Learning how to carry your golf clubs correctly seems simple, but getting it right can save your energy, protect your back, and even help you play better. This guide will walk you through the different ways to transport your clubs on the course, whether you're carrying them on your back or using wheels. We’ll cover the pros, cons, and techniques for each method to help you find the best fit for your game.
The Art of Carrying Your Bag
For many golfers, walking the course is a huge part of the experience. It’s great exercise and allows you to really connect with the layout of each hole. If you’re going to walk, choosing the right bag and carrying it properly will make a world of difference over 18 holes. A lightweight stand bag is your best friend here, as every pound counts by the time you reach the back nine.
Method 1: The Single-Strap Carry (The Old School Way)
The single-strap bag has a classic, minimalist appeal. It's just you, your clubs, and the course. While it's great for a quick nine or a trip to the range, carrying one for a full round can be demanding on your body.
How to Do It Right:
- Find the Balance Point: Drape the strap over your dominant shoulder. The bag should hang at a comfortable angle - not too vertical and not too horizontal - so the clubs don't spill out. Most straps have a padded section, make sure this rests squarely on the top of your shoulder.
- Use Your Hips for Support: Let the bag rest slightly against your hip or the small of your back. This helps stabilize it and takes some of the direct load off your shoulder.
- Alternate Shoulders: This is a must. If you carry the bag on your right shoulder for the first hole, switch to your left for the second. Alternating every hole or every few holes will prevent one side of your body from getting overworked, which can lead to fatigue and even swing flaws caused by discomfort.
The main drawback of the single strap is the uneven load distribution. All the weight is focused on one small area, which leads to fatigue much faster than other methods.
Method 2: The Double-Strap Stand Bag (The Modern Standard)
There's a reason double-strap "backpack" style bags are the standard for walkers. They distribute the weight of the clubs evenly across both shoulders and your back, much like a hiking backpack. This makes walking 18 holes far more manageable and significantly reduces the risk of strain.
How to Adjust Your Straps for Perfect Comfort:
- Start Loose: Put the bag on your back with both straps loosened completely.
- Tighten the Top Strap: Pull the strap on your non-dominant-hand side (the one you slide your arm into first) until the bag lifts up and feels snug against your upper back. It shouldn't be so tight that it restricts your arm movement.
- Tighten the Bottom Strap: Now, pull the second strap tight so the bag sits balanced and secure against your mid-to-lower back. You'll know it's right when you can stand up straight without the bag sagging or pulling you backward.
- Find the Sweet Spot: The goal is for the bag to sit high on your back, with the weight distributed comfortably across both shoulders. If it's too low, it will pull on your lower back. If it's too high, it will feel unstable. Walk a few paces and make small adjustments until it feels natural.
When you carry a double-strap bag properly, you can stand and walk with good posture, letting your strong leg muscles do the work. You’ll feel dramatically fresher on the closing holes compared to shouldering a single-strap bag.
Wheels Up: Using a Push Cart
In recent years, the push cart (or trolley) has become incredibly popular, and for good reason. It offers the best of both worlds: you get all the health benefits of walking the course without the physical strain of carrying nearly 30 pounds on your back. For many, it's a complete game-changer a way they can walk 18 holes without being drained for the last few holes.
Why a Push Cart is So Effective
The benefits are immediate. The first time you use one, you'll feel how much fresher you are when you get to your ball after walking 400 yards up a par 4. Your energy is saved for the swing, not the walk. Push carts also reduce the compressive load on your spine and shoulders, making it a much healthier option for golfers with any kind of back or joint issues. Plus, most modern push carts have an abundance of storage - netting for jackets, a drink-holder, a phone mount, and a convenient place for your scorecard.
Tips for Using a Push Cart
- The Parking Brake is Your Best Friend: This isn’t a joke. Always, always engage the brake when you stop on any kind of slope, even one that looks flat. There’s no feeling quite like the slow-motion panic of watching your fully-loaded cart begin a silent, lonely journey toward a pond or a bunker. Use the brake every time you stop.
- Find Smart Walking Lines: Think like a greenkeeper. Push your cart on higher, drier ground. Avoid taking it through soggy areas or up overly steep hills. Use the cart paths where it makes sense.
- Navigate with Etiquette: Proper cart etiquette is important for keeping the course in good shape. Never take a push cart onto a green, a tee box, or into a bunker. Park it on the path or in the rough to the side of the green, ideally on the side that’s closest to the next tee to keep the pace of play moving.
Navigating the Course in a Golf Cart
Sometimes, riding is the only option. Many courses have mandatory cart policies, and for many players, it’s a necessary tool that allows them to enjoy the game. Using a riding cart effectively is about more than just driving from A to B, it's about being efficient without tearing up the course.
How to Properly Secure Your Bag
Most riding carts have a single strap designed to hold two golf bags. Don't just casually loop it over, secure your bag correctly to protect your clubs.
- Position the Bag: Place the base of your golf bag firmly on the cart's platform. Most bags have a recessed notch on the bottom that fits onto the cart.
- Run the Strap Correctly: Take the cart strap and weave it through the handle on your golf bag before latching it. Many bags have a dedicated strap pass-through behind the main pocket - using this is ideal.
- Pull it Tight: Cinch the strap down hard. The bag should not be able to wiggle or shift around. A loose bag will rattle your clubs constantly and could even fall off the cart on a sharp turn or bump.
Golf Cart Etiquette and Best Practices
- Understand the Rules: Always check for daily rules like "Cart Path Only" (meaning you cannot drive on the grass at all, usually due to wet conditions) or the "90-Degree Rule" (meaning you should stay on the path until you are directly across from your ball, drive straight on to it, hit, and then drive straight back to the path). These rules are there to protect the turf.
- Be a Good Partner: If you're sharing a cart, practice smart "partner golf." After the first player hits their tee shot, drive to the second player's ball and drop them off with a few club options. Then, you can drive to your own ball. This keeps both players ready to hit and greatly improves pace of play.
- Park Smart: Just like with a push cart, park away from greens and tee boxes. A good general rule is to park on the cart path behind the green to allow the group behind you to hit their approach shots without delay.
A Quick Word on Bag Organization
However you get your clubs around the course, a little organization makes a big difference. A standard setup is to place your driver and woods in the top section of the bag (the compartments at the back, closest to the strap). Below them go your long-irons and hybrids, then mid-irons, and finally, your short-irons and wedges go in the bottom-most compartments. Your putter typically has its own separate well or can go in the front.
This method isn't just for neatness. It protects the graphite shafts of your woods and hybrids from getting nicked and damaged by the steel heads of your irons. It also makes it much faster to find and grab the club you're looking for, keeping you focused and moving.
Final Thoughts
Choosing how to carry - or roll - your clubs is a personal decision that impacts your energy and enjoyment of the game. Whether you love the tradition of carrying, the efficiency of a push cart, or the convenience of riding, the best method is the one that allows you to play your best and feel good doing it. The key is to do it right, saving your mind and body for the shot at hand.
We believe that saving physical energy is just one part of playing smarter, more confident golf. When you’re not tired from lugging a bag and your mind is clear, you can focus on better strategy. That’s why we built Caddie AI. It provides a simple plan for every hole, gives you a smart club recommendation for your approach shot, and can even analyze a tough lie from a photo. It’s about taking the guesswork out, so you can commit to every swing with more confidence.