Best Golf Stand Bags 2024

When it comes to organizing and planning your golf game, choosing the right golf bag is going to make all the difference. Unless you are lucky enough to have a caddy who is willing to lug a big tour bag around, then you are going to want to travel light and with the freedom to move around the golf course.

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

So, if you're a golfer who enjoys carrying their clubs, you'll need something lightweight that sits comfortably on your back. This is vital because a bag that isn't comfortable is going to negatively impact your performance, particularly when you get to the back nine and tiredness starts to kick in. 

Depending on the conditions you normally play in, you might also want to opt for a waterproof bag, with the quality of the stand and the amount of storage available something that needs to be considered when making your next purchase.

Put simply, there are a lot of factors that need examining before making your next decision. Even easy access to pockets, robustness and stability should be considered and, as such, it can be difficult to know where to start. However, at Golf Monthly, we have reviewed and tested a wide range of stand bags from multiple brands and selected our favorites below. 

Additionally, you should take a look at some of our other golf bag guides too - such as the best golf bags, best golf trolley bags, or the best waterproof golf bags. So without further ado, what are the best golf stand bags?

The Quick List

Best Golf Stand Bags - Best Golf Carry Bags

Best overall

One of the best golf bags on the market and perhaps the most well-known range within the stand bag sector, the Ping Hoofer continues to offer an incredible blend of performance and stylish looks for a wide array of golfers.

To begin with, it is lightweight at just 5.5lbs, with the comfortable nature coming from two well-cushioned straps and a hip pad. Unlike some stand bags, the Hoofer is able to go onto a push cart, as the cart strap channel passes underneath the main pocket. This means that it is straightforward to attach and ensures unrestricted access to pockets.

In regards to pockets, there are 11 on the Hoofer, with all 11 varying in size and depth, so there is plenty of space to put waterproofs, drinks etc. Lastly, like the best Ping golf bags, the stand itself is excellent and performed perfectly in all manner of conditions and terrain. Downhill, uphill or sidehill lies were conquered with absolute ease thanks to the quality of the stand itself, and the renowned Hoofer base design.

• Read our full Ping Hoofer Stand Bag Review

Best looking

The Titleist Players 5 StaDry Stand Bag is a stylish, classic-looking bag that really strikes the right chord with us. One of the best Titleist golf bags on the market, the design remains faithful to the DNA that made it resonate with so many golfers worldwide.

As well as the appealing aesthetics, the bag has tons of practical features too, including two external lined cooler pouches to store your beverages, a Sharpie holder and a spacious golf ball pocket. Titleist have also added a new 5-way top divider to aid with both club organisation and accessibility. 

This bag oozes class and simplicity and comes in four color options that will appeal to a wide range of tastes, but the main stand-out feature, in our testing, was the straps, which didn't twist or tangle throughout the 10 rounds we used the bag for.

• Read our full Titleist Players 5 StaDry Stand Bag Review

Best value

Straight out the gate, we must say that this is one of the best lightweight golf bags on the market, with the Exo Lite weighing in at just 3.5lbs. However, don't mistake that for a lack of sturdiness as, in testing, we had no problems with the legs kicking out when placed on the ground and, on a windy day, there will be peace of mind knowing it won't topple over. 

Admittedly, we have tested better straps but, importantly, they are comfortable and easy enough to adjust, whilst the comprehensive hip pad makes for an altogether comfortable experience over the shoulders and back. One other point to note, is that the bag isn't fully waterproof, making it more suited to summer months.

There is a lot to like about the Exo Lite Stand Bag, with the stand-out feature, for us, being the magnetic rangefinder pocket. Not only is it convenient, it also feels super-premium. If you don't want to store your rangefinder in this pocket then there are plenty of other pockets that will do, or there's even an accessory clip that you can utilize as an alternative.

• Read our full Wilson Exo Lite Stand Bag Review

Best premium

Southern California brand, Vessel, are known for their luxury travel bags and, if you're after an up market, trendy golf bag then this designer offering could be for you. The Player Air seems to have achieved the Holy Grail and delivered a genuinely lightweight golf bag that is packed with features and has plenty of room for storage. 

Beginning with the strap system, which is Vessel’s patented Equilibrium 2.0 Double Strap, it is very clever and delivers multiple benefits. Because it has an 8-point swivel mechanism, which self-adjusts to the way a golfer walks, it balances perfectly, whilst the straps themselves are padded and very comfortable. 

Arguably, the stand-out of this bag are the aesthetics, which are, quite simply, stunning! The all-over black finish really adds a premium feel and there are three other colors to choose from as well. However, all this innovation, style and high-quality material does mean the Player Air comes in at the higher end, price-wise, on the market, but with carbon fibre and premium fabrics used, we think it's certainly worth it.

• Read our full Vessel Player Air Stand Bag Review

Best lightweight

Sun Mountain have been making high-quality golf bags for years now and this continues with the 2024 edition of the Litespeed bag. Featuring a range of new colors and patterns, there are also some new bits of technology to mention as well, making this one of the best lightweight fully waterproof stand bags money can by. The fabric is given a waterproof treatment on both sides and has seamed seals making it impossible for water to penetrate through the bag and soak whatever is inside. 

Additionally, as the name would suggest, it is very light, at around the 4.4 pounds mark, which equates to just two kilograms. It barely makes an impression on your back and the sensation of ease when carrying is bolstered by the new bubble design hip pad and the X-strap system. 

Finally, the pockets are well designed and they are laid out in a way that clearly shows this bag has been produced for golfers, with the Litespeed one of the most complete and well thought-out stand bags we have tested recently. Because of this, we have added it to our best Sun Mountain golf bags as well.

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

Best unique style

According to G/FORE, this is the brand’s best-selling carry bag, and it’s easy to see why, as it offers standout looks, tons of features and great versatility. Put simply, this bag oozes style and attitude!

It's not just the looks, though, where this bag works well, as the clever strap system ensures it feels superb when on the back and, a cool feature we really enjoyed, was the way you can make it a single strap if you want to by clipping the straps on and off. It’s remarkably sturdy, too, with the chrome plated fiberglass legs and feet ensuring it’s never in danger of toppling over.

Practicality-wise, there are an adequate number of pockets available, but the attention to detail is where this bag stands out. There's a small loop for putting your towel and/or bag tags on, and also a really good fixture for your umbrella. The little things make a difference and, overall, the style is fantastic, with tone stitching and quilted panels giving it a premium feel.  

• Read our full G/FORE Daytona Plus Carry Bag Review

Best waterproof

A terrific offering from Callaway, with its 2kg (4.4lbs) weight making this is one of the most lightweight bags you can buy that is still capable of holding all 14 golf clubs plus everything else a golfer needs. 

To begin with, the Fairway C has an all-new strap and hip pad system that uses EVA molding for added comfort around the shoulders and back. This really stood out in testing and 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 other options on the market. 

All in all, the Fairway C provided one of the best carrying experiences we've had with a golf bag and, to help the experience further, there are five pockets in total, with the valuables' pockets the stand-out for us because it is fleece-lined to protect your phone from scratching. It's pretty deep too, meaning you can comfortably store a phone, wallet, keys etc in there. The only slight let-down was the cooler pocket; this is because the opening is on the small side and means it is too tight to slip a water bottle in and out easily when on the move. 

• Read our full Callaway Fairway C HD Golf Bag Review

Best strap design

The main selling point of this bag is its waterproofness as, in testing, we found that, in changing conditions, the Ultradry Pro kept all our clubs and personal items bone-dry. 

How does it keep everything protected? Well, it has seam-sealed zippered pockets and Cobra have also included a waterproof rain hood that diverts water away from your club heads and shafts.

Another aspect of the Ultradry Pro that really impressed us was the straps. Not only were they well-padded, but the Swivel Strap worked superbly throughout the round. This system has a well-positioned shoulder clip that 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.

• Read our full Cobra Ultradry Pro 2023 Stand Bag Review

Best hybrid bag

We have always been fans of Big Max bags and, to begin with, we feel the Dri Lite Hybrid Plus is excellent for golfers who are not put off by bad weather, as it is designed to keep all water out. The material and zippers will hold firm against a severe rainstorm, whilst the versatility of this bag is yet another stand-out.

Given the name Hybrid, it can either be carried or attached to a cart or trolley. This is useful because it means you don't need to have more than one golf bag, as the Big Max is versatile enough for any situation. Admittedly, it isn't the most lightweight bag on this list but, considering it doubles up as a cart bag, it is surprisingly lightweight and comes in at around 2kg. 

Finally, we see yet more handy features, such as a dual padded strap system that makes it very easy and comfortable to carry. The Dri Lite Hybrid Plus also comes with a 14-way divider system for your clubs, which is a big bonus that we don't often see on golf stand bags. It will also easily attach to any of the best push carts or electric trolleys, thanks to its flat bottom.

• Read our full Big Max Dri Lite Hybrid Plus Stand Bag Review

Best storage

In total, there are nine pockets on the FlexTech, which include a full-length apparel pocket, water bottle pocket, magnetic cooler pocket and a fleece-lined, fully waterproof valuables' pocket. We can confidently say it's the most varied and well-proportioned amount of pockets we've ever tested on a stand bag.

However, the FlexTech is more than just a stand bag so, much like the Big Max Dri Lite hybrid mentioned above, if you like to carry and use a push cart or electric trolley from time to time, then this bag will suit you to a tee. 

It boasts a cart strap pass-through area, as well as removable straps, which allows it to be used as a cart bag with ease. The straps are excellent; nicely padded on the shoulders and the self-adjusting strap system allows you to quickly find the most comfortable position. The only downside to this bag is that it is not fully waterproof and, as such, you will want to bear this in mind if you play frequently in the wet.

• Read our full TaylorMade FlexTech 2023 Stand Bag Review

Best summer bag

The Mizuno K1-LO is a versatile, lightweight stand bag designed to help you get around the course in some of the harshest weather conditions whilst staying bone dry. Although best suited to summer months, our testing found it can withstand heavy rain, so it can deal with those sudden downpours. 

Visually, this bag is excellent and, importantly, there is plenty of storage space on offer as the bag boasts nine pockets, including a full-length apparel pocket and a fur-lined valuables' pocket that we found very useful. The bag also has a Velcro glove patch, whilst the legs are lightweight and sturdy, dealing with whatever weather conditions are thrown at it.

As well as the blue and white, it also comes in four other colorways, so it will appeal to many different kinds of golfers and, overall, we thoroughly enjoyed testing this bag, with the high-density foam shoulder straps making it a joy to carry.

• Read our full Mizuno K1-LO Stand Bag Review

Most eye catching design

To begin with, the main standout of this bag is the design, which includes multiple eye-catching colorways. We tested the 'Aloha Oe' model and, if that look isn't to your taste, then OGIO have other models available, some equally as bright, and others a touch more subdued.

Performance-wise, there's a lot to like, as the bag is constructed with various solid sections, such as the top rim, bottom of the bag and the stand. There are even delicate sections like a soft padded back rest and soft inner lining of the valuables' pocket. In all, we feel that a lot of thought and care has been put into the design of this bag.

Out on the course, the six spacious pockets provided ample storage, whilst the sturdy construction and comfortable carry experience make it a superb performing bag in all areas. What's more, there are other features, such as an umbrella holder, as well as OGIO’s very clever Fit Disc self-balancing strap system.

• Read our full OGIO 2024 Fuse Stand Bag Review

How we test the best golf stand bags

When it comes to our process of testing golf stand bags, we take it very seriously. Whether we are sent a product or buy it ourselves, we put each bag to the test out on the golf course to ensure we can provide thorough and reliable advice. Most importantly though, manufacturers cannot pay for a good review because we tell it how we see it. Every member of the Golf Monthly team is an avid golfer and as such, knows what does and doesn't make for a good stand bag.

As far as our methodology goes, if we say we have reviewed a product, that means we have done so properly. We also endeavor to use all the features on the golf bag. That means, for example, if the valuables pocket claims to be waterproof, we will pour water on it to find out.

Specifically to stand bags, we put the stand itself to the test on different lies, angles and ground conditions because there is nothing more annoying than a stand bag with a poor stand. This comprehensive testing style is not just exclusive to golf bags either, we test using the same ethos and methodology across all gear categories.

How to choose a stand bag

So what are some of the factors to consider when you are purchasing a stand bag? Well below we have listed some that we think are the most important and most of the bags above will satisfy all our criteria.

Weight

If it is going to be on your back and shoulders during the round, then it has to be light and it is important to realize that some models are lighter than others. That being said if you want heavier models or ones you can use on carts too, there are models designed for that.

Comfort

On that same kind of note, comfort is also vitally important. It has to fit properly on your body whilst also having comfortable straps. Some also have padded areas around the hips and back as well which helps.

Strength

Whilst a good stand bag will be light and comfortable, it should also be strong whether it be the core bag section, the strap, or the stand itself. Preferably the sturdier the better because it has to protect your golf clubs properly.

Storage

If storage for all your gear is important, then some bags have more, and larger, pockets. The top models will have specifically designed pockets for your apparel, balls, accessories, perhaps a beverage pocket and definitely one to house valuables.

Waterproof

If you see yourself playing in the rain a lot then waterproofing will be a factor to consider. Some models above are better than others in this regard because they have been designed as such.

Looks

Importantly many brands have started to realize that we want our golf bags to look good as well as be functional. As such there are loads of unique designs and colors to choose from so it is a case of finding something you like the look of.

Budget

The final factor to consider is of course price. When choosing a golf bag you have to be aware of what you can afford because there are good models at every single price point. If you want to spend more, or less, then there is a bag for everyone.

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