Side Street Golf Back9 Golf Bag
Cart bags, stand bags, staff bags…there are options for almost any golf you play. Key word: almost. When it comes to urban golf, a lightweight, easy to carry, fourteen club bag is hard to come by. A problem I quickly realized after my recent move to downtown Chicago. Within the city limits, there is one driving range, a few 9-hole courses, and lots of bumper to bumper traffic. Public transit and a bike have quickly become my preferred mode of transportation. However, the traditional golf bags on the market aren’t built for a train or bike. This is where the Side Street Golf Back9 golf bag comes into play. The Back9 is a golf bag that you can wear like a backpack. By storing your clubs vertically on your back, commuting to the course, range, or simulator on foot or two wheels has never been easier.
The Looks
The Side Street Golf Back9 bag is undoubtedly a head turning bag. On my recent rides to the Diversey driving range I got several looks and questions from curious onlookers. The color scheme is simple yet elegant. Light blue that seems to take inspiration from the Chicago flag and bright orange accents on the top and backpack straps pop off the gray bag nicely. Matching light blue zipper pulls and silicone straps to secure your clubs in transit are a great touch.
The body of the bag is made out of a durable, almost rip stop material that is lightweight yet feels surprisingly robust. With plenty of pockets, mesh storage and rubberized handles on top and both sides, the Back9 is built solid. The straps themselves are comfortable, yet slim enough to not be a bulky hassle on your walk or bike ride. While the straps are slim, the full length back pad is not. A firm, roughly inch and a half thick pad distributes the weight nicely across the center of your back. Not to mention the sternum and waist strap will have you feeling secure no matter where you find yourself. All in all this, the bag looks good and will surely have people asking you about it, a great conversation starter.
Design & Features
The Side Street Golf Back9 has everything you’re used to in your traditional golf bag packed into a 6.2 pound backpack silhouette. With the capacity to fit fourteen clubs comfortably distributed between four dividers, your clubs will be sitting pretty. Sitting at the top of the bag is a handle and those silicone straps – a small but key feature of this backpack bag. During your commute, you’ll place your irons and wedges heads down. Yes, heads down. This ensures your clubs don’t rattle around and are secured via the silicone straps. The straps stretch to secure the club shafts in each divider. When you get to the course, simply flip those clubs to their normal upright positions and you’re good to go.
Moving slightly lower, the orange elastic bands on each side offer easy to access tee or pencil storage that is a nice little addition. On the front, you’ll find a mesh storage pocket and a small valuables pocket perfect for your wallet and keys. Below that sits the main pocket, and man this thing is big. Chuck a water bottle in there, extra layer, couple sleeves of balls, snacks, and you might still have room. Seriously you won’t have any issue in the storage department here. Moving to the sides of the bag, you’ll find two insulated drink pockets that comfortably fit two cans each.
There are multiple configuration options for “configuring” the bag for on-course use. Want to sling it over your shoulder? The Back9 has you covered. More of a backpack style golfer? Not an issue. With the symmetric rings it’s possible for righties and lefties alike to find a comfortable carry. Simply unclip the rotating, carabiner like clips and you can easily swap from backpack to shoulder mode in seconds.
OFF-Course Performance
This may be one of the few golf products out there where “off-course” performance may be just as important as “on-course” performance. Let me tell you, I put the Side Street Golf Back9 thing through the ringer while testing. On a recent warm spring night, I jumped on a Divvy Bike and headed to the range which is about a mile and a half bike ride away. I quickly threw my fully loaded Back9 on my back, strapped in with the waist and stern strap and I was off pedaling through the busy streets of Chicago. For a little context, I am not a huge cyclist to say the least, so I was worried about just getting there, let alone with roughly twenty-five pounds of clubs on my back. The Back9 fit securely to me and I had no mobility issues whatsoever, even when standing to pedal harder. Before I knew it, I had arrived safe and sound with clubs and pride intact. Moral of the story, this thing is great on a bike.
On-Course Performance
I also played nine holes recently during a twilight round. I did try each strap configuration the Side Street Golf Back9 has to offer and I definitely have my favorite. The dual-strap variation was surprisingly comfortable. With adjustable straps, I was able to find a comfortable fit within the first two holes with make making adjustments along the way. The back pad fit nicely in my lower back and provided some stability. However, I would be hard pressed to say that I would want to carry it for a full 18-hole round. Not saying you couldn’t, but other carry bags on the market have the edge in the comfort department.
I also tried out the single strap and the high sling configurations. I found these setups to be less comfortable than the backpack set up. The balancing point of the Back9 tended to be on the hip with the hard plastic upper hardware occasionally pressing in some unpleasant spots, but manageable nonetheless. It is important to note I was also playing with my full set. Ditch a few clubs for a fun weeknight round and you would be good to go. But like I said earlier, the Back9 sets itself apart on what it can do off the course in getting anyone to and from the course; regardless if that means you’re hoofing it, riding a bike, train, or car. I will be the first to say it does that exceptionally well, and makes the game more accessible.
Final Thoughts – Side Street Golf Back9 Golf Bag
Major metropolitan cities are golf deserts with limited access to courses and ranges for miles. Combine that with limited access to four wheels for many, it’s difficult to scratch that golf itch we all know too well. The Side Street Golf Back9 is the oasis in that golf desert, so to speak. Making urban golf more accessible, practical and comfortable all at the same time is something that should not go overlooked, but rather celebrated and embraced.
