Whose bag should you really be copying?

Let’s start with the obvious: yes, PGA Tour players are freakishly good. They hit 7-irons 190+ yards, swing drivers north of 120 mph, and can hold a green with a 4-iron from 230 like they’re tossing darts. So naturally, a lot of amateur golfers (especially the guys) try to model their gear after the likes of Rory, Scottie or JT. 

But here’s the hard truth: for most of us, trying to copy a PGA Tour player’s setup is like putting racing slicks on a Camry and wondering why it’s not winning a NASCAR race. You’re not playing the same game, and you’re definitely not playing the same course.  

If you want to lower your scores, hit more greens, and actually enjoy the game, your set should probably look a lot more like an LPGA pro’s bag. 

Let’s talk yardages 

LPGA players tend to average between 230–260 yards off the tee. Sound familiar? That’s where most weekend warriors (especially average male golfers) live. PGA Tour pros? They’re out there nuking it 300+ and hitting wedges into par 4s you’re still pulling hybrid on. 

If you’re building a set to play smart, consistent golf from 6,200 yards, you want a bag designed to cover the same yardages you actually play, not some fantasy 7,400-yard championship layout in your head. I know I gave up on my Masters dream years ago. 

Loft is your friend 

PGA Tour players often use 8 to 10-degree drivers, 13.5 to 15-degree 3-woods, and irons that are bent strong enough to double as crowbars. That’s because they generate A LOT of speed and want to keep spin down. You? You’re probably trying to get the ball in the air and stop it on the green. That’s exactly what LPGA players are optimizing for. 

Check out a typical LPGA setup: 

– Driver: 10.5–12 degrees 

– 3-wood: 15–17 degrees (if they carry one) 

– 5- or 7-wood in the bag (sometimes both) 

– Hybrids starting at 4 or even 5 

– Irons from 6 or 7 down through wedges 

This setup prioritizes launch, forgiveness, and gapping that actually makes sense for human swing speeds. Sound familiar? It should. 

Hybrids are not a sign of weakness 

Here’s a fun stat: many LPGA players carry multiple hybrids. They hit them into par 5s, long par 3s and tight fairways with ease and confidence. You know who struggles to do that with a 3-iron or 4-iron? You. Me. Almost everyone. 

The average male golfer swings their driver around 90–95 mph. That puts their 4-iron in a sketchy range where it’s more of a guessing game than a reliable club. Hybrids cover those distances more consistently and launch the ball high enough to actually hold a green. 

Still think hybrids are for your grandpa? Newsflash: you’re probably not getting paid to shape a low draw around a tree from 220. But you can hit a hybrid that lands soft from that yardage and gives you a look at birdie. Or par, no judgement. 

Forgiveness beats flair 

Most PGA Tour irons are forged blades or small cavity-backs with thin toplines and zero offset. Beautiful? Sure. Useful for you? Not even a little. 

LPGA players, on the other hand, are more likely to use forgiving cavity-backs, especially in the longer irons. Some even use game-improvement or players-distance models that blend forgiveness and feel. You don’t have to apologize for choosing clubs that help you hit more greens and shoot lower scores. 

Would you rather have a pretty 6-iron in the bag you can’t hit, or one that puts you on the green twice as often? 

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Set composition that makes sense 

Let’s build a typical LPGA-style set that would suit most amateur male golfers beautifully: 

– Driver: 10.5–11.5 degrees (more loft = more launch and carry) 

– 3-wood: 15–16.5 degrees 

– 5-wood or 7-wood: 18–21 degrees 

– 4-hybrid, 5-hybrid (maybe even 6-hybrid) 

– Irons from 6 or 7-PW, cavity-back or players-distance 

– 3 wedges: 50°, 54°, 58° (or whatever matches your gapping) 

– Putter that suits your stroke, not your favorite Tour player’s brand deal 

That’s a 13 or 14-club setup that covers all the right gaps, maximizes forgiveness, and gives you the best chance to shoot your best scores. There’s no 3-iron. No delusions. No ego. Just smart tools for the job. 

Playing like a girl isn’t a bad thing 

Here’s the kicker: LPGA players are incredible golfers. They hit their numbers. They flight the ball with precision. They score, consistently. If you matched your game to theirs; same yardages, same smart club choices, you’d likely play better, shoot lower scores and have way more fun. 

So, the next time you’re browsing new clubs or thinking about that “Tour-inspired” muscle-back 3-iron you saw in a WITB post, pause and ask yourself: am I buying this to impress people, or to actually get better?