USGolfer.net Golf Tip for December, 2001.

What's in your bag?

After a player wins a tournament the magazines usually list what clubs were in his/her bag. I find it very interesting to see what types of clubs that players used to win, not necessarily the brand but the make up of the set. How many woods, irons, and wedges a player has usually can tell you what type of player that individuals is.

For instance, power players such as Tiger Woods and John Daly may carry only two woods (driver and 2/3 wood) and 8 irons (2 iron through 9 iron) and three wedges. I have even seen some power players with as many as four wedges.

For these players distance is no problem. Accuracy in their short game is where they must excel to play their best. Therefore, they choose to carry several wedges with varying degrees of loft. This gives them the best chance of success in controlling their distance and direction with an aggressive swing. After all, they are power players and backing off on any club is not instinctive for them.

Now lets look at a player like Annika Sorenstam. She and many of the LPGA tour players carry as many as four or five woods (driver, three, five, seven, and nine). Since they do not possess the physical strength of a John Daly they rely on choosing the clubs that are best for finesse player. A finesse player may not only carry four woods, he or she may also carry three wedges. Since they are not as long as other players, finesse players may need to rely on a tremendous short game to achieve their desired goals. Annika just finished one of the best golf season any male or female has every achieved. She didn't do it with power, but with swing fundamentals, hard work, a will to succeed and the right tools for her game.

Are you carrying the right tools to play your best golf this season? Don't wait until the snow melts to decide. Start evaluating your game and your equipment now. Think of where you have the most difficulty. Ask yourself the following questions: Am I long off the tee? Do I hit a high percentage of greens in regulation? How many times do I chip the ball close enough to the hole to one putt? Do I have clubs in my bag that I cannot or will not use? What clubs will help me improve the most?

The USGA rules allow you to carry 14 clubs. Make sure you are carrying 14 clubs that you can and will use and that will give you the best chance or playing your best golf this season.