After a lifetime of searching, I finally found the Holy Grail of golf bags for walking golfers.
I love walking the golf course, but I can’t stand the pains that follow. I have chronic pain from my lower back to my neck and it’s a big reason I don’t walk the course more often. If you are in a similar situation, you are in for a treat.
For hikers and backpackers, the Field Explorer feels right at home, highlighted by backpack-style shoulder straps and an additional strap around the waist for extra stability. The bag sits at about a 70 degree angle across your back, while traditional golf bags tend to sit more horizontally which can lead to additional pain on either side of your body.
I’ve walked about four miles with the Field Explorer on my back and I’m excited to report that it’s pretty much all good and not bad.
The Raon Field Explorer
First things first: the bag itself is great.
The frame is made of aluminum which increases the load capacity 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 have padded shoulder and waist straps made of dual density foam for increased support and comfort. Stability is important, but it is 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 light years ahead in terms of providing a stable walk. My current stand bag was much more numb during the hike.
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 traveling in a cart or transporting to and from the course. If storage is an issue, this is a big factor. Similarly, if you split 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.
Tool weight: 1.65 lbs.
The big questions
While testing the Field Explorer, I had two main questions:
- Does using the Field Explorer really lessen the pain of carrying a golf bag?
- How inconvenient is it to take the bag off and put it back all the way around?
No. 1: The Explorer Field made walking easier by providing much better weight distribution.
It is common to feel pain after carrying a 15 to 20 pound golf bag for two to four hours. While the Field Explorer doesn’t eliminate this pain completely, it does help distribute the weight more evenly.
If you deal with back, shoulder or neck pain and are looking for a better solution while walking the course, the Field Explorer is a better option than most other golf bags.
No. 2: Taking the Field Explorer and taking it back between shots was a lot less inconvenient than you might think.
Did it add a small amount of time between shots? For sure. It added up so much time that I became restless or wondered if the Field Explorer was a solid form to move forward? Not at all.
Compared to a traditional golf bag, the Field Explorer requires you to belt back between shots. I estimated that this process added about two minutes to my total time. We’re talking about just a couple of extra seconds per shot compared to a normal stand bag.
If you’re okay with adding a couple of minutes to your round, the Field Explorer will bless you and your golf game in other ways to compensate.
With my biggest concerns addressed, I can confidently recommend the Field Explorer to walking golfers of all skill levels.
Final thoughts
If we talk about religion, I would be completely converted to the Raon Field Explorer.
The Field Explorer is the real deal. I’m also called the Paul Pierce of golf bags—aka The Truth. It offers everything a normal stand bag offers, but with advanced 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 looking for increased stability and an easier ride, it might be worth spending the extra $100 to $150.
If you have not experienced pain or difficulty to enjoy the walk, I would recommend a cheaper option, not because the Field Explorer is not built for everyday golfers, but because more affordable options are available for those who do not deal with chronic pain or instability while walking.
If you are looking for a more stable walking or golf bag to help alleviate the aches and pains that walking brings, the Raon Field Explorer is a great option.
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