Best Golf Bags 2024
Here is our selection of the very best golf bags - models to suit a full range of on-course requirements and conditions
Best Golf Bags: Quick Menu
1. The list in brief
2. Top pick
3. Best looking
4. Best lightweight
5. Best hybrid bag
6. Best waterproof
7. Best strap design
8. Best cart bag
9. Best color choice
10. Best storage
11. How we test
12. How to choose
13. FAQs
The golf bag is an essential item of equipment and finding the right one could help make the difference when it comes to organizing and planning your game. Whether you prefer to carry, take a cart or a buggy, the best golf bags have been designed and engineered to suit your requirements. You need a bag that will protect your equipment, provide the right level of storage with easy access to clubs and accessories, and one that delivers the best possible ergonomic fit for you.
If you use a cart or buggy, you’ll look for a robust and stable bag that’s easy to lift and sits well on its side or base. Other features to consider will be, the level of storage, the ease of access to clubs and accessory/apparel pockets. Many modern bags provide water resistance and extra protection for valuables and are great gifts for those golf obsessive friends in your life. If you like to carry, then you’ll look for something lightweight and comfortable that sits well on the back. Depending on the conditions you generally play in, you might consider the quality of the stand and the level of storage available. Easy access and protection of clubs will always be a consideration.
What then are the best golf bags right now? We’ve reviewed and tested them and have selected our favorites below to help you prepare and manage your golf game in the most effective way. Additionally make sure you check out our other golf bag guides too - such as the best golf push cart bags or even the best waterproof golf bags.
The Quick List
Top pick
The Ping Hoofer is an exceptional all-rounder, delivering supreme comfort and stability. In addition, there is extra storage in the latest edition.
Best looking
The Players 5 StaDry is a premium, stylish, versatile and robust stand bag that offers practical features, excellent protection and looks great too.
Best lightweight
A well designed and lightweight bag that can carry everything a golfer needs. The magnetic rangefinder pocket and sturdy legs are standout features.
Best hybrid bag
There is a lot more to the All Elements range than just the looks. It is both highly functional and versatile and is ideal for anyone who wants to carry all 14 clubs.
Best waterproof
A supremely lightweight and comfortable golf bag, this is a great option if you're looking for a carrying option that will keep all your gear dry in inclement weather.
Best strap design
There is a lot to like about the Cobra Ultradry Pro stand bag, with its waterproof protection keeping your necessities dry in the harshest conditions.
Load the next 3 models
Best cart bag
A well-designed cart bag with a unique divider that gives each club in your bag protection. The materials are high quality and the storage is excellent.
Best color choice
The quality and functionality of this cart bag is something else and if you're looking to add a bit of color and style to your golf then this is perfect.
Best storage
Designed for golfers who ride when they play, the Sun Mountain C-130 delivers everything that its target audience could want in a cart bag.
Best Golf Bags
Why you can trust Golf Monthly
Top pick
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
When it comes to the best golf stand bags, the Ping Hoofer is one of our absolute favorites thanks to the combination of overall performance, comfort, usability and looks.
Coming in at 5.5lbs - less than 2.5kg - the Hoofer provided an excellent walk in testing, with the experience only heightened by the adjustable carry strap. Ping have added a new back puck that allows for easy transitioning from two straps to one and, if you want to stick it on a cart, you can, as a cart strap channel runs under the main pocket.
So, not only is it easy to use, but the 11 pockets available are extremely handy and, with nice touches like the magnetic pocket that keeps all your valuables safe, Ping has really thought of everything when it comes to Hoofer. The only slight downside to this model is that it isn't fully waterproof but, overall, it is a truly excellent bag that deserves a spot on this list.
- Read our full Ping Hoofer Stand Bag Review
Best looking
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Titleist Players 5 StaDry Stand Bag is one of the best golf stand bags that money can buy, with the brand continuing their stylish, robust and reliable range of carry options.
Adding a new 5-way top, which helps organization and accessibility, we noticed the premium feel with the high quality YKK zippers and a horseshoe style tee pocket. Visually, this bag is smart yet relatively simple, which we think broadens the appeal. In testing, we had the black with red trim option which we think looks absolutely fantastic, but there are multiple color options available if that doesn’t float your boat.
Along with the looks, the bag has plenty of practical features like a Sharpie holder and two external lined cooler pouches to store your beverages either side of the spacious ball pocket, but it is the ease of carrying the bag which is the standout, with the experience faultless. In testing, over 10 rounds of golf, we had no problems with the straps tangling or twisting and, because the padding is not too thick on the shoulder straps, it disperses the weight evenly, boosting the comfort on offer.
- Read our full Titleist Players 5 StaDry Stand Bag Review
Best lightweight
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
To begin with, the Exo Lite is one of the best lightweight golf bags anywhere on the market. It weighs just 3.5lbs and, although some may think that's too light, you'll be glad to hear that we had no problems with the legs not kicking out when placed on the ground. This means that, on a windy day, there will be peace of mind knowing it won't topple over.
Admittedly, we have tested better straps, but they are certainly comfortable and easy to adjust while the comprehensive hip pad makes for an altogether comfortable experience over the shoulders and back. There are also a lot of handy features, such as the magnetic rangefinder pocket. Not only is it superbly convenient, but it also feels super-premium and, if you don't want to use your rangefinder in this pocket, then there are plenty of other pockets, or even an accessory clip, that you can utilize.
- Read our full Wilson Exo Lite Stand Bag Review
Best hybrid bag
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Perhaps one of the coolest, stylish and eye-catching bags currently on the market, the Ogio All Elements Hybrid Stand Bag combines exceptional looks with performance. Ogio have broken the mold in terms of their fresh and funky designs and we salute them for their innovative styles, which are perfect for any golfer looking to make a statement on the course.
Obviously, the looks and colorways will divide opinion, but there is a lot more to this bag than the fancy patterns printed on the waterproof lining. One of those aspects is indeed the waterproof protection, with the seam sealed zips doing their job of keeping all your belongings stored in the bag's nine roomy pockets dry and secure.
Another feature that really elevates the design is in the name - hybrid. This bag works excellently for those wanting to carry their clubs because it is lightweight, but also works very well on carts as well. In fact some golfers may prefer to use this bag solely as a cart bag due to its size.
Finally the eight-way divider on the top of this bag, which features a separate section for four big clubs, is the perfect way to keep your sticks all organized and dent free. That in turn makes it very easy to pull out your next club without others following.
- Read our full Ogio All Elements Hybrid Stand Bag Review
Best waterproof
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
At just 2kg (4.4lbs), this is one of the most lightweight bags you can get that still holds all 14 golf clubs and more. Callaway have introduced an all-new strap and hip pad system on the Fairway C, with EVA molding added for further comfort around the shoulders and back.
In testing, we thought that the EVA within the straps and on the hip pad added a level of softness that you don't get with many other of the options on the market, with the Fairway C providing one of the best carrying experiences we've had with a golf bag.
But the star feature on this bag is the protection thanks to the complete seam-sealed construction and waterproof fabric throughout the design. Water beads off the bag very well indeed so it will deal with rainy rounds handily.
In terms of pockets, there are five in total, with the valuables pockets the stand out. This is because it is fleece-lined to protect your phone from scratching as well as being pretty deep, allowing you to easily store a phone, wallet, keys and more in there. The only slight let down is the cooler pocket, because the opening is too small and too tight to easily slip a water bottle in and out of when you're on the move.
- Read our full Callaway 2023 Fairway C HD Stand Bag Review
Best strap design
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
There's a lot to like about the Ultradry Pro and, to begin with, we must mention the straps. Not only were they well-padded and meant for easy carrying, something which was easy anyway as the bag only weight 4.5 pounds, but the Swivel Strap worked superbly throughout the round.
You may wonder what the Swivel Strap does? Well, thanks to a well-positioned shoulder clip, it allows the bag to swivel and move whilst you're walking the course. Essentially, as you put the bag on, it will move to the adjusted height, something which worked really well on sidehill and undulating lies and walks.
Not only is it comfortable, but the Ultradry Pro does exactly what it says on the tin. When we tested this bag the conditions continuously changed between sun and rain but, by the end of the round, our clubs and personal items remained bone-dry, such is the waterproof protection the Cobra bag provides.
- Read our full Cobra Ultradry Pro 2023 Stand Bag Review
Best cart bag
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
What really stood out in this golf bag is the unique divider. Motocaddy has designed the bag so that each club goes into an individual slot and locks it in place, reducing rattling and noise. In total, there are nine iron slots, four wood slots and a putter well that is large enough for oversized putting grips.
Like other bags on the list, there are plenty of pockets available, nine to be exact, with two valuables pockets and two full-length side pockets holding the rain cover and leaving plenty of room for apparel and other larger accessories. Importantly, it is fully waterproof and all pockets feature an easy-to-open Japanese YKK zip that can be opened with one hand and are seam-sealed to keep the water out.
In short the Protekta, whilst it will divide opinion, performs very well indeed and as such it is our top cart bag pick right now.
- Read our full Motocaddy Protekta Cart Bag Review
Best color choice
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Featuring 11 pockets, the Ogio All Elements bag has a huge amount of space available for everything you need on the course. To give a quick breakdown of what is available, it has two large side ones for your waterproofs and other larger items of clothing, then there’s options galore for your valuables, balls, umbrella and drinks (with an insulated cooler pocket). Along with pockets, there are 15 dividers, with each of them particularly roomy and there’s even room for an extra slot where any alignment sticks can go.
Although it is slightly more expensive than some of the best golf bags on the market, we believe that Ogio really have thrown everything at this bag and we can say with some confidence that this will last you forever. The detailing inside the pockets and the feel and ease of the zips are obvious signposts that this is a step up when it comes to functionality, durability and quality.
Tackling the elephant in the room, the looks will divide opinion, but there are eight color options available so we would like to think there's a color choice for everyone. Overall though, we think they are very fresh and funky as Ogio look to provide something very different in the golf bag category.
- Read our full Ogio All Elements Cart Bag Review
Best storage
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The C-130 made its debut for Sun Mountain in 2005 and, since then, has been a best seller for the company. It's one of the most popular cart bags of all-time and was developed specifically for golfers who ride when they play. It's worth noting that it will work on a push cart, but riding carts were the focus of the design.
To begin with, the C-130 has three strategically placed utility handles that make it easy to get on and off of a golf cart or in and out of a car trunk. Along with the utility handles, the bag is kept secure during play via Sun Mountain’s Smart Strap system. Being such a large bag, there are 13 pockets on the C-130 which are easy to access when the bag is on a cart.
Highlighting the features of the C-130 are 14 individual club dividers, including a putter well that will accommodate putters of all sizes. Available in more than a dozen color choices, there should be something for everyone, with the bag providing excellent value for money at under $270.
- Read our full Sun Mountain C-130 Cart Bag Review
How we test the best golf bags
Our testing process for all golf gear, let alone golf bags, is rigorous and comprehensive. As far as our testing methodology goes, if we say we have reviewed a product, that means we have used it out on the golf course, and put it through its paces in different conditions. We also endeavor to use all the features on the golf bag, for example if the valuables pocket claims to be waterproof, we pour water on it to find out.
We should also say that manufacturers cannot pay for a good review because we tell things how we see it. As far as the testing team goes, the Golf Monthly team is a mixture of ages and handicaps, and most are members at golf clubs so regularly put golf gear to the test in fun rounds as well as competitions.
How to choose a golf bag
There are several key factors to consider when thinking about buying a golf bag and we have gone into those below...
Bag Type
Put simply what kind of bag do you want? Do you want a stand bag? Or a cart model? Both of these types of bag have their positives and negatives and you should think about what you think is important to your golf.
Stand bags are built for those who want to carry their clubs around the golf course which means factors like comfort and weight are very important. Stand bags also have to offer waterproofing as well as strength and robustness. The two negatives most associated with stand bags are they require more effort to use, and they usually don't offer as much storage as cart bags. However, that being said there are several stand bags above that can also be used on golf carts as well so maybe that is a way of killing two birds with one stone.
Cart bags are for those who want to use golf carts on the golf course. If this is you, then you'll likely want a stable model that is not only easy to lift and move around, but also one that sits firmly on your cart. One big advantage we have found is that cart bags also tend to offer ample storage for accessories, apparel, valuables and all the other golf paraphernalia you might need during the round. The main negative is they are just bulkier and have to be taken off the cart before and after the round, whereas stand bags offer a bit more freedom.
Storage
Storage is important in golf these days because a good golf bag has to offer pockets for lots of different things as we mentioned above. Cart bags tend to have larger pockets because they are just that, larger. They also require less effort to use too which means players are able to carry more stuff with them if needed.
Stand bags on the other hand usually have enough to house the essentials. However there are also golf bags out there that keep the game simple with only a few pockets so have a think about how much gear you want to take onto the golf course, and pick a bag accordingly.
Waterproofing
If you live or golf somewhere that gets a lot of rain then this is a no-brainer really, get a bag that offers protection from the rain. Whereas if you don't, then this factor won't be as important. We should acknowledge that some models above are better than others in this regard because they have been designed as such.
Weight
Across all types of bag, weight is important. Stand bags obviously have to be lightweight because players will be carrying them on their backs and shoulders all day, whilst cart bags should also have a degree of lightness too so they are easy to maneuver on the golf course, and from the car to the cart itself.
Thankfully most brands these days make lightweight models across their ranges because not many players want to use a heavy bag.
Looks
How do you want your golf bag to look? Whether it be a stand or cart model, brands try their best to create design aesthetics that stand out, or blend in on the golf course. Therefore have a think about which models you like the look of, or if some bags have different color schemes.
Budget
Our final factor to consider is of course price. There are golf bags at every single price point so if you want to go for a premium cart model you can, or if you want a cheap stand bag you can also do that too.
FAQs
What makes a good golf bag?
A good golf bag needs to protect your equipment first and foremost. It also needs to be lightweight, spacious and waterproof for when the conditions are at their worst. If your bag doesn't provide the above then it can distract you from your game, as your focus will be on protecting your clubs, not hitting them!
Do I need a stand bag or a cart bag?
It all comes down to preference. If you are needing to use a trolley when out on the golf course then a cart bag is going to be better. However, if you don't mind carrying, then a stand bag is going to be more suited for your golf game.
What is the average weight of a full golf bag?
Of course the variety in golf bag design in terms of stand, cart, Tour models, means this is tricky to give a definitive answer for. But we have found that for stand bags, when full, tend to come in at around the 30 pound mark. Cart bags can often be a little more and Tour bags even higher because they are just larger.
What golf bag does Tiger Woods use?
Tiger Woods uses a Vessel Prime Staff bag. His bag also has a number of Monster Energy logos on it.
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Dan has been with Golf Monthly team since 2021. He graduated with a Masters degree in International Journalism from the University of Sussex and looks after equipment reviews and buyer's guides, specializing in golf shoe, golf bag and golf cart reviews. Dan has now tested and reviewed over 30 pairs of golf shoes and is an expert in the field. A left-handed golfer, his handicap index is currently 6.5 and he plays at Fulford Heath Golf Club in the West Midlands.
Dan is currently playing:
Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2
Fairway: TaylorMade Stealth 2 15°, Ping G425 Max 21°
Hybrid: Ping G425
Irons: Cobra King Tec Utility, Ping i230 (5-PW)
Wedges: Ping Glide Forged Pro
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour X
Ball: TaylorMade TP5x
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