mackenzie golfbags?

[simpy19]

I haven’t used that rain hood..my preference for any bag has always been one of the rain towels that has vinyl on one side and towel on the other. I think they are the easiest to work with and do the job. Mine is a ping version I got years ago.

[eastriver]

interesting, I haven't seen those rain towels before. Thanks for the tip @simpy19

[simpy19]

@eastriver here is the one I use: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ping-club-hood-rain-towel-cover-golf-75063409

 

Titleist has a version too...bonus is added protection for underside pocket of mac (not that it really needs it)

[wely324]

Have been looking into getting a carry bag. I don't really carry much with my hoofer so I was originally thinking of getting a single pocket, but that could be very limiting if I wanted to store something separate from balls, tees and gloves.

 

When using your Mac do you bring water or a snack with you in the bag? And I normally pick up my bag and clean my club while walking, I guess that would be an issue if I was to use trestle sticks with the bag, do you all clean the club first and put it away before picking up the bag?

[simpy19]

@wely324 i always bring a drink and sometimes a snack...that I keep in the top ball pocket. The underside one I use for: rain hood, extra gloves, sunscreen, and rain jacket if needed. I don’t use trestle sticks but when it comes to cleaning, I would walk and clean. Fwiw I remember thinking all these things a year ago about the logistics of a single strap, no stand bag, but haven’t thought about them at all since using it.

[3putt4thewin]

@wely324 I usually will bring a bottle of water and ot fits fine with a glove, laser, sleeve or two of golf balls and some other goodies in the single pocket. I have two pockets so I keep an extra sleeve of balls, extra glove and rain gloves and can pack rain gear if needed in the 2nd pocket.

 

I use trestle sticks and normally put them in back in the bag except for short walks from green to tee. I normally clean my club before picking up my bag, takes like 5 seconds to wipe down quick and I'm off. I pick up the bag and put the trestle sticks in, rest the bag against my back and grab the thumb loop with my left hand. I found it easier on my back that way.

[eastriver]

as I wait for mine to show up (should be today!) I've been thinking about all this stuff too. i've always had a stand bag so hope I can figure out a pattern that works. i usually throw my bag on my shoulder, clean the club with the attached towel while I'm walking, slip the club in, then put the 2nd strap on. I assume it will go pretty much the same way with no stand and a single strap. can't decide if the trestle sticks are going too far for me, but I'm sure I'll try them, too, at some point.

[simpy19]

@eastriver hope we see some pics as soon as the clubs go in! ;)

[3putt4thewin]

@eastriver - I was a long time stand bag user and found it a little weird at first. I used to do the same as you and that still works for me when I'm not using the trestle sticks. But for rounds where I am using the trestle sticks I've found it easier to hit the shot, clean the club, place it back in the bag and then start walking. I don't use the trestle sticks like a walking stick, they go back in the bag while I walk to my next shot unless it's a short walk. I know some others do but I like to sling the bag across my back and use the thumb loop with my left hand. Personal preference. And yes, we will need to see pics when it comes in.

[hanbergb]

@eastriver What was the lead time on your bag? I'm thinking about jumping on the bandwagon.

[eastriver]

 

4 holes in and i’m pretty **** psyched

[3putt4thewin]

> @eastriver said:

>

>

> 4 holes in and i’m pretty **** psyched

 

Nice looking bag!

[MattStrube]

> @hanbergb said:

> @eastriver What was the lead time on your bag? I'm thinking about jumping on the bandwagon.

 

They said 6-8 weeks for me; but my birthday was five weeks out at the time of order and they were going to try and get it by then. :#

 

 

[eastriver]

> @hanbergb said:

> @eastriver What was the lead time on your bag? I'm thinking about jumping on the bandwagon.

 

zero. I bought it 'like new' out of the WRX classifieds. also zero: buyer's remorse. couldn't be happier with it.

[Phreddy]

I carry an alignment rod in my bag. I weighs next to nothing and takes up virtually no room. I use the kind of golf towels with the hole in the middle (there is probably a name for that) and with half the towel wet and half dry it goes over the top of the alignment stick. Easy to clean clubs as you walk or while your bag rests on sticks/stand. I had a carabiner on my laser case and that slid over the top of the alignment rod and that sat above the towel. Over time I've gotten more and more comfortable with an iPhone app, feeding to my watch, and that give me yardages to front, center and back of greens. Rarely carry the rangefinder anymore. All of this was with a Sun Mountain 2.5.

 

My Mackenzie is on order and I expect to use the same arrangement. For me it will be a bag of tees and markers, half a dozen balls and a water bottle in the top pocket. Extra glove, sun screen and room for weather items in the bottom. We will soon see how it works. These threads on the Mackenzie bags have been the best advertising money didn't buy! Certainly worked for me. I leave for Arizona January 2nd and plan to walk all of my rounds for the 3 months that I am there. It will be trial by fire.

 

Phred

[simpy19]

@eastriver saw that posting and thought about it. Glad you are are loving it.

[eastriver]

so! first round impressions:

 

first of all, I love it. I am all in on this bandwagon. as I said above, I got it from a fellow WRX'er in 'like new' condition and it showed up just as advertised.

 

it's an 8" two pocket nylon version. i did not choose the colors, but am loving the understated look of black with grey trim. the black is a very dark black, which is nice. I only played 9 clubs today and there was plenty of room. I'm sure 14 would be fine. It was comfortable to carry and nicely balanced. Also, it was easily carried on either right or left shoulder which helps to balance out the load. Plenty of room in the pockets, too, for balls, tees, gloves, phone and a jacket. I'll add a small water bottle at some point.

 

anyways, the whole is more than the sum of parts here. I just enjoyed having it. There is nothing cheap or compromising about it. Looks great. Feels great. Works great. Ok... i'll check back in a year and we'll see if I still feel this way.

[eastriver]

oh, and talking about playing logistics, laying the bag on the ground didn't bother me at all (coming from stand bags). towel clipped to the top strap connector, so after a shot I'd scoop up the bag onto my shoulder, clean and walk, and easily slide the club in after a few steps. It didn't really take any getting used to at all. top pocket is easily accessible while walking, as well. I'll probably hold off on adding the trestle sticks for now and see how often I wish I could stand the bag up. Today it didn't occur to me except when I was trying to get a good picture :) .

 

the course was wet but not soaked and moisture was not an issue with the nylon.

[jt2gt]

Eastriver...great pickup. If you are a walker and don't need a bunch of stuff, you will still love it in a year. I've been going a year with mine and didn't buy trestle sticks...but Im a bit older and grew up on old ping bags. Benches, garbage cans, trees and everything in between come in handy. Laying on the ground ain't bad either. Enjoy!!!

[MattStrube]

I bought trestle sticks and will see if I use them.

[eastriver]

thanks @jt2gt.

 

another thing I wanted to mention: the Mac is much quieter with less club rattling than the 5-way divided stand bag I was using. 1/2 jogging down a hill there was some rattle, but normal walking there was almost none. maybe this is common to all small 2 compartment bags, but it's another thing I really like about the Mac.

 

I loaded it up with 14 clubs and walked around the house a little today. The weight is what it is and it would probably beat me up pretty good after 18 on the hilly courses I usually play. Even with a 2-strap bag I don't like carrying that much weight, so hard to tell if single strap would be same or worse. I know for some folks this is no problem at all. Wife says I need to cross-train with Pilates.

 

As far as room for 14, there was definitely enough in the 8" top. It looks crowded with 14 in there, but they went in and out relatively easily and it wasn't over-stuffed. I'll be walking with only 9 for the rest of this season and we'll see about adding a few more back in next year. (I leave out the 5 and 9, only carry 2 wedges higher than the P, and no fairway woods or hybrids.)

[MattStrube]

What do others carry with a abbreviated set?

[rwc356]

> @MattStrube said:

> What do others carry with a abbreviated set?

 

I use a Mac Sunday Walker and normally carry 7-8 clubs : 12 deg driver, 7w, 5h, 7i, 9i, GW, SW, putter. I adjust makeup depending upon the length of the par 3s.

[eastriver]

reposting more clearly, my current 9 club set is: driver, 4-6-7-8-p, 50*, 58*, putter

[simpy19]

I’ve been playing 11 not for weight, more to simplify decision making and to avoid clubs that may tempt me into mistakes. For example, I found using 3w on a par 5 may get me there but brings bigger mistakes into play where laying up and wedging in increases chance of birdie. That said, sticking with hybrid as longest ‘go for it club’ has led to most eagles I’ve ever had in a year.

 

Back to set make up: driver-hybrid then 5-gw then 58 and putter. Although currently testing 54-60. So either 11 or 12 and haven’t missed the others at all.

 

Note: I DO love equipment and once played 5 wedges to round out my bag. And not intentionally trying to be minimalist. But the Mack just opened me up to less is more.

[jt2gt]

Early spring/late fall....I go Mackenzie par 3 bag (6 inch/one pocket) with Ping G400 Stretch 3 (changed from Rogue 13.5), Cobra F7 Hybrid 19, 5i, 7i, 9i, 48 and 56 wedges and putter -- Total 8 clubs.

[eastriver]

@simpy19 yeah, that's pretty much what a 'full' set will be for me when I put the 5i, 9i, and a fw or hybrid back in.

 

@jt2gt that's a great spread, especially in the wedges. your 48-56 cover what I'm using 46(P)-50-58 for. interesting what happens when you choose odds over evens.

[simpy19]

Does anyone have a good recommendation for an at home Mac bag stand that looks nice, is not very expensive, and is not trestle sticks? Thanks!

[eastriver]

they are kind of awkward to lean in the corner. then you walk away and hear the crash as it hits the floor. why not trestle sticks?

[MattStrube]

It’s here!!! Playing Harding Park Sunday. Will bring trestle sticks and see how it goes. Gonna be a bit wet.