The History of Golf Bags

All through out the history of golf, golf bags have paralleled the progression of the game. The birth of the game began in Scotland, but if you were to go back that far in history you would see that the golf bag was not even in existence. Back then most of the golfers would carry their clubs over their shoulders bound together with some kind of rope or twine. In fact, in 1457 the Scottish army banned golf almost right away because they didn't believe that carring around just clubs was enough physical exercise without a golf bag. Luckily in 1502 the ban was lifted and the game of golf would become a recognized sport and past time.

In was not until the late 19th century when the first golf bag would be invented. The bag was made out of leather canvas and stood 35 inches high, had metal ends for protection and shape with a opening at one end for your clubs. This bag, which was called the small mouth, would be used all way until the 1930s.

It was not until after World War II that the golf bag began to evolve. For most golfer the small mouth was much to small because it typically could only carry a small amount of golf clubs. As the game evolved more clubs were introduced to the golfer to give them a arsenal to attack the greens. As the game of golf changed, so too did the golf bag. With more clubs being introduced a new golf bag also needed to be introduced. Lightweight materials such as nylon and plastics would replace the leather materials. These materials would make the bag easier to carry, fit more clubs, and even include extra space to store golf balls, gloves, and even books.

Then in 1956 the golf cart was introduced and golf bags lost popularity. The golf cart made it much easier to get around and play the round of golf faster. With all of the improvements to the golf bag, they were still hard to carry around. So to answer the threat of the golf cart creators began to implement should straps and tripods to make it easier to walk around the course. As well as adding straps and tripods to the bags, they also molded bottoms on to the golf bags to make them easier to store on the golf carts. Even in today's world you can see these improvements on golf bags.

As for the modern golf club bags, the limits are endless. There are many different types and styles of golf bags to fit every golfers needs. Now, golf bags are bigger, weigh less, more durable, fashionable, and even have accessory compartments. Most important, golf bag are still the symbol of the great game we call golf.

Surely you can see though out history how golf bags have changed and improved with the game of golf. Just think that the first golf bag started from a small piece of leather is quite incredible. As history has shown when the game of golf changes, so too will golf bags.