Cheap but Reliable Golf Cart Bag?

TomokoAdhami

Greetings!
I just need to gift my friend a golf cart bag on his birthday. Actually, he is my bestie or you can call a school time friend who has always been love with outdoor sports especially golf. This birthday, I want to gift him a golf bag because I felt he doesn't have a budget to purchase a new golf cart bag for months. In this regard, I searched for some competition sections of various forums which offer free golf cart bag but chances of win are fewer and I don't want to take the risk because the birthday is in March. Here https://golf-hook.com/reviews/best-golf-cart-bags/ I found a variety of golf cart bags but I liked Callaway Golf Cart Bag because of its pockets and build but the price is about £390 for normal size. Yes, I would like to go with normal size. 

On the other hand, my sister suggested me buy a motocaddy golf bag from here https://www.ebay.co.uk/b/Motocaddy-Golf-Bags/30109/bn_36841894. Most of them are new and the price is also very affordable. But as I don't have much knowledge about this brand and sellers that's why I want to inquire more. What are your suggestions in this regard? I will like to go with normal size options not mini and no large ones and my budget could be near £200 to £250 without any compromise on quality. Secondly, as I don't have much knowledge about the durability of different brands that's why give me right advice according to your experience. 

couriervanman

Well if your friend is a keen golfer like me he would rather buy his own bag rather than be given one,he will have his own favorite brand of bag and will want a certain amount of pockets some with zips some without.He may want a bag that is also light enough to carry around a small course plus other requirements,a brand/bag that you think is a bargain from sports direct could be his worst nightmare,

TomokoAdhami

couriervanman said:

Well if your friend is a keen golfer like me he would rather buy his own bag rather than be given one,he will have his own favorite brand of bag and will want a certain amount of pockets some with zips some without.He may want a bag that is also light enough to carry around a small course plus other requirements,a brand/bag that you think is a bargain from sports direct could be his worst nightmare,

I know! But as a friend, I want to make him happy and yes, for sure, I wouldn't compromise on quality but want some good ideas. That's why I am here to get a better piece of advice. 

couriervanman

OK think about it this way
You probably have a keen hobby yourself it could be....gardening/cookery/diy/cars/photography etc etc etc
If one of your friends bought you a new spade/cookery book/set of tools/camera etc etc etc without asking you chances are you get something you didn't want or wouldn't dream of buying that particular brand.My wife always asks me can she buy me a golf related gift for xmas/birthdays and gets the hump when i tell her the exact item i need/want...."It wont be a surprise" she will say...."But it will get used and not chucked in the bottom drawer" i will say
I have a drawer full of useless golf related tat bought for me by relatives and friends thinking the fantastic gadget will get used,i always smile and thank them for the wonderful gift and say you "shouldn't have"
Your friend who you think wants a new golf bag might/probably loves his well worn bag as its comfortable and fits his body contours when carrying,my wife cant understand why i have a well worn jacket i wear in the winter when playing and keeps badgering me to let her buy an expensive new Nike one that has pockets etc in the wrong place or are to big/small

Manxman_in_exile

TomokoAdhami said:

couriervanman said:

Well if your friend is a keen golfer like me he would rather buy his own bag rather than be given one,he will have his own favorite brand of bag and will want a certain amount of pockets some with zips some without.He may want a bag that is also light enough to carry around a small course plus other requirements,a brand/bag that you think is a bargain from sports direct could be his worst nightmare,

I know! But as a friend, I want to make him happy and yes, for sure, I wouldn't compromise on quality but want some good ideas. That's why I am here to get a better piece of advice. 

It's not a question of cost or quality.  As couriervanman says, if your friend really is a keen golfer, they will have exactly their own idea of what they want and need in a golf bag - not all golf bags are the same, and pricier doesn't necessarily mean it will be one that suits them - or that they want to use.  I can't imagine anything more embarrassing than being given a gift costing £300 but which doesn't suit what I perceive as my needs and which I know I'm not going to use.

If I was absolutely set on doing what you want to do, I would ask them what they want.  But they may ask for a bag costing a lot more than you are willing to pay.  Or they may be too embarassed to answer honestly.

Although your idea is a lovely one to buy a gift for a good friend, I think you'd be better off just sticking to a "usual" birthday present.

(People who don't play golf don't understand how personal the question of kit becomes).

TomokoAdhami

I don't think if I will ask him, he will answer and yes, he is very good at guessing why I am asking this. It is very easy to pick such hints among friends. Now, I am thinking to decore a golf-playing album of his photographs. Anyways, I had a wish to gift him a golf cart bag. Let's see. 

Pollycat

TomokoAdhami said:

I don't think if I will ask him, he will answer and yes, he is very good at guessing why I am asking this. It is very easy to pick such hints among friends. Now, I am thinking to decore a golf-playing album of his photographs. Anyways, I had a wish to gift him a golf cart bag. Let's see. 

But does it really matter?

Why does it have to be a surprise?

I can understand if it's a gift for a child but for an adult...?

You say he doesn't have the budget to purchase a new golf cart bag - why not gift him some money so he can get exactly what he wants.

I agree with manxman in exile.

I would not have wanted anyone to buy me a surprise gift related to any of the sports I used to do.

It would almost certainly have been a waste of money.

couriervanman

After reading the OPs posts.........you can just tell they will go and buy a golf cart bag costing £300+ and be disappointed when the other person asks if ts ok to exchange