Is This The Ultimate Golf Bag For Walking?

After a lifetime of searching, I’ve finally found the Holy Grail of golf bags for walking golfers.

The Raon Field Explorer.

I love walking the golf course but I can’t stand the aches and pains that follow. I have chronic pain from my lower back up to my neck and it’s a big reason I don’t walk the course more often. If you’re in a similar situation, you’re in for a treat.

For hikers and backpackers, the Field Explorer will feel just like home, highlighted by backpack-style shoulder straps and an additional strap around the waist for extra stability. The bag sits at roughly a 70-degree angle across your back while traditional golf bags tend to sit more horizontally which can lead to additional soreness on either side of your body.

I walked roughly four miles with the Field Explorer on my back and I’m excited to announce that it’s pretty much all good and no bad.

The Raon Field Explorer

First things first: the bag itself is great.

The frame is made of aluminum which increases load-bearing capabilities for the walking golfer. You can expect to carry your clubs, golf balls, snacks and a water bottle with better stability than with your everyday golf bag.

You also get padded straps at the shoulders and waist made of dual-density foam for an increase in support and comfort. Stability is important but it’s next to useless if comfort is absent from the equation. The Field Explorer makes sure both are taken care of.

I compared my normal stand bag and the Field Explorer side by side and the Field Explorer is lightyears ahead in terms of providing a stable walk. My current stand bag was much more topsy-turvy during the walk.

The buckles are magnetic, making the process of taking the bag off and putting it back on seamless, with minimal additional time required during the round. (See the next section to learn more about this process.)

The hiking-style straps are removable, allowing the Field Explorer to function as a normal stand bag when you’re riding in a cart or transporting it to and from the course. If storage is an issue, this is a big factor. Similarly, if you’re splitting time between walking and riding, the detachable design is a game-changer.

Dimensions: 36″ H x 9″ W x 6.5″ D
Bag weight: 4.75 lbs.
Harness weight: 1.65 lbs.

The big questions

While testing the Field Explorer, I had two main questions:

1. Does using the Field Explorer actually decrease soreness from carrying a golf bag?
2. How inconvenient is taking the bag off and putting it back on throughout the round?

No. 1: The Field Explorer made the walk easier by providing much better weight distribution.

It’s common to feel sore after carrying a 15- to 20-pound golf bag for two to four hours. While the Field Explorer won’t eliminate that soreness completely, it helps distribute the weight more evenly.

If you deal with back, shoulder or neck pain and you’re looking for a better solution while walking the course, the Field Explorer is a better option than most other golf bags.

N. 2: Taking the Field Explorer off and putting it back on between shots was much less inconvenient than you might think.

Did it add a small amount of time between shots? Sure. Did it add so much time that I became agitated or questioned whether the Field Explorer was a solid fit moving forward? Not at all.

Compared to a traditional golf bag, the Field Explorer requires you to strap back in between shots. I’d estimate that this process added roughly two minutes to my total round time. We’re talking about only a couple of extra seconds per shot compared to a normal stand bag.

If you’re OK with adding a couple of minutes to your round, the Field Explorer will bless you and your golf game in other ways to make up for it.

With both of my biggest concerns addressed, I can confidently recommend the Field Explorer to walking golfers of all skill levels.

Final thoughts

If we were talking religion, I’d be fully converted to the Raon Field Explorer.

The Field Explorer is the real deal. I’m even calling it the Paul Pierce of golf bags—aka The Truth. It offers everything a normal stand bag offers but with evolved mechanics for golfers who need additional support.

At $375, you’re paying more than most golfers are willing to spend on a stand bag. However, if you’re seeking increased stability and an easier walk, it might be worth spending an extra $100 to $150.

If you haven’t experienced soreness or difficulty enjoying the walk, I’d recommend a cheaper option, not because the Field Explorer isn’t built for everyday golfers but because more affordable options are available for those who don’t deal with chronic pain or instability while walking.

If you’re searching for a more stable walk or a golf bag to help alleviate the aches and pains that walking brings, the Raon Field Explorer is a great option.