Golf is not a cheap sport to play so when you are on a budget is essential to look for the best deals you can find. Whether it is the best golf clubs, best golf balls, or even the best golf shoes, generally they don't come cheap so you're going to want to ensure the longevity of all your golf gear by storing it correctly and keeping it safe from the elements on the course. So having a good golf bag is essential.
Again though, golf bags can be expensive. Whether you play with one of the best golf stand bags or best golf cart bags, the golf bag is one of the most important pieces of equipment a golfer can have. The best golf bags on the market can be quite pricey which is not ideal for the golfer on a budge who may have already spent a fortune on gear, but fear not as here at Golf Monthly we have sought to bring you the best golf bags for under $100.
You may think that because they are under $100 they aren't going to be very good, but that genuinely is not the case as the majority of the bags on this list offer performance levels to compete with products that are almost triple the cost.
We're always on the look out for products that will help the golfer on a budget so when you've finished this guide you should also check out our guide to the best golf shoes under $100, which features popular brands including New Balance, Nike and adidas!
The Quick List
An ideal bag for the golfer who wants to travel light and doesn't feel the need to carry a full set. The Quiver is a pencil-style bag that’s supremely lightweight and takes up very little room in the trunk of a car or in a locker.
The Titleist Premium carry bag is feature rich, lightweight and well worth considering as a second bag when you consider the relatively modest price it carries.
This pencil bag from Callaway is incredibly lightweight and has a 3-way top with full-length dividers to keep your clubs separate. It also has three handy pockets and is water resistant.
The MacGregor VIP II Premium travel cover features a cover that will stand up to airport abuse. It’s easy to transport and offers exceptional value at its price.
The Bag Boy T-660 ticks all the right boxes for the frequent golf traveller. It's lightweight, maneuvers effortlessly, it's easy to use and has plenty of storage,
The Ram FX travel cover is a well-thought-out and user-friendly golf travel cover that offers plenty of space and solid protection for your golf clubs and gear.
Best Golf Bags Under $100
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Top pencil bag
TaylorMade are one of the leading manufacturers of golf bags and the company's Quiver Pencil Bag offers plenty of storage space despite being quite slim. It features six pockets and also has a smart Self Adjusting Strap System that promotes a comfortable and stable carry. Another useful feature is the extended grab handle which makes it easy to grab and go and also to lift in and out of the car, while the mini retractable legs will keep the bag off the ground and help to protect your clubs from clanking together when you place the bag down.
Another useful aspect of the Quiver is that the top and base are also designed for accessibility on golf carts, making this one of the more versatile pencil bags on the market. This is certainly at the cheaper end of the scale when it comes to the best Taylormade golf bags and if you are looking to spend a bit more on a lightweight golf bag, then you should also check out the best sunday golf bags and best golf pencil bags.
Best premium
All things considered the Titelist Premium Carry Bag offers incredible value considering the quality on offer. It's laden with useful features and it's a perfect bag for the new golfer who doesn't want to spent a fortune and perhaps doesn't yet have a full set of clubs.
This is also a great lightweight bag for summer golf and is ideal for when you fancy just taking out a few clubs for a quick nine holes and it comes with ample storage space in its four, easy access pockets.. As with all of the best Titleist bags, it offers a stunning aesthetic. The Premium Carry Bag is made from a cool material that has a nice black sheen to it which is contrasted by the classic Titleist logo that adds a premium feel to a bag that does not carry a premium price tag.
It might be the lightest option on this list too, weighing in at just over one kilo. Be aware that it is a pencil bag and it doesn't come with a kick stand, so this means you will be bending down to pick it up from the floor when you stop to play your shot. For most that won't be a problem due to how light it is, but if you are a senior player who suffers from back trouble you should check out our best golf bags for seniors.
- Read our full Titleist Premium Carry Bag Review
Best lightweight
Callaway are one of the top names in golf and they produce some of the best golf clubs and best golf balls on the market, but the brand is also one of the best around when it comes to making golf bags to suit the needs and budget of every golfer.
It weighs just under one kilogram so it's very easy to carry. The Golf Carry Double Strap Bag is also water-resistant so it's ideal when you're caught in those summer showers. Three zipped pockets that can store apparel and tees etc and it also features a velour-lined valuables pocket which is essential for storing things like phones, car keys and wallet. Costing $89.99, it is a great addition to anyone's game and as with all the best Callaway golf bags you know you are getting a top quality product. With the money you save on this bag you could even think about pairing this up with a new set of some of the best Callaway irons.
Top travel bag
When travelling it's vital that your clubs are protected. We've all heard the horror stories from other golfers about drivers being snapped, irons being bent or heads falling off putters during transit. Our top all round choice for travel bags under $100 is this VIP II Premium bag from MacGregor, which offers durable protection and is packed with useful features for added peace of mind.
It has additional padding around the top of the cover, while an internal support strap will keep your clubs secure during transit and we cannot stress how much of a difference these little design details make. The best golf clubs tend to cost a lot of money so you're going to want a bag that offers a lot of protection, but this model doesn't break the bank and it makes it difficult for a careless airline worker to break your clubs. We were hugely impressed by the value on offer when we tested this bag.
Additional protection comes from three heavy duty external straps which provide a fail safe seal on the cover, while the lockable dual zips give you extra security to keep would be thieves from pilfering your clubs or accessories. As with the best golf travel bags, there is also additional space for clothes, footwear or accessories as well. The price is at the value end of the market but this is a premium product, so in our view this model is outstanding.
- Read our full MacGregor VIP II Travel Cover Review
Best for airlines
The BagBoy T-660 Travel Cover resting on grass
Another excellent travel bag that really blew us away in testing, the Bag Boy T-660 provides seriously impressive levels of performance. It's also very straightforward to use. Putting your bag in in easy thanks to the wrap-around zipper and based on our testing we feel there is a lot to like here.
We were impressed with the features on offer, such as reinforced corners, skid bars, a skid plate and a large front pocket at the bottom that can be used for extra apparel or shoes for example. We noted that the skate wheels move very well and provide a smooth roll, and we also found it to be lightweight and easy to move around. When folded it will easily fit into a small space behind the seat of your rental car, or you can put it in the corner of the trunk so it doesn't take up much room at all.
It's sturdy and durable enough to deal with the most heavy-handed airport staff too so this is ideal for the golfer looking to take their clubs abroad. It's a popular bag though and others on your flight may have them too, so it's always advisable to add a colorful ribbon or something to the handle to make it stand out in the baggage claim.
- Read our full Bag Boy T-660 Travel Cover Review
Best budget
Ram Fx golf travel cover review resting on the floor of an airport.
Our final travel bag pick for under $100 comes from Ram and it is the FX Cover, which is a perfect option for the golfer on a budget who doesn't want to spend too much on a bit of kit they won't use very often. It's heavier than the other travel bags on this list but not to the point where it's an issue. The FX is made from a ripstop fabric which is very durable and should cope with the rigours of airport travel. It is very user-friendly and a stand out from testing was that it boasts extra padding across key areas where the golf clubs are. Once your clubs are packed inside, there is a large main compartment with a strap to hold them down and keep them secure during transportation.
There is ample storage with four pockets which are able to house everything from shoes to clothing as well as other golf accessories like belts or socks, which you can throw in here to save space in your main travel case. Another little thing we liked when we tested it was the blue accents on the side of the bag, which may seem like a small feature but we found it to be invaluable when it came to identifying our bag among the deluge of golf travel bags on the baggage section in the airport.
- Read our full Ram FX Golf Travel Cover Review
How we test golf bags
Our testing process for all golf gear, let alone golf bags, is rigorous and comprehensive. We take pride in our testing and as far as our testing methodology goes, whenever we say we have reviewed a product you can be sure that we have used it out on the golf course and put it through its paces in different conditions. When it comes to golf bags, we will test all of the key features on the bag to ensure the product is as advertised. So for example, if the manufacturer claims that it is the best waterproof golf bag then we play in the rain when possible and if not then we will pour water on it to find out. You can rest assured that manufacturers cannot pay for a good review from us because we always tell it how we see it. The Golf Monthly testing team consists of 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. That can make it sometimes quite an overwhelming decision. But don't fret, because below we've outlined some of the key points you should consider when purchasing your next golf bag.
1. Bag Type
What kind of bag do you need? Do you walk the course and carry your bag, or do you push a cart? Maybe you're fortunate enough to ride when you play? How you navigate your way around the golf course determines the type of bag you will need, which generally fall into three main categories; stand bags, cart bags and pencil bags. All three have positives and negatives to them and you should think about what is important to you here as a way of choosing accordingly. For example stand bags are designed to be lightweight and comfortable to carry. Waterproofing and durability are important too. Because they are designed for travelling light they don't have as much storage when compared to cart bags. Pencil bags are an extreme version of a stand bag and are even lighter and offer less storage.
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. Cart bags usually offer a lot of storage as well, but this does mean they are bulkier and heavier. There are also hybrid bags available which can either be carried or used effectively on a cart. Check out our guides on the best golf cart bags, best golf stand bags and best golf Sunday bags for more of the best options available right now.
2. Storage
Have a think about how much gear you like to play with. If you like to take a lot, then a cart bag could be the way to go as you can store stuff away, and not have to carry it either. Stand bags often have good storage too but you will obviously have to carry and finally if you don't like to take that much gear onto the course then a pencil bag is ideal.
3. 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.
4. Weight
Weight is important, particularly when carrying. Stand bags and pencil 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, as well as from the car to the cart itself. Thankfully most brands these days make lightweight models because not many players want to use a heavy bag.
5. 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.
For more excellent golf bag offerings, why not check out our guides on the best lightweight golf bags, best budget golf bags and best golf bags for seniors.
FAQs
Should I buy a stand bag or a cart bag?
That depends on your preferences. Cart bags are typically heavier than stand bags and if you like to walk the course as you play, I'd recommend opting for a stand bag as they are lighter and easier to carry. Cart bags meanwhile, are better for players who use golf buggies and carts regularly.
What is a golf pencil bag used for?
Pencil bags are perhaps one of the smallest and most lightweight golf bags you can purchase. They are designed for players who don't want to take a full bag of clubs out on the course with them, but instead want a lightweight bag of around six to seven clubs that'll get them round nine holes or a quick evening 18.
What bag should a senior golfer buy?
Depending on your experience level and how many clubs you use during your round, senior players should look to use golf bags that are both lightweight and come with plenty of support in the straps and at the lumbar. Perhaps look for a lightweight stand bag that also comes with plenty of handles and pockets.
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