"Have you got a cappuccino machine in your bag? I think it will fit one."That was the reaction of one of my regular playing partners when I showed up at the golf course with my new Ping T9.5 golf bag
. Ping don't call it a staff bag but you'll find that it's identical in size, form, and features to their "Tour Staff" Bag, with the exception of a slightly different finish on some pockets and not carrying the product logos of its current line up of clubs.
. Ping don't call it a staff bag but you'll find that it's identical in size, form, and features to their "Tour Staff" Bag, with the exception of a slightly different finish on some pockets and not carrying the product logos of its current line up of clubs.So why a staff bag, I hear you ask? Do they not belong to the domain of true professionals only? Are not amateurs and social golfers that carry the staff bag on the golf course viewed as "wannabes" who look like morons on the course - especially when they fail to execute every shot to perfection?
To this I respond with a resounding "No!". Read on to find out why the staff bag, especially Ping's bag, has a place on the social course.
Design
Oddly enough Ping's T9.5 bag is designed as a staff bag. The top of the bag is divided into 6 areas separated with two full length dividers to prevent the grips of clubs in one area being caught against others. The 9.5 represents the diameter of the top of the bag in inches, and while it doesn't sound a whole lot bigger than a lot of other cart bags on the market, the top really does have a rather cavernous entrance.
A total of eight pockets adorn Ping's golf bag, not including the two water bottle holders and umbrella sleeve integrated discretely into the bag. One of the pockets is actually lined with felt - designed to keep your more fragile items such as sun glasses. The front, back, and both sides have two pockets each of varying sizes and depth starting from a mediums sized pocket to absolutely enormous. You might struggle to fit a cappuccino machine in one of the bag's pockets though, although you'd probably come close!
A wide base keeps the bag stable when placed on the ground while a large handle makes it easy to pick up. A three point shoulder strap with some fairly hefty padding is also supplied to help keep the bag comfortable and stable while slung over your shoulder.
Construction
The one great thing about a good staff bag is that they're built to last, at least, that's the theory. However, having looked at a few golf bags before finally settling on Ping's, I can tell you not all bags are created equal.
Ping's T9.5 staff bag is one of those bags that is made to stand the test of time. A moulded plastic tube with fibreglass stays lines the inside to give the bag a robust and durable skeleton structure. Other areas that have been reinforced are the base and handle of the bag, important points given that these two areas are where the full weight of the bag gets impacted by the most.
Textured vinyl give Ping's bag a leather like look that won't appear scratched as easily as some of the staff bags with the smooth vinyl finish. The vinyl material also works to protect everything in the bag from the harshest of elements, including the occasional torrential down pour, which is the main reason I've ended up with it.
Pockets are sealed by what I can only describe as heavy duty zippers. They're large and easy to grab hold of, although having such large teeth means they don't always slide open and shut as easily as smaller zippers. This extends to the bag's rain cover as well which is made from the same durable vinyl material as the rest of the bag. Disappointingly, the zipper on the rain cover only opens in one direction, meaning you have to open the entire cover up if you want to retrieve a club from the back of the bag.
The heavy duty shoulder strap connects to the bag at three different points. It's wide, well padded making the bag comfortable to carry despite it's heft weight, and holds on to your shoulder without sliding off. However given the weight of the bag I think a carry strap which used both of your shoulders would be a handy thing, although realistically few people other than caddies would ever carry a staff bag around a course
Aesthetics
To my eye Ping make a good looking staff bag. It's never going to win any golfing fashion or innovation awards but for me it manages a robust, purposeful image while avoiding the "pregnancy" look that some staff bags have. Available in white or white and trimmed in red and black highlights Ping uses conservative colours effectively to give its bag a classy appeal.
Practicality
Everything about this bag can be described as enormous. Side pockets are long and wide, with enough depth to store clothing apparel such as rain gear. The pockets contained on the strap side easily swallow more balls and tees than you could ever hope to carry. On the other side the pelican pocket in conjunction with the two side pockets easily handle your more bulky items such as winter jackets. In addition, just above the pelican pocket is the felt lined pouch that is perfect for your more fragile items such as sunglasses. And yes, it too is enormous as far as valuables pockets go.
I've seen some staff bags that have two umbrella holders, one on each side of the bag. Ping's bag
The other thing I love about staff bags is the ease of which you can pull a golf club out of the bag. While the 14 way dividers found in most cart bags these days are nice in principle, I've found in the past that I'm always struggling to easily slide them in and out of their slot as the grips can catch on the dividers themselves. It could be just me, but the six way divided coupled with ample space of each compartment make it a breeze to slide clubs in and out of the bag.
If I have some criticisms about Ping's T9.5 Staff Bag, it's to do with the size and configuration of the pockets. The two water bottle pockets don't do a great job of holding water bottles in, nor do they keep them effectively cool. The pockets are also too large in some cases. I can't help but think that by dividing some of the pockets up, even if it's just inside the pocket itself rather than creating a whole new compartment, the bag could be made that much more practical again.
Conclusions
It may be old fashioned in design and conservative in colour, but it attracts the attention of golfers wherever I take it. Not only have Ping created an eye catching staff bag, they've designed it to be extremely sturdy and practical. It's large enough to hold pretty much everything and anything you'd ever need on a golf course, along with some of the things that you don't. And it will protect the contents housed within it from any adverse weather conditions.
Fit and finish are without question top notch. Upon close inspection it's easy to see that this bag has been built with a robustness in mind that will make it stand the test of time. It's perfect for the golfer that visits the golf course frequently, rain, hail or shine.
The downsides are far and few between. However the Ping T9.5 Staff Bag is a very large bag that some people may struggle to get into the boot of smaller cars. It's also very heavy and doesn't allow you to organise items very well within the cavernous pockets built into the bag.
These minor quibbles aside though, it's an easy bag to live with. You don't have to throw a rain cover over it to keep the bag and its contents dry. You never have to worry about not having a particular item because it all fits into the bag. And you don't have to worry about replacing it because it's likely to last forever.
, has a place on the social course.Design
Oddly enough Ping's T9.5 bag
is designed as a staff bag. The top of the bag is divided into 6 areas separated with two full length dividers to prevent the grips of clubs in one area being caught against others. The 9.5 represents the diameter of the top of the bag in inches, and while it doesn't sound a whole lot bigger than a lot of other cart bags on the market, the top really does have a rather cavernous entrance.A total of eight pockets adorn Ping's golf bag
, not including the two water bottle holders and umbrella sleeve integrated discretely into the bag. One of the pockets is actually lined with felt - designed to keep your more fragile items such as sun glasses. The front, back, and both sides have two pockets each of varying sizes and depth starting from a mediums sized pocket to absolutely enormous. You might struggle to fit a cappuccino machine in one of the bag's pockets though, although you'd probably come close! A wide base keeps the bag stable when placed on the ground while a large handle makes it easy to pick up. A three point shoulder strap with some fairly hefty padding is also supplied to help keep the bag comfortable and stable while slung over your shoulder.
Construction
The one great thing about a good staff bag is that they're built to last, at least, that's the theory. However, having looked at a few golf bags before finally settling on Ping's, I can tell you not all bags are created equal.Ping's T9.5 staff bag
is one of those bags that is made to stand the test of time. A moulded plastic tube with fibreglass stays lines the inside to give the bag a robust and durable skeleton structure. Other areas that have been reinforced are the base and handle of the bag, important points given that these two areas are where the full weight of the bag gets impacted by the most. Textured vinyl give Ping's bag a leather like look that won't appear scratched as easily as some of the staff bags with the smooth vinyl finish. The vinyl material also works to protect everything in the bag from the harshest of elements, including the occasional torrential down pour, which is the main reason I've ended up with it.
Pockets are sealed by what I can only describe as heavy duty zippers. They're large and easy to grab hold of, although having such large teeth means they don't always slide open and shut as easily as smaller zippers. This extends to the bag's rain cover as well which is made from the same durable vinyl material as the rest of the bag. Disappointingly, the zipper on the rain cover only opens in one direction, meaning you have to open the entire cover up if you want to retrieve a club from the back of the bag.
The heavy duty shoulder strap connects to the bag at three different points. It's wide, well padded making the bag comfortable to carry despite it's heft weight, and holds on to your shoulder without sliding off. However given the weight of the bag I think a carry strap which used both of your shoulders would be a handy thing, although realistically few people other than caddies would ever carry a staff bag around a course
Aesthetics
To my eye Ping make a good looking staff bag. It's never going to win any golfing fashion or innovation awards but for me it manages a robust, purposeful image while avoiding the "pregnancy" look that some staff bags have. Available in white or white and trimmed in red and black highlights Ping uses conservative colours effectively to give its bag a classy appeal.
Practicality
I've seen some staff bags that have two umbrella holders, one on each side of the bag. Ping's bag
The other thing I love about staff bags is the ease of which you can pull a golf club out of the bag. While the 14 way dividers found in most cart bags these days are nice in principle, I've found in the past that I'm always struggling to easily slide them in and out of their slot as the grips can catch on the dividers themselves. It could be just me, but the six way divided coupled with ample space of each compartment make it a breeze to slide clubs in and out of the bag.
If I have some criticisms about Ping's T9.5 Staff Bag
, it's to do with the size and configuration of the pockets. The two water bottle pockets don't do a great job of holding water bottles in, nor do they keep them effectively cool. The pockets are also too large in some cases. I can't help but think that by dividing some of the pockets up, even if it's just inside the pocket itself rather than creating a whole new compartment, the bag could be made that much more practical again.Conclusions
It may be old fashioned in design and conservative in colour, but it attracts the attention of golfers wherever I take it. Not only have Ping created an eye catching staff bag, they've designed it to be extremely sturdy and practical. It's large enough to hold pretty much everything and anything you'd ever need on a golf course, along with some of the things that you don't. And it will protect the contents housed within it from any adverse weather conditions.Fit and finish are without question top notch. Upon close inspection it's easy to see that this bag has been built with a robustness in mind that will make it stand the test of time. It's perfect for the golfer that visits the golf course frequently, rain, hail or shine.
The downsides are far and few between. However the Ping T9.5 Staff Bag
is a very large bag that some people may struggle to get into the boot of smaller cars. It's also very heavy and doesn't allow you to organise items very well within the cavernous pockets built into the bag.These minor quibbles aside though, it's an easy bag to live with. You don't have to throw a rain cover over it to keep the bag and its contents dry. You never have to worry about not having a particular item because it all fits into the bag. And you don't have to worry about replacing it because it's likely to last forever.
