What to Consider When Buying Golf Bags
Like buying anything, when selecting golf bags, you have to make tradeoffs. You can't have it all. That's why it's very important to consider how you play and how you use golf bags. Without a solid understanding of how you will be using your bag, you won't get one that fits your style of play, and having the wrong golf bag can make you miserable out on the course. Here's what you need to consider to make sure you select the perfect golf bag for you.
Do You Ride or Walk? The biggest deciding factor when choosing golf bags is whether you carry your golf bag or strap it into a cart when you play. In fact, the two main types of golf bags are cart bags or carry bags, also known as stand bags. You must get a carry bag if you walk the course because cart bags are so much bigger and heavier that they'll wear you out if you have to lug one around through 18 holes. However, if you ride in carts for most of your rounds, you can get either type of golf bag because you can strap a cart bag or carrying bag onto a golf cart.
How Much Stuff Do You Need? The size of bag you'll need will depend on how much stuff you want to store and take with you on the course. Golf bags can range from having a few pockets to well over 10. The more storage capacity you get, the heavier and more cumbersome a bag is to carry. You'll need to decide if you want to take shoes, extra clothes, food, drinks, an umbrella, rain suit and other things out on the course with you. If so, you might have to get a bigger cart bag for all your gear, and forget about walking the course with a carrying bag. But, if you can travel light, you'll be able to walk the course with a carrying bag.
Is it Tough Enough? Most golf bags today are made out of tough and durable synthetic materials. However, there are some differences in the amount of protection that golf bags provide for clubs. In general, lighter golf bags provide less padding and protection for clubs because they are thinner and more flexible, while heavier bags often solid plastic cores and heavily padded dividers. If you are especially worried about protecting your clubs, make sure you buy a bag that is crush proof. That will almost guarantee the safety of your clubs. But keep in mind that the more padding and protection, the heavier and bigger the bag will be.
What's Your Budget? Golf is an expensive sport, and the bill can add up quickly when you are buying the necessary gear. When it comes to golf bags, you'll want to carefully consider what you are willing to spend so that bill doesn't get unnecessarily larger. With the prices of golf bags ranging from under $50 to over $300, you have a wide range to choose from. In general, carrying bags are less expensive than cart bags, and bags made by big-name brands are more expensive than lesser-known brands' bags. If you want to save some extra money, check out the clearance sections of online stores or scout out online auction sites. You can often find great deals on quality golf bags.
Although golf bags come in an overwhelming number of varieties, once you have figured out exactly what you need from a golf bag, selecting the right one will be easy. If you can't decide how you are going to use your golf bag or you need a versatile bag, look for golf bags that have features of both cart and carry bags. The best strategy is to look for a carrying bag that is bigger with more pockets and compartments. It will be the best middle ground.