Golf bag with cushioned contact pocket

Abstract

A golf bag apparatus is in the form of a cylindrical, elongated bag, with an open top end for receiving golf clubs. The bag provides an outer surface with carrying strap for carrying the elongated bag. The carrying strap is fixed at two longitudinally spaced apart points, to the outer surface of the bag. A pocket is mounted on the outer surface of the bag at one side of the carrying strap and in a position, such that with the bag suspended from a shoulder or shoulders of a person carrying the bag, the pocket is in a position for contacting a hip area or a buttocks area of the person carrying the bag.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A golf bag apparatus comprising: a generally cylindrical, elongated bag, the bag open at a top end thereof for receiving golf clubs, the bag providing an outer surface; a carrying strap for carrying the elongated bag, the carrying strap fixed at, at least, two longitudinally spaced apart points to the outer surface of the bag; and a pocket mounted on the outer surface of the bag in line with at least one of the spaced apart points and to one side of the carrying strap; the pocket and carrying strap set in such mutually relative juxtaposition as to place the pocket in contact with a person's hip when the carrying strap is slung over the person's shoulder for carrying the bag in a generally sideward position on the person.  
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the pocket comprises a padding layer for softening the contact between the pocket and the hip area of the person carrying the bag.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the pocket is adapted for receiving a rain hood of the elongated bag, the rain hood providing a functional cushioning.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a cover of the pocket extends outwardly from the outer surface of the bag and is positioned approximately 5 inches from the top end of the bag and has a longitudinal length of approximately 9 inches.  
     
     
         5 . A golf bag apparatus comprising: a generally cylindrical, elongated bag, the bag open at a top end thereof for receiving golf clubs, the bag providing an outer surface; a carrying strap for carrying the elongated bag, the carrying strap fixed at, at least two, longitudinally spaced apart points to the outer surface of the bag; and a pocket mounted on the outer surface of the bag, in line with at least one of the spaced apart points and at one side of the carrying strap; the pocket and carrying strap set in such mutually relative juxtaposition as to place the pocket in contact with a person's buttock when the carrying strap is slung over both of the person's shoulders for carrying the bag in a generally rearward position on the person.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the pocket comprises a padding for softening the contact between the pocket and the buttock area of the person carrying the bag.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the pocket is adapted for receiving a rain hood of the elongated bag, the rain hood providing a functional cushioning.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein a cover of the pocket extends outwardly from the outer surface of the bag and is positioned approximately 5 inches from the top end of the bag and has a longitudinal length of approximately 9 inches.  
     
     
         9 . A method of carrying a golf bag comprising the steps of: providing a cylindrical, elongated bag, the bag open at a top end thereof for receiving golf clubs, the bag providing an outer surface; fixing a carrying strap to the outer surface of the elongated bag at two longitudinally spaced apart points; mounting a pocket on the outer surface of the bag, in line with one of the spaced apart points and at one side of the carrying strap; and suspending the bag from at least one shoulder of a person carrying the bag, in a position whereby the pocket contacts a portion of the torso of the person carrying the bag.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising the step of lining at least one portion of the pocket with a padding for softening the contact between the pocket and the person carrying the bag.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising the step of adapting the pocket for receiving a rain hood of the elongated bag.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising the step of extending a cover of the pocket outwardly from the outer surface of the bag.