Which golf bag?
April 15, 2010 3:17 AM Subscribe
Can any golfers out there recommend a decent golf bag for under £100 (if such a thing exists)? Failing that, what do golfers look for in a golf bag? Are there any particular brands that'll earn you a bit of kudos? It's a gift, but I haven't the first clue.
Best answer: I always walk a course, too, but I have to use a pull cart. I've always opted for lightweight, utilitarian bags with minimal/NO bling, that will ride comfortably on my pull-cart. I avoid big logos (I really don't care to pay money to advertise for Titleist or whomever.) My current bag is lightweight nylon with three divisions for clubs. THer are no logos on it. There is a full-length zippered compartment where I keep my rain jacket, shoes, etc. There are also 2 zippered pouches where I keep balls, gloves, tees, tools, sunscreen, etc. There are the requisite clips for towels and a handy pair of loops to carry my umbrella. Empty, I doubt the bag weighs 2 lbs. I've had it for many years and it's served me well. I think the bag cost me, maybe $25 US, on sale.
As for bags that earn you kudos...I wouldn't worry about any of that. Evaluate what you REALLY need in a bag in order to serve you through a round and find exactly that. If you wish to build-up from that, go right ahead. Personally, I've never felt one bit of inferiority because I wasn't hauling some monster, logo-adorned staff bag. Most of the duffers I've known that actually had one of those didn't have the game that "required" one. Your bag is your partner on the course. Pick one that serves your game best.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:28 AM on April 15, 2010
As for bags that earn you kudos...I wouldn't worry about any of that. Evaluate what you REALLY need in a bag in order to serve you through a round and find exactly that. If you wish to build-up from that, go right ahead. Personally, I've never felt one bit of inferiority because I wasn't hauling some monster, logo-adorned staff bag. Most of the duffers I've known that actually had one of those didn't have the game that "required" one. Your bag is your partner on the course. Pick one that serves your game best.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:28 AM on April 15, 2010
Best answer: Seconding lobstah, it depends on if they ever walk, or if they always have a cart. You don't want a cart bag if you are a walker.
After having bought my first bag last spring (Callaway Warbird XTT Stand bag; like lobstah mentioned, I bought mine because I primarily play Callaway clubs), in retrospect I wish I would have got one with more dividers (i.e., slots for clubs). I bought one with 8 or so slots, but I carry the maximum 14 clubs so this means some of the clubs have to share a slot. Often times the grips will get caught on each other as I pull a club out, and the other club(s) will pull out too. More dividers would obviously negate this. Also, would have preferred a putter holder on the outside fo the bag.
Other than that, if it rains a lot where your golfer lives and they dont mind playing in the rain, you'll want to make sure the bag has a rain hood.
Oh, and beer storage is key.
posted by tdischino at 6:34 AM on April 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
After having bought my first bag last spring (Callaway Warbird XTT Stand bag; like lobstah mentioned, I bought mine because I primarily play Callaway clubs), in retrospect I wish I would have got one with more dividers (i.e., slots for clubs). I bought one with 8 or so slots, but I carry the maximum 14 clubs so this means some of the clubs have to share a slot. Often times the grips will get caught on each other as I pull a club out, and the other club(s) will pull out too. More dividers would obviously negate this. Also, would have preferred a putter holder on the outside fo the bag.
Other than that, if it rains a lot where your golfer lives and they dont mind playing in the rain, you'll want to make sure the bag has a rain hood.
Oh, and beer storage is key.
posted by tdischino at 6:34 AM on April 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
Forgot to add, paid $65 US for mine as a closeout item from an online retailer.
posted by tdischino at 6:42 AM on April 15, 2010
posted by tdischino at 6:42 AM on April 15, 2010
Best answer: Personally, I don't like the branded bags. No need to carry any more branding onto the course as needed. Plus I don't think they are normally very practically designed and what if you use Titliest woods and Taylormade irons and Cleveland wedges and a Scottie putter?
I'm currently using an Ogio bag. Excellent, practical designs and solid construction. There are other manufactures, but the names are escaping me right now.
I did a quick online price check on the Ogio site and a cart bag was ~130 GBP and a carry bag ~110 GBP. I'm guessing you can get a better deal at a well stocked dealer.
posted by michswiss at 6:53 AM on April 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
I'm currently using an Ogio bag. Excellent, practical designs and solid construction. There are other manufactures, but the names are escaping me right now.
I did a quick online price check on the Ogio site and a cart bag was ~130 GBP and a carry bag ~110 GBP. I'm guessing you can get a better deal at a well stocked dealer.
posted by michswiss at 6:53 AM on April 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I'm going to assume that the recipient is playing in the UK due to the use of the £ sign. Given that carts are a lot less used than in the US, I'd say to go for a dual strap stand bag. However, if the person only uses a cart, then ignore all the following!
As the name suggests, two straps (one for each shoulder, like a rucksack), so it's more comfortable carrying round than a one strap. Stand bag because they're just better than non-stand ones (and most dual-strap bags tend to be stand bags anyway).
One thing you need to consider is what type of golfer the person is? Not as in good/bad, but as in how often they play - do they play all year round, or are they more of a summer golfer?
On any bag, you want a pocket for a bunch of balls, maybe one for tees, one for your glove, one for a drink/snack. If you're a summer-only golfer, that's pretty much it.
If you play all year round, you want some nice big pockets for extra layers, waterproofs etc.
Whatever bag you get, try and keep it light - you appreciate it as you get further round the course!
If you're buying in a shop, things to look for include the durability of the bits connecting the strap to the bag, and the sturdiness of the stand mechanism. The latter is more important. Is this thing going to hold up, or will it just twist and bend?
For an idea of the general principles, have a look at this selection from Titleist.
Other known brands include:
Maxfli
Nike
Ping
Wilson
Taylor Made
Callaway
posted by djgh at 9:10 AM on April 15, 2010
As the name suggests, two straps (one for each shoulder, like a rucksack), so it's more comfortable carrying round than a one strap. Stand bag because they're just better than non-stand ones (and most dual-strap bags tend to be stand bags anyway).
One thing you need to consider is what type of golfer the person is? Not as in good/bad, but as in how often they play - do they play all year round, or are they more of a summer golfer?
On any bag, you want a pocket for a bunch of balls, maybe one for tees, one for your glove, one for a drink/snack. If you're a summer-only golfer, that's pretty much it.
If you play all year round, you want some nice big pockets for extra layers, waterproofs etc.
Whatever bag you get, try and keep it light - you appreciate it as you get further round the course!
If you're buying in a shop, things to look for include the durability of the bits connecting the strap to the bag, and the sturdiness of the stand mechanism. The latter is more important. Is this thing going to hold up, or will it just twist and bend?
For an idea of the general principles, have a look at this selection from Titleist.
Other known brands include:
Maxfli
Nike
Ping
Wilson
Taylor Made
Callaway
posted by djgh at 9:10 AM on April 15, 2010
Best answer: I use this Callaway bag I bought a couple of years ago for $80 in a sale and like it a lot. Is quite light and has double shoulder straps for carrying.
posted by arcticseal at 9:15 AM on April 15, 2010
posted by arcticseal at 9:15 AM on April 15, 2010
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posted by lobstah at 5:21 AM on April 15, 2010 [1 favorite]