Choosing the Right Clubs in Your Bag (In VR and Real Life)

In golf, a player is limited to carrying 14 clubs in their bag. According to the Rules of Golf, once a round begins, a player may not replace any club in the bag unless it has been damaged by external forces or natural elements. With this rule in mind, professionals often adjust the setup of their bags between tournaments and even between rounds, based on the course conditions and weather forecasts. So, what is the strategy behind setting up your game (and bag) for success?

The Key Difference in How Players Set Up Their Bags

The biggest differentiator in bag setup is the number of wedges (the highest lofted clubs) a player chooses to carry.

A player carrying four wedges will typically have a Pitching Wedge (≈46°), Gap Wedge (≈50°), Sand Wedge (≈54°), and Lob Wedge (≈60°). This four-wedge setup adds versatility to the short game because it provides more variations in loft to hit different types of chip shots around the green. It also allows for better distance gapping on those 50-130 yard approach shots, reducing the likelihood of being "in between" clubs during scoring opportunities.

Assuming most players carry a driver, putter, and 5-iron through 9-iron, a four-wedge setup leaves room for three additional clubs. The most common additions are combinations of a 3-wood, 4-wood, 7-wood (which is becoming increasingly popular), and hybrids (which have the same loft as an iron but a face similar to woods for added forgiveness).

Should I Switch to a Three Wedge Setup?

The downside of a four-wedge bag, particularly for average golfers who don't have the distance of professionals, is that it can create gapping issues for longer approach shots.

For a typical mid-handicapper with an average swing speed of 100 mph, data shows the expected carry distances for various clubs:

3 Wood: 215 yards
5 Wood: 205 yards
Hybrid: 200 yards
4 Iron: 180 yards
5 Iron: 170 yards

If a player carries four wedges, a 5-iron through 9-iron, a 3 wood, a 5 wood, and a hybrid, that leaves significant gapping issues between 170 and 200 yards.

This is where scouting the course ahead of time becomes crucial. If a course has multiple longer par-3s or par-4s that regularly require approach shots from 170+ yards, it may be beneficial to swap out one of the wedges (typically the gap wedge) and insert an extra wood or hybrid to cover those longer distances.

Additionally, hybrids and rescue clubs, because of their clubface design, offer more versatility for hitting shots from various lies compared to standard irons. If a course has punishing rough flanking the fairways or a variety of fairway bunkers, an extra hybrid can be useful to better advance the ball when you miss the fairway.

Setting Up Your VR Golf Bag in GOLF+

The same principles that apply to setting up your game for success in real life also apply in GOLF+, where players can swap clubs in and out prior to a round. This is particularly helpful in the GOLF+ TOUR events, where players can play a practice round (just like the pros) to scout out the wind conditions, tee positions, and hole locations.

Maybe from the back tees, you find you're consistently in between clubs on long approach shots and need to add a hybrid, or from the front tees, you're faced with delicate shots that require more precise distance gapping with your wedges.

While the iron set (3-iron to pitching wedge), driver, and putter are not replaceable, players can customize their bag by replacing wedges with woods and hybrids.

To replace a wedge or hybrid:
1. Click the Golf Bag on the right bar of the menu.
2. Select "View All Items"
3. Find the wedge, hybrid or wood you want to add to your setup and select "Equip & Replace"
4. Select the club you want to replace it with and the new club will be added to your setup!

Remember that your bag setup is the first step in setting your game up for success, whether in real life or in VR. Pay attention to tee locations, course layout, and wind conditions when deciding on the best setup for you.