Winter Blues with the Carry Bags

[delc]

I always carry though I am a fit youngster.

I'm 68 and I still carry a full set of clubs round 18 holes on occasions, although I prefer to use a trolley. At our club we are generally allowed to use trolleys fitted with Hedgehog wheels during the Winter. I would think that most people could carry a lightweight carry bag with half a set of clubs, waterproofs and just enough golf balls. My half set would be driver, 5-wood, 5, 7, 9 irons, gap wedge and a putter.

 

[chillicon]

I use a trolley because I want to, will be buying a new carry bag at Xmas in the sales. For when I go to Spain next year.

I'm only 35 but course is quite hilly, like pushing my trolley, can load it up and not worry about the weight.

Out of interest, what do you put in your trolley bag that you wouldn't carry? Is it like the difference between a woman's day-to-day handbag and her night-out handbag?

 

[Spear-Chucker]

Probably shouldn't carry with several knackered joints but there's something great about putting your waterproofs on and throwing the clubs on your back - like being a kid again. I carry in the winter for this reason mainly and also to protect the course a bit as it gets quite wet. Use a leccy trolley during the summer months (if they turn up) as it does help with saving energy during competitions.

 

[duncan mackie]

Just out of interest, what age are you folks?

this is less about age than injury; although ultimately age becomes a factor.

when you shoulder a bag (any weight, any design) you will have to do one of two things - 1. bend slightly forwards at the waist, 2. arch the back forwards or 3. move your weight forwards over your feet through bending your knees.

if you don't do one of these you fall over backwards! the modern strap systems are designed to keep the shoulders square, which is a big plus, but doesn't have any positive impact on the necessary forward bend.

the third is technically possible but puts huge strain on a lot of different areas
the second works fine if you have no weakness in any of your vertebrae joints at all, but will find any and punish you over time
the first is the natural reaction but plays hard on the sacral illac joints and lower back L3/4/5 - which are generally the most damaged bits for most men anyway!

the real problem with golf is that it is so one sided an activity that it's easy to create a short term weakness through the swing that then gets instantly attacked by the process of carrying the bag (many physiotherapists will recommend that a golfer should make at least one swing 'the other way round' on each hole to reset things!)

short version - carrying represents an inherent, but quite specific, physical risk; but it can also provide physical benefits as well as the pleasure of being able to freely move about the course etc etc etc many years ago I said I would give up the game if I couldn't carry, and I wasn't alone then and people still say the same thing now. however I still love the game but cannot handle the physical risks for me.

 

[bluewolf]

Always carry and have never really considered dropping anything from the bag to reduce weight. 36 holes wouldn't be a problem either.. I like the exercise when playing, and haven't really noticed a drop in form or concentration from when I briefly owned a Motocaddy.. Strange as it sounds, I don't feel any different after carrying than I did when using the trolley...

 

[rob_golf1]

Carry all the time, 14 clubs, drinks, food, water proofs if required. It really isn't that heavy. I have seen a few comments about this on here and it seems like the majority are medically incapable of carrying.

I agree with this. I carry all the time, always have done, always probably will do. I used a trolley once, hated it!

In my bag i'll have; 12 clubs, food, plenty of water/drink/liquids, plenty of balls, and probably either a waterproof jacket/top, or jumper/sweater, dependent on the weather! Happy days

 

[davidy233]

We don't have trolley bans so if it's going to be wet I'll use the Sun Mountain waterproof bag on a trolley - if it's just cold I'll use my Nike Weekend carry bag - all that goes in that is tees, a few balls, spare glove and clubs - it's incredibly light.

 

[chillicon]

this is less about age than injury; although ultimately age becomes a factor.

short version - carrying represents an inherent, but quite specific, physical risk; but it can also provide physical benefits as well as the pleasure of being able to freely move about the course etc etc etc many years ago I said I would give up the game if I couldn't carry, and I wasn't alone then and people still say the same thing now. however I still love the game but cannot handle the physical risks for me.

I suspect the act of swinging the club is a greater physical risk than picking up a bag, and as most these days have stands means there is very little in the way on bending over.

A friend of mine once broke a rib bending over to unplug his TV. He now hires someone to do this for him in order to mitigate the inherent and specific physical risk he would face doing it again.

 

[duncan mackie]

I suspect the act of swinging the club is a greater physical risk than picking up a bag, and as most these days have stands means there is very little in the way on bending over.

I clearly failed to get my message over - picking up the bag isn't the issue; walking distances with the modified body position required to maintain balance is the issue.

 

[palindromicbob]

Just out of interest, what age are you folks?

33 by birthday feel 75 physically and about 9 mentally.

 

[chillicon]

If i take a carry bag its a half set and practice only. If it's a full competitive round and trolleys are banned I wouldn't play.

And you are only 33? You must have had a really tough paper round.

 

[LanDog]

I've never used a trolley, and have only used a buggy twice, the rest of the time I carry, I've got an ankle deformaty that needed surgery, I've now got a newer knee problem that will eventually need surgery and doctors say my hip will give out at some point as well. Maybe I'll have to get a trolley as a preemptive strike!

 

[MadAdey]

I've never used a trolley, and have only used a buggy twice, the rest of the time I carry, I've got an ankle deformaty that needed surgery, I've now got a newer knee problem that will eventually need surgery and doctors say my hip will give out at some point as well. Maybe I'll have to get a trolley as a preemptive strike!

Sounds like you might need to.....

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Will use a trolley unless they are banned and will then carry

Quite happy to have as less stress on the back as possible

 

[MadAdey]

And you are only 33? You must have had a really tough paper round.

I'm only 38 and have been using a trolley for the last 6 years. Being an active person is what has inevitably screwed me over and possibly others too. Football injury finally screwed my knee up, but the specialist told me my knee was pretty knackered anyway from years of abuse. Being on the school footie, rugby, tennis, basketball and cross country teams along with playing them for local clubs really buggered my knees up as a kid. Then somewhere in between I would play golf too, so my knees never really had a chance.

 

[Region3]

Why do people feel they have to have a medical reason to use a golf trolley?

I use one because I prefer to. Isn't that reason enough for something we do for fun?

 

[bluewolf]

Why do people feel they have to have a medical reason to use a golf trolley?

I use one because I prefer to. Isn't that reason enough for something we do for fun?

Of course it is.. The constant justification is quite funny though... (he says with no tendon left in his right knee)....

 

[AmandaJR]

Why do people feel they have to have a medical reason to use a golf trolley?

I use one because I prefer to. Isn't that reason enough for something we do for fun?

Couldn't agree more. Seems to be some sort of snob value attached to carrying v trolley!

 

[Slime]

I carry all year round for no other reason than I want to!
It also enables me to choose which ever club I wish, when playing from deep within a forest, without having to go back to my trolley ..................... from where I would probably re-lose my ball!


Slime.

 

[richart]

Couldn't agree more. Seems to be some sort of snob value attached to carrying v trolley!

Hey, perhaps some of us carry because we prefer to. :mmm: