One of the more recent golf bag themes has been the introduction of the ‘hybrid’ bag, a bag that can be carried, put on a trolley, taken to the range or put on a buggy. As someone who generally prefers to carry, but will occasionally use a trolley if, for example, I’m playing 36 holes in a day, this sort of bag does interest me. In this Motocaddy EliteFLEX hybrid golf bag review we put to the test to see if it delivers on its hybrid promises.
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NCG Summary
NCG Summary
I do like the hybrid concept, but it’s a tough one to pull off. The EliteFLEX is as good as anything in this category, so is worthy of serious consideration.
PROS
- Premium look and construction.
- 14-way full length dividers.
- Magnetic pockets.
- Extremely comfortable and balanced carry…
CONS
- …but heavy as a carry bag.
First Impressions
Out of the box, the EliteFLEX hybrid immediately exuded a confident and classic look. It is made from PU leather which looks durable and easy to care for. It comes in just one ‘regular’ colour – namely Charcoal/Black. But if you hurry there is a limited edition version in white.
The bag offers 14-way full length dividers, which is great for shaft protection and club organisation but does come at a weight cost. I measured the bag (with rain cover and straps) at a pretty hefty 4kg (almost 9lb) which is about twice the weight of a lightweight carry bag.
I would describe the pocket configuration as that of a premium carry bag, with full length and spacious apparel pocket on the right side of the bag, with a decent sized, waterproof, velour lined valuables pocket on the same side. There is a sensibly sized central ball pocket, complete with removable panel for cresting purposes if required. Just above that sits a velour lined magnetic closure accessories pocket. This really adds a touch of class to the proceedings. There are also a couple of magnetic closure sleeves either side of the central ball pocket , which can be used for drink, snack or rangefinder.
The final pocket on the other side from the full length apparel pocket. This pocket is large with good access via a single zip. There is an open insulated cooler pocket overlying this which is, again, extremely roomy, and has a cool magnetic closure (which I almost didn’t notice! )
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So, as I said, the pocket configuration is that of a premium carry bag rather than a dedicated trolley bag. But I don’t think you’re going to be short of space.
The fabric of the bag looks and feels to be absolutely top-notch. The PU leather fabric is really smart, looks durable and will be easy to keep clean. It is not designated as waterproof (if you need waterproof then check out the Protekta or Dry-Series from Motocaddy) but it feels well put together and will certainly resist showery weather. The zips all run smoothly. There is a double zip closure on the central ball pocket for easy access. The rubberised zip pulls are all pleasingly chunky.
So, how did the bag perform on the golf course, both as a carry bag and a trolley bag? Read on to find out!
Motocaddy EliteFLEX hybrid golf bag review: On the course
The 14-way top allows good separation of a full set of clubs and there is a dedicated slot able to fit my putter with oversized grip. The superb range of pockets allowed me to put everything where I wanted it to be, with space to spare.
Although this bag is substantially heavier than my normal carry bag, the two adjustable shoulder straps are nicely padded and contoured which allowed me to obtain an extremely comfortable and balanced carry. In fact, in terms of comfort and balance, I have not tested anything better.
All the lower pockets are easily accessible when on the move. This is a feature that I think all bags should have, but some 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 fairway, and offer strong stability when deployed.
The only issue with the EliteFLEX as a carry bag is the weight. I really can’t see myself using this as a fully loaded (14 clubs etc) bag, but, curiously, I could imagine using this in winter months, where a short (9 or 10 clubs) set would reduce the weight significantly.
It’s a doddle to morph the EliteFLEX into a trolley bag. Just remove the carry straps via four quick-release strap connectors. The straps themselves are helpfully labelled (TL stands for top left, for example), so when you come to re-attach them, it’s a piece of cake. And then there is the Easilock system. Two pins at the base of the bag fit into two slots at the base of your Motocaddy trolley, dispensing with the need for a lower bag strap. I can’t really say that it’s a game changer but it is quite neat. And as a trolley bag, the EliteFLEX is pretty good but doesn’t have the storage capacity of a pure trolley bag.
NCG Verdict
To summarize, if you are in the market for a single bag to use all year round , then this does a good job. Personally, it’s a bit heavy to use as a fully-loaded carry bag but then I’m in my 60’s with worn joints. I’d be happier using it as a trolley bag, and I think that is the preferred environment for this hybrid bag.
However you choose to use it, I expect you to get years of use out of what is an extremely robust construction and smart design. For that reason it comes highly recommended.
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Motocaddy EliteFLEX hybrid golf bag review: The Details
RRP: £249.99 / $319
Colours: Charcoal/Black, White (Limited edition).
More information: Motocaddy UK / Motocaddy US
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