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Gary Player once told golfers to ditch three clubs immediately to improve their game

Originally posted on HITC | By Antony Martin | Last updated Oct 3, 2025 5:29 PM ET

Gary Player’s record speaks for itself, and it stands right up there among the game’s elite.

He picked up an astonishing 159 professional wins across the globe, including 24 PGA Tour victories and nine majors.

These days, the South African spends his time sharing his insights on the sport, while also passing along valuable tips to amateurs looking to sharpen their skills.

He built his career on an intense commitment to fitness and hard work, traits that set him apart from so many of his peers.

Even as he nears 90, Player still plays regularly thanks to a lifestyle centred on health and routine exercise.

It is easy to overlook just how much time he gives back to amateur golf, especially with everything else he has going on.

You can find plenty of Player’s advice covering all parts of the game – from putting tips to ball-striking drills to building mental strength. But sometimes, it is about what you should not do. This time around, that was his focus.

Gary Player believes three clubs need to be dropped from your bag

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

In 2009, Player issued a distinct warning, advising amateur golfers to cease using three specific clubs.

During a golf clinic, he was pretty direct about it by saying: “My advice to every amateur, unless you’re a zero handicap, take your 3-iron, your 5-iron and throw them away. This is the new 5-iron (hybrid). This little club here is so important in golf. You people cannot hit a 5-iron, a 4-iron and a 3-iron. The biggest improvement in golf is the ball and these little clubs here (hybrids).”

This clip might be from more than a decade ago now, but what Player had to say still holds up today.

You can even see top pros making the switch to hybrids and seven woods nowadays.

Gary Player reveals his tips for hitting a better driver

Player has also shared some advice for amateurs looking to become more consistent off the tee.

“That side of that club is cancer (outside the line).

“The secret is this side of the club (inside the line). When you stand here, and you take the club there, you’re looking for trouble.

“Every top player in the world, their hands will come slightly on the inside there with the club-head on the outside of his hands.

“You don’t see that, you never see your club do that (wrist hinge with club being taken away inside the plane). The man who strikes the ball from the inside and keeps the club on line longest is best player.”

This is solid advice from Player. Taking your driver outside can easily lead to a swing path that is difficult to recover from.

If you look at how top pros approach their swings, it usually starts with a good takeaway – everything else builds off that first move.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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