Minimal Golf, known as MNML in the US with bags like the MV2, has launched in the UK and one bag the brand hopes will resonate with discerning, dedicated golfers is the Terra SE1. Minimal is a brand that gets its name from wanting to make products that have a minimal impact on the planet. Its bags are made of Seawastex nylon, which is constructed from abandoned ocean fishing nets. The founder, Sam Goulden, also discovered that the number one reason a golfer throws away a bag is because of broken zippers - which is why Minimal bags feature magnetic closures rather than zips to extend the lifespan of the bag.
Our first impressions of the Terra SE1 are extremely good. The Frost White colour of the fabric along side the black trim really stand out. It looks and even feels like leather, which creates a sophisticated and super premium visual experience. This is enhanced by the tour-inspired velour lined 5-way top divider. I got lots of positive comments from my buddies about how good the bag looked and I have to agree - it’s one of the most stylish stand bags on the market among a growing trend of more sophisticated designs.
At 2.64kg, this is a mid-weight bag that combines relatively easy carrying and practicality thanks to the seven exterior pockets, which includes an insulated cooler compartment and lined valuables pocket.
The first thing I noticed was the lack of a full length apparel pocket. A lot of the time, clothing falls to the bottom of these leaving dead space at the top, so I understand the reasoning, although I still missed having one. The two pockets on each side are substantial, but I did struggle to fit a mid layer and waterproof jacket in the same one, especially given you have to pull in both sides to get the two magnetic strips to meet and join up securely all the way along.
There’s no doubt that the magnetic closure system does make the pockets easier to access more quickly, especially for things like your rangefinder that you call upon a couple of times on every hole. There are internal mesh pockets to separate items and I found I had enough space to carry everything I needed, although I did end up keeping my rangefinder in the ball pocket and my tees in the rangefinder pocket.
Full disclosure - I decided to try this bag on a two-day, three-round golf trip where I was forced to pack some days before and the weather forecast was set fair. Fast forward to the first day of the trip and the outlook had got much worse with rain forecast for both days - the magnetic closures certainly got a proper, unforeseen workout!
The elephant in the room here is that the pockets aren’t waterproof and in the constant heavy rain this bag was subjected to on the course, a small amount of water did get through. That said, this was a rare situation - I would never normally play in rain like this for so long and during a light shower, I’m confident the closure system would keep the water out as long as you ensure the pockets are closed correctly. Sometimes the black sections don’t quite line up and you just need to give them a quick pinch to get them to seal. Worth noting that it does come with a rain hood to stop water getting in down the top of the bag.
I used the Terra SE1 on both an electric cart (it has a retaining leg strap) and on my shoulders and enjoyed both - the straps are very thick with lots of padding and a velour-style material underneath for extra comfort.
This is clearly a well-thought out golf bag that will undoubtedly give brands like Stitch Golf and Vessel a run for their money in the premium, non-traditional bag space. For £400, you’d ideally want some sort of waterproof guarantee, but for the golfer that plays in favourable conditions most of the time, the Terra SE1 should stand the test of time with no worrying about broken zips that render it unusable. My overall experience with the Terra SE1 was a positive one and I’ll be continuing to use it until it runs its course, which could be a very long time indeed.
