Best Golf Cart Bags 2024

Although it may not seem it, golf can expend a lot of energy, with a four-mile walk in hot temperatures meaning you need to find ways of preserving energy as much as possible. There are a few simple ways of doing this, with one of the easiest ways being to invest in a golf cart/trolley, which will help store your clubs and bag safely and securely whilst you tackle the fairways.

With the purchase of a trolley, you also need a cart bag to go with it. This may sound expensive but there is logic behind this as cart bags are designed to be more long-lasting than the best golf stand bags, and also larger and more spacious. This means that not only will they fit on the trolley more securely, but they can carry around as many accessories as you need.

In this guide, after testing a lot of different models, and we mean A LOT, we have collated the top performing models into this guide to help you find the bag for you. Additionally, if you are after a bag that is more specific to your golf game, then why not also check out our guides on the best lightweight golf bags, the best waterproof golf bags and the best push carts.

The Quick List

Best Golf Cart Bags

Best overall

The Motocaddy Protekta offers minimalist yet sleek design oozes a premium feel and that is also evidenced in the fully waterproof fabric that holds this bag together. While some cart bags can get pretty heavy, this fantastic option weighs only 3.1kg, making it one of the best lightweight golf bags around. We loved the functionality on offer here too. It features a very sufficient nine pockets with two valuables pockets and two full-length side pockets. There is ample room for the best golf waterproofs and even space for a couple of bottles of water in the bag's cooler pocket. We tested it out on the Motocaddy M7 GPS Electric Trolley and found the Easi-lock base a joy to use, reducing the faff and strapping needed to secure the bag to the bottom of the trolley. 

Perhaps the highlight here is the bag's 15-way top that features nine iron slots that help to hold each club securely in place to reduce noise and keep your clubs well protected. We loved the thought process behind this, with this reducing the amount your clubs are rattling as you drive over bumpy terrain. As the best golf cart bags go, this is a visually stunning option that offers bags (pardon the pun) of performance around the golf course.

• Read our full Motocaddy Protekta Cart Bag Review

Best storage

For two decades the C-130 from Sun Mountain has been the company's best seller. Not only has it been the most successful model of the range, but it’s also one of the best-selling cart bags of all-time, as it is developed specifically for golfers who ride when they play; it also fits perfectly on a push cart.

Highlighting the features of the C-130 are 14 individual club dividers, including a separate compartment that will accommodate oversized putters. The C-130 also has tremendous storage capacity, providing golfers with 13 pockets, two of which have been dedicated for apparel. It also has a ventilated cooler pocket, a pocket with a magnetic closure that was incorporated specifically for rangefinders, and two velour-lined pockets for valuables, including one that is water-resistant.

In terms of ease of use, it possesses Sun Mountain’s Smart Strap system, which keeps the bag secure during use while also enabling players to access each pocket with ease. A matching waterproof hood is also included with each C-130 bag and, finally, there are 11 different colors for golfers to choose from. This makes it one of the best Sun Mountain golf bags on the market.

• Read our full Sun Mountain C-130 Cart Bag Review

Ping Traverse 2022 Cart Bag

Ping’s Traverse cart bag has been redesigned and is now even lighter at just 5.5 pounds. Such is the weight drop that it sits amongst the lightest cart bags on the market and, with a 14-way top helping club organization, you could argue that it's one of the easiest bags to use as well. 

Along with its lightweight, practical nature, it also excels from a storage standpoint as it has 11 total pockets, including full-length apparel pockets, a velour-lined valuables' pocket, an insulated cooler pocket, and a rangefinder pocket. The number of pockets combined with the newer lightweight design means you can take advantage of storage without additional weight, comfortably making it one of the best Ping golf bags around.

The Traverse’s strap-thru pass also keeps the bag securely on a cart without blocking access to any of the pockets, and there are six new color patterns for golfers to choose from. Of course it is worth mentioning that this bag is not waterproof but instead has a water-repellent polyester construction.

• Read our full Ping Traverse Cart Bag 2022 Review

Best waterproof

The Motocaddy Dry Series received a revamp a while ago and now it is undoubtedly at the upper end of the product line-up as you get a stylish design that is waterproof and extremely user-friendly. It's packed with features that golfers can take advantage of and, weighing around six pounds, which is nothing at all when you consider it is fully waterproof, it also has a rain hood and can be easily maneuvered from the car to the cart. 

When it comes to storage, there are 14 full-length dividers for clubs, which negate that horrible jamming that so often occurs with golf bags, and nine pockets for golf balls, additional layers and all manner of accessories a golfer would wish to carry.

Finally, there is a substantial food and beverage pocket that is insulated, while all the zips are heat sealed, meaning everything is as secure as can be. Motocaddy truly has thought about every little detail here. 

• Read our full Motocaddy 2022 Dry Series Cart Bag Review

MacGregor 15-Series Water Resistant Cart Bag

Although there are more eye-catching cart bags on the market, the MacGregor 15-Series Water Resistant Cart Bag is certainly one of the most practical, with the bag being lightweight and easy to manoeuvre. 

Thanks to two over-moulded handles on the top of the bag, it means it can be easily adjusted once in the cupboard or on the trolley. As well as the ease and comfort, the lightweight design is also showerproof, with the nine excellently placed pockets featuring water resistant zippers to keep your personal items dry in sharp downpours.   

The last point of interest is the 15 full length dividers that allow for easy club access. These dividers are lined and cushioned as well, so any graphite shafts are well nurtured as you roll over on the bumpiest of fairways or paths. We especially liked the “putter pit,” which is rubberised and houses the putter brilliantly.

• Read our full MacGregor 15-Series Water Resistant Cart Bag Review

Best color choice

Although the look of the bag may divide opinion, one thing that certainly won't is the performance, with a whopping 11 pockets making this one of the best bags for storage on the market. Featuring two large side pockets for waterproofs and other larger items, there are plenty of options for your valuables, golf balls, umbrella and drinks (with an insulated cooler pocket). 

Along with the excellent storage capability, it also has 15 dividers, with each of them particularly roomy for your clubs, and there’s even space for an extra slot where any alignment sticks can go. This just further adds to the ease of use that this bag provides.

In testing, we found its waterproof capabilities to be superb as, even in awful weather, it kept our clubs and valuables dry. What's more, the overall quality is superb, with this bag feeling extremely premium and, certainly, it is one of the best Ogio golf bags that money can buy.

• Read our full Ogio All Elements Cart Bag Review

Big Max Dri Lite Tour Cart Bag

Big Max is a brand that offers a wide range of excellent options, but the model which made our 2022 Editor's Choice list is the Dri Lite Tour Cart Bag. The zips are fully waterproof, while the rest of the fabric used in construction is water repellent. 

In testing, we experienced no leaks when we put it through its paces on a wet day and, you also get a handy five-year warranty too, which puts the mind at ease. 

Along with the protection, it also possesses a very smart design tpp, almost Tour-like if you ask us. Certainly the space provided would rival the top professional bags, with nine large pockets providing more space than we could ever need, but we have no doubt some people will find a way to fill them. 

• Read our full Big Max Dri Lite Tour Cart Bag Review

PowaKaddy X-Lite Cart Bag

The PowaKaddy X-Lite is the streamlined, least expensive option within the brand’s impressive cart bag range, although it shares many of the same features as the hero Dri Tech model. 

Like the Dri Tech, it weighs just 2.3kg, with both featuring seven pockets and a 14-way divider top. The crucial difference is that that X-Lite is not 100 percent waterproof and lacks a couple of other features but, that aside, there is a lot to like about what the X-Lite has to offer.

In testing, we thought that, visually, it has plenty of style, with the weight, or lack of it in this case, making it one of the best lightweight golf bags on the market. What's more, there's plenty of storage space, with the X-Lite combining simplicity with functionality.

• Read our full PowaKaddy X-Lite Cart Bag Review

Big Max Aqua Tour 3 Cart Bag

With the 'Aqua' name, you'd rightly expect this bag to be fully waterproof - and indeed it is. The Aqua Tour 3 uses a unique waterproof fabric that has been treated with a water-repellent coating that allows water to simply bead off the top of the surface. It's a waterproof fabric that we've rarely seen on waterproof golf bags, but we like the fabric effect that we think this makes the bag stand out looks-wise.

Featuring nine pockets, the main standout is the large cooler pocket which, during our round, carried three drinks bottles and two bars of chocolate in the pouch with room to spare. 

Talking of space, there is also an oversized putter well that fits larger grips and, what's more, the 14-way divider is covered in soft, protective materials while the XL putter well will fit any putter, no matter what size grip you have. As with all 14-way dividers we've tested, there was no club crowding to be found here and, having tested the bag primarily on a push cart, there was no issue with it slipping or falling off. 

• Read our full Big Max Aqua Tour 3 Cart Bag Review

Specifications table

How we test golf bags

Our testing process for all golf gear, let alone golf bags, is rigorous and comprehensive. As far as our 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? If you are reading this guide then chances are you want a cart model, but 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 manoeuvre 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.

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