Though it is an activity common in many American backyards, cornhole is also a sport played at a high level, and it should be no surprise that the bags used in such games are engineered for serious players. A cornhole bag is not just a bag filled with corn or pellets – it is a finely crafted piece of sporting equipment that complies with a number of binding regulations.
To better understand these regulations and the kinds of conditions that can make a bag high or low quality, we will look at the design and construction of professional cornhole bags and delve a little deeper into their performance.
Durable Construction and Materials
The bags used for the professional game of cornhole are built to last. They take an extreme beating in the game, sliding across rough surfaces of all sorts and smacking down with a fair amount of force onto the board. And yet, a bag can’t just be a heavy-duty sack.
It has to be evenly stuffed in such a way that it will safely and accurately fly through the air. The bags are deceptively light for all the materials used to construct them. Their durability comes from two things: the high-quality outer shells and the very strong stitching that holds everything together.
Balanced Filling Material
Filling materials inside the bags have a direct effect on weight, feel, and performance. They must fulfill requirements that are similar to those of the bags themselves: weights and materials must be uniform and consistent, and they must hold up well under a variety of conditions.
Professional cornhole bags most commonly use one of two styles of filling: resin pellets or corn kernels. Serious players almost exclusively use resin pellets unless they have a particular soft spot for playing with corn-filled bags. For non-professional play, corn is common.
Many modern cornhole bags are made with dual-sided fabric, which allows serious players to modify their throws according to conditions and the behind-the-board strategy. The two distinct sides are:
Sticky Side
Aimed at stopping the bag, this slick surface is the cornhole board’s best friend. It’s engineered to grab the wood and allow shots to be blocked, or to act as a precision landing zone for any bag that’s thrown toward the board after.
Slick Side
The slick side is more giving, allowing bags to pass by one another and facilitating the clean entry of any slider into the hole. This is for players who have a good feel for how the bag acts when it hits the board.
Breaking in Process
Professional cornhole bags should feel comfortable and playable right out of the package or after a brief break-in period. Stiff, unyielding bags can make precision throws challenging. Many high-quality bags are “tournament ready,” meaning they are pre-softened for optimal performance.
If not, ensure the material allows for a straightforward break-in process, such as through regular play or machine washing (if permitted by the manufacturer).
Weather Resistance
Being in the elements offers the prospect of rain, sleet, or humidity affecting toss-and-catch bag games. But cornhole bags made with materials that do not soak up water, are liable to not be affected much or even at all by precipitation or cold.
However, although the bags themselves are not impacted by the weather, you as the player often are. You may find yourself needing to make adjustments to your grip and toss in certain conditions.
Grip and Feel
The texture and overall feel of a cornhole bag can greatly impact a player’s grip and control. When holding a bag, it should feel comfortable, and one should have a good sense of control. The best way to decide what type of bag to use is to see how it feels in your hand.
This is not to say that grip, control, and feel do not vary between players and their preferences; they do. Overall performance is most important, but what makes a bag feel like a bag that you want to throw is the combination of how it feels in your hand and how it behaves when thrown.
Customized Bags
Serious cornhole players can also get customized bags that reflect their personalities, team loyalties, and sponsorships. Custom options may include eye-catching color schemes, bold logos, and clever embroidery. Aesthetics don’t really affect gameplay, but a bag that looks and feels special can make playing with it that much more enjoyable.
It can also make you stand out among your peers, helping you build a brand on the professional circuit.
Investing in Professional Cornhole Bags To Elevate Your Game
Cornhole accessories have a monumental role in the game, and cornhole bags are the most important accessory of all. These bags need to comply with regulations if you’re going to use them in tournaments or any other official contest. But even if you’re just playing with friends, don’t you still want to have good equipment?