Someone recommend me a decent golf bag

[Sartorian]

I just took it up. My friend gave me his old set of clubs. I just need something decent for walking, perhaps w/ separate slots and def. w/ two shoulder straps/tripod style. I don't know what that's called, other than "not for a cart."

Can someone recommend me something that'll work, low-cost, lightweight that's functional and won't fall apart on me? What terms could I use for an ebay search. Should I look on Craigslist?

 

[Brian278]

You want a stand bag. Ogio and Sun Mountain are quality brands, if you come across something used. Ping, and in particular their Hoofer model has been pretty popular with college players and younger competitive amateurs for years.

 

[Sartorian]

Thanks.

A few follow-up queries:

Is there a specific price point for a new bag below which I'd be getting something certain to fall apart?

Also, I saw one guy had a very small bag for sale on CL; he was selling it for $25. Looked older, maybe from the 80s. It was like what you'd see in a cartoon, just a narrow cloth tube w/ a single strap and a reinforced bottom. Is that, like, a travel bag or something? Is it a bad idea to get something like that?

Also, my friend told me I didn't want the clubs to bang around and get scratched up, but he uses graphite clubs. Mine are steel or whatever alloys they used before. Are these also in need of protection from each other, or is that something I don't need to worry so much about?

Oh, and one final thing--I hate newer sports shirts made w/ synthetic fibers. Any nice, vintage golf or maybe tennis clothing I could find, made from natural fibers? Lacoste or Fred Perry or something? Polo and a basic cotton pant sufficient? I never understand why the need for golf-specific clothing, outside of making sponsorship dollars for the players: You're basically just walking in a big park and maybe sweating a bit, right? What am I missing?

 

[Thomas]

Originally Posted by Sartorian

Thanks.

A few follow-up queries:

Is there a specific price point for a new bag below which I'd be getting something certain to fall apart?

Also, I saw one guy had a very small bag for sale on CL; he was selling it for $25. Looked older, maybe from the 80s. It was like what you'd see in a cartoon, just a narrow cloth tube w/ a single strap and a reinforced bottom. Is that, like, a travel bag or something? Is it a bad idea to get something like that?

Also, my friend told me I didn't want the clubs to bang around and get scratched up, but he uses graphite clubs. Mine are steel or whatever alloys they used before. Are these also in need of protection from each other, or is that something I don't need to worry so much about?

Oh, and one final thing--I hate newer sports shirts made w/ synthetic fibers. Any nice, vintage golf or maybe tennis clothing I could find, made from natural fibers? Lacoste or Fred Perry or something? Polo and a basic cotton pant sufficient? I never understand why the need for golf-specific clothing, outside of making sponsorship dollars for the players: You're basically just walking in a big park and maybe sweating a bit, right? What am I missing?

The CL bag sounds like a basic walking bag, without a stand. I used one for a long time and as long as you don't mind laying it down or getting a pull-cart, it's good enough for steel shafts. No, your clubs don't need protection from each other - except for your woods and your putter. BTW - if you're just starting, I would leave the woods at home until you get good with your irons.

I have no shirts that are golf-specific. Pretty much anything with a collar will get you in the door anywhere. Chinos in colder weather, khaki shorts in warmer weather.

About shoes. If you want to drop the money and see a great deal, go with a good pair of spikeless golf shoes. Spikes are pretty well unwelcome from most courses these days. If you'd rather not drop the money, go with something comfortable that has flat soles - I played for a long time in a pair of Adidas Sambas for the wide base and flat soles. Then again I've hit range balls in deck shoes, so it's not a really big deal, just don't get a pair of metal spikes. Now that I think of it, I'm not sure anyone sells metal spikes any more.

Good luck.

 

[Brian278]

The skinny bag you're describing is a "Sunday bag", which is often for carrying a partial set of clubs and is exceedingly spartan. I wouldn't recommend it as I don't like them all that much, it also doesn't have a stand, no pockets, etc.

I would bite the bullet and get a decent stand bag with dividers, look for used ones on eBay. I'm going to stick with Ping (the J-Bag would work), Ogio, and Sun Mountain as my recommendations. Even if your irons have steel shafts they can still be bent or wear down, it's not common but it does happen, and I'm going to assume at least your driver has a graphite shaft which is a good idea to protect as they will break on occasion.

It is tough to find attractive shirts made from hi-tech material, but they do work. I play in 80+ heat for 8 months a year basically and 90+ for 3 or so of those, and I've used them, and they are effective for getting moisture away from your body. But I usually don't play with them precisely because I have a hard time finding decent looking styles, and cotton still works OK.

Just buy the best looking 100% cotton polos you can find in white or lighter colors, Lacoste or Fred Perry will work fine. Cotton pants (I'm guessing you mean chinos) are fine, I prefer wool pants myself because they move a little better but they're obviously hotter. I wear shorts for all but about 3 rounds a year anyway.

 

[Sartorian]

Thanks to both of you for the info. I am starting and probably going to be going to the driving range here in Manhattan quite a bit. I don't anticipate taking more than a few irons at a time for such outings, which is why I was curious about the "spartan, sunday bag." I might just get one for those subway driving range trips. But for now, I still need a full bag for when I go out w/ friends, so I'll go with your recommendations.

As far as clothing goes, I also appreciate the input on that. It's too bad no one makes a nice merino polo...

I love wool trousers far more than chinos, so I'm glad to hear that's not a ridiculous thought for golfing. I don't mind sweating at all (used to live in the desert), I was just curious if I was overlooking some functional aspect to golfwear. Seems I wasn't.

As far as shoes go, I actually bought a pair of well-fitting Asics golf shoes w/ low-profile traction for 10 bucks in a thrift store in Indiana a few years ago. I wore them on the course a couple times, and they were great. Last week, I was out in a pair of flat-soled Keds with no problems.

Thanks for the tips, again. I'm now confident I don't need to spend money on more than my bag and some balls, which makes me very happy.