Golf Bags...

Are you looking for a golf bag? Read on for some handy tips on what you should be looking for?

Stand Bag or Cart Bag?
We get asked this question a lot, should I buy a cart bag or a stand bag? This is pretty easy to answer. If you use a cart a lot, there seems to be little point buying a stand bag. However, if you can only afford to have one bag, we'd always recommend you buy a stand bag, purely because they can also generally be used on carts as well*.

We'd also like to point out that the separate stands you can buy which strap onto a standard cart bag are about as useful as a chocolate teapot. They don't work that well, fall off or the clips break. Don't waste your time or money, just get a stand bag if you need one.

Any Other Features I should be looking for?
Obviously each golfer is different and as such will require a different number of pockets and compartments. Do you need space to carry a spare pair of shoes, how about a water resistant compartment for you mobile? There are plenty of excellent bags out there ranging from £40 to over £100.

Top Tips

1. Make sure you have all the pockets/compartments you need. Take everything out of your existing back and make a list (or just a mental list), you might be surprised how much stuff you've been able to cram into it.
   
   
2. Test all the zips while you're in the store. There's nothing more annoying than getting the thing home to find one of the zips doesn't work properly.
   
   
3. Test the bag with some clubs in it. Pretty much every bag is comfortable to carry around with nothing in it, but once you put some clubs in, it could be a completely different story.
   
   
4. Don't be blinded by brand. We all know that Callaway and Taylormade make some great gear, but they know that as well. You'll pay extra for a big name bag that is worse quality than some of the lesser known/popular brands.
   
   Founders clubs make some excellent gear and is often 20% - 30% cheaper than some of the more popular brands.
   
   
5. The dividers should be padded so they don't damage your club shafts. It's pretty rare to find a bag with no padding, but some of the cheaper makes cut corners and these bags should probably be avoided as you have to wonder where else they've cut corners to get the price down.

There are loads of choices out there for all kinds of budgets, I've personally got a Founders club stand bag and couldn't recommend it enough. The handle is extremely comfortable, the carry straps are nice and padded and there's more pockets than I have stuff to put in them. Definitely worth a look if you get a chance.

Above all, you should make sure you get a bag that does what YOU need it to do. Everyone is different and takes different things onto the course with them, just make sure that you life it once you've finished.

* Please note that not all stand bags will go on a cart. You should ensure that any product you purchase is fit for your intended purpose before purchase.