The Sunday Bag Strategy: How to Start Golfing for Cheap

The Sunday Bag Strategy

If you walk into a major golf retailer today, you might leave thinking you need to take out a second mortgage just to start playing. Between the $600 drivers, the massive cart bags that look like small furniture, and the 14-club sets, the barrier to entry feels incredibly high.

But here is a practical reality: For most beginners, carrying all 14 clubs is usually unnecessary. While the rules of golf allow for a maximum of 14 clubs, you are free to carry fewer, and doing so can actually simplify the game when you are just starting out. In fact, juggling that much gear can make learning harder for many beginners.

If you want to start golfing without draining your savings, consider the Sunday Bag Strategy. It is a smart way to build a minimalist golf bag that saves your wallet, saves your back, and simplifies the game.

What is a “Sunday Bag”?

Historically, caddies and players used a “Sunday Bag” for casual rounds. These are lightweight, unstructured bags (sometimes called “pencil bags”) that hold only a handful of clubs. They don’t have massive pockets for rain gear or shoes; they are designed for the essentials.

By adopting this strategy, you aren’t just buying a smaller bag; you are adopting a philosophy of minimalism.

• The Cost Benefit: Basic Sunday bags can start around $30, with many solid options under about $100. Compare that to a heavy stand bag or cart bag, which is often $200–$300 or more.
• The Cart Fee Hack: Because the bag is featherlight, you can easily walk the course. This saves you the cart fee, which is often around $15–$40 depending on the course.
• The Gear Savings: You only need to buy 5 or 6 clubs, not a full set.

Why a Minimalist Golf Bag is Often Better for Beginners

Beyond the money, there is a strategic reason to carry fewer clubs: It eliminates decision paralysis.

Imagine you are 140 yards from the hole.

• With a full set: You might stress over whether to hit a hard 9-iron, a soft 8-iron, or a standard 7-iron. You spend 30 seconds worrying about the choice rather than the swing.
• With a Sunday Bag: You likely only have one club that can reach that distance. You pull it, you swing it, and you move on.

When you are learning, consistency is key. It is far better to learn how to hit one club confidently than to hit 10 different clubs poorly.

The Essentials: Building Your 5-Club Arsenal

If you only have 5 slots in your minimalist bag, every club has to earn its keep. Here is a widely recommended “Sunday Bag setup” for a beginner:

1. The Tee Box Club (3-Wood or High-Loft Driver)

You need something to get the ball in play off the tee. While drivers are fun, they are the hardest club to control. A 3-Wood is often cheaper to buy used, easier to control, and still goes plenty far for a beginner.

• Tip: If you do buy a driver, look for one with 10.5 degrees of loft or higher.

2. The Rescuer (4-Hybrid or 5-Hybrid)

This is your magic wand. Long irons (3, 4, and 5-irons) are notoriously difficult for beginners to hit because they require high swing speeds. A Hybrid replaces those irons. It has a wider sole that glides through the grass, making it perfect for long shots from the fairway or getting out of the rough.

3. The Workhorse (7-Iron)

The 7-iron is the “Swiss Army Knife” of golf. It sits right in the middle of the bag. You can use it for approach shots, punching out from under trees, and even bump-and-run chips around the green. This is the club you should spend the most time with at the range.

4. The Scorer (Pitching Wedge)

You need a club with high loft to get the ball up in the air when you are close to the green. A standard Pitching Wedge (PW) is ideal.

• Avoid the Lob Wedge: You might see pros using 60-degree lob wedges, but for a beginner, these usually result in “skulling” the ball across the green. Stick to the PW.

5. The Putter

The only club you are guaranteed to use on every single hole. Don’t worry about expensive technology here; just find a used putter that feels the right weight in your hands.

How to Source Your Kit (Without Going Broke)

Now that you know what you need, here is how to find it cheap.

• The “Used Bin” Dive: Many golf shops have a bin of single irons, often for $5 to $10 each. Dig through it to find your 7-iron and Pitching Wedge. Look for “Cavity Backs” (clubs with a hollowed-out back), they are generally much more forgiving than flat “Muscle Back” or “Blade” clubs.
• Thrift Stores: Goodwill and Play It Again Sports can be goldmines for Sunday bags and putters. With some luck, you can sometimes find a vintage pencil bag for under $10.
• Online Marketplaces: Search eBay or Facebook Marketplace for “single irons” or “incomplete sets.” You can often piece together your “Fab Five” lineup for significantly less than the cost of one new driver.

The Bottom Line

Golf is about the swing, the walk, and the outdoors, not just the logo on your bag.

The Sunday Bag Strategy allows you to enter the sport with lower financial risk. It keeps you physically fresh because your bag is light, and it mentally frees you up to focus on making contact with the ball.

So, grab a pencil bag, find your five faithful clubs, and head to the course. You might just find that carrying less helps you score more.

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