How important is it to have the first guide (nearest reel seat) a double foot guide?

I'm finalizing guide placement on a 9' 2pc surf rod, and it dawned on me that I might want to have a double foot guide as my first, as all my guides (concept spacing) are single foots.

Another issue is that I have no guides on the butt section. All are on the tip section. Is there anything wrong with that?

Can ya' help a surf-rod newbie out?

Thanks all!
RB

Robert, I don't think it matters if your first guide is a single or double foot guide, as long as it's wrapped properly. As far as no guides on the butt goes, I have several surf rods, including two that I just built, and there are no guides on the butt section. That's just how it worked out the way the blank was cut (the tip about a third longer than the butt). I kind of like this setup myself....you only have to worry about knocking the guides off of one section.

Bruce

The number of feet or legs is mainly for durability. I dont think the fish care and actual fishing won't require much. But longer and larger guides are subject to a lot of bumps and bangs that the smaller guides don't get and I think this is why most people use double footed guides there. But a single should work if you take reasonable care in transporting and use.