Diagnosed with an aggressive cancer of the right lung on my 58th birthday (14th July) So not really ...
Diagnosed with an aggressive cancer of the right lung on my 58th birthday (14th July) So not really in the humour for writing much at the moment, although I *WILL* be back before too long...Ken
Member since:06.12.2000
Reviews:678
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~ ~ Long gone are the days when the serious golfer took to the links in a pair of old plus four trousers and an old pencil bag with an assortment of various clubs. The present-day golfer often turns up at the course looking like they are preparing for a fashion shoot and with so many accoutrements that you’d think they’d need a fork-lift truck to help them get around the golf course.
~ ~ I have to admit that I have also moved with the times, and while I don’t subscribe to the latest in high fashion golf leisurewear, I have certainly welcomed with open arms the modern advances in golf bag design. My golf bag is a very important part of my golfing equipment, not least as it has to be able to carry not only my full compliment of fourteen golf clubs, but also all the related paraphernalia that is now part and parcel of playing the sport. A couple of dozen assorted golf balls, packets of tees, waterproof trousers and jacket, golf gloves, windcheater pullover, large sports umbrella, pens, markers, spare soft spikes, spike tightening tool, course planners, a rule book, and a pitch-mark repairer are currently residing in my golf bag. Add to this the fact that I also take out onto the course my valuables such as my wallet and credit cards, cheque book, my
mobile phone, (turned off, naturally) my watch, car and house keys, at least two large bottles of Lucozade Sport, glucose sweets, and an assortment of chocolate bars and fresh fruit. To be honest I don’t envy the professionals’ caddies, who have to hump around this lot on their backs each and every week in order to earn a crust. (Although having said that the “crust” they earn can be *VERY* substantial, especially if they are caddying for a top player.)
~ ~ In order to get this lot around a seven mile or so stretch of golf course it’s necessary for the serious golfer to have a large golf bag that is up to the task of holding everything they require. That’s why I am currently using the Powakaddy Cart Bag Deluxe. Apart from being great value for money (more about price later) it’s also designed specifically for use with Powakaddy’s electric golf trolley (that I also use) which it fits onto like the proverbial glove. It also fits perfectly onto most pull and electric trolleys on the market, and onto the rear bag section of ride-on golf carts, which I now use more extensively since I entered the “senior ranks” in order to save energy.
~ ~ The bag is manufactured from a hard-wearing brushed nylon type material, and comes in basic black with a wide choice of different colours for the side panels. I personally have the all-black version, but the more fashion conscious would probably go for a bag with the coloured side panels. The side panels can be in copper, blue, yellow, or silver. The nylon outer skin is very rain resistant, and is also simple to keep clean. I simply use a soft cloth and a bowl of soapy water to bring it back to “as new” condition. It also comes complete with a detachable rain hood that slips over the top section of the bag to keep your clubs dry in inclement weather, which you can also use to protect the club heads when your clubs are in transit on an aircraft. This detachable hood fits snugly and securely with both Velcro and press studs to help keep it safely in place. The clubs themselves each have their own individual divider in the inside of the bag, which stops the heads rattling together too much and thus avoiding chips and scratches, and keeping the shafts from rubbing together and becoming scratched and dingy looking. Also in the top of the bag is a separate full length divider for stowing your golf umbrella, which is lined in waterproof material to stop water getting anywhere near your golf grips if you put the umbrella into the slot sopping wet.
~ ~ But where the Powakaddy bag really comes into its own is the amount of storage space available. It has enough pockets to keep even a professional shoplifter happy! A quick check of my own bag shows there are no fewer than twelve storage pockets. Actually thirteen, if you count the separate slide in slot for your putter on the side of the bag. There are two very large and amazingly spacious pockets running the full length of both sides of the bag, which I use to store my waterproofs, windcheater, and any other spare clothing. Well, I use one of them for this purpose. The other one is actually full of assorted golfing debris that I’ve picked up over the years like Strokesaver books for various courses, golfing guides, etc. At the front of the bag is a clever “cooler” pocket lined with heat absorbent material which will accommodate a large 750ml bottle of water or minerals. It even does its job and keeps your drink relatively cool. Underneath this you have a clever wee pocket specifically designed for your valuables like your watch, wallet, money, car keys, etc. This is lined in a dark mesh material, which is like an inner pocket, and is removable if you’re leaving your bag lying outside for a short period to visit the pro shop or clubhouse. There is also a large pocket for storing as many golf balls you think you might need for your round, which if you play on a golf course with lots of lakes and water hazards like I do can sometimes be fairly empty by the end of the round! These are the main storage pockets on the bag, but it also has various other clever pockets on the sides and front which are actually part of the larger pockets, but with the addition of a zip and an inner lining manage to increase your storage space considerably. I use these for things like my golf tees, sweets, and less bulky items.
~ ~ The bag is easy to handle. There are 4 sturdy grip handles at the top and bottom of the bag, two at the front and two at the rear. This means you can grip it firmly when you’re loading or unloading it from the car boot, or when you’re putting it on or taking it off your caddy cart. There is even a locking system on the bottom of the bag which fits perfectly on the more modern Powakaddy carts to keep your bag securely in place and stop it from sliding around on the trolley. If you ever have to carry it for any distance then there is an adjustable shoulder strap. Mind you, I’ve only ever done this for short periods while in transit at an airport, and with the amount of stuff I have in my bag it’s not advisable! Those caddies on the pro tour must work out constantly in the gym to be able to hoof around 7 plus miles every day with a ton weight strapped to their backs!
~ ~ Pricewise, as always, it pays to shop around. Obviously eBay is a good place to start your search, as I’ve picked up many fantastic bargains over the years. You can also go to an online site like “pricerunner.co.uk” which gives you like for like comparisons of various online retailers. Currently the Powakaddy Cart Bag Deluxe varies in price from around £70up to £90. If you’d like to see an excellent interactive image of the bag then go to www.powakaddy.com. I personally bought my own bag a couple of years ago from a golfing superstore here in Ireland called “McGuirk’s Golf”, paying €139, (just over £95) which is a wee bit over the top but I happily paid the extra as I wanted it quickly. (My old bag had fallen asunder!)
~ ~ A highly recommended bag for the serious golfer.
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