It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting out on your golf journey or you’re ready to level up your links experience; a golf bag is an essential piece of equipment. Bags are hardly an interchangeable commodity, though; the best golf bag for you is the one that suits your particular needs on the course. Whether you prefer to zip around in a cart, use a pull-cart or sling a bag over your shoulder, there’s a golf bag for every handicap.
No matter how you plan to use your bag, it needs to be rugged and robust enough to protect your gear and give you convenient access to everything you plan to use on the course. From there, it’s a matter of finding the right bag for your needs. Walking a golf course is great to get those extra steps in, for example, but lugging around a heavy bag can play havoc with your back and affect your swing—so if you're looking for a carry bag, you might put a premium on size and weight. In contrast, cart bags are great for golfers who like to pack and ride strategically along with snacks, drinks, layers of clothing and perhaps even a portable speaker. In other words, weight takes a backseat to big pockets and ample storage.
Ready to see your options? we’ve rounded up some of the very best golf bags you can buy right now. There’s something here for every type of golfer and skill level.
- Best Golf Bag Overall: Ping Hoofer Lite Stand Golf Bag
- Best Waterproof Golf Bag: Titleist Players 4 StaDry Golf Bag
- Best Golf Bag For Carts: Vessel LUX XV Cart Bag
- Best Golf Bag For Walking: Stitch SL2 Solid Golf Bag
- Best Lightweight Golf Bag: Sunday Golf Loma Stand Bag
- Best Hard Case Golf Bag: Samsonite Golf Hard-Sided Travel Cover Case
- Best Golf Bag Under $200: Sun Mountain 3.5LS Golf Stand Bag
- Best Golf Bag for Ladies: Callaway Fairway C Women's Stand Bag
Best Golf Bag Overall
A Lightweight Walking Bag That’s At Home On The Cart, Too
The Ping Hoofer Lite Stand Golf Bag is moderately priced but offers a solid array of features that should work for most golfers, though weighing in at just under 5 pounds, it’s really aimed squarely at walkers. The Hoofer features a wide leg stand for rock-solid stability, and you get a choice to carry this bag with single or dual shoulder strap.
It’s not limited to being a walking bag, though. The Ping Hoofer can also sit comfortably in a cart or a pull-cart thanks to its cart strap channel which helps it stay securely in place while riding. With seven storage pockets, this bag has separate compartments for water-resistant valuables, a full-size bottle, rangefinder and more. The Hoofer is water resistant and comes with an attached rain hood.
- Club dividers: 4-way top
- Pockets: 7
- Weight: 5 pounds
- Cool Extra Feature: Dual or single convertible shoulder strap
Best Waterproof Golf Bag
A Walking Bag That Keeps Everything Dry
For a lot of folks, the most appealing part of the game is getting to play it outdoors, fully in the elements. Unfortunately, that means walking the links in the rain is occasionally inevitable. Having a soggy scorecard to turn in at the end of the round is never a good feeling, making waterproof bags essential for both competitive and leisurely play.
The antidote is Titleist’s StaDry bag, which features robust waterproof construction with seam-sealed zippers to keep your pockets dry. It has a 4-wat divider for clubs and 7 pockets form balls, apparel, rangefinder, water bottle and more. This lightweight bag clocks in at just under 4 pounds, making it a great walking bag. And that’s despite having high-grade aluminum legs and a clever hinged bottom for improved stability from the tee to the green.
- Club dividers: 4-way top
- Pockets: 7
- Weight: 3.8 pounds
- Cool Extra Feature: StayDry waterproof design
Best Golf Bag For Carts
A Cart Bag With All The Storage Space
The Vessel Lux XV Cart Bag is a spacious choice that lets you make the most of any golf cart. Some golfers love to be prepared for every type of condition or occasion, and this Vessel model offers almost more storage than you can even imagine. With dual magnetic water bottle sleeves with drainage and an insulated cooler pocket for increased beverage storage, this bag leaves you with no excuse to not stay hydrated.
The Lux XV includes tour-grade synthetic leather and a dedicated putter well. It has three forward-facing pockets—a zip pocket, magnetic rangefinder pocket and ball pocket for easy access throughout your round along with dual personalized side pockets and even a combination lock-protected interior storage for valuables. Befitting a bag you don’t have to lug around, that’s just for starters—it also includes a tee holder, umbrella holder, bottle opener and towel ring.
- Club dividers: 15-way top
- Pockets: 12
- Weight: 8 pounds
- Cool Extra Feature: Insulated cooler pocket
Best Golf Bag For Walking
A Light And Carryable Bag Whether You’re Playing 9, 18 or 36
If you are looking for a stylish and functional walking bag, the Stitch SL2 Solid Golf Bag checks every box. The SL2 rings in at a higher price point, but we think it’s worth the hit on your credit card given how complete this bag is despite the compact and sleek design.
Stitch’s Touring Fabric has the strength of leather, but is softer to the touch, lightweight and more durable. This bag features a 4-way top, an array of zippered side pockets for copious amounts of storage and an attachable rain hood. Need some customization? You can get a personalized ingot for your initials (if you don’t customize it, the ingot comes blank). This bag is easy to carry and sits comfortably on the back.
- Club dividers: 4-way top
- Pockets: 6
- Weight: 4 pounds
- Cool Extra Feature: Water and stain resistant
Best Lightweight Golf Bag
Just Enough Bag For An Executive Golf Course
The Sunday Golf Loma Stand Bag is for the golfer who likes to play par-3 courses or only needs a few clubs to beat the course record—or, more likely, for a beginner with just a few clubs. This stand bag is is pretty diminutive—its small and lightweight (it’s a scant two pounds!), yet is sturdy and has an impressive amount of storage considering its size and weight.
The two-way top can comfortably hold 6 to 7 clubs, and it also has a velour-lined valuables pocket, waterproof zippers and an insulated pocket for your favorite beverages. And moving it around is a snap thanks to a carry handle and removable strap.
- Club dividers: 2-way top
- Pockets: 5
- Weight: 2 pounds
- Cool Extra Feature: 8 colorways
Best Hard Case Golf Bag
An ABS Shell To Protect Precious When Getting From Here To There
You’re going on your first golfing vacation—congratulations. The only problem? You need to get your clubs to your destination. What you need is a hard case to hold your bag, and Samsonite's travel case is a smart choice. The walls of the case are made from a very durable, impact-resistant ABS shell, insulating the insides from the rigors of travel. The bag can hold just your clubs or the entire bag if you prefer, roomy enough for even larger bags with a 10.5-inch top and 48-inch clubs.
Inside, the case is padded with a quilted interior and and there’s foam to cushion the club heads as well. Compression straps let you firmly hold everything in place, so nothing will roll or jiggle around in transit. And to get it to the check-in desk, the case rolls around on multi-directional spinner wheels, or lean it to engage a pair of skate wheels. Despite all of its features, this bag weighs just five pounds.
- Club dividers: N/A
- Pockets: N/A
- Weight: 5 pounds
- Cool Extra Feature: Compression straps and ample padding
Best Golf Bag Under $200
You Won’t Find More Storage At This Price
Sun Mountain is known for its line of lightweight carry golf bags, and in particular, the brand’s 3.5LS is an absolute steal. If you are looking for a golf bag on a budget, this bag is about as good as it gets, with a wide array of useful features. The 3.5LS features a 4-way top and 9 pockets for ample storage, for example, yet clocks in around four pounds.
Sun Mountain’s X-Strap System makes it easy to get on and off, and it’s designed to work great for single strap carries as well. The stand bag has sturdy carbon fiber legs and is water resistant for all course conditions.
- Club dividers: 4
- Pockets: 9
- Weight: 4 pounds
- Cool Extra Feature: X-Strap System
Best Golf Bag for Ladies
But You Really Need To Love Pink
Callaway has been a trusted golf brand for years and its Women’s Stand Bag is perfect to cart or walk. Be advised, though, that Callaway goes all in on the “feminine” vibe, with a bright pink and black two-tone fabric finish that might not be to every woman's taste. But if it is, this bag makes a statement.
Weighing in at just 4 pounds, the signature double strap design is easy to carry from tee to green. Stand out from the rest with a beautiful pink camouflage print made from a rugged and durable fabric. With new reliable metal zip pulls and an alloy towel ring, this bag is very durable and can stand up to a lot of day-to-day abuse.
- Club dividers: 4
- Pockets: 6
- Weight: 4 pounds
- Cool Extra Feature: Pink camouflage design
