Best Golf Bags 2024

When it comes to golf essentials, a bag is right up near the top of the list. You can't really play golf without one. It's a must have item of equipment and finding the right one could help make the difference when it comes to organizing and planning your game. There are different bags to suit specific situations, but regardless of whether you prefer to carry, push a cart or ride a buggy, the best golf bags have been specifically designed and engineered to suit your requirements. Those requirements vary depending on your personal needs, but there are some staples that apply across the board. Primarily, whether you carry, push or ride, you need a bag that will protect your equipment and provide the right level of storage with easy access to clubs and accessories.

WATCH: We pick out the best stand bags on the market in 2024

So if you use a cart or buggy, weight is less of an issue so you should be looking for a robust and stable bag that’s easy to lift and sits well on its side and/or base. The level of storage is an important factor too, as is the ease of access to clubs and accessory/apparel pockets. You don't want a bag where the main storage compartment is inaccessible on your cart. Depending on how avid a golfer you are, you may need something that is water resistant or even fully waterproof. Golfers who play all year round are going to have to endure wet conditions at times so water resistance and extra protection for valuables are vital. A high quality waterproof golf bag makes for a great gift for any golf obsessive friends in your life. 

For the golfer who likes to carry their clubs, the requirements are very different. Weight is very much a factor as you’ll want something lightweight, comfortable to carry and that sits well on the back. Storage is less important as you are trying to travel light and will therefore streamline which items you want to take with you onto the course. Depending on the conditions you generally play in, you might consider the quality of the stand and whether the bag can withstand heavy rain. Easy access and protection of clubs will always be a consideration though no matter how you choose to travel the course. 

What then are the best golf bags right now? We’ve reviewed and tested them and have selected our favorites below in order 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 cart bags or even the best waterproof golf bags.

The Quick List

Best Golf Bags

Top pick

Whenever we are discussing the best golf stand bags, the Ping Hoofer is always in the conversation and has been one of our absolute favorites for several years thanks to the high level combination of performance, comfort, usability and looks.

It comes in at 5.5lbs - less than 2.5kg - so it's nice and light (although not the lightest on this list) and it provided us with an excellent walking experience in testing, further heightened by the adjustable carry strap which works a treat. Ping has also added a new back puck which allows for easy transitioning from two straps to one, which is really useful as you have the option to just sling it over one shoulder if that's your prefence. 

It's versatile too, and if you want to stick it on a cart you can easily do that as there is a cart strap channel which runs under the main pocket and allows you to secure the bag nicely.

So it's lightweight, very easy to use and exceptionally user-friendly, but it has great storage too. 11 pockets to be precise, including a magnetic pocket that keeps all your valuables safe. We have to give great credit to Ping as the brand's designers have really thought of everything when it comes to Hoofer. The only slight downside to this model is that it isn't fully waterproof but it is water resistant and overall the Hoofer is a fantastic bag that deserves a spot on this list.

• Read our full Ping Hoofer Stand Bag Review 

Best looking

When it comes to the best Titleist golf bags the Players 5 StaDry Stand Bag is right up there with the brand continuing their stylish, robust and reliable range of carry options. It was a pleasure testing this bag on the course and we highly recommend it.

There is a new 5-way top, which helps organization and accessibility, while we also noticed the premium feel with the high quality YKK zippers and a horseshoe style tee pocket. We tested the black with red trim option which we think looks absolutely fantastic. Aesthetically, it's quite a simple, classic look but that really adds to the appeal in our view. There are multiple color options available though if you are looking for something different. 

The bag has lots of practical features that enhance the user-experience. Things like a Sharpie holder as well as two external lined cooler pouches to store your beverages either side of the spacious ball pocket. For us though it was the ease of carrying which was the standout feature, largely due to the design of the straps. We tested this bag over 10 rounds of golf and in that time we had no problems with the straps tangling or twisting. Additionally, the padding is not too thick on the shoulder straps so it disperses the weight evenly and really esnures a comfortable carry even with a full set of clubs in the bag.

• Read our full Titleist Players 5 StaDry Stand Bag Review

Best value

The Exo Lite is one of the best lightweight golf bags anywhere on the market. It weighs just 3.5lbs which some may feel is actually too light, but let us reassure you that we found it to be nice and sturdy and we had no problems with the legs not kicking out when placed on the ground. So even though it's almost as light as a feather, you can have peace of mind knowing it won't topple over on a windy day. 

While it's fair to say that we have tested bags with better straps, but we found that the straps on the Exo Lite are comfortable and easy to adjust. We also noted that the comprehensive hip pad enhances the carrying experience and it was very comfortable over the shoulders and back as we walked the course. There are also a lot of handy features, our favorite being the magnetic rangefinder pocket which is very convenient and also feels super-premium. If you don't want to use this pocket for your rangefinder then there are plenty of other pockets to choose from, or there's even an accessory clip you could use instead.

• Read our full Wilson Exo Lite Stand Bag Review

Best hybrid bag

In our view the Ogio All Elements Hybrid Stand Bag is one of the coolest, most stylish and head-turning bags currently on the market. It combines exceptional looks with high end performance and this is definitely one for the more extrovert golfer that loves to stand out from the crowd. 

Ogio have broken the mould with their fresh and funky designs and while such bold coloring and patterns won't suit everybody's tastes, we at Golf Monthly salute them for their innovative styles which are perfect for any golfer looking to make a statement on the course. 

Don't be fooled by the loud colors and fancy patterns though as there is a lot more to this bag than eye-catching aesthetics. One of those aspects is the exceptional waterproof protection, which we experienced first hand in testing. The seam sealed zips did their job of keeping all of our belongings dry and secure in the bag's nine roomy pockets. 

Another feature of this bag that really makes it stand out can be found in the name - hybrid. It's essentially a two in one product as this bag ideal for those wanting to carry their clubs as it is lightweight but sturdy, but also works very well on carts too. In fact some golfers may prefer to use this bag solely as a cart bag due to its size. The beauty of it is that it can do both so you don't need to have one bag for carrying and another for use with a cart.

• Read our full Ogio All Elements Hybrid Stand Bag Review
  

Best waterproof

This is another terrific offering from Callaway who really excel in the carry bag department. At just 2kg (4.4lbs) this is one of the most lightweight bags that is still capable of holding a full set of 14 clubs plus everything else a golfer needs. Where this bag really elevates itself from the competition though is in its protection from the elements. Thanks to its 10K waterproof fabric and fully seam sealed construction, the Fairway C HD bag guarantees protection from even the heaviest of downpours. 

In terms of comfort, we were very impressed with what this bag had to offer when we tested it on the course. A new strap and hip pad design brings added comfort to the shoulders and back and this really stood out for us in testing as we experienced a level of softness that is quite unusual. 

When it comes to storage, there are other bags in this guide that offer more pockets but the five pockets in total were ample for us. The valuables pockets was a particular stand out for us because it is fleece-lined to protect your phone from scratching, which is a nice touch. Additionally it also has a cooler pocket as well as a large main pocket for carrying essentials such as waterproofs or a jumper, while we should mention that this bag comes in a variety of cool, unique colors as well. For more models from this brand, check out our guide on the best Callaway golf bags.

• Read our full Callaway Fairway C HD Golf Bag Review

Best lightweight

Sun Mountain has done a fine job in constructing this exceptionally lightweight golf bag. The H2NO Litespeed weighs just 4.4 pounds and has a new bubble design hip pad and X-strap system, making it very comfortable to carry on the back and shoulders. 

The bag is available in a range of fetching new colors and patterns so there's plenty of choice, while another big selling point of the H2NO Litespeed it that is also fully waterproof as the fabric has been given a waterproof treatment on both sides, plus it has seamed seals so nothing can penetrate through the bag even when you're playing in the harshest of conditions. When it comes to storage, the pockets are well designed and have been laid out in a way that clearly shows this bag has been designed for golfers.

Overall this is one of the most complete and well thought out stand bags we have tested recently, so if you happen to be in the market for a lightweight, waterproof stand bag, we would highly recommend this model.

• Read our full Sun Mountain 2024 H2NO Litespeed Stand Bag Review

Best strap design

We really like the Ultradry Pro from Cobra and it performed very well for us in testing. The first thing to mention is the straps, which are well-padded to promote easy carrying, something which we can attest to as the Swivel Strap worked superbly throughout the round. This comfort is enhanced by the fact that the bag only weighs 4.5 pounds, but it's that Swivel Strap that really stood out for us.

How does it work? A well-positioned shoulder clip allows the bag to swivel and move whilst you're walking the course, so as you put the bag on it will move to the adjusted height and we found this worked especially well on sidehill and undulating lies and walks.

In addition to the supreme level of comfort, the other main feature of the bag is the protection it offers from the elements. The Ultradry Pro does exactly what it says on the tin and when we tested this bag the conditions were continuously changing between sun and rain. By the end of the round our clubs and personal items were still bone-dry and overall we were extremely impressed by everything this bag has to offer.

• Read our full Cobra Ultradry Pro 2023 Stand Bag Review

Best cart bag

The unique divider is the thing that really stood out for us when testing this bag. Motocaddy has designed the bag so that each club goes into an individual slot and is locked in place, thus reducing that rattling and noise which can be so irritating. In total, there are nine iron slots, four wood slots and a putter well that is large enough even for oversized putter grips.

There is ample storage to be had too, with a total of nine pockets that include two valuables pockets as well as two full-length side pockets to hold the rain cover plus whatever apparel and larger accessories you may want to carry. In addition, this bag is fully waterproof and all pockets feature an easy-to-open Japanese YKK zip that can be opened with one hand and have been seam-sealed to keep the water out. 

In short the Protekta performs very well indeed and as such it is our top cart bag pick right now, particularly if you use it with a cart such as the Motocaddy Cube Push Trolley.

• Read our full Motocaddy Protekta Cart Bag Review

Best color choice

The Ogio All Elements bag has a huge amount of space available for everything you need on the course. Featuring a whopping 11 pockets, including two large side ones for your waterproofs as well other larger items of clothing. There are also options galore for your valuables, balls, umbrella and drinks (it has an insulated cooler pocket). Along with the plethora of pockets, the bag boasts 15 dividers which are particularly roomy and can house a full set of clubs while also having an extra slot which can be used for alignment sticks.

While it is slightly more expensive than some of the other Ogio bags on the market, we believe that it's worth the extra cost as Ogio really have thrown everything at this bag. We can say with some confidence that this bag should last you forever. It's very premium and the detailing inside the pockets as well as the feel and ease of the zips are obvious signs that this bag is a definite step up when it comes to functionality, durability and quality.

Of course the looks will divide opinion as is always the case with Ogio, but there are eight color options available so there should be something for everyone. 

• Read our full Ogio All Elements Cart Bag Review

Best storage

The C-130 from Sun Mountain has been around in various guises since 2005 and it has been a best seller for the company. We're big fans of the C-130 and indeed of Sun Mountain in general, and this is one of the most popular cart bags of all-time. It has been specifically developed for golfers who ride when they play. It will work on a push cart, but it should be stressed that the focus of the design was for use on a buggy.

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. This is important, particular as many golfers who use golf carts/buggys are seniors, so being easy to lift is essential. The utility handles really aid that process, while the bag is kept secure during play via Sun Mountain’s Smart Strap system which works really well. 

As it's such a large bag, there is plenty of scope for adding extra pockets and the C-130 boasts 13 pockets in total, all of which are easy to access when the bag is on a cart.

Another feature we liked was that the C-130 has 14 individual club dividers, including a putter well that will accommodate putters of all sizes. The bag is available in more than a dozen color choices and we feel it provides excellent value for money at under $270.

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

Best functionality

While not necessarily the first name you think of when it comes to golf bags, Stewart Golf has been making some of the best remote electric trolleys and best push carts for a few years now. It makes sense therefore that they would eventually turn their attention to making bags that go with them. The Nero certainly does that. 

Aesthetically it looks fantastic thanks to the sleek black finish, while the synthetic leather is soft to the touch, looks premium and wipes clean really easily too. There's loads of storage with nine pockets in total, including a large insulated front pocket that we really liked because it was so huge. You also get two velour-lined valuables pockets plus a magnetic front pocket which is ideal for a rangefinder. The extra large putter well is a nice touch too and it will hold putters with any sized grip. Another nice design element is the customizable zipped front panel. 

The bag will work with any trolley but it has been specifically designed for use with Stewart Golf's own products and if you own one of their fantastic trolleys it's well worth investing in the matching bag to go with it.

• Read our full Stewart Golf Nero Cart Bag Review

How we test the best golf bags

We pride ourselves on the quality and integrity of our product testing, and our testing process for all golf gear, including golf bags, is rigorous and comprehensive. When it comes to our testing methodology, if we say we have reviewed a product you can be assured that this means we have used it out on the golf course and put it through its paces in different conditions. With golf bags, we will test all the features on the bag, so as an example, if the valuables pocket claims to be waterproof we will pour water on it to find out.

We should also stress that manufacturers cannot pay for a good review from us because we always tell things exactly how we see it. The Golf Monthly testing team is a mixture of ages and handicaps, and most are members at golf clubs so they can regularly put golf gear to the test in fun rounds as well as in 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

This is the first thing to decide as everything else then follows. Put simply what kind of bag do you want? Do you want a stand bag, a cart model or something that can do both? Each of these types of bag have their positives and negatives so you should think about what is most important to your own golf game.

Stand bags are designed for those who want to carry their clubs around the golf course. This means comfort and weight are paramount. Stand bags also have to offer strength and robustness, and depending on your requirements perhaps you will be looking for something waterproof. The two negatives most associated with stand bags are that they require more effort to use, and because they are designed to travel light they usually don't offer as much storage as cart bags. However, there are hybrid models 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 do not want to carry and who want to use a push cart or ride a buggy on the golf course. If you fall into this category then you'll want a stable bag that is not only easy to lift and move around, but also 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 more pockets because they are larger and because you are not having to carry it on your back, so you can afford to carry more weight.

Stand bags need to house the essentials but the idea is to travel light so you don't need tons of pockets. Decide how much gear you want to take onto the golf course and then pick a bag accordingly.

Waterproofing

If you live or golf somewhere that gets a lot of rain then this it is essential to get a bag that offers protection from the rain. If you don't play in the rain then this is not as important, but considering that you can always get caught in a surprise downpour it's advisable to have some level of water resistance in your bag, even if you don't go fully waterproof. Some models above are better than others in this regard because they have been designed as such, so keep that in mind when buying.

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