Half-set of 5 patina Vega Golf Clubs on a wooden background

What is a half-set of golf clubs?

Half-Sets

Before we look at what a half-set is, let's consider a more traditional set up. A  full set of golf clubs contains 14 clubs. 30 years ago sets were very standard, with driver, 3 & 5 woods. Irons then would be something like 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 and a pitching wedge and sand wedge, as well as a mandatory putter.. The theory was to have maybe 10-12 yard gapping (between the distances each club would hit the ball).

However,  this was very theoretical. In practice, hitting long irons like 2,3, 4 needs not only technique, but also a bit of power. Thankfully times have moved on. Most players benefit from having more wedges, and less long clubs in the bag, So these hard to hit long irons have often made way for one or more wedges at the end of the set. And the gaps left by these long irons are often made up by easier to hit woods like 7 woods, and "hybrids" 

A half set, in golf terms, is then, as you would expect, just half  a set or 7 clubs (many half-sets might be a little more than 7, like maybe eight or nine clubs).  So a set now might have something like a driver, 3 hybrid, 5, 7, 9, SW, putter.

Why use a half-set?

If you can have up to 14 clubs, why would you restrict yourself to just seven? Well, there are a number of reasons.

It's Cheaper

Whether buying new or second hand, less clubs equals less money, so lots of potential for savings. Some people might take a full set of clubs, and sell the odds as one half-set, and the evens as another. 

Of course if you already have a set of clubs, then it couldn't be any cheaper, as you can just leave half your clubs at home.

It's Lighter

I'm a big fan of carrying my clubs, as opposed to using trolleys or even (gasp) buggies! Obviously with only half the clubs in the bag, the bag should now way little more than half the weight (excluding the weight of the bag itself, balls, etc.)

It's Simpler

A massive one here, is having less clubs makes you much more confident in your decision making. Instead of having 12 yard gaps between clubs, you now have 20-30 yard gaps. So when it comes to yardages the choice is often very simple.  It also helps speed up play. Since you have to spend less time debating clubs it's much easier to just pull the closest club to your number.

It Builds Imagination

If it does make you more decisive, it also helps you be more imaginative. If you typically hit most of your shorts around the green with a 60 degree lob wedge, how will you adjust now that the only wedge you have is only a 52 degree gap wedge? 

As mentioned above, your yardage gaps are often bigger as well. So you end up taking more club more often, and learn how to swing smoothly and take yardage off. This is a great skill that transfers back when your playing with a full set again. After a few rounds of hitting controlled shots you become less likely to just hit shots full out.

It's Fun to Build a Bag

We're big fans of WITB (what's in the bag) posts on Instagram. But part of the fun of building a half-set is figuring out what trade-offs to make, what 50% of the clubs can you use for 90% of the shots around the course? Do you go with a driver, hybrid, some irons and a wedge? Or mini-driver or 3 wood? Are you happy to give up a long iron, for a second wedges? It's actually a nice thought exercise that I would encourage everyone to go through.

Example Half-Set

As an example, here the half-set I'm currently playing with. Of course depending on the weather and course (wet parkland vs windy links), some clubs might get swapped. But it's a good starting point.

So while there is a big gap between my driver and 7 wood, as a fairway wood it offers a lot of flexibility. Gapping between that and the 5 iron is similar to that of a 3 iron, so all the way down to gap wedge the gapping is roughly 25 yards between clubs. That consistent gapping then allows me to have a stock 3/4 shot that knocks just over 10 yards off each club.  And while I'm giving up a little length off the fairways, since I'm not a massive hitter I don't commonly get home in 2 on par 5s anyway. 
And why a 52 degree instead of a 56 or 60? The gapping as mentioned above is a big factor. But I also really like that wedge. And growing up on links I'm happy not needing a huge pile of bounce on the sole. 

And, at the end of the day, if I do want to add in a 60 or something, having 8 clubs instead of 7 isn't exactly a crime either! 

Conclusion

There are a huge number of advantages to playing a half-set, and it's definitely my preferred option, especially for casual golf on courses I know. Of course for competitions and brand new courses I will often switch back to a full set. 

But I don't think I've ever had a round of golf with a half-set that I didn't enjoy

Mícheál Halpin

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