How to Choose the Best Golf Travel Bag
Unlike other sports, golf isn’t a game that’s determined by your skills alone. Most of the time, it has to do with the equipment you’re using—the more expensive you are, the better chances your game will improve. Golf equipment can thus be considered an investment, an investment that you have to take care of when going to trips with the best golf travel bag you can afford.
The following factors should be considered when shopping for a golf travel bag:
HARD OR SOFT – A golf travel bag is essentially categorized under either of the two categories: hard or soft. Hard golf travel bags are always the better choice because they can provide your equipment with all-weather protection. They do have one major downside, however, and that’s their price. The lowest price you can expect from a hard golf travel bag is more than probably the most expensive soft golf travel bag.
Soft golf travel bags, on the other hand, can only provide you with adequate protection. You will have to take extra precautions if you have a bumpy ride ahead of you. Prices for soft golf travel bags usually start at around $75.
SIZE – Golf irons vary in size, and the size of your bag should greatly depend on the maximum size of your clubs. If you are occasionally using a 48-inch driver, for instance, a golf travel bag with a height of 36-inch naturally won’t do. Of course, bigger bags always mean higher prices as well so keep that in mind when shopping.
LOCK TYPE – What type of lock is provided with your golf travel bag? Remember that golfing equipment is a sizeable investment, and it’s certainly not paranoid for you to think that someone will attempt to steal your things when you’re looking. That happens to a lot of players and not because they were negligent but more because they were using a bag with an inadequate safety and locking system. This is very important if most of your equipment is high-end. Rather than going for bags with the usual zipper or latch, choose one that allows you to padlock things shut!
HANDLES – Always look for multiple handles in golf travel bags. Even if you say you’re the shoulder-carrying-type of user, there will still be instances when you’d have to carry it by hand and vice versa. Check the durability of the handles. Will it able to stand the pressure of carrying the maximum weight allowed for the bag? How about convenience? Does it allow you an easy firm grip on the handles? Does it have shoulder padding? Shoulder padding will prevent the heavy burden on your shoulders to chafe on your skin.
MATERIAL AND DURABILITY – Look for something that’s durable and lightweight to facilitate traveling because that’s after all what you’re buying it for. For optimal safety, look for a bag that has extra thickness on the sides because they’re usually the most vulnerable of all parts of a golf travel bag. Secondly, look for something that’s easy to clean. There will be times when you’ll get mud or something equally noticeable dirty your bag, and if you’re the meticulous type, you’d definitely want to clean it right away.
STORAGE – Look for a golf travel bag that’s collapsible so you won’t need to save extra space for storing it.
WHEELS – Always look for golf travel bags with wheels because they are easier to travel with. Without wheels, you’d be forced to carry your bag all the way unless you’re willing to drag it through whatever terrain you’re traveling on.
APPEARANCE – Lastly, it’s time to consider the appearance. While all the previous factors could be considered necessary, this one isn’t and that’s what makes it the most fun factor to base your shopping preferences on.
Some bags are obviously for males, others are obviously for females, while a number of bags are made for unisexual purposes. Choose one that makes you most comfortable. Consider the color as well! Colors can make your bag either blend…or stand out in a crowd. Choose the design, cut, and style, too.
And there you have it. With all those factors to base your decision on, you’re sure to end up with the ideal golf travel bag for you. Happy playing out of town!