Ping Moon-Lite II carry bag brings me back to my high school golf days, one strap over my shoulder, alternating sides each hole. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, dual-shoulder straps had yet to find life, let alone acceptance. We ALL carried single-strap bags and the really cool golfers (no, not an oxymoron) swung the bag around backward, so that the clubheads were behind us and the bottom of the bag led the way.

I was a nostalgic guy as a kid and I liked nothing more than to see an older fellow, still walking, minus the push cart. The gent would grab what was called a "Sunday bag" and head out for nine or 18. The satchel would carry less than the 14 clubs allowed by the local marshal, a secret the older set kept to itself. You and I both know that I could write 2-3 essays on how less is more in golf, beginning with club options. I envisioned my own self as that gent one day ... and that day came last Fall.

Ping shipped me a Moon II bag for a reasonable price. It has a single strap, no bag stand, and two pockets. As a nod to the modern era, it has a sleeve for liquid refreshment emergency scenarios and an updated strap: half slack and half stiff. When you put it down, the stiff plastic stays erect, making the pick-up easy after the shot.

The third Sunday in March was still warm enough for 18 in the hills south of Buffalo. What better place to test out the new addition than an alpaca's dream layout, hilly and long? My two partners pushed their larger bags on carts while I motored along with my small sack of clubs. I enjoyed the round and have no plans to switch out the clubs to a larger bag (with two straps) any time soon.

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