GOLF BAG COVER

The present invention relates to a golf bag cover. In particular, it relates to a golf bag cover for keeping a golf bag and golf clubs substantially dry when used in the rain.

A golf bag cover is known from GB 1,277,431. This golf bag cover has the disadvantage that the body of the golf bag would get wet if used in the rain, since substantial areas of the golf bag are unprotected from the weather.

US 4,512,465 shows a golf bag cover which can be used to transport a golf bag. The disclosed cover does not allow easy access to the golf clubs for use, and also requires an additional handle for carrying the golf bag in the cover.

The present invention provides, in a first aspect, a golf bag cover according to claim 1. The present invention provides, in a second aspect, a golf bag cover according to claim 10.

Thus, the golf bag cover provides good protection for the golf bag from rain. The cover allows use of the legs on the golf bag, and so allows the golf bag to be supported in an inclined stable position without additional legs or supports .

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure Ia is a front perspective view of a typical known golf bag, with which the golf bag cover of the present invention can be used;

Figure Ib is a rear perspective view of a typical known golf bag, with which the golf bag cover of the present invention can be used;

Figure 2 is a front view of the golf bag cover of the present invention;

Figure 3 is an enlarged front view of part of the golf bag cover of the present invention in use;

Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of part of the golf bag cover of the present invention in use;

Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of part of the golf bag cover of the present invention in use; Figure 6 is a rear view of the golf bag cover of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a bottom view of the golf bag cover of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a front view of an alternate design of part of the golf bag cover of the present invention.

Figures Ia and Ib show a typical golf bag forming part of the prior art, and with which the golf bag cover of the present invention can be used. The golf bag 100 has a body 101 substantially in the form of a cylinder having an open end 102. Golf clubs 104 are contained in the golf bag 100, and can be inserted into or removed from the open end 102.

With reference to Figure Ia, the golf bag 100 is typically provided with carrying means. The carrying means comprises a shoulder strap 104 and a hand strap 106. The shoulder strap 104 is attached to the body 101 at two points.

The shoulder strap 104 shown allows a player to carry the golf bag 100 over one shoulder. Alternatively, a two-shoulder strap can allow a player to carry the golf bag 100 over two shoulders. In this embodiment, the two-shoulder strap is attached to the body 101 at substantially the same two points as the shoulder strap 104 illustrated. In addition, the two- shoulder strap has a central portion intermediate its ends attached to the hand strap 104. The two-shoulder strap therefore forms two loops, each loop configured to fit over a shoulder of a player. Alternatively, a central portion of a two-shoulder strap may be attached directly to the body 101. Many other configurations of straps are known, which can also be catered for by the cover of the present invention.

The hand strap 106 is designed to allow the golf bag

100 to be picked up by hand, to facilitate handling of the golf bag 100. The hand strap 106 is attached to the body

101 at two points. The attachment points of the shoulder strap 104 and hand strap 106 are co-linear. The shoulder strap 106 may be attached at points around, and aligned with, the hand strap 106.

An alternative design of golf bag has a shoulder strap which is attached to the body 101 at its top end at two laterally spaced apart points.

With reference to Figure Ib, the golf bag 100 may also be provided with a pair of legs 110, in order to support the body 101 at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the ground. The legs 110 are on an opposite side of the body to the shoulder strap 104 and hand strap 106.

Legs 110 are each pivotally attached to the body 101 by a pivot. A support 112 is attached to each leg 110 adjacent to the pivot, each support 112 extending approximately parallel to the body 101 to the base of the body 101. The legs 110 can be pivoted away from the body 101, in order to support the body 101. In this position, the supports 112 adjacent to the pivot are also spaced away from the body 101, in order to brace the legs.

The supports 112 extend to the base of the body 101, and are spaced a short distance away from the base. A support base 114 is provided at the lower end of the supports 112, connecting the supports 112 together. When the golf bag 100 is placed on the ground, and tilted with the legs 110 towards the ground, the support base 114 is in contact with the ground, and the supports 112 are urged upwardly by the ground. The supports 112 urge the legs 110 away from the body 101, and into the position to support the angled body 101. The legs 110 are thus automatically deployed when the golf bag 100 is placed on the ground and tilted towards a position in which the legs 110 will be needed to support the body 101.

Figure 2 shows a front side 208 of a golf bag cover 201 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The golf bag cover 201 comprises a hollow body 202 which is substantially cylindrical in shape. The body 202 is dimensioned to be larger than a typical golf bag, and configured to receive a golf bag holding golf clubs therein. At a top 204 of the body 202, a zip 218 allows access to the open end 102 of the golf bag 100, in order to remove or replace a golf club 104. A base 206 of the body 202 is

substantially circular, or may be elliptical in shape. The cover effectively forms a bag surrounding the body of the golf bag carrying clubs, and through which the golf bag carrying means extends .

The golf bag cover 201 is formed of a flexible (i.e. non-rigid) material. The golf bag cover 201 can be folded or rolled into a compact form for storage. A case may be provided with the golf bag cover for storing the cover when not in use. The case may be made of the same or different material, and may be closed with a draw-string, or alternatively a zip or pop-studs.

The golf bag cover has an exterior surface which faces outwardly in use, and an interior surface which faces inwardly. The golf bag cover is preferably made of a waterproof material, for example, waterproof coated nylon or polyester.

The body 202 defines an aperture 212 in a central area of the body. The aperture 212 is dimensioned to allow carrying straps 104,106 of a golf bag 100 to extend through the aperture 212. The aperture 212 is in the form of an elongate slot, having a longitudinal axis aligned with a longitudinal axis of the body 202.

The aperture 212 is provided with a closing means to effectively cover aperture 212 whilst the carrying straps extend therethrough. The closing means reduces the amount of rain that can pass through the aperture 212.

With reference to Figures 2 to 4, the aperture closing means is in the form of a plurality of flaps 214, preferably at least four flaps, or at least six flaps, and in particular eight flaps 214. Alternatively, there may be more than eight flaps, e.g. 10 or 12 flaps. The flaps 214 cover substantially the whole area of the aperture 212. Each of the flaps 214 is independent and separate from each of the other flaps 214. The plurality of adjacent flaps 214 form a continuous surface.

Each flap 214 has an attached edge 248 which is attached to the interior surface of the body 202. Alternatively, each flap may have an edge which is integral with the body, or attached to the exterior surface of the body. Each flap 214 can fold and/or rotate around its attached edge. The attached edge extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the elongate aperture.

A flange 250 is a flap of flexible material integrally formed with the body 202. The flange 250 overlies each flap 214, and extends the length of the aperture 212. The flange may extend down either one or both sides of the aperture.

The flaps 214 are secured to the body 202 on the other side of the aperture 212 to the attached edge 248. The flaps 214 are preferably also secured to each other, and for the uppermost and lowermost flaps, secured to the uppermost and lowermost sides of the aperture 212 respectively.

Each flap 214 extends across the width of the aperture 212. Each flap 214 is provided with securing means to secure

the flap in place covering that section of the aperture 212. The securing means is preferably a hook and loop fastener.

With reference to Figures 3 and 4, a flap 214 may have a side section 252 of hook and loop fastener, extending parallel to and spaced away from the edge 248. The side section 252 is on an exterior side of the flap 214. The alternate part of the hook and loop fastener 254 is located on the interior surface of the body 201, adjacent to the aperture 212. The strip 254 extends the length of the aperture 212. The flap 214 is secured on an interior side of the body 202. The side section 252 of hook and loop fastener is therefore not visible when attached, minimising exposure to mud or dirt on the exterior of the body 202.

The flap 214 has a top section 256 of hook and loop fastener extending adjacent a top edge, on the exterior side of the flap 214. The flap 214 additionally has a lower section 258 of hook and loop fastener extending adjacent a lower edge. The lower section 258 of a flap 214 can overlie and be secured to the upper section 256 of the flap 214 below. Thus, fastening sections 256,258 have alternate parts of the hook and loop fastener. Preferably, the upper section 256 of each flap 214 has the same part (i.e. hooks or loops) of the hook and loop fastener, and each of the lower sections 258 have the same alternate part. Fastening the flaps 214 to each other inhibits ingress of water and dirt past the flaps 214. Alternatively, each flap may have a fastener to attach across the width of the aperture to the body, and have no fastener to attach to another flap.

The elongate cover has a defined "up" and "down" direction in use carried on a shoulder, being configured to allow removal of clubs from the upper end, as will be described below. Each flap 214 (except for the lowermost flap) partially overlies the flap below it. The overlying of flaps 214 on the exterior of the adjoining flap below ensures that rain water will run down the flaps with gravity, and not into the cover.

The securing means 256,258 are arranged to secure an interior surface of each flap to an exterior surface of the adjacent flap below, and hence to secure an exterior surface of each flap to an interior surface of the adjacent flap above .

The top edge of flap 214 is preferably straight, and the lower edge is preferably curved, with an apex facing downwardly.

The uppermost flap 214 may be secured to the body 202 by a section of hook and loop fastener (not shown) adjacent the upper side of the aperture 212 on an interior side of the body 202. The lowermost flap may be permanently secured to the body 202 at the lower side of the aperture 212. This permanent join would prevent any water entering the cover at the end of the aperture. Alternatively, the lowermost flap may be secured to the body 202 by a section of hook and loop fastener on the exterior of the body 202, below the aperture 212.

The flaps 214 are arranged such that the carrying means extends from the body 101 of the golf bag 100 at locations

between the flaps 214 or between a flap 214 and the periphery of the aperture 212. The flaps 214 and body 202 of the golf bag cover 201 undergo a minimum of deformation to allow the carrying means to pass through, whilst effectively covering substantially the whole area of the aperture. The flaps 214 will generally extend over the body 201 of the golf bag 100, and can also extend through the hand strap 106 and shoulder strap 104 so the hand strap 106 and shoulder strap 104 can be used to carry the golf bag 100 with the cover 201 attached.

The golf bag cover therefore provides for effective closing of the aperture, whatever the arrangement of the carrying means on a particular golf bag.

The golf bag cover 201 comprises a top section 209. The top section 209 comprises approximately the top third of the length of the golf bag cover 1. The top section 209 extends above the top of the golf bag 100 in use, and protects the heads of the golf clubs 104. The top section 209 has the same width as the remainder of the cover Alternatively, the top section 209 preferably has a width larger than the remainder of the cover 201, preferably approximately 4cm to 10cm wider. This additional width ensures that the golf clubs 104 have sufficient space to move and to accommodate the heads of the golf clubs 104 when they hang down.

The top section 209 may be rolled or folded down so that it does not extend above the top of the golf bag 100, allowing easy access to the clubs when dry. The top section 209 may be secured in this rolled down position by a clip, pop-stud, hook and loop fastener or other securing means.

An interior surface of the top section 209 may be provided with a towel strap (not shown) . The towel strap can support a towel used to dry the golf clubs 104.

The body 202 comprises one or more openings each sealable with a zip 238,218. The openings are arranged to allow removal of golf clubs from the golf bag or access to a pocket or compartment of the golf bag 201. The zips may be waterproof, in particular the zip 218 over the top of the body may be waterproof. Alternatively, the zip 218 may not be waterproof. The zip 218 may have two independent sliders. The two sliders are preferably arranged such the portion of the zip between them is closed. This allows a top section of the zip to be opened to allow removal of golf clubs particular when the weather is dry, or a bottom section to be opened to also allow removal of golf clubs, particularly when the weather is wet. A flap (not shown) may cover the zip 218, or any zip, to inhibit water penetrating the zip. The body 202 further comprises a pocket 240 for storage. An additional pocket may also be provided. The body 202 also comprises an umbrella holder 234,236 for attaching an umbrella to the exterior surface of the body 202. The body 202 may be provided with one or more belt loops adjacent the bottom 206 for receiving a securing belt of a golf trolley.

Figure 5 shows an enlarged view of the flaps 214 and aperture 212, in use with a golf bag 100.

The shoulder strap 104 attaches to the golf bag 100 at a first point between a first flap 214a and the edge of the aperture 212. The first flap 214a passes beneath the

shoulder strap 104, and is secured in place across the aperture 212. The lower edge of the first flap 214a may be turned under itself to form a straight lower edge. The lower section 258 is not needed to fasten to an adjacent flap 214, and folding the lower edge onto the interior side of the flap 214a keeps the lower section 258 clean. A strap can then extend directly underneath the flap 214a, the flap contacting the strap to prevent ingress of rain water. The lower edge of a flap may be positioned underneath the flap below, and so not secured to the flap below, with a strap of the carrying means extending between those two flaps.

The hand strap 106 attaches to the golf bag at two points either side of a second and third flaps 214b. The second and third flaps 214b pass beneath the hand strap 106, and are secured in place to each other, and to the body 202.

The shoulder strap 106 attaches to the golf bag 100 at a second point between a fourth to sixth flaps 214c and a seventh and eighth flap 214d. The fourth to sixth flaps 214c pass beneath the shoulder strap 104, and are secured in place to each other, and to the body 202.

The seventh and eighth flaps 214d extend across the aperture 212, and are secured in place.

The eight flaps 214a-d effectively cover the whole area of aperture 212. The flaps 214a-d can extend beneath or through each of the shoulder strap and hand strap, allowing the carrying means to extend from the golf bag and be used. The golf bag straps may extend through the aperture either at an angle top to bottom, or from a side angle, left to

right. The flaps 214a-d minimise the ingress of rain or dirt onto the golf bag.

Figure 6 shows a rear view of the golf bag cover 201. An opening 220 is sealable with the zip 218. The opening 220 extends over substantially the whole of the top end 204 of the golf bag cover 201 and extends down the rear side 210 of the body 202. The zip 218 is provided with two sliders. The two sliders allow the zip 218 to be opened at either end. The zip can be fully opened to facilitate the golf bag 100 being inserted or removed from the golf bag cover 1. Alternatively, the zip 218 may have only one slider.

The rear side 210 of the golf bag cover is provided with second and third apertures 223. Each of the second and third apertures 223 can be substantially closed with a closing means, preferably in the form of flaps 224 . The apertures 223 and flaps 224 allow the legs 110 and the top of the supports 112 to be outside of the golf bag cover 201 so that they can function. Preferably, two flaps 224 may be provided to cover each aperture 223. Alternatively, one flap 224 may be provided, or more than two flaps 224.

The flaps 224 are attached to the body 202 at edges 225. The flaps 224 are provided with securing means to secure them in place. The securing means is preferably in the form of a strip of hook and loop fastener 226 located adjacent an edge of the flaps 224 opposite to the edge 225.

The flaps 224 may substantially cover the whole of the apertures 223. Alternatively, the flaps 224 may cover only a

lower part of the apertures, and not extend to the upper part .

The two flaps 224 may be joined to each other with hook and loop fasteners in the same manner as described for the flaps 214. One or each flap 224 may be connected to the body 202 above and/or below the apertures 223 with hook and loop fasteners, in the same manner as described for flaps 214.

The flaps 224 are secured to a support section 222 of the body 202. The support section 222 is located between the two apertures 223. An interior surface of the support section 222 is provided with two strips of hook and loop fasteners arranged to fasten to the corresponding hook and loop fasteners on the flaps 224. The support section 222 itself forms a flap, folding open around its upper edge.

The zip 218 extends into and through the support section 222, and terminates at a lower end of the support section 222. The support section 222 can be separated into two separate halves when the zip 218 is opened. The opening 220 extends to an edge of a section of body such that the corresponding zip 218 has an open end. This allows the opening 218 to open out widely when the zip 218 is disengaged. Alternatively, the zip 218 may extend to adjacent the end of the support section 222, such that the support section does not completely separate in two.

The aperture 223 being openable to have a larger effective area improves the ease with which the legs 110 can be positioned in the apertures. This advantage is provided by the combination of one or more of the flaps 224 being

attached directly to the support section 222 (i.e. the support section 222 forming one side of the aperture) , the support section 222 itself forming a flap and the zip 218 extending through the support section adjacent one long side of the apertures 223. These features each independently increase the effective size of the apertures 223 when inserting the golf bag, and together provide a further increase in the effective size.

If the zip 218 is open-ended such that the support section splits in two, then the aperture 223 will form a continuous opening with the opening which allows insertion of the golf bag and is provided by the zip 218. In this case, the aperture 223 is only a widening of the opening, allowing still easier positioning of the legs 110.

The rear side 210 of the body 202 comprises a further opening 227, which can be closed with a flap 228. The opening 227 is an elongate slot with a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body 202. The flap

228 can open around a lower edge 229 , which is integral or attached to the remainder of the body 202. The lower edge

229 may be spaced from the base 206 (e.g. by around 30cm), or may be adjacent to the base 206, or any distance in between.

The flap 228 is provided with securing means adjacent to its side edges, in the form of hook and loop fasteners 231. Corresponding strips of hook and loop fastener 230 are provided adjacent to the side edges of the opening 227, on an exterior surface of the body 202.

The top edge of the flap 228 can be secured to the support section 222. The flap 228 is provided with two strips of hook and loop fastener 232 on its exterior side. The strips 232 can be secured to hook and loop fasteners 233 on the interior side of the support section 222.

The aperture 227 facilitates insertion or removal of the golf bag 100 from the golf bag cover. The re-sealable opening aperture is contiguous with the opening allowing removal of the golf clubs, i.e. when the zip 218 and flap 228 is opened, a single large opening in the cover is formed.

The flap 228 extends over the supports 112 and underneath the legs 110. The top of the flap 228 is also located such that it does not inhibit the supports 112 from moving away from the body of the golf bag 100, thus allowing the legs 110 to be deployed.

With reference to Figure 7, the base 206 of the body

202 is provided with an opening 242. The opening 242 allows the base support 114 to come directly into contact with the ground. The opening 242 in the base 206 facilitates the automatic deployment of the legs 110 when standing the golf bag 100 on the ground at an angle. Alternatively, the base 206 may be formed without an opening. The base support 114 could still be urged upwardly through the golf bag cover by the ground, allowing automatic deployment of the legs 100.

The golf bag cover 1 can be used as a travel bag for transporting the golf bag 100, for example, on an aeroplane or on a train. The golf bag cover 201 can be relatively

light as it does not have a carrying means; the golf bag being carried with its own carrying means. The golf bag is at all times carried by the golf bag's carrying means, and so the golf bag cover 201 is not put under stress from the weight of the golf bag. The golf bag cover can therefore be made of a lightweight material with relatively little reinforcing material, since the golf bag cover is not taking the weight of the golf bag.

The golf bag cover 201 may also be used for storage of a golf bag 100, the cover 201 protecting the golf bag 100 and clubs 104 from dust and moisture.

The golf bag cover 1 may be locked such that the golf bag is secured within it. This may be of particular advantage if the golf bag is to be transported separately from the owner, for example, on an aeroplane.

The golf bag cover 201 may have means to secure a first securing means, preferably a first padlock, between flap 228 and the support section 222. A padlock maintaining flap 228 and section 222 together inhibits the removal of the golf bag from the golf bag cover 201.

The zip 218 may have two sliders. The sliders may be configured to receive a second securing means, preferably a second and third padlock, to secure the two sliders at their respective ends of the zip 218. The second and third padlocks would prevent the zip 218 being opened, inhibiting removal of clubs 104 from the golf bag 100. Alternatively, a first padlock may secure the flap 228 to the lower slider of zip 218, and a second padlock may secure the upper slider of

zip 218. Any other of the zips or openings on the golf bag cover 201 may be sealed in a closed position by a securing means, preferably in the form of a padlock.

The base 206 of the body 202 may be formed of elastic material. The body 202 adjacent the base 206 may be formed of elastic material. The elasticity of the base and/or body allows the golf bag cover to stretch to accommodate larger or differently shaped golf bags. Any part of the body may be made of an elastic or inelastic material.

In use, the zip 218 and flap 228 are opened, and the golf bag 100 placed inside the golf bag cover. The base of the golf bag is placed on the base 206 of the golf bag cover, and the bag is orientated so that the supports 112 are aligned with the opening 242 on the base 206.

The flaps 214 are extended across the aperture 212, underneath the hand strap 106 and shoulder strap 104. The flaps 214 are secured with the hook and loop fasteners to the interior surface of the body 202.

The legs 110 of the golf bag are positioned outside of the body 202. The flap 228 is closed over the supports 112 and underneath the legs 110 of the golf bag. The flaps 224 are then extended across the width of the apertures 223, underneath the supports 112 and legs 110 of the golf bag. Since the apertures 223 and main opening 220 form a continuous aperture in the body, it is straightforward to arrange for the legs 110 to be in the right position, and place the flaps 224 under the legs 110. In particular, the continuous opening means it is not necessary to insert the

legs 110 through a defined aperture initially, since the aperture 223 is in effect only fully defined once the support section 222 has been secured in place. The support section 222 is then attached to the flap 228.

The carrying straps 104,106 of the golf bag are brought through the aperture 212. The flaps 214 are then secured across the aperture 212, either through the carrying straps 104,106 or over the golf bag body 101 to substantially cover the whole area of the aperture 212. The location of the carrying straps 104, 106 on each design of golf bag 100 will determine which of the flaps are connected to each other.

Figure 8 shows an alternate shape of the rectangular aperture 212, namely aperture 312. Aperture 312 has a parallel sided central portion 313c, and a wider upper portion 313a, and a wider lower portion 313b. The upper portion 313a tapers outwardly in an upward direction. The lower portion 313b tapers outwardly in a downward direction. The top and bottom edges of the aperture 312 are straight, and horizontal when the cover is upright.

The aperture 312 is covered by flaps (not shown) , as described for the elongate rectangular slot 212 above. The flaps covering the upper and lower portions 313a, 313b are tapered appropriately to cover the whole width of the aperture 312 in those parts. Carrying means of the golf bag can extend through the golf bag cover aperture 312 as described above. The enlarged portions 313a, 313b may improve the ease of use of the cover with golf bags having carrying straps which are attached further to the side of the golf bag.

The rear side 210 of the body 202 has been described as having two apertures to allow the two legs and supports to extend through the golf bag cover. Alternatively, a single aperture and/or single closure may be configured to allow both legs and supports to extend through the golf bag cover in order for them to function.

The rear side 210 of the body has been described as having one or more apertures to allow legs of the golf bag to pass therethrough. Alternatively, the golf bag cover may have no apertures to allow legs of a golf bag through. This embodiment would be suitable for golf bags without legs. This embodiment would also be suitable for golf bags with legs, when the legs are not intended to be used. For example, the legs would not be used when the golf bag is being mounted on a golf cart. This embodiment of golf bag cover may be slightly larger, in order that the legs of he golf bag can be contained within the golf bag cover.

The closing means of the apertures 212,223 has been described as being on an interior surface of the body. Alternatively, the closing means, i.e. the hook and loop fastener, may be on the exterior surface of the body.

The flap 228 has been described as attached to the remainder of the body 2 at its bottom end. Alternatively, the flap 228 may be attached by its side. The flap would be attached by a single fastener 230 along the opposite side, and optionally also by a fastener along its short bottom side .

The flaps 224 have been described as securable to the support section 222 to cover the apertures 223. Alternatively, the flaps 224 may be permanently attached to or integral with the support section 222, and be securable to a surface of the body with the securing means described above.

A zip may be used instead of flap 228 to seal opening 227. Alternatively, the golf bag cover may be formed without an opening 227.

In an alternate embodiment, the flaps 214 may initially formed as a single elongate flap. A continuous strip of one part of a hook and loop fastener extends along one edge of the flap, on the side opposite to the edge attached to the body. The hook and loop fastener extends along substantially the whole length of the flap 214. The golf bag cover may be customised by placing the golf bag in the golf bag cover, and marking the single flap with the location at which the hand strap 106 and shoulder strap 104 are attached to the body 101 of the golf bag 100. The single flap is then cut with scissors or other cutting tool perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the flap at the marked points. The cutting of the original flap provides a plurality of flaps 214, which can be independently moved. Since the hook and loop fastener extended along the whole length of the original single flap, each of the newly formed flaps will comprise part of the hook and loop fastener. Each of the newly formed flaps can be independently secured to the corresponding part of the hook and loop fastener on the interior surface of the body 2, although cannot be secured to each other. The single flap is made of a non-fray

material, such that when the flap is cut with scissors the edges of flaps do not fray.

The golf bag cover may be provided with means to be used with an alternative design of golf bag, in which a shoulder strap is attached to the body 101 at its top end at two laterally spaced apart points. Such laterally spaced apart points would generally be spaced wider than the width of the aperture 212, and so this shoulder strap would not be able to pass through the aperture 212. The golf bag cover has a reinforced section extending laterally above the aperture 212. The reinforced section may extend approximately 20cm each side of a centreline of the aperture 212. The reinforced section may be formed by affixing an additional section of material to the interior surface of the body. The additional section may be of a different material or the same material as the remainder of the body. The reinforced section is stronger and has greater tear resistance than the surrounding material. In order to configure the golf bag cover for use with such a shoulder strap, two holes are made in the reinforced section 44 with a cutting tool, e.g. a knife or scissors. The reinforced section minimises the risk of the material adjacent the holes from tearing. The two holes are located to align with the two points of attachment of the shoulder strap to the golf bag body. The shoulder strap extends through the holes, so that the shoulder strap can be used to carry the golf bag in the cover.

Any of the features described above may be used in combination with any of the other features from any embodiment .