Bag – Golfing Agency

Do You Really Need to Carry a Sand Wedge in Your Bag?

detlef32 — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 16:40:41 +0000

With the way golf club lofts have changed in the last few years, it’s important to consider what wedges you have in your bag and if they are the right fit for your game. A sand wedge is important not just for getting out of the sand trap but also for chips and pitches around the green.

I love my sand wedge and would never take it out of the bag, but not all golfers feel this way. Let’s take a look at some reasons why you may want to keep your sand wedge and some reasons you may want to let it go.

The Case FOR Carrying a Sand Wedge in Your Bag

I’ll let you know right from the start that my case for carrying a sand wedge will be stronger than my case against carrying a sand wedge. I think it’s an important club. There are three reasons I would recommend carrying a sand wedge in your bag: control, versatility, and loft.

Control

The sand wedge is one of the easiest clubs in the bag for an amateur golfer to be able to put backspin on. If you are chipping shots around the green, the ability to stop them is essential. Whether you are working on short approach shots or something out of a greenside bunker, control is paramount.

In addition to the ability to spin the ball and stop it on the green, the sand wedge is also good for distance control. Once you learn how your sand wedge works, you can hit shorter shots like 20, 30, 40, and 50 yard shots that help you become more accurate.

Versatility

The sand wedge is versatile. Although many beginners think this is a club to hit out of the sand traps, it is much more than that. A 56-degree sand wedge should be one of your best friends when you get close to the green.

The bounce angle, clean leading edge, and trajectory of the sand wedge make it a perfect selection for various shots. If you open the face of the sand wedge, it’s possible to hit a flop shot. If you close it a little, you can have a lower ball flight with a bit more roll.

Loft

Golf manufacturers are making clubs with less and less loft. The reason behind this is distance. If you need distance, then you want these lower-lofted clubs. With the center of gravity advancements and repositioning, golfers can still hit the ball high, even with the lower lofted clubs in their hands.

I love having the sand wedge in my bag because it’s a little more loft than the gap wedge and a little less than the lob wedge; it fills a gap in my bag that I need to fill.

The Case AGAINST Carrying a Sand Wedge in Your Bag

Now that you have a better idea as to why a sand wedge is so important, we have to address the elephant in the room here, the golfers that can’t stand the club and don’t keep it in the bag. Most of the time, this is a beginner golfer or high handicapper that struggles with the short game.

If you take the sand wedge out of the bag each time and it results in a shot that is chunked or skulled across the green, then chances are it is not helping you to keep the club in the bag.

As a golf professional, I have always felt that any player can learn how to use any club that is fitted to their game. I also understand that there are some mental hangups around certain clubs, like the sand wedge.

Sometimes the way the sand wedge sets up is not very confidence-inducing. It makes players think that they have to scoop the ball up off the ground to get it into the air. Of course, that isn’t the case, but it can take some time to figure this concept out.

In addition, when you are struggling with the sand wedge, it is not always a club that offers much forgiveness. In fact, it’s pretty unforgiving, especially in the blade style wedge. If you need to simplify your short game, there are alternatives to the sand wedge that could be a good fit.

The Types of Players Who SHOULD Carry a Sand Wedge

Golfers who should carry a sand wedge include mid to low handicappers and even some high handicappers confident in their chipping strokes. In addition, golfers that want more loft, easy launch out of sand traps, and more workability in their shots should also consider using the sand wedge.

Lower Handicappers

Professional golfers and those that shoot low have an incredible ability to control what the ball does around the green. The reason they can do this is partially because of feel but also because of the equipment they play with.

Something like a Titleist Vokey SM9 wedge is designed for this type of player, and it has lots of greenside spin to help keep the ball from rolling off the green or past the pin.

Mid Handicappers

The mid handicappers or average golfers find the sand wedge can help them get out of trouble and get up and down from a variety of places on the golf course. Depending on the type of courses you play, there could be trouble around the greens, and the sand wedge can save you.

Mid handicappers often have enough confidence in their swing to take a full swing with a sand wedge and use it as an approach shot into the green.

Most mid handicappers play with some type of game-improvement iron with a lower lofted pitching wedge. Adding the sand wedge into the game helps with an extra loft on bunker shots and greater versatility.

High Handicappers

You may have assumed that high handicappers and beginners are the players that should not carry a sand wedge. I don’t think this is true. However, as a high handicapper or beginner, you do have to have a general understanding of what it takes to hit a solid chip shot with a sand wedge.

If you can get a general idea of what a great shot with this club feels like, you can decrease your score and get up and down.

Some beginner sets do not include a sand wedge because it takes a bit of time to learn how to use one. However, you can absolutely learn the skills if you dedicate a little time.

The Types of Players Who SHOULDN’T Carry a Sand Wedge

Golfers that should not carry a sand wedge include those that skull, chunk, or even shank a sand wedge each time they take it out of the bag. After having taught thousands of golf lessons in my career, I can tell you that this player exists.

Sometimes the higher lofted wedge is just not a good fit for a player, and they struggle too much each time the club comes out of the bag. There is good and bad news here.

The good news here is that most of the chipping you need to do around the green can be done with other clubs and slight adjustments to your stance and setup. The bad news is you still need a golf club with a high loft somewhere in the bag.

Sand Wedge Alternatives

There are a few clubs you will want to have in place if the sand wedge throws you off. Remember that if you choose not to have anything higher in loft than the pitching wedge, there will be certain greenside shots that are nearly impossible to pull off.

Pitching Wedge

The pitching wedge is the wedge that most golfers use if they are reluctant to take out the sand wedge. Pitching wedges can help you take a more compact swing and still see results in your golf game.

Pitching wedges have less loft than sand wedges, so the ball will roll a bit more when it does hit the green.

Chipper

A chipper is essentially like a mix between a putter and a wedge. With the chipper, you have a shorter club (about putter length) that allows you to take a miniature version of a bigger chipping stroke.

It’s almost like taking a putt with a club with a bit more loft and standard wedge grooves. The loft of a chipper is low, and it’s best for bump-and-run shots.

Forgiveness from a chipper is impressive, and the chance of skulling or chunking this shot is slim.

Lob Wedge (Bunker Rescue Club)

As I mentioned, if you don’t have the sand wedge in the bag, you still need something that provides a higher launch. A high launch club gets you out of a bunker or on the green when you have short-sided yourself.

Some golf clubs are made for golfers that struggle with the traditional sand wedge. They are high-lofted wedges like the xE1 designed specifically to get you out of the bunker in one shot.

If you take the sand wedge out because it brings in too much inconsistency, make sure you still have a plan for yourself when the golf ball ends up in the bunker.

Brittany Olizarowicz

Britt O has been playing golf since the age of 7. Almost 30 years later, she still loves the game, has played competitively on every level, and spent a good portion of her life as a Class A PGA Professional. Britt currently resides in Savannah, GA, with her husband and two young children.

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How Many Golf Clubs Can (and Should) You Have in Your Bag?

detlef32 — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 04:55:21 +0000

Golfers tend to get really particular about their equipment. Not just in the clubs they have in their bag but the way they organize it and set the bag up for play.

If you are wondering just how many clubs you should have in the bag and which clubs those should be, we have you covered! Let’s take a look at how many golf clubs you can and should have in your bag.

How Many Golf Clubs Can Fit in a Golf Bag?

The average golf bag can accommodate more than 14 golf clubs, but the USGA has a rule in place limiting all players to 14 clubs. With the USGA setting this rule, it makes sense to follow it and be in compliance when you are on the golf course.

Even though you are allowed to have 14 golf clubs in the bag, not all players need everything from a 3 wood to a 3 iron to a lob wedge and everything in between. The 14-club rule is simply the maximum; it is not a mandatory number of golf clubs that you need to have on the course.

Many beginner golf club sets are designed with just 8 golf clubs. This helps to keep the game more straightforward while players are learning how to increase clubhead speed and total distances. Some great players will struggle to narrow down their selection to just 14 because they can appreciate the differences between each individual golf club.

Which Golf Clubs You Should Carry (Based on Skill Level)

As I mentioned, not all golfers need to worry about the 14-club limit. To be honest, as a scratch golfer, I only have 13 in my bag at the moment, and it’s not hurting me. The key is to have a set of clubs that perfectly highlights your ability on the golf course and helps you navigate the different types of shots you will hit.

Beginner Golfers

Beginner golfers that are just starting in the game will often hit all golf clubs the same distance. When a golf shot hit with a 7 iron goes the same distance as one hit with a 9 iron, it doesn’t really make sense to carry all of the clubs.

In addition, it won’t make sense for most golfers to purchase all of the clubs.

I highly recommend that each beginner golfer starts out with one of each type of golf club. For instance, having a driver, a fairway wood, a hybrid, an iron, a wedge, and a putter is ideal. Outside of this, it will all just be extra.

Most beginner sets will have about eight clubs, and that is plenty for the beginner player. Once you start to see significant distance gaps between something like a 9 iron and a hybrid, it’s time to fill in with a few other golf clubs.

Most beginners will upgrade from their beginner sets within one to three years of being beginner players. This is typically when it makes sense to have a set of clubs that each go a specific distance, about ten yards apart.

Sample Club Set Makeup

Driver
5 Wood
4 Hybrid
8 iron
Pitching Wedge
Putter

High Handicap Golfers

High handicap golfers tend to struggle with consistency and accuracy in their shots. Two of the things that high handicap golfers need to look for are high loft angles and large sweet spots. Most high handicappers will carry a driver and then some type of fairway wood to use as a backup to the driver.

I think the 5 wood makes much more sense for a higher handicapper than a 3 wood because of its ease of use. The 5 wood has a higher loft and can get the ball up a bit further in the air.

Higher handicap golfers tend to love hybrids. Hybrids are easy to hit out of the rough. The hybrid club makes a great alternative to long irons and is a smart choice for players that are struggling with irons as a whole.

The high handicap golfer traditionally won’t want more than 5-8 irons and a few wedges mixed in. If the set ends up with just 10-13 clubs, this is not going to cost a higher handicap player any strokes. So many players have a fairway wood or a 3 iron in their bag they never use; it’s not even worth bringing along!

Sample Club Set Makeup

Driver
5 Wood
4 Hybrid
5 Hybrid
6-PW
GW
SW
Putter

Mid Handicap Golfers

Mid handicap golfers are those in the 11-20 range that have quite a bit more consistency than the high handicap player. This opens the door to a few more clubs like the 3 wood or even a 3 hybrid.

These clubs can help golfers get a bit more distance and perhaps work the ball a little as well. In addition, many mid-handicap golfers have started to incorporate the lob wedge into their set.

Mid handicap golfers sometimes play in tournament-type events and should make sure that they are following the 14 club rule to avoid the two-stroke penalty. (Four stroke penalty if the error is not noticed at the start of the round).

Some mid handicappers still struggle with distance and consistency in the long irons. This is where it makes the most sense to have a few extra hybrids in the bag.

Sample Club Set Makeup

Driver
3 Wood
5 Wood
3 Hybrid
4 Hybrid
5 Hybrid
6-PW
SW
LW
Putter

Low Handicap Golfers

Low handicap golfers are by far the most particular when it comes to their golf club set makeup. The great thing about low handicap golfers is that they have very consistent golf swings and can usually hit the center of the clubface.

With this skill, the golf bag can be filled with clubs that the player likes and feels comfortable with. Most low handicap golfers are going to have four wedges in their bag, one fairway wood, and a few hybrids mixed in.

One of the most important things for low handicap golfers to keep in mind is the loft gapping. Each golf club in the set should have a unique loft and playing characteristic. If your 7 wood and 3 hybrids have the same loft, it’s probably not best to include both in your bag.

Instead, choose a variety of golf clubs that can be used to put together a really great round of golf.

Sample Club Set Makeup

Driver
3 Wood
3 Hybrid
4 Hybrid
5-9 Irons
PW
GW
SW
LW
Putter

Brittany Olizarowicz

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How Much You Should Pay for a Golf Bag (Plus Top Picks)

detlef32 — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 22:24:37 +0000

Do you remember the days when a premium golf bag was $100?

Unfortunately, this is no longer the case. Along with most other things in the sport, golf bags are getting more expensive. A lot of this comes down to the type of golf bag you choose, the brand, and the features you are looking for.

We have put together a guide to help you understand how much to pay for a golf bag and a few of our favorite picks for the best golf bags on the market.

How Much Does a New Golf Bag Cost?

A new golf bag can cost anywhere from around $50 to well over $500. The average golf bags are in the $150 to $300 range. One of the biggest indicators of golf bag pricing is the details of what you are looking for in the bag.

Value Bag

A value-priced golf bags are those in the $50-$100 range. The things you will quickly notice about these golf bags are that they are not feature-rich, and they are typically smaller.

Many Sunday golf bags fall into this category. They are low in price but won’t even have enough storage for all 14 of your golf clubs.

You can expect that with a value bag, the color will probably fade, and there will be issues with fabric and zippers at some point that cause you to need a replacement. However, for those on a budget or golfers looking for an extra bag, this is a good choice.

The value bag is also smart for beginners that are not sure they plan to stick with the game.

Average Bag

The average golf bag ranges from around $100 to $200. At the higher end of this range, you may see some premium bags that are a year or two old, and their pricing is starting to drop.

In this price range, you will notice that the cart bags are more expensive than the stand bags. Most cart bags are bigger and have some extra features that the stand bags don’t have. This makes them a bit more expensive.

Although this is not a cheap price range for bags, it is where most golfers will end up when they decide on something to purchase.

Premium Golf Bag

Premium golf bags are for golfers that are not willing to sacrifice features and functionality. If you want magnetic pockets, a place to store all of your valuables, and a removable ball pocket that can be customized, this is the category you will end up in.

Premium golf bags are known to last for a long time and often have fabric that does not fade or rip.

These golf bags are made by some of the best manufacturers in the game, and they often come with warranties. Expect the costs here to be over the $200 mark, with most getting closer to $300.

Luxury

A luxury golf bag will have many of the same features as a premium golf bag, except the fabric will typically be a bit more advanced. Many of these bags are leather or hand sewn and are ordered more as specialty items.

Although we consider this category to be in the $400-$500 range, there are some bags that can go into the $1000 range.

With luxury golf bags, you typically get something that is more of a one-of-a-kind piece. You will

also notice that many tour-style golf bags can be considered more of a luxury item.

The 2 Main Types of Golf Bags

There are two main types of golf bags a stand bag and a cart bag. Although you can use a stand bag for various purposes, using a cart bag for anything other than riding on a cart can be a bit of a nuisance.

Stand Bag

A stand bag is meant for walking the golf course. Most of these will come with a strap on the back that allows you to carry the golf bag almost like a backpack. The stand bag is typically sleek looking and a bit more lightweight than a cart bag.

One of the best things about stand bags is that if you choose not to walk the course and you want to ride for one round, the stand bag can work for you.

Most of the time, stand bags are a bit lower in price than cart bags.

Cart Bag

A cart bag is a golf bag designed specifically for a golf cart. When you put the golf cart bag into the cart, it straps in tightly and won’t move much as you play. Cart bags are great for protecting your golf clubs as well as allowing you to store all of your golf gear.

One thing that you have to watch out for with cart bags is that they are a bit heavier, and they can also be more money.

If you are a player that does not have much gear and doesn’t want much gear, you may not need a cart bag.

What You Should Expect to Pay for a Golf Bag (Based on Skill Level)

Another factor that comes into play when looking for a golf bag is how your skill level will impact the bag you choose. Of course, it’s fine for any player to choose a bag that they love; there are some things here to keep in mind.

Remember also that regardless of your handicap, you must consider whether you like to walk or ride the golf course. Walking the course with a big heavy cart bag is not fun at all!

Beginner/High Handicap

Beginners and high handicappers should look for golf bags that are lightweight and cheap. If golf ends up being a sport that you don’t stick with, there is no sense in owning a $400 golf bag. Stay in the $75 to $150 range.

If you go for a stand bag, walking becomes an option, and that can save some money as well.

Mid Handicap

The mid handicapper makes up the majority of the golfing population. This is the group of players that typically spend between $100 and $250 on a golf bag. If you play golf on a cart, most of the time, tour cart bags are a great solution; tour bags are not necessary at all.

With mid handicappers, make sure to have full-length apparel pockets to be able to fit golf in all year long and have the proper equipment with you.

Low Handicap

Low handicap players tend to look for golf bags that have a few extra features. Things like a cooler pocket, full length dividers to protect golf gear, premium shoulder strap, and easy lift handles. Low handicap players are often the most particular of golfers and spend $250 and up on new golf bags.

The type of golf bag that works best for low-handicap players will vary depending on whether you prefer to walk or ride the course.

Our Top 3 Golf Bags to Consider

Here are some of the best golf bags on the market in various price ranges. New bags come to the market every year, and they offer technology that you may not have even known about.

Things like swivel tops and magnetic pockets have been some of the more recent additions to golf bags in the last few years.

Best Overall for Beginners/High Handicappers: Snake Eyes Golf Ultra Premium Cart Bag

Pros

Velour lined valuables pocket
Rangefinder pocket
2 Full length garment pockets
14 Way top

Cons

Not the best choice for the beginner that likes to walk the course
Limited color selection

For a beginner golfer who is new to the game but wants to feel well-equipped to spend some time out on the golf course, the Snake Eyes Golf Ultra Premium Cart Bag is a great option to consider.

This 10” top has 14 full-length dividers making sure that all of your clubs are adequately protected as you ride around the course. This bag also works well on a push cart for those that want to walk and push their clubs.

There are a total of 9 pockets to accommodate a wide variety of your gear. In addition, an insulated hydration pocket makes sure you are always feeling hydrated before you swing.

Best for Golfers on a Budget (Izzo Ultralight Stand Bag)

Izzo Ultra Lite Stand Bag

Available in 6 different colors to choose from and some of the more lightweight technology on the market. Made of high-strength polyester, and only weighs 2.3 pounds.

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Pros

Customizable ball pocket
Dual strap carry system
3.2 pounds total weight

Cons

The bag will fade over time
Full-length dividers are not all that durable; not very many of them

With 6 different colors to choose from and some of the more lightweight technology on the market, this is a great budget golf bag. With budget golf bags, players have to be willing to give up a feature or two, and with the Ultra Lite Stand Bag, you won’t have to sacrifice much.

The bag is made of high-strength polyester, and it only weighs 2.3 pounds. The dual carry strap works well to balance the weight between your two shoulders. If you are walking the course, the Izzo Ultralight Stand Bag has enough room to accommodate everything you need.

Best Premium Golf Bag: Sun Mountain C-130 Cart Bag

Pros

One water-resistant pocket
Ventilated cooler pocket
Separate putter compartment
More than 8 colors to choose from
Fourteen individual club dividers

Cons

Sun Mountain has always made some of the higher-priced golf bags on the market

Sun Mountain makes some of the most premium golf bag choices on the market. With the Sun Mountain C-130, expect fourteen individual club dividers, a dedicated putter compartment, and velour-lined valuables pockets for all of your belongings.

The Sun Mountain brand always seems to tap into exactly what players are looking for. They break down the things that matter most for golfers, like organization and ease of use, and build premium quality golf bags that touch on all of these points.

There are a total of 13 pockets in this golf bag, making it incredibly easy to put all of your gear where it belongs. In addition, players of all levels love the dedicated putter compartment that holds your most used golf club.

Brittany Olizarowicz

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The Only 2 Wedges That a Beginner Should Carry in Their Bag

detlef32 — Thu, 03 Nov 2022 12:39:08 +0000

If you can master your wedge and putting game, you will see your scores drop rapidly. Up and downs have kept me in the game for most of my life. To help you improve your short game, I am unveiling the two best wedges that a beginner should carry in their bag.

I will help you teach you about loft, distance gapping, and what shots you can play with each. By the end of this post, you will possess the knowledge to dial in your wedges.

The Top 2 Wedges a Beginner Golfer Should Carry in Their Bag

There are four different types of wedges. A pitching, gap, sand, and lob. All of these clubs are crafted for your short game, but they contain varying degrees of loft and bounce. The weaker the loft of your wedge is, the higher it flies and the more it spins.

You can only carry 14-clubs in your bag. That is why it is a difficult process to execute. Personally, I play with three wedges, but beginners only need two.

As a beginner, I advise starting off with two wedges, nothing fancy. All you need to do at this point is a club that bridges the distance gap between your short irons and wedges. As well as a club that offers sufficient loft to get out of greenside bunkers and optimize your precision on chip shots.

Therefore, the top two wedges that a beginner should carry in their bags are pitching and a sand wedge.

1. Pitching Wedge

Golf Monthly suggests that a pitching wedge carries an average of 44.5-degrees of loft, making it the strongest lofted wedge on the market. A pitching wedge produces the least amount of spin and the most distance of the wedges.

A pitching wedge is generally the only wedge included in a modern iron set.

Golfweek explains that the average male golfer hits a full pitching wedge between 100 to 110-yards. Obviously, that distance depends on the wind, moisture, and how cleanly you strike your shot.

Additionally, as its name suggests, this is the best club to play a pitch shot, where the ball flies further than it rolls. If you can master this shot from 50-yards and closer, you will save many shots every round.

Finally, a pitching wedge helps you play a pitch and run shot around the green. Its strengthened loft keeps the ball low and runs it up to the hole.

Best Pitching Wedge: Callaway Big Bertha B21

Top pick

Callaway Big Bertha B21

Club profile is engineered to give you more confidence over the ball with noticeably wider soles. For easy launch, lower spin and straighter shots, more offset has been added.

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The Callaway Big Bertha B21 pitching wedge offers beginner golf players a forgiving, easy launching wedge for superior short game results.

Its A.I.-designed Flash Face Cup produces consistent ball speed and robust spin on all shots, leading to a forgiving wedge.

Furthermore, Callaway’s engineers shaped the profile of the wedge to deliver supreme turf interaction. This helps you to catch the ball cleanly from any lie in the fairway or rough, resulting in prime spin, launch, and ball speed on each shot.

Finally, urethane microspheres are inserted between the clubface and cavity. It produces a soft feel at impact.

Overall, high handicappers and beginners benefit from the forgiveness, consistent spin, and easy launching nature of the B21. As a result, it helps you achieve increased control in your short game to save strokes.

2. Sand Wedge

A sand wedge is the second weakest lofted wedge on the market and is used for bunker shots and chipping. Golf Monthly explains that this is typically a 56-degree wedge designed to help the average player get the ball high and spin rapidly.

Despite its name suggesting that it only be used from the bunker, it is the best wedge for chipping. In addition, it carries sufficient loft, should you need to send the ball high and stop it rapidly.

You can find a more detailed run-down on sand wedges in our guide to a 58-degree wedge.

Best Sand Wedge: Wilson Harmonized Golf Wedge

Top pick

WILSON Harmonized Golf Wedges

This wedge performs optimally around the green producing high launching chips and supreme shot stopping power. The sole grind design of this wedge allows you to open the face for additional loft with ease.

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The Wilson Harmonized Sand Wedge is a highly affordable option for beginners. Despite its low price, this wedge performs optimally around the green producing high launching chips and supreme shot stopping power.

The sole grind design of this wedge allows you to open the face for additional loft with ease. That means that you can increase the height and spin of your shots by opening your clubface. In addition, the bounce angle design of the Harmonized wedge prompts rapid spin to stop your ball immediately when landing.

Therefore, it equips you with the confidence to attack the pin and increase your up and down record.

Ultimately, the Wilson Harmonized Sand Wedge offers an affordable, high spinning chipping tool ideal for beginners or a high handicapper.

Why You Should Be Carrying These 2 Wedges

Distance

I know wedges are associated with spin and greenside control, but distance gapping is relevant to this debate. If you select the incorrect wedges, you could leave distance gaps in your game, leading to inaccurate distance control, and wasted shots.

I hit an average length ball, and in dry conditions, with no wind, I average 120-yards with a 9-iron and 109-yards with a pitching wedge. My 9-iron is 39-degrees, and my pitching wedge 45. The six-degree loft variation equates to a loss of 11-yards.

Then, I carry a 56-degree sand wedge and a 60-degree loft wedge. With a full swing and a delofted sand wedge, I average 87-yards, in perfect conditions. I don’t generally hit a full lob wedge and keep it for flop shots, but if I do, my average is 70-yards.

If you have a 39-degree 9-iron and only carry a 56-degree sand wedge, you lack 17-degrees of loft. Based on my example, that means that 33-yards would be missing from my bag. Shots between 87 to 120-yards out would require a soft 9-iron or a forced sand wedge, which is not ideal for your distance control.

Similarly, without a sand wedge or lob wedge, you cannot swing full-on shots shorter than 109-yards. As a result, you don’t enjoy the launch and spin for superior shot-stopping power.

Control

A pitching and sand wedge optimize your short game control. Using the correct wedge produces improved distance control over a softly swung 9-iron.

Like anything, when you do not possess the correct tools, you cannot execute your tasks effectively. The same goes for wedges. If you only have a pitching wedge, you might struggle to control bunker shots or short chips.

Conversely, playing the lack of a pitching wedge leads to you hitting soft 9-iron shots, which do not stop as quickly as the former.

Spin

Although a pitching wedge spins more than any iron, it combines spin and ball speed to deliver distance and control. That means that you can still hit the ball over 100-yards. However, the spin equips the ball with optimal shot stopping power for consistency around the greens.

Those who substitute soft 9-irons for full wedge shots lose that spin. Therefore, the ball does not stop as quickly and rolls uncontrollably, leading to inaccurate distance control.

Conversely, a sand wedge promotes increased spin enabling you to get the ball high and stop it quickly. That means that you can control your chip shots better to improve your up and down record.

Basically, the higher the loft of your golf clubs are, the more they will spin. As Trackman explains, excess spin impacts distance. However, insufficient spin implodes your control around the green. That is why you need a combination of a medium spinning pitching wedge and high spinning sand wedge.

Additional Wedges That an Intermediate Player Might Carry

Gap Wedge

I wish I had opted for a gap wedge instead of a lob wedge when I was a junior golfer. The weakest part of my game were shots from 90 to 110-yards out. A pitching wedge was too much club, while a sand wedge was insufficient.

If I had an approach wedge (AW), I would have improved my distance control and been far better than a 4-handicapper. However, I opted for a lob wedge because it catered to my preference of chipping the ball high and stopping it dead.

I advise intermediate players to not make the mistake I did and add a gap wedge to your arsenal. Having control over the 90 to 110-yard range is a game-changer, especially if you play on courses with short par 4’s.

Best Gap Wedge: Cleveland CBX 2

Top pick

Cleveland Golf CBX 2 Wedge

Additional weight distributed to the perimeter offers more forgiveness at impact. Three different sole Grinds deliver more versatility to execute any shot on the course.

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The Cleveland CBX 2 offers mid-handicap golfers superior forgiveness because of its cavity back design. Added perimeter weighting increases forgiveness on off-center strikes, while three dynamic sole grinds execute any shot of your preference.

Furthermore, the engineers employed Enhanced Feel Balancing and Rote Face technology to ensure maximum spin. As a result, you enjoy a soft feel at impact and optimal greenside control for better results on approach.

Additional Wedges That an Advanced Player Might Carry

Lob Wedge

I am a big fan of lob wedges because the weaker loft suits my way of chipping. I like to put the ball up high and stop it dead wherever possible. I also grew up playing parkland courses where clearing trees and sand traps were an every-round occurrence.

The ability to generate supreme spin, launch a ball high, and stop it dead is a handy tool in your artillery. Mid and high-handicappers may struggle to control the spin and loft of this wedge. But low handicappers looking to attack the pin on every chip shot will appreciate the distance control precision that it offers.

To learn more about the powers of a 60-degree wedge, read our review.

Best Lob Wedge: Mizuno JPX 921

Top pick

Superior golfers demand a buttery-soft feel, attractive appearance, and optimal spin from their wedges. The Mizuno JPX 921 ticks these boxes and offers low handicappers some of the best golf wedges on the market.

Mizuno constructed these wedges with rough face milling lines to enhance the spin on close-range shots. In addition, X30 stainless steel produces a soft feel and crisp acoustics off the clubface.

Finally, a Pearl brush finish repels moisture away from the clubface to promote a clean strike. Plus, it reduces glare while setting up for your shot. Despite its quality feel and performance, it is a relatively affordable option.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years.

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How Many Golf Clubs Do You Really Need in Your Bag?

detlef32 — Wed, 02 Nov 2022 23:01:36 +0000

Identifying the ideal golf clubs for your game is a challenging endeavor. There are countless brands and any type of clubs you could desire, it is difficult to know where to start. However, before you start your search, you need to know how many golf clubs are in a bag.

From there, it enables you to remove any unnecessary options from the shopping list and allows you to focus on what is important. In this post, I explain how many clubs you can carry in your bag and how to select the correct tools for your swing.

How Many Golf Clubs You Can Have in Your Bag

USGA rules dictate the maximum number of golf clubs you carry in your golf bag is fourteen. There is no legislation dictating which fourteen clubs you can carry. The decision is up to you.

If you are caught with more than fifteen clubs in your bag, you are assessed a penalty. If you are playing stroke play, you receive a two-stroke penalty for the hole that you realize you are in breach of the rules of golf.

A famous scenario occurred in the final round of the 2001 Open Championship. After birding the first and moving into a tie for the lead, Ian Woosnam realized he had an extra fairway wood in his bag, taking his tally to fifteen. He received a two-shot penalty on the second tee box and continued to slide down the leaderboard.

Contrarily, if you are playing in a matchplay tournament, you will lose every hole that you had a 15th club. Say you play three holes before noticing you are in violation of the 14-club rule, then you lose those three holes and be three down.

For example, you can carry two or three putters, and nobody cares as long as there are no more than fourteen in the bag. I don’t recommend doing this, but it highlights that the type of clubs are irrelevant as long as the limit is not exceeded.

Conversely, you can carry less than fourteen clubs if you wish. During practice rounds, I often do this to force myself to get creative with a selection of shots.

How Many Golf Clubs You SHOULD Have in Your Bag

Where possible, I advise carrying all fourteen clubs in your bag. I say this because a complete set equips you for any scenario. You don’t want to be caught out with distance gaps because of insufficient wedges or woods.

As a junior, I only carried seven clubs. Two woods, three irons, a pitching wedge, and a putter. It was enough to get me around the course when distance gaps were not a problem. However, as I got older and hit the ball further, I needed more clubs to enhance my performance.

My current setup looks like this :

8-degree driver
14-degree 3-wood
20-degree 7-wood
3-iron to 9-iron
45-degree pitching wedge
54-degree sand wedge
60-degree lob wedge
Two-way blade putter

Now, my bag features some strange selections, so let me list the necessary clubs you should have in your bag to get around the course.

In essence, you need at least ten clubs to get around the golf course. However, that will leave gaps in your distance and make life more difficult. My advice is to take advantage of the 14-club rule and fill your bag.

How to Decide Which Clubs You Should Carry in Your Bag

Choosing your fourteen clubs can give you sleepless nights in the build-up to purchasing new clubs. I recommend visiting your local fitment center for expert advice on which clubs to select. They will help you fill any distance gaps and determine if you need steel shafts on your irons or a graphite shaft on your fairway woods.

Those unable to get fitted can take a leaf out of my book. Contrary to other amateurs, I start with looking at my wedges. I would rather have more wedges and fewer woods because I gain most of my strokes by scrambling around the green.

Professional golfers and amateurs all need a pitching wedge, so start there. That leaves you with thirteen clubs to choose from. Since there is a giant gap in my distance between a pitching and sand wedge, I carry a gap wedge.

Finally, we are left with a choice of sand and lob wedges. The average golfer should opt for a sand wedge, as it is easier to control the launch and spin over a lob. In addition, a sand wedge is ideal for bunker shots.

Once you have your wedge in order, work back from your 9-iron. Make sure that it is no more than six degrees stronger than your pitching wedge choice. Then add an 8, 7, and 6-iron. Those comfortable with launching an iron can add a 4 or 5-iron into the mix.

If you struggle to launch your irons, opt for a 4 or 5-hybrid. Finally, the longer clubs. Whether you have a 4-iron or 4-hybrid, it is worth adding a 5-wood, 3-wood, and finally, a driver.

I suggest employing a launch monitor to help you analyze the best lofts for each iron based on distance and accuracy.

Overall, you should decide which clubs are best for you based on how straight and far you hit each shot. Selecting excess fairway woods and hybrid golf clubs leaves you light in your wedge artillery.

A lack of tools for around the green and short approach shots can cause you to leak strokes.

I used to battle with a gap in distance between my pitching and sand wedge. That led to numerous duffed shots with a half pitching wedge or forced sand wedge.

I kick myself for all the strokes I have wasted after bombing a drive to within 70-yards of the green. Avoid my mistakes, and pay more attention to the importance of your short game club selection.

Matt Stevens

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How to Properly Organize a 14 Slot Golf Bag (with Pictures)

detlef32 — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 13:00:28 +0000

If you have ever owned a Sunday bag with no dividers, you understand the pain of your shafts entangling. It makes it difficult to pull out your golf clubs and increases frustration. The good news is there is a solution to the problem, and in this post, I’ll teach you how to organize a 14 slot golf bag.

This construction is the best friend of any OCD golfer who demands an organized golf bag. 14-slot golf bags separate every club to prevent the shafts and grips from interacting. It makes it easier to store and remove your equipment. Plus, it minimizes the risk of scratching or bending the shafts.

Besides helping you set up the bag for optimal organization, I will also provide a few of my favorite 14 slot bags on the market.

How to Organize a 14 Slot Golf Bag The Right Way

You follow the same setup for a 14-way divider bag as with other designs. The only difference is that these golf bags have a compartment for every club. The standard structure sees your driver and fairway woods in the back slots while your wedges and putter sit in the front row.

Before we walk you through how to organize each compartment of a 14 slot bag, here’s a look at the final product (minus a couple of clubs we were missing ):

Step 1 – Putter

The widest aperture in your golf bag is reserved for your putter. That is because the size of putter grips is increasing, and you need additional space to fit them comfortably. I find putting the flat stick in the bag first makes it easier to structure the rest of your bag.

The position of the putter well varies between golf bags. Some wells are positioned right at the front or bottom of the bag. Conversely, others cater to the low lofted club at the top or back, behind the compartment for woods.

Step 2 – Wedges

If the putter well is at the front of your bag, it is easier to identify the compartment for your wedges. However, if the putter is located at the back, you start from the front left of the bag. That is on your right when facing the bag from the front.

Take your weakest lofted club, potentially a lob wedge, and fit it into the front left slot. Work towards the right side of the bag and place your sand wedge in the next compartment. After that, throw in your gap wedge. Finally, your pitching wedge goes in the front right hole.

Facing the the bag as pictured above, your highest lofted club should be on your left and your pitching wedge on the right.

Step 3 – Mid And Short Irons

Following your pitching wedge is your 9-iron that fits in the lower middle row all the way on the right slot, then the 8, 7, and 6-iron should close out the row (from right to left).

Step 4 – Long Irons And Hybrids

The next step is to place your long irons and hybrids in the bag. Take your 5-iron or 5-hybrid and set it down in the upper middle row all the way on the right slot, followed by your 4-iron or 4-hybrid (from right to left). Finally, place your 3-iron or 3-hybrid in the final spot in the row.

Step 5 – The Woods

Unless the putter well is positioned at the back, this location is typically reserved for your longest club, the driver, followed by fairway woods. Insert your highest lofted fairway wood into the back left compartment. Then, add your strongest lofted fairway wood, followed by your driver.

Your clubs should follow an ascending order from the back right to the back left. In other words, your driver is at the back left, while your wedges and putter are to the right from there. As I mentioned, some bags position their putter well at the back of the bag.

Step 6 – Tee And Balls Pocket

Golf bags carry several pockets on them. They optimize your comfort and boost storage space. The front pockets at the bottom of your bag are typically crafted to house your golf balls and tees.

They generally appear on the front of the bag as an accessible pocket for optimal organization.

Step 7 – Side Pockets

Added to the special tee and ball pocket are side pockets to protect your valuables and accessories during your round. Additional side pockets are built to store your scorecards, rule books, sunglasses, and golf gloves.

Step 8 – Apparel Pocket

Most golf bags contain a side apparel pocket. It is identifiable by its long zip and spacious compartment. It offers sufficient space to store your rain gear, extra towels, and headwear.

Step 9 – Beverage Pocket

Modern golf bags often possess a cooling pocket to keep your water bottle or beers cold during your round. No other equipment or accessories have any business hiding in this cavity.

Why It Makes Sense to Organize It This Way

It makes sense to organize the bag this way because it is easy to identify when something is out of place or when you are low on supplies. In addition, you know where everything is and do not need to waste time searching for tees, balls, your aid kit, or your phone.

Some Other Ways to Organize Your 14 Slot Bag

Instead of positioning your clubs in ascending order from the rear right slot, you can start from the back left. Place your driver in that slot, then move right. Add your strongest lofted fairway wood, and close out the row with the highest fairway wood.

Start the next row from the left with your longest iron, and complete your long iron or hybrid setup. Next, place your 6-iron in the left slot, your 7 and 8-iron in the middle, and your 9-iron on the right.

Move onto the next row, with your pitching wedge positioned left and your highest lofted club in the right slot. Keep your putter in the intended well, or the thick grip may get stuck.

The reality is that you can organize your 14-way bag to suit your personal preference. For years, I was a messy character, with clubs and accessories all over the place. Although it had no impact on my golf game, it delayed me and caused endless frustration to my playing partners on a golf course.

Our Favorite 14 Slot Bags on The Market

Best Golf Cart Bag: Founders Club Premium

Top pick

Founders Club Premium Cart Bag

Molded 14 Way Top Organizer protects irons from damage as well as keeping clubs from rattling/clanging and making noise. Each iron, wood, and putter has it’s own dedicated spot so you will always find the club you need quickly and notice when a club is missing.

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Pros

Ample storage space
Reduces noise while walking
Contains a widened well for thicker putter grips
Insulated beverage pocket

Cons

It is not suitable for walking golfers

The molded 14-way top Founders Club Premium cart bag epitomizes organization. Each club is secured by a molded top which prevents clubs from interacting and rattling while you walk. Besides a separate compartment for each club, the putter well houses to grips with a diameter of 1¾-inches.

Not only are clubs kept organized. Founders Club attached an impressive 12-pockets to this bag for maximum storage. 9-zipper pockets cater to your golf balls, tees, apparel, and divot repair tools.

2 additional mesh pockets provide alternative safekeeping space for ball markers, tees, and balls. In addition, an insulated pocket keeps your drinks cool.

Even though this bag is built specifically for use on golf carts and trolleys, it features comfortable, padded shoulder straps. Plus, it includes a strap channel to ensure maximum security when attached to a moving structure.

Overall, the Founders Club Premium Cart Bag offers superb club protection and storage space. This bag is a worthy accomplice if you own a cart or a push trolley.

Best Stand Bag: Callaway Fairway 14

Callaway Golf 2021 Fairway 14 Stand Bag

Full sized 14-way top with full-length dividers; Nine pockets including a velour lined valuables pocket with waterproof zipper, a cell phone sleeve, an insulated water bottle pocket, and a hidden rain hood pocket behind the hip pad.

Buy on Amazon

Pros

Durable and lightweight fabric
9-pockets
Separate water bottle pocket
Padded shoulder straps
Protective hip pad

Cons

Heavy for a carry bag
Expensive for a carry bag

The Callaway Fairway 14 golf bag is ideal for the golfer who carries their clubs but desires optimal storage space. This bag with lightweight and durable fabric boasts 9 pockets to store everything from your golf balls to your cellphone and wallet. There is a specific valuables pocket that is waterproof for added cover.

Furthermore, an insulated water bottle pocket keeps your drink cool during your round. It helps you to beat the heat.

Padded OptiFit comfort straps adapt to the contours of your shoulders for maximum protection and comfort. Plus, a comfortable hip pad prevents bruises by cushioning the blow every time your bag collides with your hips.

In summary, the Callaway Fairway 14 is a suitable option for golfers who carry their clubs. It provides sufficient storage space, a comfortable strap and hip pad, and a structured 14-way top.

Best Budget 14-Way Golf Bag: Eagole Super Light Cart

Value pick

Pros

Affordable
9-pockets
You can store 8 12-ounce beverage cans
E-trolley base design
A wider well for oversized putter grips and putter heads

Cons

Only 7-full length dividers

If you are on a limited budget, a 14-slot golf bag is a must, and the Eagole Super Light Cart design is worth a look.

The highly affordable bag includes 9-pockets, including 2 apparel and velour-lined valuables compartments. The remaining storage space is dedicated to your golf equipment, including balls, tees, and markers.

In addition, Eagole took beverage storage to another level. This bag is big enough to store 8 12-ounce cans. That is ideal if you and your buddies knock back a beer or two during your round.

Furthermore, 3-molded grab handles are stationed around the bag for a hassle-free lift out of your trunk. Plus, it is built with an E-trolley base system to boost stability when on a push trolley or golf cart.

The design team carved out a specific compartment to house modern putters with oversized grips and heads. Although there are 14-tops, only 7-full length dividers are installed. This still opens your clubs up to entangling but drastically reduces the chances.

Ultimately, the Eagole Super Light Cart Bag is built for carting golfers on a budget. That means if you own or rent a cart or a push trolley every round and capital is tight, you should consider this construction.

Related: Players who do not own 14 golf clubs should read how many golf clubs should you have in your bag. It helps you determine whether you are playing with the correct tools for your game.

Matt Stevens

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How to Clean a Golf Bag: A Simple Step-by-Step Checklist

detlef32 — Sat, 29 Oct 2022 10:44:50 +0000

It’s not the most fun thing to do, but it’s a good feeling to know your bag is finally clean.

In this article, I will take you through each step of cleaning your golf bag, from clearing out your clubs and accessories to vacuuming every nook and cranny. Plus, I will explain why I do not recommend using a water hose to rinse your bag.

What You’ll Need

Golf bag
Vacuum cleaner
Dish soap
Clean bucket of warm water
Clean cloth
Sponge or brush
Dry rag

A Simple Checklist for Properly Cleaning a Golf Bag

Step 1: Empty The Bag

Let me ease you into the process. The first step is to empty out your bag. Start by removing each golf club from its slot. Once they are out, remove your golf balls, tees, rain gear, and any essential accessory. Ensure that every zipper is open and nothing remains inside the pockets.

Darren Arber showcases how to efficiently clean out your bag in the video below:

Step 2: Shake Out The Sand From The Club Slots

Once your bag is cleared out, the second step requires you to remove the remaining dirt and debris from the club dividers in your bag. Tip the bag upside down to allow any matter to run down and out the bag. Give it a couple of shakes until you are satisfied that nothing remains.

Step 3: Remove The Strap and Soak It in Mild Soap Water

You can wipe the strap with some soapy-warm water if you want to. However, I prefer to give it a proper clean.

Unclip the strap from your bag, and let it soak for 2 to 3-minutes. When you notice how brown the water is, you will appreciate your effort to undertake a thorough cleaning. Grab a scrubbing or toothbrush and brush off any remaining mud or marks.

Once it is clean, place the strap in your hand, and create a fist. This helps you press excess moisture out of the material. Hang it up in the dryer room, and leave it overnight.

Step 4:Vacuum The Pockets and Interior of The Bag

Turn your attention back to the golf bag. Before scrubbing your leather, polyester, or nylon golf bag, you need to clean out the interior. Grab your vacuum cleaner and suck out any remaining sand or dust from the storage compartments.

In addition, you should vacuum between any creases in your bag’s material and the club slots. Fit the vacuum with a standard intake port, allowing it to reach the bottom of your golf bag. I suggest turning the bag on its side. That enables you to feed the intake port down the divider to suck up remaining dust and debris.

Step 5: Wipe The Loose Dirt and Dust with a Washcloth

The next step is to remove the top layer of dirt from your golf bag. I suggest attaching your rain hood to the bag for an efficient clean.

Dip a washcloth into a bucket of clean water, and squeeze excess liquid from it. Next, wipe down your golf bag from head to toe to eradicate dust particles from top to bottom. Don’t forget to wipe the base of your bag and the stand to clear it off mud and grass.

Step 6: Scrub The Golf Bag

Add a teaspoon of dish soap to your bucket of clean water and mix it thoroughly. Next, pull out your brush and gently scrub the bag from head to toe to release any deep-seated dirt. You can also add a mix of soap and water to a bottle. Spray water onto the bag and scrub as you go.

Although a soft bristle brush is suitable for nylon and polyester, I suggest using a softer material on a leather golf bag. A dishwashing sponge works well and does not scratch a leather bag. Ensure that you have covered every area before checking step 6 off the list.

Step 7: Remove The Soap From the Bag

Grab a damp microfiber cloth and wipe the remaining soap off your golf bag. Give it a solid rinse and leave it for a few moments. Some golfers suggest employing a hose to rinse off the soap, but I recommend avoiding this approach.

The excessive build-up of water from a hose can cause less durable materials to rip. It also increases the drying time because your bag becomes absolutely soaked.

Step 8: Add Stain Remover to Erase Existing Marks

Return to the bag and conduct a thorough inspection of your work. If your golf bag is as clean as a whistle, take it to the dryer room to rest. However, if your bag still carries the scars of Gatorade, beer, and ketchup spillage, you still have a job to do.

Spray a healthy dosage on the stubborn stains, and give it 30-seconds to neutralize the mark. Then employ a toothbrush and get scrubbing to remove it. There is no guarantee that you will totally remove stains, but it is worth attempting.

Some commentators mention that they have successfully removed golf bag stains using a mix of water and white vinegar. The going ratio is apparently 1:5, meaning 1 part vinegar and 5 parts warm water. I cannot comment on its effectiveness, but those I have spoken to swear by it.

Step 9: Dry Your Bag

Once the cleaning part is complete, it is time to dry it and prepare for your next round of golf. You may be tempted to leave your bag out in the direct sunlight, but try to avoid this method. It can cause the colors on your bag to fade, which is an unpleasant sight on the golf course.

Place your bag in a warm room, out of direct sunlight, and let it dry overnight. You could even throw an air dryer into the mix to expedite the process.

Step 10: Restock Your Bag

Now that your bag is clean and dry, you need to put everything back where you found it. Place your golf shafts into the club dividers, and follow the instructions from our guide on organizing a golf bag.

Store your golf balls and tees in the assigned compartment and the bottom of your bag while the rain gear moves to the apparel pocket. When the job is complete, you are ready to walk onto the course as an organized, clean golfer who looks the part.

FAQ’s

What Can I Do If My Golf Bag Still Smells After Cleaning It?

There are 3 ways to neutralize the odor of your golf bag, namely baking soda, coffee beans, and fabric softener. Fill a bag with one of these substances and place it into the compartment responsible for the foul smell.

While I have used coffee beans to improve the smell of another bag, I have never attempted it with my golf bag. I always found that regularly cleaning it prevents these scenarios, and prevention is always the best cure.

However, my best buddy growing up had this issue at one point and employed fabric softener. It added a few extra ounces of weight to his bag, but man, it made it smell good.

How Do I Get Rid of Set-In Stains?

Spray the affected areas with your stain remover detergent or vinegar concoction. Leave it to settle on the surface of the mark for 30-seconds to 1-minute. Take out a toothbrush and activate your elbow grease. Scrub in a circular motion on top of the stain and work the detergent into the area.

Wet the brush, and remove the formula from the golf bag. Take a time out, and check to see if you are making progress. If the stain is still apparent, repeat the process until you see an improvement.

How Often Should I Clean My Bag?

I advise cleaning your golf bag at least once a month. You do not need to conduct a deep clean this frequently, but keep it tidy and shining. However, I urge you to conduct a thorough cleaning every 3 months.

This helps you avoid the build-up of dust, humidity, and mold. The latter two are difficult to rid your bag of and carry a permanent funky smell.

For starters, you can clean out your golf bag after every round. This helps you toss empty bottles, sandwich containers, or candy wrappers. You can accumulate junk rapidly, and it doesn’t take long until it becomes disgusting.

A subscriber of Darren Arber claims that he found a moldy banana and a rotten half-eaten sandwich in his bag. As disgusting as this is, it doesn’t surprise me. There are many grubby golfers among us, and constantly emptying out your bag is one way to keep it tidy.

Additional resources on cleaning your golf equipment:

Matt Stevens

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Callaway players to carry St Andrews-inspired bag at 150th Open

detlef32 — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 06:06:40 +0000

Callaway, like many of the major golf brands, often creates limited edition golf bags for their tour players to use for the major championships, but this year, in celebration of the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews, the company has taken things a step further by launching a competition among local schoolchildren to come up with a design to celebrate the milestone event in bag form.

The tour pro judging panel included Danny Willett, the 2021 Alfred Dunhill Links champion, and Min Woo Lee, who played The Old Course in reverse last year to commemorate the 200th birthday of four-time Open winner Old Tom Morris.As an extension of the design challenge, larger-than-life sculptures of the final ten bags have been positioned in various locations around St Andrews running up to The Open. These specially commissioned sculptures formed a new attraction, The Big Bag Trail, a route from which locals and visitors can explore the town and remains open until July 17.Iona’s winning design takes inspiration from many of St Andrews’ iconic and recognisable landmarks, including the famous Swilcan Bridge on the 18th hole of The Old Course, the colourful houses by the harbour, the historic cathedral and the town’s beautiful seafront location.After being selected as the winning artist, Iona said: “I’m thrilled that my artwork was chosen. I wanted the design to be full to the brim of all the things I love about Scotland, and for it to look recognisable and interesting to the viewer. It has been a fantastic experience to be involved in this design project with my fellow students. It will be a little bit surreal seeing my bag alongside some of the world’s best golfers, but I can’t wait.”

Handmade sculptures of the 10 shortlisted golf bag designs are being displayed around St Andrews until July 17, after which they will be auctioned for charity

Neil Howie, President and Managing Director, Callaway EMEA, added: “We have traditionally created limited edition Tour Bags for the Majors, and always take inspiration from the region in which the event is staged. While keeping to the traditions of creating a bespoke Tour Bag, we recognised the opportunity to do something different in this special year for The Open. To engage the local community in this way and to go to local students and do something like this has been truly unique. What is brilliant is that it is just so visible, and to think that Iona has the potential to see one of our Staff Professionals in contention, with her bag visible to so many people, is just phenomenal.”

Following the conclusion of The Open, the 10 sculptures from The Big Bag Trail will be auctioned at a special evening event at the Tom Morris Bar & Grill in the St Andrews Links Clubhouse on July 19, with all proceeds going to CHAS (Children’s Hospices Across Scotland) and Scottish Sports Futures (Changing Lives Through Sport).
This special auction is also accessible to the public, via bidder registration, from a virtual link HERE.

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7 Accessories Your Golf Bag Needs

detlef32 — Sun, 25 Sep 2022 08:44:44 +0000

After you’ve covered your clubs, stuck a spare ball in your pocket, and laced up your shoes, are you certain your golf bag has everything it needs? Sometimes the smallest accessories can make your next game the best yet. So, be sure to stow these must-haves before you call on our golf bag delivery services:

Extra Socks

There is no worse feeling than walking a course in wet socks. To ensure this won’t happen to you, throw in an extra pair in case you need to swap them out. Staying comfortable in your footing is key for a successful round. If you’re playing in cooler weather, an extra pair can help keep you warm.

Golf Towel

There are several opportunities for you or your clubs to get wet. Whether you’re playing in rain, end up in some muddy rough, or have to deal with morning dew, a golf towel is a vital asset to wipe down clubs or your forehead on a hot day.

Golfer’s Tape

Your hands are essential to your swing. Taping your fingers provides a valuable option from painful blisters and chunky band-aids that can affect your game. So, stash some tape away in your bag for when the need arises.

Business Cards

Whether your round is for business or pleasure, you never know who you’ll network within the clubhouse. So, keep a stack of business cards for spontaneous meetings.

Sharpie

Marking your ball can save a lot of time and possibly even a stroke or two. Keep a sharpie in your bag to make that signature mark. Or, use it as a scoring pencil in a time of need.

Divot Tool

Leave the course better than when you came. Ball marks happen, but instead of attempting to stomp them into place or leave them for the next group, use the proper tool to restore the grounds conditions.

Drink Cart Necessities

When the cart girl makes her rounds, make sure you’re prepared. Keep cash for tips in your wallet and a koozie in your bag. A koozie will keep your drink cool and your hands dry from the moisture of your drink of choice. If you won’t be making a purchase that round, be sure to have a snack that you don’t have to worry about leaving in your bag for a few hours.

Are You in Need of a Golf Bag Delivery Service?

Start your next golf trip on a stress-free foot by letting Ship Sticks’ golf bag delivery service handle your gear. We guarantee that your bag will be waiting for you upon arrival. So, follow our simple steps and ship now!

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How to Pack a Golf Bag: 4 Tips to Avoid Damaged Clubs

detlef32 — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 18:36:24 +0000

Your golf game is a worthy investment. But, when you travel with your clubs, you’re risking damage not only to the sticks but to your wallet. So, pack your bag properly to ensure your clubs stay intact during golf bag shipping.

How to Pack Your Golf Clubs for Shipping

Keep Your Club Covers On

Start packing by keeping your club covers on. Your headcovers will help prevent your clubs from any potential nicks and dents that can occur during transit if left unprotected. This will offer you peace of mind knowing your clubs will arrive safe, leaving for an easy unpack upon arrival.

Bundle Your Clubs

The most delicate part of a club is right where your shaft meets the clubhead. When it stands alone in your travel case, your clubs become more prone to snapping at that point. However, by bundling them together, the odds of them staying strong are greater. So, simply collect your irons and wrap them in a towel to keep them consolidated.

Use Extra Padding

There’s no such thing as too much padding when it comes to protecting your clubs. Use bubble wrap or extra golf clothing to provide additional padding during shipping. These items can be used to wrap your clubs securely within your bag or around your bag as it sits in the box.

Add A Stiff Arm

At the right angle and force, an unexpected impact can cause a lot of damage to your golf clubs. Pack your golf clubs safer than ever before when you add a stiff arm to your bag. A stiff arm is a travel club protector that will stick down your golf bag, act as the tallest point, and absorb unwanted impact during travel. If you don’t want to purchase and pack a stiff arm, try using a broomstick instead.

Are You in Need of Convenient and Reliable Golf Bag Shipping?

Now that you know how to pack your golf clubs for shipping, it’s time to send them to the first tee. Ship Sticks guarantees a reliable alternative to wherever your next golf destination may be. If you need a convenient transportation method for your clubs, our services can make your travels a breeze. So, create an account, pack your clubs, and start shipping today!

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