This golf bag feels incredibly light to carry – but there’s one annoying problem
Last updated:
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At a glance
- TG Rating
- Owner Rating
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Pros
- Feels incredibly light to carry
- Good storage
- Lots of nice touches
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Cons
- White strap shows dirt easily
What we say...
The Callaway Chase is probably the most lightweight and comfortable bag I’ve ever carried, but one issue lets it down.
I always carry my clubs, so a lightweight bag is non-negotiable. If it’s over 2kg, I’m out. The Callaway Chase nails it at 1.8kg – right up there with the lightest bags on the market. And there’s something special about it that has made it one of the best golf bags I’ve ever used – despite one annoying thing that stops it being perfect.
I’ve used it for more than 40 rounds now so will take you through all the pros and cons.
Pros
- Feels incredibly light to carry
- Good storage
- Lots of nice touches
Cons
- White strap shows dirt easily
Design & Quality: 4.5/5
I really like the look, which is sporty and fresh. This predominantly white colorway is clearly one for better weather – if you use it in bad weather or when the course is soft and muddy, I think it will show stains and wear pretty quickly. As a summer-only bag, this one is great, but if you want a year-round golf bag, I’d opt for a darker option – unless you’re lucky enough to play somewhere where the weather is always good.
The bag feels well put together and the materials feel as good as you can expect in such a lightweight model. By that, I mean that super lightweight bags never feel as premium as weightier models. The thin, plasticky materials are never going to be as nice to the touch or feel as robust as they do in heavier bags, but I think that’s a price worth paying for the weight saving.
Storage & Accessibility: 4.5/5
For a lightweight carry bag, you can’t fault the Callaway Chase when it comes to storage. It features eight pockets, including a full-length apparel pocket and a velour-lined valuables pocket. There’s a drink pocket, a towel ring, and a Velcro glove patch (does anyone actually use those?).
The only negative is that it lacks a dedicated slot to store the rain hood when not in use. The hood is thin and lightweight so it can go in one of the other pockets easily enough. And, as mentioned, this is a bag for good weather anyway, so I tend to leave the hood at home and hope for the best!
There’s also no dedicated pen/pencil holder, which is hardly a deal-breaker but was nice to have on my previous bag – the Mizuno BR-D3.
Durability & Performance: 4.5/5
My biggest gripe with the Callaway Chase golf bag is the white strap. You’re going to be picking your bag up and putting it down more than 50 times every time you play, and the right strap shows signs of dirt very quickly. After my first few rounds with it, it had already picked up a bit of a gray smear. I’ve never considered myself as having particularly filthy hands, but any dirt or dust gathered from the course, your golf ball, bunkers, etc, will start to show up on that white surface. I think Callaway could and should have made it the gray used in certain panels as it would have looked great and prevented this issue. Obviously, if you go for a different colorway, you might not have this problem.
Performance-wise, I’ve had no complaints. The legs kick out and fold in easily, and the bag has never shown any sign of being likely to fall over – even playing a links course on a very windy day.
The Callaway Chase isn’t waterproof, and the very thin rain cover isn’t likely to protect against more than a light drizzle. Again, I’d say this is a bag for good weather rather than all conditions.
Comfort & Ease of Use: 5/5
Comfort is where the Callaway Chase really stands out. I mentioned that the weight is on par with other lightweight golf bags, but once it’s on your shoulders, it feels lighter than any bag I’ve ever carried before. I don’t know if it’s something to do with the straps or the way it’s balanced, but it feels like you’re only carrying a half-set of clubs. I carry a full-set of 14 clubs, six or seven golf balls, a 750ml bottle of water, a rangefinder, and occasionally a jumper, but it still feels like there’s barely anything in there. A few friends have tried it on and all said exactly the same thing.
I’ve used it for 36-hole days and never felt it was anything other than supremely comfortable.
All the pockets are logically placed and easy to access. There are no annoying niggles and a few nice touches, like the clip inside the valuables pocket which is designed to keep your keys secure if you have that pocket open during your round – perhaps when getting your phone out.
Club Organization: 4.5/5
The Callaway Chase features a four-way top with full-length dividers. I’ve found the clubs fit in nicely and I’ve never had any issues with snagging or clubs getting stuck.
Unlike with some models, there’s no easy access zip to the bottom of the bag – so if you’re unfortunate enough to drop something down there, you’ll have to take your clubs out so you can reach in or tip the bag upside down to let gravity do its job.
Final verdict: 23/25
The Callaway Chase isn’t for everyone – all-weather golfers or gear-heavy players might want more protection and features – but for lightweight-carry loyalists who play in mostly good conditions, it’s one of the best golf bags you’ll find.
