Callaway Fairway+ HD Golf Bag Review
Top 50 Coach Katie Dawkins tests the Callaway Fairway+ HD stand bag to gauge the performance.
When a carry bag morphs with cart bag it’s magical when that combination is a success. That is what this bag is all about, versatility and also a sprinkling of wow factor. Callaway have smashed it out of the park with this waterproof number full of high end finish and functionality.
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Easy clips that turn this so swiftly from carry to cart bag
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Impressive array of 6 color choices
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Fully waterproof
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It’s hard to choose a color!
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The umbrella holder is fiddly
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The bag itself is particularly lightweight but sturdy enough to sit on any push cart. The straps make it easy to sling over the shoulder and divide the weight evenly between each side. The Eva Moulded Straps make for an exceedingly comfortable carry even with a full set. I’d go as far as saying they gently massage as you walk thanks to their almost memory-foam capabilities. The same technology is applied to the hip pad so the comfort level is off the chart. The pads are fairly satin in finish so when wearing a silky jacket like my Callaway one they did have a habit of slipping a bit, so perfect positioning was essential. I soon got the hang of it.
On any trolley (push, electric or remote) this bag sits brilliantly but is narrow at the bottom so straps were essential. It has a brilliantly almost adhesive rubber pad that sits on the top of a trolley and this kept the clubs in place. I’m a big fan of it on the back of a cart. Like a beacon of light but also the pockets are all in exactly the right place. The best Callaway golf bags have every angle covered and this model does so easily.
The 5 way compartment houses a lovely wide upper pocket. This is perfect for a menagerie of headcover clad clubs, plus the rubber dividers mean zero rubbing or deteriorating of fabric. The dividers have full length walls so my clubs didn’t get caught up and I could even get a brolley in there in a rush from the car. The place the umbrella should be kept is one of the only downsides.
The loop at the base where the pointy end of the brolley should go isn’t wide enough for my snub nosed rubber ended one I own. (Maybe I need a skinnier umbrella?!) The whole attempt to put the umbrella in saw me actually just leave it behind. It’s a bit of a faff.
A model that should easily go into our best waterproof golf bags guide, the HD is created from 10K waterproof fabric and fully seam-sealed. Let’s talk pockets. This bag has one for everything including some extremely stretchy mesh pockets (either side of the ball compartment) that will keep your drinks bottle secure and a few golf balls from littering the fairways. The zips have a small protector at the top of each compartment which is a clever addition. These are designed to keep any moisture out, on top of the zips themselves being taped. You can take confidence that your precious belongings are even more protected thanks to a fuzzy lined waterproof valuables pocket. One pocket is also insulated with ventilation so your sandwich and any other refreshments will remain cool and fresh even on the hottest day. The pockets aren’t excessive in size but they make up for that with practicality.
The hood of the bag is particularly impressive. So many carry bags offer very basic hoods to protect the clubs against wet weather or when packed away for holiday. These hoods are usually boring and black. I have the Floral Yellow/Grey/Graphite color combination and this offers a matching yellow hood with almost reflective patterned texture that matches the yellow on the bag. This makes the bag look as impressive with the hood on as it is off. Easy to spot which buggy is yours if this is parked on the back.
Lastly the rubber feet that come as part of this stand mean this bag is not going anywhere other than where you want it to be. Slippery hotel lobby or pro shop floors often catch a dodgy stand bag out but this is one of the best stand bags because of that grip. Overall quality of this bag is second to none. Callaway have surpassed themselves, what a top class piece of kit.
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Katie is an Advanced PGA professional with over 20 years of coaching experience. She helps golfers of every age and ability to be the best versions of themselves. In January 2022 she was named as one of Golf Monthly's Top 50 Coaches.
Katie coaches the individual and uses her vast experience in technique, psychology and golf fitness to fix problems in a logical manner that is effective - she makes golf simple. Katie is now based on the edge of the New Forest. An experienced club coach, she developed GardenGOLF during lockdown and as well as coaching at Iford Golf Centre, The Caversham- Home of Reading Golf Club and Hamptworth Golf Club she freelances, operating via pop-up clinics and travelling to clients homes to help them use their space to improve.
She has coached tour pros on both LET tour and the Challenge Tour as well as introduced many a beginner to the game.
Katie has been writing instructional content for magazines for 20 years. Her creative approach to writing is fuelled by her sideline as an artist.
Katie's Current What's In The Bag
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 9degrees.
Fairway: TaylorMade Qi10 5wood
Hybrid: TaylorMade 4 & 5
Irons: TaylorMade 770 6-AW
Wedges: TaylorMade Tour Grind 4 54 & 58
Putter: TaylorMade Tour X 33"
Favourite Shoes: FootJoy HyperFlex with Tour Flex Pro Softspikes on the course.
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