Bag suggestion for Scotland-long trip

[philsRHman]

 I’ve got a long golf trip planned, 31 rounds in 20 days next year, all walking.
 

My last two bags were a SM 4.5 and currently using a SM-Under Armour bag. I like the set up but use it mostly on a push cart. Today i carried and was able to get the straps nicely adjusted. But for as much as I’ll be walking I think I need the right combo of light, comfortable, durable. I’ll need to carry rain gear and likely at least a down vest or extra layer, plus water and snacks. 
 

Questioning if the ultra light weight bags would be short-sighted if the straps aren’t great. Or if this is exactly what they’d be good for, lots of miles. The Titleist waterproof bag is intriguing as I see they’ve improved the straps (which I didn’t like as a caddie). I’m also wondering if I should consider a single strap, which I loved as a caddie but that was mainly because of carrying two bags. 

[philsRHman]

Wow I found the 2020 Lightweight review thread and I’m heading down that 17 page rabbit hole. Since reading I now realize my SM 4.5 was actually a 3.5 (about a decade old with a broken ring so it’s not useable but I use it for storage) and it has the really cushioned EZ Straps. And it looks like my UA-SM is a Storm Speedround has the X Strap, so I could experiment if I can just swap them in and out. What I carried today was a UA-SM Match Play which seems to have a hybrid of the two strap systems. 
Lots of reading to do, but a few pages in, it seems I should be on the lookout for a deal on a 2.5 or 3.5. 

Edited December 14, 2020 by philsRHman

[Edaw68]

Trolleys (push carts) are available for reasonable rental fees pretty much everywhere, and are generally pretty nice. One tip I found (thank you “Golf in Scotland”) is pack a couple of your own bungie cords to strap your bag down.

[CanadaCal]

2021 Titleist Staydry ?  Water proof wouldn’t be a bad idea, enough space but not too large.   If the straps are in fact better as claimed it could be a great bag.   
 

or SM H2No?  

[philsRHman]

8 minutes ago, CanadaCal said:

2021 Titleist Staydry ?  Water proof wouldn’t be a bad idea, enough space but not too large.   If the straps are in fact better as claimed it could be a great bag.   
 

or SM H2No?  

I’m really torn on my priority here. Is it light as light can be? If so, I think that’s  the SM 2.5 especially if I can put the cushy straps on it. But will it be a squeeze to get rain gear, another layer, rangefinder, water bottle? On the other hand, less storage keeps me from overloading. 
 

Or is it the waterproofing, which seems to mean a heavier bag but how big a difference will it make if I’m playing through rain? I wonder if any of the Bandon guys have a suggestion there. 
 

As for the Staydry; it seemed perfect on paper but in the long review thread, the Titleist bags seemed a distant fourth behind SM and Ping/Mizuno. 

Edited December 15, 2020 by philsRHman

[CanadaCal]

4 minutes ago, philsRHman said:

I’m really torn on my priority here. Is it light as light can be? If so, I think that’s  the SM 2.5 especially if I can put the cushy straps on it. But will it be a squeeze to get rain gear, another layer, rangefinder, water bottle? On the other hand, less storage keeps me from overloading. 
 

Or is it the waterproofing, which seems to mean a heavier bag but how big a difference will it make if I’m playing through rain? I wonder if any of the Bandon guys have a suggestion there. 
 

As for the Staydry; it seemed perfect on paper but in the long review thread, the Titleist bags seemed a distant fourth behind SM and Ping/Mizuno. 

I think the thread your referring to was only the Titleist Carbon, and usually the only complaints with Titleist are the straps.  Which they claim have been changed in 2021.   
 

The 2.5 is a good bag.  It’s small,  it will hold a few things you may need as mentioned. 
 

Go see them in person would be the only real piece of advice worth taking. 

 

 
 

 

[hammergolf]

On 12/13/2020 at 9:02 PM, philsRHman said:

 I’ve got a long golf trip planned, 31 rounds in 20 days next year, all walking.
 

My last two bags were a SM 4.5 and currently using a SM-Under Armour bag. I like the set up but use it mostly on a push cart. Today i carried and was able to get the straps nicely adjusted. But for as much as I’ll be walking I think I need the right combo of light, comfortable, durable. I’ll need to carry rain gear and likely at least a down vest or extra layer, plus water and snacks. 
 

Questioning if the ultra light weight bags would be short-sighted if the straps aren’t great. Or if this is exactly what they’d be good for, lots of miles. The Titleist waterproof bag is intriguing as I see they’ve improved the straps (which I didn’t like as a caddie). I’m also wondering if I should consider a single strap, which I loved as a caddie but that was mainly because of carrying two bags. 

Awesome trip! I would def look for something waterproof. If you are going to be there 20 days you will be playing in the rain at some point. Hard to beat Ping stand bags IMO. they are virtually indestructable and the Hoofer Monsoon is waterproof. Some other good choices are Big Maxx. not as popular over here yet, but #1 bag in the UK. 

[philsRHman]

After seeing most of the models under consideration in person last week I decided on the SM 2.5. The pockets seemed like just enough, and I have my old cushioned SM straps I can add.   Was torn between the 2.5 and 3.5 but decided since I already have a water resistant UA SM bag (4.3 lb I think), if I make the final call that the 2.5 is too snug then I’ll just bring the UA and benefit from a little more space and water resistance. 

Edited December 27, 2020 by philsRHman