There‘s a lot of cool gear in the golf world that doesn’t always fit into Most Wanted Tests or Buyer’s Guides. You still want to know how it performs. In our We Tried It series, we put gear to the test and let you know if it works as advertised.
What We Tried
Your Reviewer
Phillip Bishop – Most Wanted Testing supervisor, die-hard Pittsburgh sports fan and advocate of playing golf as a lone ranger.
We Tried It: The Ranger
Sunday Golf’s Ranger is their first attempt at a premium golf stand bag. Sunday Golf burst onto the scene specializing in lightweight, easy-to-carry golf bags with an emphasis on functionality. Their mantra is “Carry less. Enjoy more. Designed for the weekend.” The Ranger embodies this and takes it to a new height.
As a testing hub, we have new equipment funneling in daily. It isn’t every day that I test out non golf club-related equipment. Shoot, I can’t even try out new golf shoes 90 percent of the time because my co-workers have behemoth feet.
Thankfully, trying out a golf bag is relatively easy: play golf.
A golf course experiment
Sunday Golf describes the Ranger as an experimental golf bag. Experiments happen on a daily basis at MyGolfSpy. Whether it is Most Wanted Testing, conducting different labs or soft goods testing, there are large- or small-scale experiments and curiosities being explored. For Sunday Golf, experimenting with the idea of a premium golf stand bag begins on the golf course. Can you take what you currently have and make it better? Are golfers going to enjoy it?
Taking the Ranger to the golf course was an easy decision. Why? My current golf stand bag at the time was Sunday Golf’s Ryder. For the record, I love that golf bag: sleek, lightweight, practical. A simple, clean golf stand bag.
Switching over to the Ranger was a different feeling. I don’t like larger golf bags (six or more dividers). They’re cumbersome and tend to be uncomfortable to carry in my experience. One of my previous golf bags was a 14-way hybrid stand bag and I hated it.
I now admit that was a premature feeling on my part.
Playing golf – the ultimate test
The beauty of stand bags are that they work for every type of golfer. Whether you carry, use a push cart, or ride, THE RANGER is made for anyone. Personally, my golf walking days are over. Not that I physically can’t do it but why do it when I can ride in a golf cart? This means getting in plenty of steps from the parking lot to the pro shop to the driving range.
When you break out THE RANGER, here’s what to expect:
- Custom six-way top made of a coated and durable material
- Fits up to 14 clubs
- Full-length dividers
- Comfortable double strap
- Large glove holder patch
- Tee loop molle webbing
- Utility towel ropes
- Cart strap pass-through
- Technical modern buckles
- Ultralight carbon fiber legs
- Modern look and handles
- Rainhood included
But, more importantly, nine operational pockets!
- Expandable apparel pocket
- Weather-sealed valuables pocket
- Two quick-access open pockets
- Small items storage pocket
- Magnetic Frosty pocket
- Oversized ball pocket
- General-use zip pocket
- High-stretch bottle pocket
Sunday Golf isn’t messing around by offering a way to organized your gear efficiently. This is absolutely critical to making your round of golf go seamlessly. Frankly, this is what helps with the transition from the Ryder to the Ranger. In this case, more is better.
More pockets with depth allow for a more enjoyable golfing experience. Do you like taking a few cold beverages to the golf course? Well, the Ranger’s Frosty pocket is larger than the Ryder’s. This gets an automatic bonus point. Overall, all of the pockets are larger which enables you to have options as to where to keep your gear. Sure, the Frosty pocket can be used as a mini cooler but you can use it to store your rangefinder or other necessary equipment such as tees and ball markers.
I alluded to hating a cumbersome bag earlier. Well, the Ranger weighs in at 5.5lbs, which is a comfortable weight, even after loading it up with my 14 golf clubs, rangefinder, golf balls, tees and a few other miscellaneous items. The double strap distributes the weight well and makes for a comfortable experience. I’ll say it is much more efficient than the Ryder (one of my few complaints about that golf bag). The six-way divider allows for easy organization and since they are coated at the top, it makes for a smooth golf club removal.
Sunday Golf is here to stay
The Ranger goes above and beyond my expectations. But you don’t need this unofficial, subjective review to convince you. Trust our actual testing of this golf bag which placed 3rd overall in our best golf stand bags of 2024.
Golf season is year-round here in Virginia (weather permitting) and the Ranger has been my golf bag of choice since its release. I’ve even put it through the the test of air travel (it does just fine). Do I wish it came in other colors than black? Of course. But for a first attempt at a premium stand bag, Sunday Golf hit a home run.
Bob Hein
2 years ago
If youre riding in a cart, you can use a cardboard box, carry bags are about carrying your clubs while walking. Golf is a game for walking, theres no carts at St Andrews, Carnoustie, or the courses at Bandon Dunes.