Which golf bag should I buy?

• Posted on 15 July 2024
• By Wilco Jordaan
• Posted in Buying a golf bag, Golf bag, Wich golf bag should i buy
• 0

Your golf clubs come onto the golf course with you, neatly stored in a golf bag. When that bag needs replacing or you are an aspiring starting golfer looking for your first bag, stress can set in! Which bag should I choose? This blog might just be of interest to you then. GolfDriver.nl is your light in the darkness and we will be happy to tell you about the different types of golf bags available.

A golf bag is a golf bag...

For many people, golf bags are virtually the same. One is a bit more beautiful than the other, but that's about it. Well... we at GolfDriver.nl think it's just how you look at it. Regardless of your brand preference, there are differences, which you as a golfer will definitely notice. Maybe so much that you may or may not be annoyed by the lack or presence of a specific feature.

What types of golf bags are there?

To be able to make the right choice, it is useful to know what to look out for. The most important choice is obvious: stand bag (carry bag) or cart bag (trolley bag)? There are still golfers who prefer to carry their golf set during their round of golf. Great if you are fit but the majority of golfers choose not to carry the bag if it is not strictly necessary. They drive the golf equipment around on a golf trolley as a round of 18 holes can be tiring enough. And if you're not going to do a big round of golf but only hit balls on the driving range? Well... then a stand bag might be better suited!

Cart bags, also called trolley bags

A cart bag is made for use on the trolley. There is a carrying strap on it but it is more meant to carry your bag in and out of the car than to bump around with it on the golf course. A modern cart bag is bigger, thicker, and heavier (roughly 2 to 6 kg) and often much larger than a stand bag. Of course, weight and size also become less important if you transport the bag on a golf trolley. Cart bags usually have much more space to store clothing and accessories. Also, the cross-section of the top of the cartbag is usually larger and divided into more separate compartments. Taking many clubs with you and keeping them neatly separated is, therefore, better to do in such a trolley bag.    

Stand bags, also known as carry bags

A stand bag is a compact golf bag and, by definition, is made to carry your clubs during your round of golf. These bags are equipped with a stand that folds out as soon as you put the bag down (the quality and stability of that stand varies considerably). Because you have to carry them with you, these carry bags are often a lot lighter in weight, roughly 1 to 3.5 kg, which also reduces the space to carry clothes and other golf accessories. These handy stand bags are also narrower or more slim. An additional advantage of a golf stand bag is that you don't have to take a golf trolley with you. Useful if your car space is limited. 

Staff bags, pencil bags, and weekend bags

In addition to the popular cart bags and stand bags, there are a few less common types of golf bags. There are golf staff bags, which are large, luxurious golf bags that are used if you have a caddy carrying your equipment or if you have a large golf trolley that fits it well. The widely popular Clicgear golf trolleys, for example, require a separate touring kit accessory to use a staff bag on them. Please note that staff bags have compartments all around the golf staff bag, therefore if you put it on a golf trolley, certain compartments will no longer be easily accessible.

The weekend bags or lightweight pencil bags are intended for 'special occasions'. If you want to travel as lightly as possible on the course, take your set with you on holiday, or go to the driving range, a compact weekend bag (available with or without foot stand) is very handy. A pencil bag is even more compact; it is suitable for single clubs and has no undercarriage.

Best waterproof golf bags: just hype or necessity?

More and more golfers are opting for a waterproof golf bag. Not that people consciously want to play golf in the rain, but sometimes the climate (especially the Dutch climate) surprises us during our golf rounds. You can have beautiful sunshine on hole 1 and heavy rain on hole 5. If you end up in a short shower, everything you take with you in a normal golf bag will be soaked... clothing, shoes, packed lunch, wallet, telephone... you name it! With this in mind, it is wise to either take a good look at the weather forecast beforehand or just use a waterproof golf bag. The special material of these bags is fully waterproof and keeps everything dry. No water gets through the sealed zippers. The price for a waterproof golf bag is therefore higher than that of a regular golf bag, but golfing comfortably and without worry is also worth something, don't you agree?

What's so 'ladies' about a 'ladies' golf bag?

A bit of a nonsense question of course, but we can briefly explain. Only the colour and design can make a golf bag more suitable for women, no more and no less. There is no difference in terms of materials or techniques used between a men's golf bag and a women's golf bag.

What do we do in winter? Winter golf bags?

Well, there are quite a few golf courses in the Netherlands where you are not allowed to take a golf trolley with you in the winter when the golf course is frozen, too soft, or too wet. The wheels can damage grass of a golf course as it recovers too slowly in winter. One solution can be to fit the rear wheels with winter profile wheels, however, most golfers choose to use a lighter stand bag specifically for the winter. A second golf bag requires some extra space in the attic or in the garage but that's still better than carrying around your far too heavy cart bag for 18 holes. More importantly, cart bags don't have a footstand, so there will be the extra risk of your bag falling over and possibly damaging your clubs.

Conclusion

Whichever way you look at it when shopping for a new golf bag, it all comes down to your preference and budget, i.e. how often you play golf, how much you want to spend, and the weather conditions in your location. In short... Draw your own plan, and you'll be fine.