How important do you think golf bags are? Well, for me they’re probably the 4th most important piece of equipment after shoes. With the first and second being golf clubs and balls.
There are a handful of different types of golf bags, so you must choose one that meets your specific needs.
Also note that as a vegan golf player, the choices you have are more limited. Though I don’t think it’s impossible to find synthetic (or more sustainable) bags that pack style and utility all in one.
First I want to carry you through the importance of golf bags and the various types of golf bags available to you. Why is that even relevant if you’re looking to buy a golf bag? First off, you might have more clubs than your current bag can handle. Or perhaps you don’t have a bag with reliable ‘legs’ to carry you through multiple rounds.
Whatever it is, a great golf bag will let you focus on playing golf, which is clearly the most important thing.
What Makes A Great Golf Bag?
Although golf bags vary in shape and style, there are a few basic things you can consider before buying one. A bag shouldn’t only last you a season, it should last you several years, especially if you’re playing golf for fun.
Here are a few of the important aspects I find to be quite relevant:
Strong Branding
Believe it or not, there better brands than others. Yes, you may find great golf bags from unknown manufacturers, but there are a few brands that have built their legacy on strong foundations. Foundations that revolve around the creation of durable, high-quality products that are trusted among even the most experienced golfers. These brands are quite known within the golf community, and they include Ping, Sun Mountain, Ogio, Titleist, Taylormade, Callaway and more.
Normally you’re going to find higher-priced products, but they’re products that are reliable. Would you rather buy a cheaper, yet unreliable product… or something that can last you for years on end? Obviously, I don’t have any say in your buying decisions, but I know what my priorities are, especially if I’m looking to play a sport in the long-term.
Comfortable Carrying Straps.
Even if you’re using a cart to get around, it’s important to get bags with comfortable straps to reduce the strain on your shoulders. However, if you’re carrying your clubs around, then bags with comfortable straps are even more essential.
Sturdy Materials
Golf equipment should NOT fall apart after a year. Since these bags are typically expensive, you want to choose a bag that is sturdy, with pockets that won’t wear out even after a couple of years.
Don’t settle for the cheapest bag, otherwise, It’s just money bad spent. Choose bags from the brands I’ve mentioned earlier, since they are the most trustworthy among golfers, and are usually ones that will last you through the years.
If you have intentions of playing golf in the long-run, always make sure to buy sturdy material from a trustworthy brand. You will definitely feel that is money well spent because it will last you through the years.
Golf Bag Sizes
Large golf bags are used by professional golfers and usually weigh up to 12 pounds; have 10 or more pockets, and are 9 to 10 inches high. These bags can typically hold a full set of golf clubs, as well as other smaller equipment.
On the other end, Sunday golf bags weigh less than 3 pounds; they can usually hold up to 14 clubs and have enough room for golf balls, tees, and ball markers.
The Different Types Of Golf Bags
There are four different types of golf bags, at least according to what I know. We have cart golf bags; stand golf bags; Sunday golf bags and tour staff golf bags. Knowing the differences between each bag will help you understand which one is more suitable for your style of play.
Cart Golf Bags
As the name suggests, cart golf bags are meant to be attached to golf carts. Generally, the good ones feature a cart strap loop, which allows you to fasten the bag into the back of the golf cart, while still leaving space for the golf clubs, as well as other smaller pieces of equipment.
These bags are perfect for golfers that mostly ride golf carts or use pull carts. Even though they are large, they’re actually lightweight and don’t take too much space in a backseat or trunk. Naturally, if you want to carry it around without a cart, I’d suggest you buy a different bag since this is not practical for that purpose.
In addition, although having many pockets is good, you might find yourself lost looking for certain pieces of equipment. Always make sure you know in which pocket if you’ve put the equipment before panicking.
Golf Stand Bags
If you walk and carry your stuff with you — then stand bags are the way to go.
They’re lightweight, and since they stay upright and have legs, you can literally drag them around without much effort. In other words, these are by far the most popular choice among golfers.
Good stand bags have sturdy legs that collapse and expand effortlessly; comfortable dual straps; dividers to keep your golf clubs organized and enough pockets to carry a piece of whole baggage of equipment from clubs to water bottles and umbrellas.
With a stand bag, you can easily grab up any type of club because the bag is already sitting upright. The only issue I have with these stand bags is that it might be more susceptible to damage since you’re constantly using the legs for transportation.
Sunday Golf Bags
These are the lightest and smallest type of golf bags available. Most of them can hold a full set of clubs, but it’s usually used to carry just a few golf clubs for training sessions.
Given their weight and size, they take up very little space, which is quite useful if you usually have limited space in the trunk.
Some models may have legs, but they’re generally very light which makes them quite easy to carry around. Naturally, being smaller, they don’t have as much space as bigger bags, and those bags that have legs are also less sturdy.
Tour Staff Golf Bags
Tour Staff Bags are appealing for most since they’re often seen being used by professional players. But don’t fret, you can use them, too. These are professional-looking bags, that can be engraved with custom information like the name of the player.
If you like to have plenty of room to keep your stuff, then this bag has everything you could need. I’d definitely recommend using them on rainy days when you need to bring along umbrellas, raincoats, an extra pair of rain golf shoes, etc.
However, they’re not as good to carry around a golf course because they’re quite heavy, and the protruding front pockets also make them very awkward to place on a pull cart. This said they’re probably the most popular type of bags among pros.
Among The Different Types, Which One Should You Choose?
It doesn’t make sense just to buy a bag because you like it. Before buying a bag, you must consider several factors, and whether or not you need more than one bag.
Not all courses are 18-hole golf courses, and the type of golf course you’re playing in will have the biggest impact on the type of bag you choose. For instance, you don’t buy a large bag with plenty of room (tour staff bag), when you’re playing in a 9-hole executive course. Furthermore, if you’re doing most of the walking, it doesn’t make sense to buy a cart bag that is heavier, and tougher to carry on your shoulders.
For smaller courses like par-3 courses, 9-hole courses and anything in-between, you’re better served with a Sunday golf bag; which are also very useful for short, training sessions.
If you’re just getting started, you’re probably going to do a lot of walking, so maybe you should start with a stand bag. A stand bag can also fit in a golf cart, so it’s quite adaptable and thus makes the most sense for starters.
In addition, some golf courses have some restrictions where you can’t walk, so it’s mandatory to use a golf cart. In which case having a cart bag or a stand bag is the most logical choice.
Lest Not Forget, The Bag Must Be 100% Vegan.
Naturally, after you take into account the tools you have, the course you’ll be playing in, and whether or not golfing is a long-term hobby— you also should obviously go for a bag that is free from any animal fabric. Thankfully, most bags are made from synthetic material.