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Jonathan Taylor brings you the low down on the Callaway Fairway C HD stand bag.
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 updated Fairway C HD stand bag, the 2024 version of their water-resistant carry bag.
This updated version of the Fairway C HD (for HyperDry) stand bag arrived in a smart looking Charcoal/Houndstooth. It’s one of no less than seven colour options, and looked very smart & classy. Compared with the 2023 model I noticed a number of improvements including a better pocket configuration and more subtle ‘ Callaway ‘ branding.
Some waterproof bags can look a little plasticky or shiny. The waterproof fabric used in this bag (and also the smaller Callaway Par 3 HD bag) felt and looked to be of premium quality.
Other features include;
Seam sealed construction to complement 10k ripstop fabric.
Waterproof zips.
Roomy 9 inch diameter top.
4-way Shaft Shield rubberized top with full length dividers.
Well thought-out pockets.
Ribbed straps which Callaway label ‘ Anamatic’.
A so-called Flex Pod base to enhance stability.
A robust rain hood.
Measured weight (inc. rain hood) of just over 6lb.
A few words about the all-important pocket configuration. Callaway state that there are 9 pockets and I took some time to find them all!
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 was roomy enough to hold a waterproof jacket, waterproof trousers, an extra layer and that all-important (for me, anyway) sandwich. This pocket also contains the rain hood which, unlike some hoods, is made of the same premium quality waterproof fabric. I think this is a good thing. After all there’s little point in having a waterproof bag if the hood leaks. The trade off is that it (all 220 gms or almost half a pound) does occupy valuable space.
The central ball pocket is nicely sized and has two zips for ease of access which I think is a really important design feature but often ignored, especially in waterproof bags. There is a useful accessories pocket just above the ball pocket where I tend to keep ball markers, marker pen and pencils.
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I keep tees , ‘ used ‘ balls and gloves in the final pocket on the other side from the full length apparel pocket. Again, this is well sized and easily accessible when on the move. On either side of the central ball pocket are two bits of webbing which Callaway must count as pockets, and they’re actually quite useful. On one side I can securely fit a decent sized drinks bottle, and on the other a rangefinder or alternative DMD (distance measuring device).
If you’re still paying attention, that gives us seven ‘pockets’. There is a little bit of webbing within the central ball pocket which serves no useful function, and, finally, a pen holder, on the front of the bag, which hardly merits being called a pocket, but that’s the only way I could find nine pockets!
The fabric of the bag looks and feels very robust. I have to say that my golf bags do get a fair amount of hammer, being chucked in and hauled out of car boots, and after a dozen rounds this bag certainly looks up for the challenge.
So, how did the bag perform on the golf course?
On the course
The 4-way top allows good separation of all 14 clubs with straightforward access. The rubberised dividers are novel but I hope Callaway are correct in labelling them as graphite friendly! The range of pockets allowed me to put everything where I wanted it to be.
Although this bag is a little heavier than I would prefer, I have to say that the two ribbed (Anamatic, remember) carry straps are actually very comfortable to wear and also look pretty durable. The strap system is easily adjustable, courtesy of a 3-D moulded puck In addition, the EVA moulded hip pad offers further comfort. The overall result is an excellent carrying experience.
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All the lower pockets are easily accessible when on the move. This is a feature that I think all bags should have but plenty don’t. It’s made easier by the presence of two zippers on the main ball pocket.
The legs fold away tightly with no flopping around when marching down the middle of the fairway. I’ve not yet tested the bag in strong winds but the legs, in combination with the Flex-Pod base, appear to offer solid stability.
And as to the all-important wet weather performance, this bag passed with flying colours. The hood is easy to attach, has two zips, and everything within the bag remained bone dry in the variable heavy showers that I encountered during testing. This is what you would expect from 10k waterproof fabric, allied to waterproof zips which worked well.
So, this really is a bag for all seasons. And although it is a carry bag, it is designated as cart-friendly, so will happily sit on a trolley for added flexibility.
In summary, I think this is an excellent waterproof carry bag that has all the features you need and expect from a premium manufacturer. It’s good looking and certainly performs well on the course. The only downside is that it is a little on the heavy side but in terms of comfort and function it’s hard to beat.
Colours: Orange/Electric blue – Black – Black Houndstooth – Charcoal – Grey/Pink – Navy Houndstooth – Olive Houndstooth – Khaki/Forest – Navy – White – White/Black/Fire red – White/Cobalt blue – White/Navy Hounds/Red
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