Golf bags are bags developed to help carry golf clubs and other golfing accessories on a golf course though they may simply be called golf club bags. To find the ideal golf bag type for you you need to know the different options available on the market.
We will discuss how to choose from the different types of bags depending on your skill level, aspirations, requirements on the course, the size of your golf course, time spent, golf course infrastructure and amenities, style preferences, trends, bag sizes, material, weight, and so on. You may also need to travel with golfing equipment on you, buy golf clubs for kids, carry golf balls and accessories, and venture into ever-changing weather and climates. We will walk through every aisle in this write-up to wisely shop for golf bags and pan out.
From junior golfers and pastime golfers to golf professionals, we have got all the golf bag options sorted out based on all needs and features. May you choose the right one to organize your golfing accessories optimally. Once you have, golf time will be the most streamlined, musical experience.
Golf Bag Types
Neither golfers nor golf bags are made the same. Some would prefer a golf kit bag that offers room for all 14 of their clubs, spares, gloves, tees, balls, towels, clothes, and personal effects. Another golfer would choose to have only a few essentials with them on the course.
These preferences are again regardless of how long they have played the sport, how long they plan to play that day, what items they would need, the availability of carts or a caddy, personal choices of design, and many other factors.
The basic structure, making, design, or even how golf is played or taken on by each individual, classify the different golf bag types into broad and well-defined categories.
- Golf Carry Bags
- Golf Cart Bags or Golf Trolley Bags
- Stand Golf Bags
- Staff Golf Bags or Golf Tour Bags
- Golf Boston Bags or Boston Sports Bags
1. Golf Carry Bags
The beginner’s buddy!
Golf carry bags offer enough storage space and divisions for a beginner to carry around the essentials – the basic clubs, a couple of balls, tees, and valuables.
They have shoulder straps and handles that are tough enough to be carried around for long and yet soft enough, well… to be carried around for long!
Carry golf bags are designed to optimally use the volume of space you can carry comfortably on your back and shoulders (say, a maximum of 30 inches x 9 inches x 9 inches). The preferred material is light and durable enough to serve the purpose. Inexpensive material is also best fitting for golf carry bags as they are meant for cub golf club users setting out for maybe a Par 3. Golf carry bags may have a round base to set them down upright without them getting too dirty.
How to make a golf club carry bag serve an extra purpose? When you reach a point where you need to carry more clubs, tees, balls, water, towels, or other stuff you are either spending a lot of time golfing, mastering golf, or hopefully both. In that case, your golf carry bag is asking you to let go of it and expand your wings by upgrading to a more functional model. By then, you will have achieved the value for the investment you made – both at shopping for golf bags and on the golf course.
2. Golf Cart Bags
To cart refinement and mark goals!
Cart golf bags are ideal for you if you need to lug around plenty of clubs and needed accessories, and you have a manual or powered cart available. Golf cart bags are geared toward heavy loads to be carried on your golf trolley or buggy.
Nigh cart bags have dedicated compartments defined by dividers for the different clubs, balls, gloves, and other auxiliaries. They span anywhere between 5 and 9 inches in top diameter. This wide mouth lets you probe through your artillery.
A golf club cart bag has a sturdy, non-slip base that holds it in place and upright on the cart and the course. It also offers handy pockets for your keys and other valuables of all sizes.
Although all cart bags come with some basic straps, try not to carry them yourself for long as the design is heavy by itself though they are second to staff bags in weight. You may also find it hard to fit golf cart bags in the boot space of just about any car.
3. Stand Golf Bags
You can’t set a goal and not toil, but you can set down your golf bag to toil!
Lighter and smaller, stand golf bags offer stability, comfort, and protection from stains. They are ideal for dirty golf courses, rainy climates, and anyone who would rather keep their bag squeaky clean than hefty.
Alongside the base, golf club stand bags have two light metal legs that can be retracted when not in use. The thin legs, though, will be designed by the manufacturer so as to support more than a load of golf clubs as the model can house.
As an added advantage, you can have your golf stand bag close by your side anywhere and access your items with relative ease.
Golf Pencil Bags
Pencil Golf bags are thinner, lighter golf stand or carry bags meant to accommodate a lesser number of clubs, and a smaller range of essentials than regular golf carry and stand bags. They are ideal for situations (like a brisk round of nine holes) that and people who do not need all 14 clubs for the day. The model is yet preferred by many recreational golfers, earning it the alternate name, Sunday Golf bags.
They have a mouth diameter of fewer than 6 inches and weigh less than or around 2 pounds. They can be carried around easily on the golf course while fitting in a majority of vehicles. A golf club pencil bag is set down on the small round base and two short, extensible, but sturdy legs. Just about no pencil bag model is watertight or dustproof.
They do not offer as many pockets except small ones for maybe your keys and the very essentials.
4. Staff Golf Bags
The most all-inclusive and methodical quiver of them all!
A Staff golf bag is also called a Tour golf bag because it is used by professionals competing in league tours. They can carry all 14 of your golf clubs, golfing accessories, and a golfer’s essentials. These two facts also mean one thing – you need a caddy. Staff golf club bags are also called caddy bags. They are, after all, the largest, heaviest, and most elite kind of golf bag.
This spacious type of golf club bag usually has six to eight lightly padded slots divided full-length to hold each club in place. The rest of the paraphernalia are given dedicated compartments, be it gloves, spares, clothing, towels, golf balls, meds, or bottles of drinks. We will go through the different items you will need to pack for a golfing trip to top off our chat.
A staff golf bag weighs about 10-12 pounds but does justice to its price. Nearly all golf bags have wheels on the base so that they can be carried without a cart. You will most likely see tour golf bags with professionals endorsing a brand.
5. Golf Boston Bags
The chic golf bag!
The golf Boston bag is the sporty cousin of the Boston bag. It can be carried on your shoulders, in your hand, on a trolley, and on any vehicle – even a bike.
As compared to other Boston bags, it is hard-wearing. When compared to other golf bags, Boston golf club bags are lighter, trendier, and open to multiple uses. In fact, most sports Boston bags in the market may be used as golf club bags. They are also available in leather and other fabric unlike the other types of golf bags.
How many types of bags have you heard of?
6. Golf Travel Bags
Golf on the go!
Travel golf bags are the specifically designed kind of golf bags for travel. They are formulated to ensure that they meet all the highest standard criteria meant for regular travel bags, regular sports bags, and regular golf bags.
Paddings are specially devised and provided for the shoulder straps, handles, and each compartment. The outer material is essentially waterproof and in the case of some brands and models, dustproof. The inner compartments are also padded well and may be impervious. Sturdier, watertight, and lockable zippers are used in the making of travel golf bags.
Travel bags for golfing are of two types: hard-cased and soft-cased. Hard-cased travel golf bags are heavier owing to their hard exterior and lightly padded interiors. Soft-cased travel golf bags are lighter and padded throughout. Hard-cased golf travel bags rather hold their shape to protect from impact, while soft-cased golf travel bags use padding to achieve the goal.
Almost all manufacturers make sure that their brand of golf travel bags offers wheels, both dedicated and multipurpose pockets, stands, a base, straps, spaciousness, water resistance, weather resistance, material strength, and durability.
While shopping for a golf bag for travel, you are fortunately provided with options of all sizes – from ones that can carry a few essential clubs to the whole golf kit. They may come in shapes varying from pencil golf bags to Boston golf bags – just that they will include all the features you look for in a travel bag as well.
7. Golf Junior Bags
Sow young, reap better!
Junior golf bags aimed at young talents and energy are available in the form of carry, cart, stand, pencil, Boston, and other golf bag models. Junior and kids’ golf bags are not only designed to appeal to the age groups but also to endure despite being handled by them. They also need to be trim and trendy enough for them to buoy around proudly.
Young golfers can be careless, busy, and hyperenergetic. So the material and attachments used are durable, attractive, weatherproof, stainproof, wash proof, lightweight, and sleek. Labeled and specific pockets are also preferred for forgetful youngsters.
8. Mini Golf Bags
Only the essential(s)!
Smaller, minimalistic golf bags meant for one or two golf clubs and maybe an accessory or two are unofficially called ‘mini’ golf bags. They may be washable, waterproof, foldable, or with retractable legs.
A mini golf bag may not technically be a “bag”. It could just be a slinged or strapped golf club holder that can accommodate one club and be carried on your shoulder. It is an ideal model for both the occasional golfer and the pro trying to master something specific.
9. Golf Shoe Bags
Shoo the worries!
Though many different golf bag models provide shoe storage, you may need a golf shoe bag on occasion. Say, you need to switch shoes in between, have limited storage space in the locker or car, and may need to play bag Tetris, or just don’t like putting dirty shoes in the same bag as your wood and metal clubs – a golf shoe bag can be of help.
Golf shoe bags would also have a sock pocket.
10. Golf Ball Bags
Always play more!
A golf ball bag lets you carry extra sets of golf balls and tees on the course. The golf ball bag is small, sleek, and light made by most brands from watertight material.
Golf Bag Overview – Maintaining, Cleaning, and Carrying them
- Golf bags should be kept dry and out of the sun as much as possible regardless of what material is made of.
- Wash your golf bag only when needed and let it drip dry under the shade. Place it in the airy shade to dry. Do not wash golf bags if it is restricted in the manual. If you only need to dust it off you can do just that.
- Use golf club head covers and putter covers to protect the clubs. A club brush can come in handy too.
- Do not leave metal in the bag for over a month – even clubs. Take them out occasionally and wipe them with a clean dry towel to prevent rust and stains.
- Never leave a loose stitch, tear, or stain undermanaged.
Stocking and Organizing Your Golf Bag
- Arrange your items based on how regularly you use them on the course.
- It would help to always keep a personalized checklist in a pocket to make sure you grab everything.
- Pack extra gloves, balls, and tees as needed, but only as needed.
- Consider carrying extra towels, shoes, socks, goggles, a rangefinder, a golf umbrella, and a GPS watch for long golfing days.
- If you are on regular medication or have prescriptions for emergencies, pack them too. A minimalistic first aid box is also a great idea if your golf course is too large or lacks amenities.
- Bring fresh water, an emergency snack with good shelf life, and an energy drink if needed.
How to Choose the Right Golf Bag for You – Conclusion
Now that you know about all the types of golf bags available, consider the following the right golf bag for your needs:
- How many clubs do you need regularly?
- What are the different sizes of clubs you carry?
- Do you need to carry extra balls, tees, towels, etc.?
- What are the things you cannot be without on the daily golf course?
- Do you need to carry shoes?
- Do you have a caddy or cart?
- What is your climate and usual weather like?
- Do you need to travel with your golf bag?
- How careful are you? Do you need a sturdier build for your age and level of travel?
- How long will it take for you to upgrade to a full golf kit?
- Additional points like your height, weight carrying strength, etc.
There is nothing you can now miss on your golfing trip. Now don’t let the golf course miss you!
