Not sure what it says about me - but I played yesterday with just a 7iron, PW and putter. Just talking crap while eating breakfast and morphed into a semi-bet. I shot an 83. 81 is my best score ever and generally I shoot between 84-89. I am terrible off the tee box and always find myself in trouble but my short game saves me.

I suck at golf but I am really surprised I was just fine score wise, in fact on the better side of my norm, with just three clubs. And not even the most optimal clubs. I didn't hit a single ball out of bounds obviously. I did put one in the water on a par three with a 170 yard carry to land. I just can't hit a 7 that far.

It was fun from the perspective of having to get creative with the 7 to hit different shots and really trying to control distance at less than a 100% shot.

I've always known that if I could hit decent tee-shots I would shoot under 80 often. But I can't seem to improve. The problem is that practice does not seem to help. I can go to the range with a driver and by the fifth shot I'll be striping them as I adjust with each shot. I just can't seem to repeat it off the tee after hitting other clubs.

Maybe I could benefit from a lesson on how to prepare myself to hit a drive properly.

I'm a 1 handicap and I couldn't shoot 83 with just those clubs. Not having a club that goes 200 seems to make this almost impossible.

You should look at this as a big lesson in course management instead of worrying about your driver. FWIW, at my home course there are days I only hit my driver 7 times.

With a little practice you can hit an intentional skull with a 7-iron that goes in the 200+ range.

I've played 9 holes several times with only a 5-iron, it's fun and great practice.

BO

Totally depends on the course. I could never do it from the tips at a modern 7500 yard monster with forced carries everywhere but could probably do it (on a good short game day) at my home course.

Yeah, I don't play from the tips. Not good enough. Play the middle. Course I played is 6400 from those tees and is not overly difficult.

Bo is right about the driver. I hit it too much and I think I certainly learned that lesson.

Depending on the tees Id think you would surprise yourself. I played 1 round before from like 6700 with just a 6 iron and a putter and I shot 82 or 83 (dont remember exactly) and this was with no practice whatsoever and I had to use the 6 iron until I was actually on the putting surface. It is easier than you think

I think I could nuke a power-hook 200+ yards with a 7 iron off the tee. But doing that on approach shots from the fairway would lead to a lot of trouble or won't even be possible with trees in the way. Stock is 170 and I'll be handcuffed on almost all par 4s and my home course is 6700 tipped out. They are just too far to get there in 2.

I'm a big proponent of being able to shoot well with limited clubs, but that's with at least a 4 iron or longer in the bag. Without a long club you just won't be anywhere near a GIR on a bunch of holes, so getting it up and down for par will be less and less likely. So for the OP to shoot 83 without being able to hit a 7 iron 170 is incredible.

I'd probably take a 6 iron instead of the 7, but this doesn't surprise me. If I lose 0 golf balls, I have a hard time shooting above about 74 (obviously this is with a full set). Problem is, I often lose 3-4 balls on yippy drives. I stopped hitting woods for a bit, and shot mostly in the 75-78 range (of course, 3 iron is plenty of club on a 6600 yd course).

That being said, I don't really hit drivers on holes where I shouldn't be hitting it (where a lot of people do). I just have some mental issues with woods off the tee, and have for a few years.

I hit 0 drivers if I happen to play a stroke play tournament (unless it's ridiculously open)... but even though I might do better not hitting it in just for fun rounds, I play for the thrill of potentially having a ridiculous round.

i have wondered about this myself.... i definitely should think about diallilng things way back off the tee as i'm wild with driver AND very good with FW (both teed and from fairway/rough)... i would go even further to ask whether i actually drive the ball that much further than a very low lofted hybrid as the latter rolls like mad but driver doesn't.

and i think higher handicap people also harm themselves at the wedge end by playing too many wedges and fancy shots... i had a great short game as a teenager with just a pitching wedge. now i have 3-4 wedges (incl. pitching wedge) and i'd argue my chip/pitch game is much worse.

Well hell Roy McAvoy parred out with a 7 iron to qualify for the US Open.

Like this thread though, giving me some ideas for potential prop bets with golf buddies.