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
Equipment
Tour Edge unveils all-new Exotics mini driver
Tour Edge Golf has today introduced the all-new Exotics mini driver, engineered to deliver a powerful combination of speed, control, and versatility in the long game.
The Exotics Mini combines a titanium face with a stainless-steel body in design to balance ball speed with stability and control, creating a versatile option at the top end of the bag.

At the core of the design is Tour Edge’s proprietary Combo Brazing technology, a high-precision thermal bonding process that seamlessly fuses a titanium cup face to a stainless-steel body into a single, continuous structure. By eliminating energy loss found in traditional multi-piece constructions, Combo Brazing is designed to deliver faster face response, more efficient energy transfer, and a uniquely powerful yet controlled feel.

The multi-material construction also allows mass to be positioned lower and deeper in the head in a bid to increase stability, while the thin titanium face is engineered to maintain ball speed across a wider impact area.

“While the initial goal was to enhance control and versatility in the long game, Combo Brazing ultimately drove measurable gains in ball speed and distance within the mini driver category. In robot testing, we’ve documented higher ball speeds, higher launch, reduced spin, and increased carry and total distance compared to leading models.” – Vice President of R&D Matt Neeley

In addition to distance performance, the Exotics mini emphasizes forgiveness through a heavier stainless-steel body that shifts mass toward the perimeter. This configuration increases MOI relative to traditional all-titanium mini drivers, helping preserve ball speed and directional stability on off-center strikes. Paired with Pyramid Face Technology from the Exotics metalwood line, the design is intended to support consistent speed across the face.

To further enhance MOI, a lightweight carbon fiber crown frees additional mass that is strategically repositioned low and deep in the head in design to improve stability and promote optimal launch with controlled spin.

“We designed the Mini to be about five millimeters shallower than other mini drivers on the market. That change improves playability off the deck. From a clean fairway lie, it can function as a strong 3-wood alternative while still providing control off the tee.” – Tour Edge CEO David Glod
An adjustable hosel system allows for loft and lie tuning to dial in trajectory and shot shape, while a fixed 13-gram rear weight helps stabilize the head through impact to improve dispersion consistency. The Exotics Mini Driver is available in 11.5 and 13.5-degree lofts in right-handed models.

Pricing & Availability
The Exotics Mini Driver is available for pre-order beginning today for $399.99 USD at touredge.com, and will be available for purchase at retail outlets worldwide on May 22, 2026.
Equipment
Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss
In our forums, our members have been pitting a Srixon ZXi combo against a TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo. WRXer ‘edutch22’ is on the hunt for a new set of irons and kicks off the thread saying:
“Looking at picking up a new set of irons and think I’ve narrowed it down to Srixon ZXi combo or Taylormade P7CB/770 combo. I am currently a 5 cap and allbeit I feel irons are my weakness. My miss is a little to the toe side. I am decently steep at 4-5 down. Always thought I am high spin but recently on trackman my 7 was spinning at 5800 roughly.
My question or looking for thoughts on which one would benefit me more from a forgiveness standpoint? Or is there another iron is should be looking at entirely? I only get to play about once or twice a week, if I am not playing a 2-3 day event. Thanks in advance.”
And our members have been sharing their thoughts and suggestions in response.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- manima1: “You just can’t go wrong with Srixon ZXi7.”
- MattM97: “You have to hit them to know, the V-Sole on the Srixon can be make or break for many.”
- dmeeksDC: “P7CB is more forgiving for me than ZXi7 because my main miss is low middle and the P7CB still flies and spins great on that miss. These are both really nice irons but I like the P7CB more than the Zxi7 and the P770 (or P790) more than the Zxi5. The Srixons are larger so if that gives you confidence that is the way to go. I don’t feel like I get any benefit from the V-sole and the P7CBs live up to their high Maltby forgiveness rating so the TaylorMades have been great for me.”
Entire Thread: “Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”
Equipment
From the GolfWRX Classifieds: 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo
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, @pianoman0123 has a 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo up for grabs.

From the listing: “2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade Combo. 4-8 irons are CB’s and the 9,PW are Blades. 5-PW have Project X 6.0 Shafts and the 4 Iron has a Steelfiber CW110 Stiff Shaft. Standard Length, Lie and Lofts. These are in very good condition the shafts just don’t work for me. Like new Lamkin Grips on the 5-PW and a stock Golf Pride on the 4 Iron. $525 OBO.”
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
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