chrism_s

Strong may have been a bit of an exageration but it does bear thinking about, its quite weird that it is.

There is a strong field of opinion (controversial I know) that says The Masters shouldn't be a major. The things that make it so special, the course, the setup etc, are what make it very predictable and repeatable. A Major should have defining charatcteristics (like The Open = Links) but always being at the same course and setup in theory make Augusta a lot easier than the other 3 majors, because you can exactly prep for it. Everyone knows where the pins are going to be, exactly what tee shot you need to hit etc. I would say The Open if only 1 major as it is the original, but then again I am British so a bit biased!

Finally got out onto the course for 2 9 hole rounds on Friday and Sunday. UK courses have been shut for 9 weeks, so we're finally able to get out and play. It's 2 balls only, all walking, and started with 9 hole rounds to manage capacity. We're back to full 18 hole rounds from Tuesday as the initial rush has died down. It was great to be out there, I played pretty decently for the first holes after a 9 week lay off, so good to be out in the fresh air.

More photos:

So, here is the review of the bag, at least up until I can get it on the course! First Impressions: Very smart, side by side with the previous version the stand sits a bit taller and the legs don't spread out as far. On its base its a bit taller as well.The top at 6 way instead of 5 is well padded around the top, and the pockets are plentiful. It feels like it might be a bit lighter, but to be honest once full of clubs not enough you can actually tell. Key Changes: The leg mechanism is very different. It has moved to be aligned with the top of the bag, when extended the legs sit taller and more vertical, and generally it looks like a more robust system. The legs always annoyed me a bit on the old version, so fingers crossed this new version works. The straps are significantly changed. The way they mount has been changed from the old D ring style into a plastic clip which rotates as well. I've never met a D ring which didn't flip round the wrong way and put stress on the strap. They are also massively thicker, which again hopefully solves for my biggest bug bare on the old bag which was the flimsiness of the strap. 6 way. The new 6 way cuff works really nicely for me, I know it's a contentious topic but the 5 way annoyed me as I had to have the putter in with the woods, and then had one other section with 4 clubs, where as the 6 way its nicely laid out. Pockets, lots of pockets. Positive is a new pocket between the ball pocket and the magnetic lid pocket. This means I can chuck tees and pencils in this new pocket and that means the magnetic pocket can have my rangefinder without risk to the lens from tees etc, big improvement! The ball pocket feels deeper, not significant but useful for us high handicappers! The scorecard pocket is perfectly sized and in a great location, I like they've put the glove grabber there as well, makes sense for when you're walking Bottle pocket. Insulated and in a good position, however now everyone has an insulated bottle on the course I reckon the need for it being "insulated" especially as its only half of the pocket is a bit irrelevant. Mystery pocket! To the right hand side of the ball pocket is a zippered pocket that I'm not sure what you would use for. I might put sharpies there, possibly it can fit a bottle as well? The apparel pocket is curved, this makes life much easier. The straight line of the old bag made it quite hard to get in and out. Inside it is a nice mesh sleeve for the rainhood, finally someone other than Ping thinking about where to put the hood. Generally all pockets look great and seem to make sense. More photos in the next post. I think the bag is definitely an upgrade on the 2018 version. I've not put it on the Clicgear yet, want to get one of the bag kozies for it to make it sit well, but I'm really pleased. Need to get it out and about soon, fingers crossed the social distancing eases. Keep Safe, Stay Home!

Have gone with the BRD4, found a good deal on Amazon, fingers crossed it lives up to expectations!

So, we've been over this territory on a few threads recently but I'm so stuck I thought I would right down where I am at. I play in the UK, have a Clicgear push cart and walk fairly regularly, lots in the winter when carts aren't allowed on the course. I've currently got a 2 main bags, a Mizuno cart bag and an old (2018) Mizuno BR-D4 bag for carrying. The carry bag is starting to get very scruffy, legs a bit loose, so I want a new bag for this season (whenever COVID-19 lets it start). I think I can reasonably get 1 bag that can cover both walking and push cart, but given I walk a reasonable amount I don't want a massive bag. It should also be noted I am a Mizuno junkie, so would like to go Mizzie if possible but I am very picky on design / functionality so things that don't work right are really annoying to me. Current Options: Mizuno Pro Stand Bag (6 way) Mizuno BR-D4 Stand Bag (6 way) Ping Hoofer (6 or 14 way) Jones Utility trouper What am I missing? Where do people think I should go, is the pro stand bag light enough to walk 18? Is the Hoofer a sensible cart bag as well as walking (I like the concept of the 14 way but only available in black in the UK). Does the Jones have enough pockets? No supplier near me is a) open and b) has these in stock physically si will need to order them in, so realisitcally can get 2 max before i annoy suppliers wiht return fees!

@M. Parsons Any more thoughts on the BR-D4 bag? I'm a Mizuno junky so am caught between the ping and the mizuno. I have the old version BR-D4 and it's not great, the pockets aren't the easiest to access, the legs always need the tensioner adjusting and the should straps are not the best, keen to see any photos you have or more detailed thoughts?

Hi Guys, I started playing golf when I was about 10 but didn't really do it in any serious way until about 10 years ago. I got fit for my first set of JPX 825 Pro which I adored and I've been a bit of a Mizuno groupie ever since. I have been a regular on the Mizuno forum over the years, but love the content MGS produces so thought I would spend some more time here. My handicap is 19, but was on its way down quickly over the winter and I hope to get below 15 by the end of the summer. I'm a gear head in the fact that I'm an engineer by training, so love data and the technical details, but I also love the hours spent in the countryside getting frustrated by my own limitations! I love MGS view on equipment, everytime one of my mates asks about a product I can almost always send them to MGS for the answer. You have no idea the amount of times I've picked up a partner's Chrome Soft and said "soft IS slow!" I play at Brookmans Park GC, Hertfordshire, England. It's a private members club, owned and managed by the members. I also play a lot of simulator golf at Urban Golf in London, thats great fun with a few mates and beers. The worst thing about golf is the lack of it right now, so frustrating! I work in IT, for a cloud computing company. My username is the one I've used pretty much everywhere, forever!