I'm not knocking the MacKenzie Walker. They are very cool and I will probably own one in the future.
However, I feel the article by Mr. Rigg is a bit over the top in his criticism of stand bags with a few extra pockets. Here are my issues with some of his points:
1) There are too many pockets - I just got a new Titleist lightweight double strap bag and it is over the pocket limit according to the article. It has 5. I have one for balls, one for tees/divot tool, one for sunscreen/bug spray, one soft-lined one for phone/keys, and then a larger one that only holds the rain cover and can hold a jacket if I need one. What's so wrong with that?
3) While often "light" in absolute weight, most modern cary bags encourage golfers to pack "heay" - He talks about when you start adding things to your bag that it gets heavy. Some of the things he mentions are clubs, balls, and tees. I'm pretty sure these are all needed to play the game. I don't carry all the other junk he mentions, but clubs and balls are going to take up most of the weight anyway.
4) There are way too many unnecessary clips, loops, rings and slots on most modern golf bags - I am fine with all of these except the towel one. What is wrong with a loop for your towel so you don't have to lay it across your clubs and don't have a chance to lose it?
2) Almost every modern golf bag has “legs” or a “stand but I am not convince that they are necessary or beneficial – Necessary, no. Beneficial, hell yes. The bag doesn’t have to sit on the ground when it is wet, it is easy to remove and replace clubs, and you don’t have to bend down to pick up your bag which is beneficial to those with bad backs. Who cares if you can’t carry it the way you want. Most of us find them just fine. The body of my golf bag has padding for my back. It is super comfortable. Setting my bag down happens in one fluid motion. It is easy and fast. If I want to lay it on the ground, I can grab the handle on the body and do it.
3) Finally, almost every modern golf bag has a double strap, which is preferred by many but something I have never liked – Well just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean it isn’t good. You can adjust the straps so the back hits right at the natural shelf, which is where mine is. He talks about having to lean forward because of the weight of the bag. I feel I walk very upright, and I have no problem using one strap when I want. Wouldn’t you lean sideways when carrying on your shoulder? Why do you think hikers use two straps?
I wholeheartedly agree with keeping the bag light and leaving unnecessary items at home or in the car. As someone who walks all the time this is a must. While my five pocket, double strap stand bag still holds little weight, most of his arguments do not.
**Again, before people get in a big fit, MacKenzie bags are very cool and I want to own one. Double strap stand bags aren’t the devil though.