Stand or cart bag?

[Nick77]

I'm new at golf and wondering what kind of bag I should get? stand or cart? I plan on walking my local course in the beginning, but eventually will use a cart for the most part. any suggestions? thanks!

[tran_man]

I'm fairly new too. When I first started, I picked up a stand bag which was good for those short holes. Then I bought myself a pull cart and rarely carried my bag. The stand bag didn't fit on the pull cart too well but it gave me the option to carry it if needed. Then, just recently, I purchased a cart bag with a push cart and I'm glad I did. My cart bag can be pushed around if I want to walk or it will fit on the cart if needed without the pesky legs getting in the way. Sun Mountain does offer a bag that does both. So, I would vote for cart bag with a push or pull cart (depending on your funds).

I think a poll would be beneficial for you.

[Pat007]

If you're going to carry, then get a carry bag. If you're going to use a pull-cart, then get a cart bag. A carry bag on a cart twists, the legs get in the way, the clubs get tangled, etc.

[Dub]

Golf bags used to be huge on compromise....you either had room or you had portability....but never both. That has really changed.


I've had 'em all over the years...from the large staff bags to the smallest carry bags. The large staff bags look and work great, but they never seem to ride well in either cart or push cart. The smaller bags have their own limitations as well.

I have no designs on carrying my sticks any further than the parking lot to the bag drop. I basically look for a stable bag with as many full length dividers as possible that has good onboard storage and doesn't weigh a ton....(less than 6.5lbs or so). The bag has to present the clubs easily when it's tilted at an angle (like the legs being deployed or on a pushcart). This aspect can be nerve wracking if it's not smooth.



The newer stand bags are super!!!! My favorite, after evaluating a ton of them, was the Callaway Hot Warbird stand bag. The base of it rides perfectly in a cart, it stands fully upright well loaded with clubs (how mine is stored at home), plenty of full length dividers, best leg deployment system I've ever seen, under 5.5lbs, etc. I gamed this bag for the last year and a half. My son was the eager recipient of it when I went for a larger bag.

I found myself needing a bit more room when I went to oversized grips. At times things would get jumbled up in the three larger sections.

Once again, did the research and found a winner. It is the current bag in my sig line. This thing will hold a ton of gear if you load it that way. It is also very managable if you don't (the side pockets don't "wing-out" and cause problems). The 14 full length dividers and putter were enough to make me love it. Another facet is the three built in rigid handles on the top...making it very easy to bring in and out of the house as well as lift into carts/push cart/ car/ etc. You simply lift the bag straight up without tilting...it navigates easily through the house, with no bumped furniture that would send my wife into a tizzy and demand the clubs be stored in the garage. That ain't happening, Captian....too humid down here...kills your grip life.

It rides in my push cart very well. I am very happy with this bag so far. I'll see if I can get some pics for you later. I should've taken a pic of it yesterday...14 clubs, four dozen balls, 60 million tees, 6 gloves, 3 20oz water bottles & two freezer packs in the cooler pocket, full rain suit, rangefinder, camera, etc, etc...basically all the golf gear I own except for the shoes. There was still room for tons more.

TGW.com has a bunch of great pics of any bag you'd want...select it and click on the 'product tour' feature to really get a better look.

[Golfaway]

Rock Bottom Golf has OGIO cart bags for $90 and $70.

[WUTiger]

Carry-stand bags have a lot more room in them than when they first came out. If you think you will walk some, get a carry-stand bag.

Many carry bags let you to clip in the legs for when they're in the trunk, or when you put them on either type of cart.

Also, larger cart bags encourage you to bring all kinds of stuff to the course you don't really need.

If you do get a carry-stand bag at a golf shop, have them adjust the straps so you get a smooth tote and don't strain your back.

[Chief Broom]

My bag is a hybrid cart/carry bag. It is designed primarily for carrying but it has a rigid frame that makes it well suited for being strapped to the back of a golf cart. I think though that if I were going to always ride or use a push cart I'd go with some kind of cart bag. You really don't need to spend the money on the carry system on a bag if you aren't planning on carrying a good bit of the time.