Golf Bags That Play Anywhere

Following up on the first two installments of this series Golf Shoes for the modern club member and How to Dress When Playing Golf , this article focuses on a critical element - the golf bag.

Now, you may think that your bag doesn’t matter, but I’m here to tell you that a golf bag says more about you as a player than what you wear. If you own, have ever owned, or want to own a cart bag with 14 dividers, this publication is not for you.

The bags of elite players at country clubs have a specific look. They posses a perfect blend of classic yet modern style. “Clunkiness” is not a word you would use to ever describe a players bag. Similarly to how you identify a Country Club Stick in the wild, one look at the bag should be all you need.

Before we get into the actual bags themselves, let’s discuss how to properly arrange your clubs in a 5-section (proper) bag.

This is the only acceptable arrangement of clubs. If you put your driver in the bottom section, you’re outing yourself as a 15+ handicap who plays 7 hour muni rounds 5 times a year. We are above that here! Please don’t ever show up to a proper club with an inverted bag. Here is what a proper bag should look like:

The head covers are gross, but you see the point. The bag looks and feels balanced.

Ok, moving on to some makes/models that are BTG approved. These are not affiliate links, and I do not get paid for any of this. I do this for the love of the game.

For starters, I always recommend buying and using a bag from your home club. Be proud of where you belong, no matter its status on a national stage.

If you aren’t, thats ok. The list below will be for everyones general knowledge:

This is my current bag and I can’t recommend it enough. Lightweight for the 18 hole walks with plenty of storage.

A tried and true classic, although the silhouette has changed slightly. I like their older models more, and they tend to run on the heavier side of the spectrum… which leads me to the next model…

The lighter cousin of the Hoofer, this model is ideal for walking purists, but beware of the smaller side pockets. Might work well paired with one of Johnnie O’s rain jackets that you can roll up.

Minimalist, with lots of room for storage. If you aren’t a member of a club and don’t want a big logo on your bag, this is probably the best option for you.

Never bring a Sunday bag to a round where you take a caddy.

The name says it all. Anyone playing with a carry bag is a golf purist. You’ll see these predominantly at under-the-radar clubs that encourage walking and do not have a robust caddy program. I’d say the average index of anyone who owns one of these is a 2. Players only.

Mackenzie is the gold standard in carry bags. They continuously and predictably sell out at the highest price point in the game. It’s a top tier brand with top tier quality, and a grail acquisition for anyone.

This list is an excellent place to start if you are on the hunt for a new golf bag or are looking to make the transition to a players bag. You can’t go wrong with any model here, and in my opinion it’s best to stick with neutral colors like black, navy, or dark green.

Each Saturday, we’re going to be releasing exclusive content to subscribers. The first edition will be humorous in nature, taking a look at what goes on in a caddie’s brain when looping for some drunk 15 indexes.

Start your weekend with a laugh - This week it’s free to all subscribers, but going forward you’ll need 5 confirmed referrals to gain access. Click the button below to get started:

Enjoy the weekend, and talk soon.

-BTG

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