Big Max Dri Lite Prime Golf Bag Review

Big Max Prime Dri Lite Golf Bag Review

Big Max Prime Bag
Grade: A
Teacher’s Comments: Luxurious and thoughtful.

Manufacturer’s Site

Big Max recently sent one of their new Dri LIte Prime Bags for review. It certainly is the most luxurious one I’ve ever owned.

(For what it’s worth, the bag is shown on one of Big Max’s Blade push carts.)

Tops on the features list is the “Softguard-PU” material. While very other golf bag I’ve owned was made of some sort of fabric — mostly nylon — the Big Max Prime from an arm’s length looks a lot like leather.

The Softguard-PU actually a bit smoother and softer than any of the leather chairs in my house, or the leather seats in my car. The difference, I think is that it is missing the grain and rigidity of leathers. Still, it screams “premium bag.”

Also on the upscale end are the magnet closures on two of the main front pockets. The upper magnetic pocket has a main area and two separate enclosures. The back one, I’ve found, is perfect for my phone. The one at the front has a velcro tab to keep its contents secure when the flap is opened. The main compartment could be used for a laser rangefinder.

The lower magnetic pocket covers a cooler space, which is big enough for my Yeti.

On the sides of the bag are two more magnetic enclosures; one for glasses and the other for a water bottle. I haven’t actually used either of those. Not having my glasses in a hard box in a very secure location makes me nervous. And since I have a large Yeti full of water

Magnetic closures make a lot of sense, in that the other alternative — a zipper — would get a lot of wear and tear from regular opening and closing.

Very thoughtful.

The Dri Lite Prime has seven other pockets. There’s one in front, which I use for tees and balls. Each side of the bag also has a small valuables sized pocket and two larger, longer pockets. All of those are sealed with waterproof zippers.

While not nearly as spacious as my Sun Mountain C130, there certainly is enough room for rain gear, sweaters and other things you might want on a round. In addition to a rain jacket, I keep extra socks, a Leatherman multi tool, a first aid kit, sunblock, bug repellent and the umbrella holder for my cartnin those pockets.

In terms of space, there’s “just enough.” It’s a day pack, not a weeklong hiking pack.

Another clever bit is that the upper pocket lifts up to allow straps underneath. The bag fits securely in each of the several buggies I have.

The top of the bag has 14 dividers – full length — with a velour type finish to protect the graphite shafts.

The Big Max Prime is deceptively lightweight. I recently went to a  fitting at Club Champion, and when the fitter lifted it to take it back to the bay, he commented that it is a lot lighter than it looks.

I’ve only had the bag for a month, but after a dozen or so cycles of getting it in and out of the car, and pushing it around the course, it looks good as new.

The Softguard-PU turns out to be a bit of a pollen and dust magnet, but it wipes off easily. Mud from a wet and rainy round also easily came clean.

The bag is also quite waterproof.

Branding on the Big Max Prime is minimal. There’s just an embossed “M” on the front.

My one constructive criticism is that I’d like to see Big Max add a couple more D Rings along the top to hang towels and other things from. But that’s a minor quibble for a bag in which everything else has been so well thought out.

If you’re in the market for a premium bag, this just might be the one.