The rules allow you to carry up to 14 clubs, but they don't say which ones. Many golfers simply carry the set they bought, with a driver, a 3-wood, irons from 4 or 5 to pitching wedge, a sand wedge and a putter. But a set built around your swing speed, your strengths and the courses you play can make the game easier and save shots. Here's how to build the right bag.
The 14-club rule
You may start a round with no more than 14 clubs. Carrying 15 or more brings a penalty. There is no minimum, so you can carry fewer, which many beginners do. Read conforming golf equipment.
A typical set
| Category | Typical clubs | Usual number |
|---|---|---|
| Driver | Driver | 1 |
| Fairway woods | 3-wood, 5-wood or 7-wood | 1 to 3 |
| Hybrids | 3-, 4- or 5-hybrid | 0 to 3 |
| Irons | 4- or 5-iron to 9-iron | 5 to 7 |
| Wedges | Pitching, gap, sand and lob wedges | 2 to 4 |
| Putter | Putter | 1 |
Step 1: Gap the long game
Start with your driver and work down:
- Find your longest club you hit reliably from the fairway. For many golfers, that's a 5-wood or a hybrid rather than a 3-wood.
- Fill the gap between the driver and that club with one wood if needed.
- Replace long irons you struggle with by hybrids or a 7-wood. Read hybrid golf clubs explained and fairway woods: how to choose and hit them.
- Check gaps of 10 to 15 yards between each club, using your average carry, not your best.
Use our club distance chart to map your distances.
Step 2: Gap the wedges
Modern iron sets often have strong lofts, so the pitching wedge may be 43° to 46°. That can leave a large gap to a 56° sand wedge. Fill it with a gap wedge.
| Example wedge set-up | Lofts |
|---|---|
| Two wedges | Pitching wedge (45°), sand wedge (56°): large gap |
| Three wedges | Pitching (45°), gap (50°), sand (56°) |
| Four wedges | Pitching (45°), gap (50°), sand (54° to 56°), lob (58° to 60°) |
Aim for 4° to 6° between wedges. Read golf wedges guide: loft and bounce.
Example sets for different golfers
Beginner (half set, 8 to 10 clubs)
- Driver or 3-wood
- 5-wood or hybrid
- 6-, 8-iron and pitching wedge (or 6 to 9 and PW)
- Sand wedge
- Putter
Read golf for beginners: the complete guide.
High handicapper
- Driver (10.5° or more)
- 5-wood, 7-wood
- 4-hybrid, 5-hybrid
- 6-iron to pitching wedge
- Gap wedge, sand wedge
- Putter
Mid handicapper
- Driver, 3-wood, 5-wood or hybrid
- 4- or 5-iron to pitching wedge
- Gap, sand and possibly lob wedge
- Putter
Low handicapper
- Driver, 3-wood, hybrid or driving iron
- 4-iron to pitching wedge
- Three wedges
- Putter
Senior or slower swing speed
- Driver with more loft
- 5-wood, 7-wood, 9-wood
- Two or three hybrids
- 7-iron to pitching wedge
- Gap and sand wedge
- Putter
Read golf for seniors and women's golf clubs.
Adjust for your course and conditions
- Long, open courses: more woods and hybrids.
- Short, tight courses: a driving iron or extra wedge instead of a 3-wood.
- Links and windy courses: a long iron or driving iron for low shots. Read how to play golf in the wind.
- Courses with many bunkers or elevated greens: an extra wedge.
- Winter: more lofted clubs, as the ball flies shorter. Read winter golf.
Play to your strengths
- Great wedge player? Carry four wedges and drop a long club.
- Struggle off the tee? Carry a reliable fairway finder, such as a 3-wood or hybrid.
- Never use a club? Replace it with something you will use.
Signs your set needs changing
- Large gaps where two clubs go a similar distance, or one gap is much bigger than others.
- Clubs you never use or never hit well.
- Lots of awkward half shots inside 100 yards.
- Changes in your swing speed over time.
Read custom golf club fitting.
Frequently asked questions
How many clubs can I carry?
Up to 14 clubs. There's no minimum.
Do I need a 3-wood?
Not necessarily. Many golfers hit a 5-wood more consistently and nearly as far.
How many wedges should I carry?
Three or four for most golfers, with loft gaps of about 4° to 6°.
Should beginners carry 14 clubs?
No. A half set of 8 to 10 clubs is simpler and cheaper, and plenty to learn with.
The bottom line
The best 14 clubs for you have even distance gaps, replace hard-to-hit long irons with easier options, cover short distances with well-gapped wedges and suit the courses you play. Map your distances, fill the gaps, and rethink your set as your game changes. For more on choosing equipment, read how to choose golf clubs.