The complete guide to buying a second hand golf bag
A staple part of any serious golfer’s kit is a top-quality golf bag. Built to house all your golf clubs and accessories, and accompany you around the course with ease, choosing the right golf bag to suit your needs is an important decision. If you are buying a new golf bag, you should expect to pay quite a heavy premium - and the truth is that once it’s in use it’ll depreciate in value quite quickly.
Here at golfclubs4cash we have an unrivalled selection of second hand golf bags that look as good as new for a fraction of the price. And our customers love them! In this article, we will take you through everything you need to know about finding the perfect used golf bag, so that you’re always kitted out with everything you need on the golf course.
Golf bags - the basics
Golf bags are generally available in four main types, and it’s a good idea to seriously consider your needs before choosing the right one for you. It is not uncommon for golfers to have different bags for different occasions. Here we’ll talk you through the four main types of golf bags - cat bags, stand bags, carry bags and tour bags.
Cart bags
A cart bag (also known as a trolley bag) is the perfect choice for a golfer who is going to use a golf cart or buggy regularly. If your favourite course has long distances between the greens and tee boxes then the chances are you’re going to prefer to ride rather than walk (although, since the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of people choosing to walk on golf courses has risen significantly).
Most cart bags are designed to be balanced on flat ground without tipping over, but there aren’t any fold-out legs to stop them from toppling over. Instead, they have a rubber non-slip base to stand the bag upright (and to stop it from sliding around when you’re riding).
You’ll normally find handy pockets for accessories (sometimes these are insulated for keeping drinks warm/cool) on the sides and the front of the bag, but the back will be pocket-free so that it can be fitted securely to the back of the cart. Other features might include an umbrella pocket, a bottle holder, and somewhere to keep a rangefinder, along with a smaller, more secure pocket for valuables and mobile phones. You may feel like you don’t need quite as many compartments as this, but they really do come in handy so in this case, more is more - especially as you won’t be carrying it far.
Cart bags can be quite heavy as they’re not designed to be carried over much distance at all. You’ll need to ensure that they have a couple of robust handles close to the top so that you can lift it in and out of the buggy with ease, and it’ll also need a back strap for when you’re lifting it from your car to the course.
So in summary, if you’re not going to walk on the course and prefer to ride, then a second hand cart bag is probably going to be the best choice for you.
Stand bags
A stand bag is the perfect compromise for those golfers among you who prefer to walk around the course but occasionally they choose to ride instead. And it’s because of this versatility that stand bags tend to be the most common choice for golfers. They’re smaller and lighter than cart bags for ease of carrying, and their main feature is a sprung pair of legs so that you can prop it up at around 45 degrees on the course. These legs are usually made of carbon fibre so as not to add too much weight to the bag.
When choosing a stand bag make sure it’s light enough that you feel comfortable lifting it - even when it’s full of clubs. You’ll also want to find a stand bag with adjustable, padded shoulder straps so that it sits comfortably on your shoulder. You may feel like this is not something to worry about too much, but after a gruelling 18 holes you’ll be glad you took the time to choose a comfortable strap.
Because you’ll be carrying your stand bag around the course, you won’t want to overload it with any more accessories than is necessary for your game, but even so it’s a good idea to check there are enough pockets for all your essentials. Most stand bags feature a strap system that can be adjusted so you can either carry it across two shoulders like a backpack, or over one shoulder.
A golf stand bag will typically have between 3-5 dividers in the main part of the bag in order to keep the clubs separate, but some can have more. The thing to bear in mind here is that every divider in the stand bag will add weight, so if keeping things light is a priority for you it’s best to go with a bag that has fewer inner dividers.
We’ve got a great range of second hand stand bags in stock at any given time, and with stock being updated regularly you’ll be sure to find the perfect used stand bag for you.
Carry bags
For those golfers who are committed to walking every round (and are fit and strong enough to be able to carry their clubs around even the most demanding of golf courses), another option is a carry bag. These are designed to be carried on your shoulder at all times. They don’t have retractable legs so you’ll always have to lay them down on the ground. The slimmest of the carry bags are known as pencil bags, designed to stay as lightweight as possible for easy carrying across one shoulder.
Tour bags
Tour bags (also called staff bags) are the heaviest of the golf bags, and they’re considered very luxurious because of all the extra space they offer to house waterproofs, extra balls, gloves and water bottles etc. They tend to be made of the finest materials, with little thought paid to the weight of it given it’ll be carried around in a golf buggy most of the time.
They’re called tour bags because they are usually the golf bag of choice for professionals when they’re on tour (because they have a personal caddie to lug them around for them!).
If you tend to play on your own then you’ll likely struggle with lifting a tour bag - but if this really is the golf bag you want then you may need to pair it with an electric trolley.
Taking your golf clubs further afield
If you are travelling long distance, for example you are taking a flight to a far-flung tropical country for some golf in the sun (we’re not jealous… honest…) then you’ll need to consider how to transport your clubs. You can use a hard or a soft travel bag.
Hard travel bag
The main advantage of the hard travel bag - of course - is that your golf clubs stand the best chance of being properly protected and arriving at your destination undamaged - surviving even the most ‘enthusiastic’ baggage handlers. But, you’ll find that a hard travel bag is completely rigid and won’t easily be fitted into a standard car boot - so be sure to check your measurements before you buy.
Soft travel bag
Obviously your clubs will be less well protected if they are transported in a soft travel bag, but on the plus side it’s a lot easier to fit a soft travel bag into a hire car.
When weighing up your options between a soft and hard travel bag, you’ll need to think about your particular requirements. But whichever you choose, make sure it has wheels attached - these make it far easier to transport your clubs between hotels, airports and golf courses.
What’s a golf bag made from?
Golf bags come in a variety of materials and they were not all created the same so it’s a good idea to decide which material you’d prefer yours to be made from before making a choice. Here are some of the most common materials that golf bags are made from:
Nylon
Popular with beginners and those who struggle to carry too much weight on the course, nylon golf bags are very light and easy to transport. Most carry bags are made from nylon for this very reason. It may not be the most durable option, but that doesn’t stop it from being one of the most common materials for a lightweight golf bag to be made from.
Leather
Good-looking, super-durable, weather-resistant and highly luxurious, the plushest golf bags are made from real leather. Tour bags are often made of leather, largely because they will be carried around the course by buggy and/or personal caddie. Leather is by far the most expensive choice, but if you’re looking for a strong and sturdy golf bag that’ll last a lifetime then it’s a great investment.
Canvas
Canvas bags tend to weigh around the same amount as nylon bags, so they’re another popular choice with golfers looking for something lightweight. They usually have a few more storage options, so that’s why a lot of stand bags are made from canvas.
The frame
Of course, the material that covers the bag is just the start of it. You’ll also need to have a look at what the frame is made from. Plastic frames tend to be preferred for carry bags as they’re lighter and easier to transport. Unsurprisingly, metal frames are far more durable and last longer, but they’re also heavier too. Tour bags and stand bags both tend to feature metal frames, which is why they can be more expensive than cart bags and carry bags.
A word about the weather…
No matter which golf bag you choose to accompany you on the golf course, you’ll need to ensure that it’s able to effectively stand up to the elements. While most bags tend to be at least water-resistant if not waterproof, you’ll need to invest in a rain hood to keep your clubs and bag in good condition.
Once you come in off the course, wipe the golf bag down with a golf towel, and then take each club and give them a wipe down too before returning them to the bag.
Which golf brand sells the best golf bags?
Most of the leading golf brands on the market offer a variety of golf bags. We’d recommend going with a trusted name such as Cobra, TaylorMade or Mizuno. Most people have a favoured brand for their second hand irons, drivers and putters, but make sure you shop around and try out different brands when it comes to finding your used golf bag - there are some great golf bargains to be had out there.
Are golf bags unisex?
You’ll see golf bags advertised as being designed for men or ladies, but many ladies choose a men’s golf bag and vice versa. The best bag for you is the one that suits your needs best, so while the intended gender of the bag is worth considering, don’t be put off by a bag just because it’s advertised as for men or for ladies. (If it’s ladies’ used golf clubs you’re looking for, we have a great collection to browse).
Can you buy junior golf bags?
Yes, junior golf bags are widely available on the market. While it’s less common for them to be available second hand, we are expanding our golf bag range at golfclubs4cash so keep an eye on the latest additions to grab a bargain. Check out our used golf clubs for juniors while you’re at it.
How do I know my second hand golf bag will be in good condition?
At golfclubs4cash we have a very detailed condition rating guide, and it’s not just golf clubs that we carefully appraise before selling them to our valued customers. We carefully inspect every single used golf bag that we sell, and we are always 100% honest about the condition of the bag.
When you check out our used golf bags for sale, you’ll see that we don’t just give our golf bags a condition rating, but instead we rate the condition by fabric, the top divider and the pockets and zips. And because the photos that we feature on each listing is a photo of the actual bag that you’re buying (not just a stock photo), what you see is quite literally what you get. If you’re not happy for any reason then our comprehensive returns policy is there to cover you. Please note that if a rain hood is available with the golf bag we are selling then it will be pictured in the advert.
Summary
Choosing the best used golf bag for you is an important choice, so it’s always wise to consider how you intend to use it. Do you mainly walk around the course, and would you favour a lighter, more portable bag? Or do you tend to use a golf buggy, so the weight of the bag isn’t such a consideration for you? Whatever your needs, you can be sure that there’s a bargain used golf bag out there that fits the bill perfectly.
We hope that you’ve found our ultimate guide to buying a second hand golf bag useful, but if you have any more questions we’ll be delighted to help - simply give us a call or drop in and try out our range if you’re local to us in Edinburgh or Warrington. And don’t forget to download our app so that you have instant access to the best second hand golf clubs, bags and equipment at prices you’ll love!