Lyle & Scott Gleneagle Golf Bag Review

Sometimes in golf you need a reset, a chance to rediscover the love of the game and to experience something that breaks the routine which we all so easily fall into. In the early part of 2025 I happened upon a reset which helped me to uncover a long forgotten way to play.

Playing With a Pencil Golf Bag

There is a real pureness to golf that comes with carrying your own clubs, and none more so than the stripped back, bare essentials of a pencil bag. A cut down set of clubs, a mere handful of balls and bare accessories coupled with a slightly more carefree and whimsical attitude than a typical outing would require.

On course, a half set configuration of clubs forces a creativity and rethinking of shots to work within the limitations of the toolset. I also found this setup encouraged me to not be so hell bent on playing a full 18 holes and that I applied much less pressure on myself to perform well. So often in golf, we arrive which such high expectations of performance, having finished the last round strongly or after hitting a few good ones on the range. Often these dreams quickly dissipate and the spiral of self-pity at our deplorable performance begins...

Lyle & Scott Gleneagle Golf Bag

My companion on this journey was the Lyle & Scott Gleneagle pencil bag. The real beauty of this setup is pretty much everything is on show on the outside of the bag making it feel accessible. Tee holders are fitted on the outer main body, a ball pouch makes it easy to grab for a replacement and a handy Velcro patch makes it supremely easy to attach a glove to whilst putting.

As it happens, I forgot to pack a glove for my first outing. I haven’t not worn a glove for many years, so discovering this absence in my typical accessory set was a disappointment on what I perceived to be an essential ancillary. Somehow, a glove just feels like part of the uniform, as much a part of the regalia as a pair of golf shoes. Taking aim over the first few holes, I was pleasantly surprised to find I felt nicely connected to the club and there wasn’t any soreness in my palm as I had expected there would be. Perhaps a glove was destined not to be part of this more authentic experience… I found myself leaving it out of this setup for future rounds. Luckily though, I did remember my golf shoes.

There is something so freeing about walking a course. Admittedly, there is a time and a place for a buggy; Mediterranean climates, resort courses when there is a cold beer in the cooler or mitigating the impact of an injury mean the experience of playing with a buggy is a better option. The opportunity cost is the feeling of freedom and joy of being able to walk the course without restriction. To head directly over the green, feeling its contours through your feet. To not have to pick three clubs as you exit the buggy to play your ball from the other side of the fairway. These miniature restrictions add a further constraint to a game which already features many mentally taxing moments.

Given the Gleaneagle’s ultra light weight and the padded double shoulder strap, it felt feather light compared to my usual carry bag on the course. I noticed that I felt less fatigued and more refreshed than when I play with my normal setup which features all mod cons and accessories. 

Despite its slim profile and lightweight construction, the bag manages not to compromise on storage compartments. Cleverly designed pockets include an insulated section for drinks and a lined pocket for valuables. Playing with this configuration became about optionality for me and my mindset was such that I didn’t feel the need to carry 12 balls for these rounds or spare sets of apparel.

Conclusion

The Lyle & Scott Gleneagle is now a mainstay in the car boot when travelling, ready to be whisked out at a moment’s notice when the opportunity presents itself. With the rediscovered love and freedom this setup provides, that opportunity is seemingly arriving all the more frequently. 

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