The minute details that people go to just to get a decent round of golf in can be excessive, and it’s a never-ending pyramid scheme! Whether it’s working for hours on the driving range, perfecting your short game or putting from distance, the margins between success and failure are as fine as the sand in a bunker.
But there are a few things that are easily within our control that help us focus on getting to the 18th under par – whilst helping us look stylish on the fairways – a well made, practical golf bag.
You can’t play golf without golf clubs and you can’t get golf clubs around a course without a bag. So they are quite literally a must if you want to play the game. They come in a variety of shapes, constructions and price tags – and here we’re going to look at some of the coolest designs available right now.
So, if you’re in the market for a smart-looking, practical golf bag for an upcoming business trip or your new swanky golf club membership – we’ve got it all teed up nicely for you right here.
Taylor Made
Gary Adams invented metal woods, which all golfers use today. He was also the brains behind Taylor Made, a Californian company that specialises in all things golf. This Taylor Made Flextech Lifestyle Stand Golf Bag has a five-way organisational top, dividers to eliminate club crowding and a total of 11 pockets for gloves, balls, tees and rainwear. It also features a waterproof valuables pocket and an insulated water bottle sleeve.
Sun Mountain
Sun Mountain is recognised in golf circles as THE pioneers of bags and trollies, becoming the first company to develop back and shoulder strap technologies. These days they also create stylish accessories such as this excellent Leather Stand Bag, mixing tradition with technology. It’s made with fine American cow leather for that classic look and feel, but also features carbon fibre legs and a high strength plastic top for an added touch of modern practicality.
Vokey Design
Bob Vokey is to golf clubs what Al Merrick is to surfboards, making high-performance wedges for some of the best players on the planet. But every good club needs a bag, and team Vokey offers some great value within their collections, such as this Sunday Carry Bag. It features a really useful double to single strap system, two zippered pockets and water-resistant beverage container. Ideal for those who like to get around with only a few clubs and little fuss.
Titleist
Titleist is number one when it comes to golf balls, winning major titles for years alongside some of the world's best golfers. They’re also dab hands at quality golf bags, such as this St Patrick’s Stand Bag. It’s a special edition to celebrate Ireland’s national day, in emerald green with a novelty shamrock pattern. It features lightweight legs and a hinged bottom for great stability, along with dual-density foam that rests comfortably against your body.
Bentley Golf
We all know how successful Bentley is in the world of car manufacturing, but few outside the golf world realise just how good their golf equipment is. They make fantastic wood and irons, and also lovely golf bags like this Stand Bag. Its made with highly technical fabrics, with rubber zip linings perfect for wet, dreary winter rounds. And just to add that element of Bently luxury, it features a diamond quilted front pocket and fur-lined pouch for valuables.
Sun Mountain
The second Sun Mountain creation on this list is the H2NO Superlite Stand Bag. Amazingly it weighs under 2.5kg, meaning it’s perfect for those golfing weekends when you’ll play rounds over a few days. It’s made from advanced waterproof fabrics that make sure everything inside stays dry when on the fairways - and also features an innovative X Strap System that ensures it’s easy to remove and pick up again mid-round.
Ogio
Ogio is a sister company of Callaway, one of the premier golf club manufacturers in the States. As well as producing practical luggage and rucksacks, they have a great line in golf bags. Their Fuse Stand Bag 4 is a smart way to get your clubs around the course. It is light and constructed with a Fir Disc strap that evenly distributes weight across your shoulders. Features include large access apparel pockets, an umbrella holder and a practical padded carry handle.
Ping
Ping made its name all the way back in the 1950s, and ever since they’ve been at the forefront of the putter market whilst also dabbling in irons and woods. Their Hoofer Stand bag is a real versatile piece of kit. It features two magnetic pockets that take away the hassle of accessing accessories quickly, holds up to 22 litres of your golf gear, and comes in at an impressive 2.5kg meaning logging it around is a doddle.
G Fore
G Fore only started making its way onto our golf courses in 2011, and for the past nine years, their products have become renowned for innovative concepts and designs. Their Sunday Stand Bag is a real quality piece of kit for the regular golfer. It has forward facing pockets so that it can be easily twinned with a trolly, a velour-lined valuable pocket and carbon fibre legs. Add to that an all-weather hood and umbrella holder and you’re set for all seasons.
Ouul
Ouul are renowned for their high-quality golf sacks for those who don’t want to break the bank. They’re also fond of a bit of innovation. This Ouulite Stand bag weighs an incredible 1.5kg thanks to its ultra-light, durable fabrics that leave you with more energy for every swing. It also has a special patented foot base that maximises stability pre-shot, and a fully integrated stand.