron.
I have a putter also, that makes my set 13 clubs. There is no rule that states I have to have 14 clubs, but I will probably get another wedge.
Basically, my message in this article is this. Get the clubs you use, if you use them you need them, if you don’t use them then you don’t need them. Do not get clubs that the Pro’s use because they use them. I love to watch Tiger play. I am inspired by his playing, he carries a 5 wood and I have no intention of getting one.
If you are new to golf or have no Idea what clubs you need, then get the basic set. Driver, #3 and #5 Fairway Woods, 3 thru 9, PW, Sw Iron set, and a putter. Then if you are not hitting your long Irons, (#3 and #4) try replacing them with some hybrids. Get some wedges if your short game is strong. Experiment, Experiment, Experiment.
As you learn the ways of your clubs don’t worry about the 14-club rule. When you are out with your buddies for round just tell them you are bringing a few extra clubs to try out, as long as you are not in a tournament or league event they shouldn’t mind.
After a few months you should have the perfect set, although, it will only last a month or so before the next best thing comes along.