WO2001010514A1

WO2001010514A1 - Golf bag with shoulder straps

Info

Publication number: WO2001010514A1
Application number: PCT/GB2000/002956
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Dunlop Pitt; James Molyneux; Richard Mann; Archie Mccauley
Original assignee: Mjd Investments Limited
Priority date: 1999-08-06
Filing date: 2000-08-04
Publication date: 2001-02-15
Also published as: AU6302800A

Abstract

A golf bag (10) for carrying golf clubs (20) is carried by means of two shoulder straps (40), (42). The golf bag (10) has a back support panel (22) having a support surface which is straight in a longitudinal axis (26) and has a convex curve in a transverse axis (66). The longitudinal axis (26) of the panel (22) is skewed by between 5° and 30° to the longitudinal axis (32) of the bag. When the bag is carried the longitudinal axis (26) of the panel (22) is horizontal so that the convex shape fits with the concave lumbar region (34) of the spine. The shoulder straps (40), (42) are connected to the bag at an upper support point (58) and two lower support points (44), (46) on either side of the padded contact surface (30) of the support panel (22). The support points (44), (46) are arranged on the skew axis of curvature (26) of the back support panel, so that in use the support points (44), (46) are in the same horizontal plane.

Description

GOLF BAG WITH SHOULDER STRAPS

The present invention is directed towards a golf bag for use in the sport of golf. More specifically, the present invention is directed towards a golf bag which may be carried on the back around a golf course. The present invention is also directed towards a golf bag having a detachable accessory bag.

In order to complete a round of golf, players must take a set of golf clubs with them around the golf course. Most players carry about fourteen golf clubs with them during a round, which can be quite a considerable weight. The clubs are carried in a golf bag which has sections in which to store the various types of clubs, used. The golf bag is usually carried with a single, cushioned strap over the player's shoulder.

However, as the combination of golf clubs and a golf bag is heavy, many players find it difficult to carry their clubs, especially around an eighteen hole golf course which takes four or five hours to play. A single shoulder strap directs the weight of the golf bag and clubs to a non-central position on the player's body, and over a long period this can cause discomfort and in certain cases severe back problems.

It has been proposed to provide two shoulder straps, so that the weight of the golf bag is distributed more evenly between the shoulders, but existing two-strap designs are cumbersome to put on and take off, and do not take into account the ergonomic design considerations. Moreover the position of the bag when carried can be awkward, making it difficult to select clubs or access any part of the bag while the bag is being carried. Moreover the two-strap design can be uncomfortable when carried for short distances on a single strap, when the player does not consider it necessary to go through the more complicated procedure of putting on the bag using two straps. US Patent No 5,042,703 discloses a two-strap bag provided with a pillow adapted to rest against the back to improve the carrying comfort, but the panel is oriented skew to the back when the bag is in its carrying position, and the straps are of different length, resulting in uneven loading on the person carrying the bag. International Patent Application No WO 99/12447 discloses a two-strap bag used with provided with a separate hip belt which can be fitted in a pocket on the golf bag, but there is no support panel on the golf bag itself, and the straps are of different length, resulting in uneven loading on the person carrying the bag. A further problem of existing golf bags is that the pockets in which the player carries spare clothing and accessories are all fixed to the golf bag. This often requires the player to transfer clothing and accessories from the sports bag in which he brings them to the golf course to the golf bag before playing, and then to transfer them back to the sports bag after playing, so that the clothing and accessories may be cleaned or stored at home.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a golf bag having improved weight distribution which can be carried for long periods in comfort .

It is a further, separate aim of the present invention to provide a golf bag having improved weight distribution which can be carried for long periods in comfort, and which has a detachable accessory bag which can be readily attached to and detached from a golf bag, but which can also be carried comfortably by itself.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a golf bag comprising an elongated bag having an opening at a first end and adapted to contain golf clubs, and two straps attached to said bag and each adapted to pass over the shoulder of a person carrying the golf bag, wherein the bag comprises a back support panel adapted to contact the back of the person carrying the golf bag. The back support panel may be perforated. Preferably the panel has a substantially convex outer surface. Preferably the outer surface is a substantially cylindrical surface whose longitudinal axis is skewed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongated bag. Preferably the angle of skew is between 5° and 30°, most preferably between 6° and 20°. In practice an angle of 8° has been found to function adequately.

Preferably the upper end of each strap is attached to the golf bag by means of an adjustable connection on the upper side of the golf bag adjacent to the first end. Preferably the adjustable connection comprises an elongate connecting member extending from a first fixing point adjacent to the bag opening to a second fixing point longitudinally spaced from the first fixing point. Preferably the adjustable connection further comprises a fastening means adapted to secure the straps to the elongate connecting member at a particular chosen position on the elongate connecting member.

Preferably the straps comprise a harness having a semi- rigid web panel attached to the bag by means of the adjustable connection and two semi-rigid straps continuous with the web panel.

Preferably the lower end of each strap is connected to the bag adjacent to the back support panel at a lower strap connection point. Preferably the two lower strap connection points lie on a skewed axis, most preferably an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical surface of the back support panel.

Preferably the axis of the two lower strap connection points and the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical surface are arranged to be substantially horizontal when the bag is carried on the shoulders of a wearer and the longitudinal axis of the elongated bag is inclined at an angle to the horizontal with the opening raised.

Preferably the bag comprises a fabric bag supported by a neck member having openings therein for clubs connected to a base member by two or more frame rods, the back support panel comprising an at least partially rigid panel spanning between two frame rods. The partially rigid panel may be covered by a resilient padding member. The partially rigid panel may be provided inside the fabric bag. The back support panel may be integrally formed with the neck member. Preferably the neck member comprises a hollow tube having a first side wall on the side of the golf bag adjacent to the back support panel and a second side wall on the side of the golf bag opposite to the back support panel. Preferably the first side wall extends higher in the longitudinal direction of the bag than the second side wall. This prevents the heads of clubs stored in the golf bag from contacting the back of the wearer of the golf bag. Preferably the neck member is provided with a resilient clip on the second side wall adapted to hold the handle of an umbrella. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the golf bag further comprises a detachable bag having three attachment means each adapted to be detachably attached to a corresponding connection point on the main bag .

Preferably the first attachment means is a carrying loop adapted to be used for carrying the detachable bag. Preferably the first connection point is a hook, clip or similar provided on the exterior surface of the main bag near the opening.

Preferably the second attachment means is a third strap adapted to be used as a waist strap when a user carries the detachable bag without the main bag. Preferably the end of the third strap is provided with a buckle or similar connecting means. Preferably the second connection point is a corresponding buckle or similar provided on the exterior surface of the main bag near the bottom of the main bag. Preferably the third strap is provided with an integral pouch near the buckle or similar, most preferably the pouch being hingeably connected to the third strap such that it releasably covers the buckle or similar. Preferably the third strap and pouch are adapted such that when a user carries the golf bag on his shoulder the pouch is positioned on the same side of the golf bag as the portion of the golf bag in contact with the user's back. Preferably the third attachment means is a buckle or similar connecting means. Preferably the third connection point is a corresponding buckle or similar provided on the exterior surface of the main bag near the bottom of the main bag but opposite the second connection point, such that in use the detachable bag partially surrounds the main bag.

Preferably a fourth strap is provided on the detachable bag adjacent to the third attachment means, the fourth strap being adapted to connect to the third strap so as to be used as a waist strap when a user carries the detachable bag without the main bag.

Preferably a fifth strap is provided on the detachable bag adjacent to the first attachment means, the fifth strap being adapted to connect to the third and fourth straps so as to be used as a shoulder strap when a user carries the detachable bag without the main bag. The fourth and fifth straps may be connected to a single pad adapted to sit at the front of the user in use. The pad may have a buckle means adapted to connect to the buckle or similar connecting means provided at the end of the third strap.

Preferably the detachable bag comprises a first waist strap, a second waist strap and a shoulder strap. Preferably the second waist strap and shoulder strap are connected to a single pad adapted to sit at the front of the user in use. Preferably the pad has a buckle means adapted to connect to a buckle means provided at the end of the first waist strap. Preferably the first waist strap is provided with an integral pouch near the buckle means. Preferably the pouch is hingeably connected to the third strap such that it releasably covers the buckle or similar.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows a front elevation on a first embodiment of a golf bag according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows a perspective front view of the frame of the golf bag of Fig. 1, showing the back support plate, with the fabric of the bag omitted for clarity;

Fig. 2a is an elevation on the back support plate shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 3 shows a part rear elevation of a user wearing the golf bag of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 shows a side elevation of a user wearing the golf bag of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 shows a front elevation on the golf bag of Fig. 1, with the shoulder straps omitted for clarity;

Fig. 6 shows a rear elevation on the golf bag of Fig. 1, with the shoulder straps omitted for clarity, with the detachable bag in place; Fig. 7 is a rear elevation on a detachable bag according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 8 is a front elevation on the detachable bag of Fig . 7 ;

Fig. 9 is a partial section on Line IX-IX of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a plan on the frame of the golf bag of Fig. 1;

Fig. 11 is a section on XI -XI through the frame of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is an exploded view of the upper end of the frame of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged view of the connection between the back panel and the frame of Fig. 10; and

Fig. 14 is an enlarged view of the connection between the back panel and the frame of Fig. 10 showing the connection of the bag fabric to the frame.

With reference to Figs. 1 to 6 there is shown a golf bag 10 which consists of an elongate fabric bag 12 supported on a frame which comprises a moulded base member 14 and a moulded neck member 16 held apart by two metal or fibre reinforced struts 18. The fabric bag 12 is secured to the base and neck members 14, 16 in a conventional manner. Golf clubs 20 are carried in the bag by inserting the shafts into the open neck 16 of the golf bag.

Spanning between the struts 18 at the upper end of the bag, near the neck 16, is a back support panel 22. This may be moulded and has slots 24 to engage the struts 18. Apertures (not shown) may be provided in the panel 22 to reduce weight and allow the passage of air through the panel . The surface of the back support panel 22 has a convex curve, with the part of the surface 30 which is in contact with the back when the bag 10 is carried forming part of a cylindrical surface. However, because the bag 10 is ideally supported at an angle to the horizontal when carried, so that the clubs do not fall out of the bag, as can be seen in Fig. 3, the axis 26 of the cylindrical surface 30 is skewed by an angle β in relation to the longitudinal axis 32 of the bag. Typically this angle β is between 5° and 30°, and optimally is between 6° and 20°.

As can be seen from Fig. 4, the curvature of the back support panel 22 means that the convex shape fits with the concave lumbar region 34 of the spine when the golf bag is carried on the shoulders by straps 40, 42. Padding 36 is provided over the back support panel 22 to increase comfort. This padding may be provided outside the fabric bag 12, as shown in Fig. 1, or between the panel 22 and the fabric bag 12. The golf bag 10 is carried by means of two straps 40, 42 which fit over the shoulders of the person carrying it . The straps are connected to the bag at two support points 44, 46 on either side of the padded contact surface 30 of the support panel 22. The support points 44, 46 are arranged on the skew axis of curvature 26 of the back support panel, so that in use, as shown in Fig. 3, the support points 44, 46 are in the same horizontal plane.

The straps 40, 42 each include an adjustable portion, whose length may be adjusted using a conventional return buckle, and a broader cushioned portion 50 adapted to be in contact with the wearer's shoulders. It has been found to be advantageous if the two cushioned portions are formed as a one-piece harness which has a web portion 52 which holds the straps 40 and 42 apart, making it easier for the wearer to put his arms into the straps. The web portion 52 has a fold line 54, so that the straps 40, 42 can be folded together when required, and to increase comfort when carrying the bag, since the web portion 52 folds slightly along the fold line 54 to fit between the shoulder blades of the wearer. The web is attached to the golf bag by a connecting loop 56. However it is to be understood that if required the two straps 40, 42 may each be connected separately to the connecting loop 56.

The combination of the back support panel 22 and twin straps 40, 42 enables the golf bag to be supported higher on the back than prior art two strap arrangements in an optimum lumbar position.

An elongate band 60 is secured to the golf bag 10 at two positions 62, 64. A strap 58 is used to join the connecting ring 56 to the band 60. The underside of the band 60 may be provided with one element of a hook and loop fastening fabric , such as Velcro (TM) , while the strap 58 may be provided with the other element, so that on securing the strap 58 around the band 60, the strap 58 cannot slide along the band 60. The wearer of the bag can select the position on the band at which the strap 58 is secured, such that the centre of gravity of the loaded bag and the position of the strap 58 lie on a line 66 which is vertical when the bag is supported in a tilted position as shown in Fig. 3.

The positional adjustment of the connecting ring 56 ensures that the load of the golf bag is shared equally between the shoulders of the wearer, avoiding the damage to the spine which can be caused by carrying unequal loads on the shoulders . The fact that both straps 40, 42 are the same length contributes to the even loading between the straps and to the comfort of the wearer.

A hand loop 70 is provided near the bottom of the golf bag, to make lifting the bag easier when it is not being carried over the shoulders. Permanently secured pockets, such as zipped pocket 72 and net pocket 74, may be provided on the golf bag. Automatically opening legs (not shown) may be provided on the underside 76 of the golf bag. A quick-release umbrella clip (not shown) may be provided.

The web portion 52 of the one piece harness holds the straps 40, 42 apart so that the bag may be comfortably carried over one shoulder if required, by placing strap 40 over the shoulder. Strap 42 is then held away from the back by the semi-rigid nature of the web 52 and cushioned portions 50 of the straps.

The detachable bag which attaches to the golf bag is described with reference to Figs . 5 to 9. The purpose of the detachable bag is to provide an easily detachable bag which does not interfere with the carrying of the golf bag, and which can be used by itself as an accessory bag. The detachable bag 100 has a main bag with an access flap 102 openable by zips 104 and a Velcro (TM) closure 106. The bag has a hand loop 108 suitable for carrying the bag in one hand. A hook 80 or similar connection is provided on the golf bag.

The detachable bag has a shoulder strap which consists of a padded portion 110 which sits on the shoulder of the wearer and an adjustable portion 112, whose length may be adjusted by means of a conventional buckle 114. The adjustable portion 112 is connected to a pad 116, which in use sits against the wearer's chest. The bag also has two waist straps. The first waist strap consists of a padded portion 120 which sits around the side of the wearer and an adjustable portion 122, whose length may be adjusted by means of a conventional buckle 124. The adjustable portion 122 is also connected to the pad 116.

The second waist strap consists of a padded portion 130 which sits around the side of the wearer and to which is secured a pouch or small bag 132, openable by means of a zip fastener 134. Attached to the rear face of the small bag 132 is a short strap 136 which terminates in a quick-release buckle 138. A corresponding quick- release buckle 140 is attached by a short strap 142 and stitching 144 to the pad 116, so that the small bag is secured to the user by connecting the buckles 138, 140.

The short strap 136 is attached to the small bag 132 by stitching 137 at one end, so that the small bag 132 is effectively hinged to the strap 136. The small bag 132 and buckle 138 are provided with Velcro (TM) so that the small bag is releasably secured to the buckle 138 in use. This has the advantage that the small bag 132 is visible to the wearer in use, making it a secure storage place for a wallet or cassette player or similar.

When attaching the detachable bag to the golf bag, which is usually in an upright position with the neck 16 uppermost, the hand loop 108 is first connected to the hook 80. The second waist strap 130 is then passed around the golf bag 12 and the buckle 138 connected to a corresponding buckle 82 secured by a short strap 84 to the golf bag 10 near the underside 76 of the golf bag. The small bag 132 is thus positioned at the front of the golf bag, and is readily accessible by the wearer of the golf bag. The buckle connection 138, 82 is hidden from view by the small bag 132.

Finally, to provide three points of contact between the detachable bag 100 and the golf bag 10, the shoulder strap 110 and first waist strap 120 are folded behind the detachable bag 100, so that they are sandwiched out of the way between the golf bag 10 and the detachable bag 100, and a quick-release buckle 150 provided on the exterior of the first waist strap 120 at the point where the waist strap 120 joins the body of the detachable bag is secured to a corresponding quick- release buckle 86 secured by a short strap 88 to the golf bag 10 on the underside 76 of the golf bag near the base 14.

It should be noted that the short straps 84, 88 may be omitted, so that the buckles 82, 86 are directly and rigidly attached to the golf bag 10, so that the quick- release connection may be accomplished with only one hand .

The front 102 of the detachable bag is provided with elasticated straps 160 sewn in at their ends to the bag and which can be secured across the front of the detachable bag by means of hooks 162 and loops 164. The elasticated straps 160 can be used for holding golf shoes 166, as shown in outline in Fig. 6, or other bulky or soiled items. The detachable bag is expandable in volume by means of the adjustable strap 152 which is secured at each end to the front and back of the bag respectively. The detachable bag offers the advantages that there is only one buckle 138, 140 to connect when putting on the bag, but the bag may also be carried effectively without doing up the buckle. There are no dangling straps when the buckle is done up, and the buckle is hidden from view by the small bag 132. The small bag 32, which may be used for valuables, is close to the front of the wearer, minimising the danger from pickpockets. When the detachable bag 100 is attached to the golf bag 10, the small bag 32 remains close to the front of the wearer, for added security, and can be readily reached by the wearer's left arm, which is wearing the left strap 42.

With reference to Figs. 10 to 14 there is shown the internal construction of a particular embodiment of the golf bag of the invention. The elongate fabric bag 12 which is supported on the frame is shown in outline in Fig. 10 and is omitted for clarity in Figs. 11 to 13. A moulded base member 14 and a moulded neck member 16 are held apart by two metal or fibre reinforced struts 18. The back support panel 22 is a moulded plastic panel and is provided with four moulded sleeves 224, one at each corner, into which the struts 18 are inserted. The fabric 12 is fixed to the struts 18 by forming a loop 12a around the strut 18 and securing the loop 12a by stitching 12b, as shown in Fig. 14. The neck member 16 may either be a separate member, having two apertures (not shown) to engage the struts 18, or it may be formed as one integral member with the back support panel 22. In the latter case the sleeves 224 adjacent to the neck member 16 may be omitted, and the struts 18 may extend only to an intermediate point on the back support panel 22.

The neck member 16 is in the form of a hollow tube, to which the bag fabric 12 is fastened. Cross walls 206, 208, 210 span the neck member to provide partitions for separating the golf clubs carried in the golf. The first side wall 202 of the neck member 16 adjacent to the back panel, which in use is nearest to the back of the wearer of the golf bag, is wider in the longitudinal direction of the bag than the opposite side wall 204. The wider first wall 202 serves the purpose of keeping the golf club heads away from the back of the wearer, while the narrower second wall 204 allows the user to remove a club from the bag more easily.

Fig. 11 shows a resilient clip 220 formed on the second wall 204 of the neck member 16, for holding the handle of an umbrella. The ferrule of the umbrella may be supported in a pocket (not shown) provided on the exterior of the golf bag near the base member 14, and the handle of the umbrella may then be snapped into the clip 220, to hold the umbrella away from the back of the wearer of the golf bag. The handle of the umbrella remains readily available while the golf bag is being worn, so that the umbrella can be removed from the golf bag and raised without the need to take the golf bag off the shoulders. The clip 220 may be formed as an integral moulded part of the neck member 16. Any suitable materials may be used to manufacture the golf bag and detachable bag, including the traditional materials of leather or nylon, as well as other woven and non-woven fabric or sheet materials.

Although the drawings show a golf bag suitable for use by a right handed player, it is to be understood that the orientation of the back panel 22, straps 50 and golf 10 bag may be reversed so that it is suitable for a left handed player.

It is to be understood that any buckle or clip connection referred to in this specification is not to be limited as referring to a particular type of buckle or clip, but that any suitable buckle, clip or other releasable strap-connecting means, such as Velcro (TM) or studs, may be used instead.

It is to be understood that the physical appearance of the detachable bag may be changed to suit the aesthetic requirements of the user of the golf bag. Other shapes of bag utilising three points of attachment may be used. The detachable bag of the invention may further be used with other golf bags, such as wheeled golf bags or golf bags having a single carrying strap.

Other modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention. It is to be understood that the curved back support panel 22 can be secured to the golf bag 10 in other ways than the method shown in the attached drawings. For example the golf bag 10 might have a rigid or semi-rigid bag 12, to the surface of which is secured the panel 22. Alternatively the support panel 22 could be moulded as an integral part of a moulded bag 12, in which the struts 18 are omitted. The panel 22 is described as having a substantially cylindrical surface. This is to be understood to mean that the surface is part of that of a cylinder. The shape of the surface is not to be limited to that of a circular cylinder, but may be that of an elliptical cylinder, a parabolic cylinder, or any curved solid whose surface is essentially straight in a first longitudinal direction and concave in a second transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The upper ends of the straps 40, 42 may be connected to the top of the bag by means other than those described above. The lower ends of the straps 40, 42 are preferably connected directly to the back support panel 22 by means of fabric webs 44, 46, but may instead be connected directly to the bag 12 or the frame of the bag.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A golf bag comprising an elongated bag having a longitudinal axis, an opening at a first end and adapted to contain golf clubs, and two straps attached to said bag and each adapted to pass over the shoulder of a person carrying the golf bag, wherein the bag comprises a back support panel adapted to contact the back of the person carrying the golf bag, the panel having a surface which comprises part of a substantially cylindrical surface whose longitudinal axis is skewed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongated bag .

2. A golf bag according to Claim 1, wherein the angle of skew is between 5° and 30°, preferably between 8° and 20°.

3. A golf bag according to Claim 2, wherein the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical surface is arranged to be substantially horizontal when the bag is carried on the shoulders of a wearer and the longitudinal axis of the elongated bag is inclined at an angle to the horizontal with the opening raised.

4. A golf bag according to any preceding Claim, wherein the straps comprise a harness having a semi-rigid web panel attached to the bag by means of an adjustable connection and two semi-rigid straps continuous with the web panel.

5. A golf bag according to any preceding Claim, wherein the lower end of each strap is connected to the bag adjacent to the back support panel at a lower strap connection point.

6. A golf bag according to Claim 5, wherein the two lower strap connection points lie on an axis which is skewed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongated bag.

7. A golf bag according to Claim 6, wherein the angle of skew is between 5° and 30°, preferably between 8° and 20°.

8. A golf bag according to Claim 7, wherein the axis of the two lower strap connection points is arranged to be substantially horizontal when the bag is carried on the shoulders of a wearer and the longitudinal axis of the elongated bag is inclined at an angle to the horizontal with the opening raised.

9. A golf bag comprising an elongated bag having a longitudinal axis, an opening at a first end and adapted to contain golf clubs, and two straps attached to said bag and each adapted to pass over the shoulder of a person carrying the golf bag, wherein the bag comprises a back support panel adapted to contact the back of the person carrying the golf bag, wherein the straps comprise a harness having a semi-rigid web panel attached to the bag by means of an adjustable connection and two semi-rigid straps continuous with the web panel, the lower end of each strap being connected to the bag adjacent to the back support panel at a lower strap connection point, wherein the two lower strap connection points lie on an axis which is skewed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongated bag.

10. A golf bag according to Claim 9, wherein the axis of the two lower strap connection points is arranged to be substantially horizontal when the bag is carried on the shoulders of a wearer and the longitudinal axis of the elongated bag is inclined at an angle to the horizontal with the opening raised.

11. A golf bag according to any preceding Claim, wherein the golf bag further comprises a detachable bag having three attachment means each adapted to be detachably attached to corresponding connection point on the main bag.

12. A golf bag according to Claim 11 wherein the first attachment means is a carrying loop adapted to be used for carrying the detachable bag and the first corresponding connection point is near the opening of the main bag.

13. A golf bag according to Claim 12 wherein the second attachment means is a third strap adapted to be used as a waist strap when a user carries the detachable bag without the main bag and adapted and the second corresponding connection point is near the base of the main bag.

14. A golf bag according to Claim 13, wherein the third attachment means is a buckle or similar connecting means and the third corresponding connection point is near the base of the main bag.

15. A golf bag according to any of Claims 11 to 14, wherein the detachable accessory bag comprises a bag body, a first waist strap, a second waist strap and a shoulder strap.

16. A golf bag according to Claim 15, wherein the second waist strap and shoulder strap are connected to a single pad adapted to sit at the front of the user in use.

17. A golf bag according to Claim 16, wherein the pad has a buckle means adapted to connect to a buckle means provided at the end of the first waist strap.

18. A golf bag according to Claim 17, wherein the first waist strap is provided with an integral pouch near the buckle means.