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Jonathan Taylor brings you the low down on the Callaway Par 3 HD Golf Pencil Stand Bag – currently 50% off!
Callaway has a long-standing reputation for making first class golf clubs. However the brand may not be the first name that springs to mind when considering your next golf bag. It would be a mistake to overlook them because they offer a huge range of both cart and stand bags, packed with innovative features.
Today’s review introduces the Par 3 HD Callaway stand bag.
Callaway say that this is the most premium pencil bag they have created, and I was very excited to get my hands on this lightweight yet waterproof compact carry bag. My test bag arrived in a classy looking black colour which is one of 3 available colour options. Compact (or pencil) bags do often tend to look a little flimsy but the waterproof fabric used in this bag felt and looked to be of premium quality.
The features of this bag include;
Seam sealed construction to complement 10k waterproof fabric.
Waterproof zips.
Micro stand legs
7.5 inch diameter top.
3-way Shaft Shield rubberized top with full length dividers.
Five pockets.
Comfortable double strap.
An excellent rain hood.
Measured weight (inc. rain hood) of just over 2.2kg.
Let’s have a look at the pocket configuration. Now although the Par 3 HD can be categorised as a pencil bag, I took it away for a golf trip, and with a bit of thought was able to fit in everything I needed.
On the right side there is the usual full length apparel pocket and adjacent velour-lined valuables pocket which is pretty standard on all carry bags. The apparel pocket looks pretty slimline but was roomy enough to hold a waterproof jacket, waterproof trousers, and a thin extra layer.
This pocket also contains the rain hood which, as in the Callaway Fairway C HD, is made of the same premium quality waterproof fabric. The good news is that it keeps the rain off your gear really effectively, but, if stowed away, does take up quite a bit of space. So I tended to either fit the hood on the bag if rain seemed likely, or alternatively, leave it in the car.
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On the other side of the bag there is another streamlined pocket for balls and tees. There is a separate net compartment within this pocket which I used for pencils and marker pen. I should mention that all these pockets are compact, which contributes to the over-all smart and streamlined look to the bag. On the other hand , all these pockets are a bit of a challenge to access. Overall this wasn’t an issue for me, but for those with large hands, it might be more awkward.
Finally there is a central net pocket with an elasticated toggle closure. Initially I thought this seemed a bit of an afterthought. However it was incredibly useful and I found I could fit a water bottle, rangefinder, snack and a sleeve of golf balls in this pocket.
Ok, that’s pockets discussed. How did the bag perform on the golf course?
On the course
The 3-way top offers perfectly reasonable space and I could fit 14 clubs with standard grips in without difficulty. The rubberised dividers are novel and I hope Callaway are right when they label them as graphite friendly!
The micro stand legs operate manually rather than automatically. It took just a few holes to get used to this. I found that when picking the bag up, I’d put a strap over my right shoulder, retract the legs then put the other strap over my left shoulder. The reverse process when putting the bag down worked just fine.
Although this bag is a little heavier than a typical pencil bag, it was incredibly comfortable to carry, courtesy of the two ribbed (called Anamatic by Callaway) carry straps. The strap system is easily adjustable, thanks to a 3-D moulded puck. The moulded hip pad enhances the comfort. The overall result is an easy and balanced carrying experience.
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The net pocket is easily accessible when on the move; the right sided pocket less so.
The length of the micro stand legs is just right. They’re easy to operate, and, when deployed, the top of the bag is about 15 inches off the ground. So you don’t need to bend down too far to pick up the bag but it remains stable, even in pretty filthy weather.
And as to the wet weather performance, this bag passed with flying colours. The hood is easy to attach, has two zippers, and everything within the bag remained bone dry in some pretty persistent heavy rain that I encountered during testing. This is just what you would expect from the 10k waterproof fabric, allied to a robust rain hood, sealed seams and waterproof zips.
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