Equipment
Is golf with fewer clubs more fun?
There have been plenty of interesting golf trends over recent years: White-headed drivers, black steel shafts, driving irons, combo sets, custom headcovers, and direct-to-consumer brands, just to name a few.
But my favorite trend right now is all about playing golf with sets of fewer than 14 clubs.
Social media is full of accounts* advocating smaller sets, half-size bags, one club golf and other ways to get out and on the course as easily and efficiently as possible, with many arguing it is the most fun way to play. Given the necessity for walking courses in many places these days, it is no wonder that these trends are gaining more traction all the time.
@lessthan14
Smaller sets are not just about reducing the impact on the backs of players carrying their clubs; it is incredible how many people claim their scores are improving under the newer and more efficient layout in their Sunday bags. To my own surprise, I am one of those players.
The other thing about smaller sets is that they are all individual. Personally, I was having fewer swings of my 3 and 4 irons than I was rounds of golf, so they came out of the bag, and I have somehow been shooting lower scores. I could probably take out another one or two if I really wanted to, but for now, I am most comfortable with 12 clubs, and I don’t feel like there is any need for a manufactured swing or shot that I might come across.
@mackenziegolfbags
For many, it is the manufactured shots and the creativity required in a half bag that triggers the appeal. The need to curve shots and play to different distances with clubs you wouldn’t usually hit brings back a relationship to the game of golf that many believe has gone missing in the era of higher, straighter and longer shots which are the standard in today’s game.
Where a player comes to a shot that is in between clubs in a half set, they need to really commit to a shot that you may not need in a full set of clubs. This has been an awakening for some who otherwise may not be able to give total commitment to a shot that is ‘pretty close’ to the right number for them. Some get a bigger kick out of bunting a half 7-iron up to a green that would have otherwise been a stock standard 8 iron.
In fact, Donald Ross said it best with the following:
“In playing golf for more than 50 years, I don’t believe there ever was a round in which I used more than six clubs. Today there’s a stick in the sack for every shot. Golfers used to be made on the golf course. Now they are made in the machine shops.”
@mashie_melbourne
The clubs in today’s sets are also supportive of a bag with fewer clubs. A 5 iron today is the loft of a 3 iron of the past, and we are all hitting driver long enough not to need all the clubs in the bag that used to get a workout. Bomb and gougers who have always said that they only need driver and a wedge into the longest par 4s, can now rejoice and talk about how they used fewer clubs in the bag way before it was cool.
If you are looking to join the smaller set society, and you are looking to enter with a bang, try it out with clubs which are 20 or more years old. Throw a persimmon or two in there, and you are an even bigger deal on the small bag circuit. If the bag you are using is from the workshops of Mackenzie or Seamus, then you are playing in the big leagues of the small sets!
For now, I am a smaller set player of 12 or fewer clubs, and I feel like I am not leaving any shots on the table. If I played in a tournament, I would probably put in the extras just in case, but I also probably wouldn’t use them.
Fewer clubs slide straight in and out of the car and make it easier to walk to the tee, play at a good pace around the course, and I have felt noticeably better the day after my rounds with the lighter load. There is no way that fewer clubs will be mandated in the rules of golf, but they are one more way for me to play faster and maximise my enjoyment of the game we all love.
There are many different setups out there, but my fantasy current and classic half sets are below:
Current
Driver: TaylorMade SIM (9-degrees)
3-Hybrid: TaylorMade SIM Max
Irons: Miura Color Theory or National Custom fitted set
Wedge: TaylorMadeHi-Toe (58-degrees)
Putter: Scotty Cameron 009
(In my fantasy set I also have a good putting stroke…)
Bag: Mackenzie Waxed Canvas Custom
Classic ~20 years old
Driver: TaylorMade R510TP
Fairway Wood: Titleist PT (17-degrees)
Irons: Wilson Staff Tour Blades (5-7, 9-PW)
Wedge: Cleveland Classic 691 (58-degrees)
Putter: Ping O Blade
Bag: Ping Hoofer classic
Here are also some Instagram accounts to get you started or add to your collection of accounts
- @lessthan14
- @mackenziegolfbag (The original and arguably still the best small bags)
- @seamusgolf & @fescueproject
- @halflightbagco
- @mashie_melbourne
- @jones_sports_co
- @travelingsundaybag
- @miuragolf (Miura Color Theory)
- @taylormadegolf (obviously not exclusively less, but have been pushing the quiver more than ever)
- @sundaygolfbag
- @nationalcustom
Cameron Young’s WITB from his win at the 2025 Wyndham Championship. Cameron is a Titleist staff player but his bag is definitely filled with some unique clubs. Here are the clubs he used to secure his first PGA Tour win!
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus HB Black VeloCore+ 10 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (4), Titleist T100 (5), Titleist 631.CY Prototype (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7 (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F @57), WedgeWorks (60-K* @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Prototype
- Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist GT3 (10 degrees, C2 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X Denali Blue 60 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 7 X
7-wood: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 X
Irons: Titleist T150 (4, 5), Titleist T100 (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper AMT Tour White X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 52-12F, 56-08M @57, 60-04T @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron Studio Style Fastback 1.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Yellow
We’re proud to once again partner with 2nd Swing Golf to bring you GolfWRX Members Choice 2025! 2nd Swing has more than 150,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.
What is the best driver in 2025? At GolfWRX, we take great pride in our online community and the cumulative knowledge and experience of our members. When it comes to the best driver of 2025, we want to know what our forum faithful think.
Since our founding in 2005, the bedrock of GolfWRX.com has been the community of passionate and knowledgeable golfers in our forums, and we put endless trust in the opinions of our GolfWRX members — the most knowledgeable community of golfers on the internet. No other group of golfers in the world tests golf clubs as frequently or as extensively, nor is armed with such in-depth information about the latest technology.
Below are the results of GolfWRX member voting for the 2025 best driver, along with the vote percentage for each club.
Best driver of 2025: The top 5
5. Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond: 6.02%
Callaway’s pitch: “For golfers looking for a fast, forgiving, yet workable driver, the Elyte Triple Diamond features a tour-inspired shape and is the preferred model by most Callaway tour players.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond here.
4. Ping G440 Max: 6.86%
Ping’s pitch: “The most forgiving G440 model, MAX has a hotter face to generate speed and distance, and a lighter overall system weight with a longer shaft (46″) for faster clubhead speed, higher launch and longer carries. The Free Hosel and Carbonfly Wrap crown save weight to create our lowest CG ever and increase forgiveness while contributing to a more muted, pleasing sound.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 Max here.
3. Ping G440 LST: 9.53%
Ping’s pitch: “LST is an especially good fit for faster swings, offering less spin and more control with a penetrating trajectory. A hotter face, lighter overall system weight and longer shaft (46″) deliver more speed and distance while maintaining tight dispersion.”
@phizzy30: “Not a fan of Ping drivers in general, but 440 LST takes the cake. It’s super forgiving across the face for a low spin head, looks and sounds good and the ability to make it play neutral or slightly fade biased through the hosel settings is very appealing.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 LST here.
2. Titleist GT3: 16.55%
Titleist’s pitch: “The GT3 Driver offers Titleist’s boldest combination of power and personalization through adjustable performance. Dial in the CG Track to your frequent contact location to make your biggest drives even bigger while taking total control over flight and shaping.”
@mrmikeac: “I’ve been Anti-Titleist for years and years and years (outside of Vokey, of course). With that being said, HOLY BEGEEZUS the GT3 driver is an absolute NUCLEAR MONSTER! This thing blew my G430 10K Max out of the water in every single category. Forgiveness is the biggest thing that stands out of me, the 3 model has always been one of the less forgiving models in the past but this GT3 can take bad shot after bad shot and still end up in the fairway, I think a ton of that has to do with the adjustability, it’s actually effective. Feel and sound is perfect, that solid crack is so addicting to hear and when you hit it out the screws this thing can absolutely bomb it. Titleist, I’m sorry for doubting you. You have converted me.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT3 here.
1. Titleist GT2: 22.91%
Titleist’s pitch: “Delivering impressive distance from any impact point, the Titleist GT2 Driver extracts maximum performance through a forgiving design. Get the stability and added confidence of a high-MOI driver without sacrificing speed.”
@DTorres: “The Titleist GT2 has proven to be the best driver of the year. Packaged in a classic profile, GT2 perfectly balances performance and forgiveness while consistently being a high performer across all categories.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT2 here.
Other drivers receiving >2% of the vote
| Driver | Vote percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| Cobra DS Adapt Max K | 4.85% |
| Ping G430 Max 10K | 3.85% |
| Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond | 3.68% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 | 3.51% |
| Callaway Elyte | 3.18% |
| Cobra DS Adapt X | 2.34% |
| Cobra DS Adapt LS | 2.17% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 LS | 2.17% |
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