We are very lucky to have superb working relationships with some of the biggest brands in the sport here at Golf Monthly. The likes of Titleist, TaylorMade, Vessel and more often supply us with some of the best golf bags money can buy for testing, but we also love to give smaller companies their share of the limelight - especially if we like their products!
Step forward Alex and Myles Wheeler, two golf-crazed brothers and the founders of Forge Golf, a UK-based DTC (Direct-to-Consumer) brand. They’ve timed their second-ever release with this year’s Open Championship at Royal Birkdale and the design includes a number of smile-worthy hat tips to the heritage and history of links golf.
Although the bag not associated with the Open Championship on an official basis, each embroidered element on the bag pays homage to links golf, including a maritime print in reference to British maritime heritage and the coastal setting of links golf, as well as the embroidered “Forged For The Links”, a play on words connecting the brand name to a bag built for the links course. There are two more subtle references to Royal Birkdale with the year the course was founded, 1889, embroidered on the carry handle and Southport - 2026 written on the main body of the bag.
As a golf history nerd who has spent his my entire life playing links golf, just like Alex and Myles, I was completely wooed. Striking first impressions aside, is the bag as good as it looks?
In short, yes. The quality of the bag is evident the moment you lift it out of the box. The 14-way fully divided top isn’t my favorite on a golf bag, but the quality is immense and your ears are met with a pleasing ‘thud’ any time you slide your iron back into a slot after each shot.
A big green tick in my review was the two well-placed bottle holders near the ball pocket. I do wish they were slightly bigger as I tend to bring quite large bottles onto the course when I play, but your regular 500ml bottle will sit in here easily and peacefully.
The aforementioned ball pocket and front magnetic pocket are excellent as well, easily housing my golf balls and multiple bags full of tees, ball markers and more (yes, I carry too much in my bag).
The main side pocket is spacious and easy to access, whilst the rain cover that comes included fits in here easily and still gives you plenty of room for any accessories or extra layers you want to bring onto the links with you. All of this wrapped in the blue and yellow colorway synonymous with the oldest championship in golf makes for a hell of a package.
If I had one criticism, it is that the straps squeak a bit as you walk. This may only be an issue with the sample I was sent and could well be fixable - I just wasn’t smart enough to find the solution to this minor quirk.
Considering this, and even though the straps lead to a comfortable walk, I think this bag is best served on a trolley. Be that a push cart, electric trolley or even the back of a golf cart, it is versatile enough to be used in any way you wish.
Forge Golf’s brand mission is clear - small, limited-time releases built around high-end quality and crafted golf bags. Their first release, the Founders Edition bag, was limited to just 50 units, and their Links Edition follows the same formula.
Only 100 units of this bag have been made, and with pre-orders going live on 13th July, you’ll have to be quick to get your hands on one. You can do that by visiting the Forge Golf website.
