How to Choose a Sunday Bag
Lighter, simpler, and made for walking. Here's what actually matters when you pick a carry bag — and what doesn't.
A Sunday bag is a commitment to walking light. Half set, a few balls, a water bottle, done. But not every small bag carries well, and the wrong one will have you back in the cart by the sixth hole.
Weight is the whole game. The bag itself should be light enough that you barely notice it empty, because every club you add multiplies whatever the bag started at. Pick one up in person if you can — a bag that feels fine for thirty seconds in a shop can feel very different after nine holes.
Decide between a stand and a pure carry bag. Legs add a little weight but save your back every time you set the bag down on wet ground. If you mostly play dry courses or use a push cart for longer rounds, a legless carry bag is beautifully simple. If you walk everywhere, get the stand.
Pockets: fewer than you think. You need room for balls, tees, a glove, a drink and a layer. Beyond that, extra pockets are just places to lose things. A single well-placed valuables pocket is worth more than six zippered compartments.
Finally, strap comfort. A wide, padded single strap — or a good double strap if you carry a fuller set — matters more than any other feature once you're an hour into a round. Everything else is aesthetics, and happily, the archive has that part covered too.