Do you know how to use golf bag shoulder strap properly? Although walking around while carrying your golf bag through the course is an excellent form of exercise, it may wreak havoc to your body if done incorrectly.
Golf is probably among the most relaxing sports you can ever play. You get to walk around beautifully landscaped golf courses while playing the game that you love.
Fortunately, I have your back covered! Most golf players, even seasoned ones, tend to overlook this topic. As a consequence, you would not be able to see many articles about it.
But today, let us look at how to use golf bag shoulder strap correctly to reduce all the possible health issues it may bring you.
How to Use Golf Bag Shoulder Strap
Before diving into how to install golf bag shoulder straps and how to use one, we need to talk about the importance of doing so correctly.
If you have your shoulder strap attached incorrectly, it may bring a lot of harm to you than good.
Eventually, it may be detrimental to your health and can cause several bone or posture problems.
The primary health issue you might have when you carry your golf bag incorrectly is chronic back pain.
All golf players know how frustrating this problem is because most of your driving force would come from having the proper stance and form.
Besides this issue, you will also feel exhausted on the golf course. Of course, no one wants to be in bad shape before their game, right?
With your shoulder straps securely attached to your golf bag, we now proceed with how to use golf bag shoulder strap correctly.
Although carrying your golf bag may seem simple enough, there are several things that you should always consider.
Using your shoulder strap does not involve just swinging it over your shoulder.
In reality, doing this can cause trouble to your body, especially your upper back, within a few hours into your game.
Thus, knowing how to use golf bag shoulder strap comfortably and safely is the first essential tip that you should learn.
There are several techniques you should watch out for before heading over to the golf course.
But do not worry because these are pretty easy and straightforward, so even amateur golf players can follow along.
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Purchase A Golf Strap
The first step when learning how to install golf bag shoulder straps is to purchase one with excellent quality and material.
If you have the right resources, try investing in a shoulder strap that costs around $20 or more.
Most golf straps come with an extra webbing attached to it.
However, if you have a newer style bag, you may not need this webbing anymore because your golf bag has one attached to it already. If so, you can pull this loose and remove it.
If you have an older golf case, you would need this webbing.
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Attach Your Golf Strap
Once you have your handy golf strap with you, the next step when learning how to install golf bag shoulder straps is to attach it to your golf bag.
I suggest you start with the upper and lower right portion of your golf kit before proceeding to the upper and lower left parts.
Once you have your shoulder strap in place, adjust it until you are comfortable with it.
Remember, adjusting your strap and making it secure as possible can significantly improve your gameplay.
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Arrange Your Golf Clubs
When learning how to use golf bag shoulder strap correctly, the first step you should always do is arrange your golf clubs.
Make sure that their weight is evenly dispersed throughout the bag, especially if you have a two-strap golf bag.
But if you find yourself using just one shoulder when carrying your golf bag, you can remove the other strap to redistribute the weight.
Look out for uneven distribution because this can give rise to several detrimental health issues over time.
Once you have that done, let us now look into several tips you can do when carrying your golf bag to reduce the possible strain on your neck, back, and shoulder.
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Use Your Legs
An essential tip when carrying your golf bag is to put most of its weight on your legs.
Due to their durability, it would be best to put most of the pressure from lifting and walking into this area rather than your upper back.
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Utilize The Lift Handle
Most modern golf bags come with their very own lift handle.
Make sure to use this tool to carry your golf bag from the ground quickly. Using this lift handle also limits the energy and pressure you would exert on your body.
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Use Your Dominant Shoulder
Typically, your dominant shoulder will be much more durable than the other. Thus, another essential tip when you are learning how to use a golf bag shoulder strap is to use your dominant shoulder.
But if you feel tired, you can always shift the weight to your other shoulder to give your dominant one a break.
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Adjust Your Shoulder Strap
Another rule of thumb when carrying your golf bag is to adjust it to ensure that it sits comfortably over your shoulder.
Most store-bought golf bags have unadjusted shoulder straps, so make sure you also know whether it is the right length.
One excellent way to determine whether it has the right length is to check if your bag is higher up on your back.
Otherwise, you might get sent to a chiropractor for having a bad back brought about by misusing your golf bag shoulder strap.
Preparing Your Golf Bag
Besides learning how to use golf bag shoulder strap, there are other tips you can follow to improve your playing skills further.
These techniques are significant, especially since they can impact how you carry your golf bag on the golf course.
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Loading Your Golf Clubs
As I have discussed previously, it is essential to distribute the weight of your golf clubs throughout your golf bag. Doing so will reduce the strain put on your neck, shoulder, and back.
Ideally, the best way to load your golf clubs into your bag is to start with the longer and heavier ones.
It would be best if you position them close to your shoulder straps to protect your back. Meanwhile, smaller and lighter golf clubs should be at the bottom compartments of your golf bag.
I also suggest you place your long irons in the center to evenly distribute the weight of all the contents in your golf bag. Doing so will prevent all the unnecessary and annoying bouncing while walking.
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Distribute Accessories
The next lesson I have for you is also to distribute your accessories. Although your golf balls and tees may seem light, these small items also add weight to your golf bag.
So carrying these items, together with your golf clubs, can make a massive difference to your gameplay. Make sure to bring your shoes, water bottle, and towels when heading out to the golf course.
Just distribute these essentials throughout your bag to ensure your balance while carrying it over your shoulder and, ultimately, making you feel comfortable throughout your game.
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Lessen Your Golf Clubs
Since it is up to you how many golf clubs you would be bringing onto the golf course, you can reduce the number in your bag.
In reality, some golf players only bring eleven or as few as three clubs. Just bring those that you need and are comfortable with for your game.
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Rent A Golf Cart
Besides carrying your golf bag over your shoulder, you can opt to rent a golf cart instead.
This technique is typically best for older golf players or injured ones because you can take a break from carrying your golf bag.
Golfers who have chronic back or muscle pain should focus on healing and minimizing the stress on these areas.
Another excellent advantage of renting a golf cart is that you get to limit your physical activity. Instead, you can shift your energy to improve your gameplay.
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Purchase Lightweight Golf Bag or The Walk18GolfHarness
If none of the tips above had worked to reduce your back pain throughout your gameplay, you might want to purchase a new lightweight golf bag or the Walk18GolfHarness.
Although these two items are much more expensive than the traditional golf bag shoulder strap, they can undoubtedly reduce the force and pressure on your shoulders and spine.
Hence, this is a low price to pay since you can enjoy the sport much longer and safely.
Let’s Play Some Golf
Most golf players would overlook the significance of carrying their golf bags over their shoulders properly.
In fact, you may have come upon this article, thinking that this task was just a simple task.
All you needed to do was load all your golf clubs and essential into your bag and then swing it over your shoulder.
However, there is so much more when carrying your golf bag with your shoulder straps the right way.
Hopefully, I was able to discuss how to use golf bag shoulder strap properly.
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Last Updated on December 4, 2023 by Paul Roger Steinberg