We traveled more than 210 miles carrying golf bags from the likes of Callaway, Sun Mountain, and Taylormade to help you find the best bag for your needs.
Our experts have tested 29 golf bags over the past 9 months before handpicking the top eight in our lineup.
Walking over 210 miles with these bags in all sorts of conditions enabled us to test them from every angle.
Simulating the challenges nature throws at them, we compared all bags side-by-side under direct sunlight, on gravel, asphalt, and by the lake.
Carrying them in golf carts and even on planes, the bags in our lineup showed immense strength, flexibility, and rigor.
So, read on, as this review covers everything you need to know about the best golf bags.
Best Golf Bags Summary
Golfible Picks:
Editor’s Choice (best cart bag): Taylormade Select Cart Bag (click to see)
Editor’s Choice (best stand bag): Callaway Golf Chev Stand Bag (click to see)
Best Golf Cart Bag on a Smaller Budget: Cleveland Golf Cart Bag (click to see)
Best Golf Stand Bag on a Smaller Budget: TaylorMade Golf TM Stand Golf Bag 5.0 (click to see on eBay)
Best Premium Golf Bag: Sun Mountain C-130 Golf Cart Bag (click to see)
Ultra Lightweight Golf Bag For Seniors and Course Walkers: Callaway Golf Hyperlite Zero (click to see)
Best Hybrid Golf Bag (Both Stand and Cart Features): Datrek Go Lite Hybrid Stand Bag (click to see)
Best Golf Bag for Storage: Izzo Golf Gemini Cart Golf Bag (click to see on eBay)
Golf Bag Specification Table Comparison
| Golf Bag Name | Taylormade Select Cart Bag | Callaway Golf Chev Stand Bag | Cleveland Golf Cart Bag | TaylorMade Golf TM Stand Golf Bag 5.0 | Sun Mountain C-130 Golf Cart Bag | Callaway Golf Hyperlite Zero | Datrek Go Lite Hybrid Stand Bag | Izzo Golf Gemini Cart Golf Bag |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.3/10 Editor’s Choice (Best Cart Bag) | 9.4/10 Editor’s Choice (Best Stand Bag) | 8.7/10 Best Golf Cart Bag on a Smaller Budget | 8.6/10 Best Golf Stand Bag on a Smaller Budget | 9.3/10 Best Premium Golf Bag | 9.0/10 Ultra Lightweight Golf Bag For Seniors and Course Walkers | 9.0/10 Best Hybrid Golf Bag (Both Stand and Cart Features) | 9.2/10 Best Golf Bag for Storage |
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| Type Of Bag | Cart Bag | Stand Bag | Cart Bag | Stand Bag | Cart Bag | Stand Bag | Hybrid Stand Bag | Cart Bag |
| Number Of Dividers | 14 | 5 | 14 | 4 | 14 | 4 | 14 | 14 |
| Number Of Pockets | 7 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
| Strap Type | Single Strap | Double Strap | Single Strap | Double Strap | Single Strap | Double/Single Strap | Double Strap | Single Strap |
| Weight | 7 Pounds | 5.1 Pounds | 6.8 Pounds | 4.1 Pounds | 7 Pounds | 3 Pounds | 5.2 Pounds | 6.4 Pounds |
| Rain Hood Included | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Read Review | Jump To Taylormade Select Cart Bag Review | Jump To Callaway Golf Chev Stand Bag Review | Jump To Cleveland Golf Cart Bag Review | Jump To TaylorMade TM Stand Golf Bag 5.0 Review | Jump To Sun Mountain C-130 Golf Cart Bag Review | Jump To Callaway Hyperlite Zero Review | Jump To Datrek Go Lite Hybrid Review | Jump To Izzo Gemini Cart Golf Bag Review |
Taylormade Select Cart Bag
Editor’s Choice (best cart bag)
Rating: 9.3 /10
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Pros
- Only seven pounds, which is light for a cart bag.
- Available in a variety of colors from slick black to navy, red and white.
- 14 dividers allows golfers to be easily organized.
Cons
- Big and bulky so if you are looking for a carry bag this one probably isn’t ideal.
- Some users complained of a weak spine and that it falls over easily.
The Taylormade Select Cart Bag was our selection for the best cart bag thanks to its many features, durable construction and organizability.
It features a 14-slot, padded top allowing golfers to put one club in each divider. This helps clubs not to hit and scratch each other as well as not get stuck inside the bag. The bag also includes seven pockets to put all your tees, balls, clothing and other golf gear.
The bag fits securely inside a cart and the pockets are easy to access when attached to the cart.
There is a designated large clothing pocket to store shirts, hats, pants and other apparel. For your valuables such as keys, phone and wallet there is a velour-lined pocket for added protection.
The bag also features a large golf ball pocket that is easily accessible if you need to grab a ball.
A padded shoulder strap was added to make it comfortable to walk with the bag to the cart or during a round on the course.
A large putter well was added to keep the putter separated and protected if you leave the cover off and also to support super-size grips. Golf bags with putter wells are a good option for people who like to keep their putter secluded from the rest of their clubs.
Aside from the strap, at the top of the bag additional grips were added to give the bag more than one way to carry.
A rain hood is included to help keep clubs dry from bad weather such as rain or snow.
Callaway Golf Chev Stand Bag
Editor’s Choice (best stand bag)
Rating: 9.4 /10
uSA Suppliers (Also deliver to Canada)
Pros
- Lightweight with padded straps so easy to walk with.
- Includes an insulated water bottle pocket that helps act as a cooler.
- Comes with an umbrella holder to make sure you never forget it during a rainy day.
Cons
- Most colorways for the bag are light so it can get dirty easily.
- Only has five dividers for club storage.
The Callaway Golf Chev Stand Bag is our pick for best stand bag thanks to its lightweight build, portability and its plethora of features mentioned below.
The golf bag features a 5-way divider to separate clubs. There is an easy-to-grab handle to transport it around as well as two padded straps for comfort when carrying it.
A sturdy stand attached to the bag ensures it stays balanced and upright on uneven ground. The foldable stand opens and closes when it is set down or picked up.
It has an insulated water bottle pocket to keep a drink cold as well as a glove attachment to hold your glove and keep it in good condition.
To protect from the weather, the Chev has a rain hood and also comes with an umbrella holder.
There is a tee holder and five pockets to store golf supplies. These pockets include a ball pocket, the water bottle pocket, an apparel pocket, a velour-lined valuables pocket and an accessory pocket.
Callaway made the bag to be only 5.1 pounds so it is easy to carry around a full course or par-3 course if a golfer prefers walking.
The bag comes in six different colors and has a two-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Cleveland Golf Cart Bag
Best Golf Cart Bag on a Smaller Budget
Rating: 8.7 /10
uSA Suppliers (Also deliver to Canada)
uK Suppliers
Pros
- Cheaper than most bags with as many features.
- Comes with a padded strap for carrying.
- Waterproof zipper on the valuables pocket keeps items dry.
Cons
- Light at 6.8 pounds but could be lighter.
- Doesn’t feature an insulated water bottle pocket to keep drinks cold.
The Cleveland Golf Cart bag is loaded with features and is available around the golf market for a cheaper price than many other high-end bags.
The bag features 14 slots at the top to help separate clubs one by one. There are three different grab handles so it can easily be picked up and put onto the back of a cart or in a vehicle.
Its valuables pocket has a waterproof zipper so your phone, wallet, and keys don’t get wet.
Cleveland added eight convenience pockets to the bag for golfers to store whatever supplies they want inside.
Included in these pockets is a scorecards pocket that many bags do not have as well as a hand and divot sleeve.
Cleveland also made sure that the bag would fit securely to the cart and not fall off with abrupt stops or going up or down hills.
The golf bag weighs 6.8 pounds, is made from polyester and comes in five different colors.
TaylorMade Golf TM Stand Golf Bag 5.0
Budget Option
Rating: 8.6/10
uSA Suppliers (Also deliver to Canada)
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Pros
- Padded air mesh straps allow the bag to be carried like a backpack.
- There aren’t a ton of pockets so things won’t get lost easily.
- Not big and bulky so it can easily fit in a small trunk.
- Super light and easy to transport and carry.
Cons
- Some people might think the layout of the bag is too simple.
- Clubs could get banged around since there are only four organizational slots.
The bag has two backpack-like straps so it can easily be carried behind your back when transporting it. The straps have air mesh holes so it’s breathable, comfortable and allows a golfer to not get too hot.
It has four slots on the top for organizing clubs and six pockets for storage.
There is an anti-slit stand system with foot pads that have good traction so the bag doesn’t fall over.
An EVA molded hip pad was installed on the side to reduce pressure points so it is comfortable.
The bag includes a matching rain hood for protection in bad weather.
Weighing in at only 4.1 pounds, this bag can easily be taken during a walking round. There are six different colors available.
Sun Mountain C-130 Golf Cart Bag
Best Premium Golf Bag
Rating: 9.3 /10
uSA Suppliers (Also deliver to Canada)
Pros
- Magnetic rangefinder pocket makes it easy to keep it in a safe place.
- 14 dividers keep the clubs from hitting each other.
- The ventilated cooler system keeps drinks cold.
Cons
- With so many pockets it might be easy to misplace something.
- Rain cover doesn’t allow you access to the three handles at the top of the bag.
- Golf pencils don’t fit in the pen holder.
We picked the Sun Mountain C-130 as our choice for best premium golf bag due to its high end features and durable build. It is Sun Mountain’s top selling cart bag.
The bag has 14 club dividers, one for each club, and a specialized putter slot. These slots run all the way to the bottom of the bag so the grips and shafts don’t make contact with each other.
The top of the bag measures 10.5 inches.
This bag was designed mainly for carts. There are three utility handles so the bag can easily be placed inside the cart. There is a smart strap system included so the two velcro straps attach to the cart so they don’t get in the way of the pockets. They also help prevent the bag from moving around.
There are 13 pockets in the bag so players can be fully organized. These pockets include two long apparel pockets, two velour-lined valuables pockets (one is waterproof) and a ventilated cooler pocket.
There is also a rangefinder pocket that is easily accessible with a magnetic closure system.
A padded strap was also added in case a golfer wants to carry it around the course.
There are 12 colors available when purchasing.
Callaway Golf Hyperlite Zero
Ultra Lightweight Golf Bag For Seniors and Course Walkers
Rating: 9.0 /10
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Pros
- Only three pounds so extremely easy to carry around the course.
- Padded straps work like a backpack.
- Has seven pockets despite being a smaller bag.
Cons
- Some reviewers said their backs were poked when carrying it by one of the handles.
- Has only four slots to store clubs.
- Some users said the straps were cumbersome.
The Callaway Hyperlite Zeros are not only some of the best looking golf bags according to reviewers, but also the best golf bag to carry around the course from the Callaway bag line as well.
The bag was built with ripstop fabric that allows the bag to be only three pounds and prevents tears. It is Callaway’s lightest stand bag available.
At three pounds, the bag is simple to carry around the course and doesn’t put added stress on a golfer’s back nor make them exhausted after hauling the bag around 18 holes.
There are seven pockets included with the bag and for easy access to gear, a tee pocket was also added by Callaway so you don’t poke yourself.
There are four dividers for club storage on the top and a self-balancing straps system makes it easy and comfortable to carry around the course. The optifit comfort backpack-style straps make it hassle-free.
A cell phone sleeve was added to help protect valuables and large zippers were built in to make them longer lasting and more durable.
The stand included with the easily folds out when you set it down and keeps the bag balanced on uneven ground.
The bag can be purchased with a single strap or double strap. It is available in five different colors.
Datrek Go Lite Hybrid Stand Bag
Best Hybrid Golf Bag (Both Stand and Cart Features)
Rating: 9.0 /10
uSA Suppliers (Also deliver to Canada)
Pros
- Only 5.2 pounds so easy to haul around.
- The 14-way dividers help golfers be organized and are rarely found in a bag at this price point.
- Comes with an insulated cooler to keep drinks cold.
Cons
- Some reviewers indicated that the straps came apart after a few months.
- A few owners complained that the handle fell off after a couple weeks.
The Datrek Go Lite bag is a great hybrid bag for golfers looking to get the best out of a stand bag and a cart bag.
Datrek added a 14-way top divider that is 10.5 inches to separate clubs while making the bag only 5.2 pounds. Among the dividers are an oversized putter and driver well to make sure the clubs don’t get tangled and hit each other.
There is a Top-Lok system to securely attach the bag to push carts so it’s easy to haul and doesn’t fall off while going up or down hills. A cart strap was integrated to easily attach it to golf carts and not restrict access to the pockets.
The stand on the Datrek is sturdy and comes with gripped feet so it doesn’t slip. The stand is ideal for placing the bag down on a slope or hill.
A handle was added to easily transport the bag into vehicles or golf carts.
If you want to carry the bag, it should be comfortable with a padded double shoulder strap and hip pad.
Six pockets on the bag give golfers flexibility on where they want to store their equipment and gear. Included in the six pockets are a large apparel pocket and a fleece-lined valuables pocket.
There is also a large insulated cooler pocket to keep drinks cold and an oversized golf ball pocket to store balls and other equipment.
For bad weather, the bag comes with an umbrella holder and a rain hood.
The bag comes in six different colors and its price point is considered a near-budget value compared to other bags in this list.
Izzo Golf Gemini Cart Golf Bag
Best Golf Bag for Storage
Rating: 9.2 /10
Pros
- Includes two umbrella holders.
- Magnetic pockets allow for easy protection and access to valuables.
- Cart strap helps keep the bag secure in the cart.
Cons
- Some users said the zippers stopped working shortly after purchase.
- A few buyers said they tried to personalize the ball pocket but that it came stock.
Izzo created a golf cart bag that can easily be carried at 6.4 pounds but designated it as a cart bag thanks to its many organizational features.
The bag has four club dividers and is made of heavy duty nylon to make it last for years and keep it durable.
There are three magnetic pockets that are easy to open and can hold anything from apparel to golf gear. Izzo also added two power pockets that come with a lithium ion power pack to help keep devices charged while they sit in the bag.
A velour-lined water resistant valuables pocket comes with the bag to help secure valuables and keep them dry.
A cooler pocket keeps drinks cold and a rangefinder pocket conveniently placed makes it quick and simple to get a yardage.
Izzo added two convenient velcro glove holders so you can simply access your golf gloves without having to scrunch them up inside your bag. Two metal towel rings equipped with bottle openers were also added.
For rain, there is a rain cover as well as two umbrella holders.
A built in cart lock strap keeps the bag from falling off the cart while driving through rough terrain and up or down hills.
The bag comes in five different colors and includes a personalizable ball pocket.
What should I look for when buying a golf bag?
When buying a golf bag there are many important factors such as the following:
Type of player: If you’re a player who prefers walking on golf courses and carrying their bag then it is vital to find a lightweight bag with a good stand since you’ll be setting it down a lot and a back-pack type strap so you can easily transport it around the course.
Buying a heavy staff bag will put a lot more stress on your back and many don’t come with two straps.
If you prefer riding around the course with a cart then a large bag with a lot of pockets will probably be more ideal.
Appearance: Many golfers enjoy the appearance of their bags so it is important if you prefer one that won’t get dirty easily to choose a darker color.
If you’re going to wash it often or like loud colors then choose a brighter color.
If you want to look like one of the many pros with a staff bag you can go in that direction just know lugging it around won’t be easy.
Weather: Having a bag that is waterproof or at least comes with a good raincover is a good idea in case you get caught during a rainy day. Another cool feature some bags have is an umbrella pocket.
Storage: If you’re organized, then a bag with many pockets can come in handy. If you’re not organized and forget where you put stuff, buying a bag with less pockets is a good idea.
Durability: No matter what kind of golfer you are, having a durable bag is important. It should be able to withstand drops and bouncing around in the cart. Tees and pencils shouldn’t create holes and pop out of the bag.
Many people ask who makes durable bags? Some companies such as Sun Mountain, Callaway and Taylormade are among the most reputable bag sellers.
Make sure to research what kind of material the bag is made from and read reviews from previous owners.
Weight: This is a very important factor especially if you like walking around the course. Having a super heavy bag can make you tired quickly and affect your golf game. Bags six pounds and lighter are ideal for walking around the course with.
Protection: The purpose of the golf bag is not only to store your golf clubs but also to keep them safe and protected. 14-way dividers prevent clubs from scratching each other. Some cart bags have full length dividers that reach the bottom of the bag so grips and shafts don’t constantly clank.
Strap or not: If you’re wanting to walk the course make sure you get a bag with a strap. Some golfers prefer one strap bags and others prefer backpack-like double straps.
Cooler Pocket: Golf bags with cooler pockets allow players to keep their drinks cold throughout the round and prevent the need to bring an ice chest to the course.
Price: Many golfers ask “how much are golf bags?” Many golf bags range from $100-$300. It depends on what brand and what preferences the buyer wants. Staff bags and cart bags are usually more expensive while stand bags often come at a lower price.
Large or Small Golf Bag: Which One For You?
Large golf bags usually come with more pockets and 14-way dividers allowing for more space, storage and organization. The drawback is they are usually heavy and less transportable. Staff bags and cart bags typically tend to be larger.
Smaller golf bags are usually lighter and more portable. They often have less storage but are ideal for walking around the course. They will usually have less dividers but take up less space in the trunk or back of a cart.
Are golf bags waterproof?
Many golf bags on the market are not completely waterproof but do come with waterproof valuables pockets to protect important items. They also come with rain hoods to protect the clubs.
There are waterproof golf bags available to buy such as the Titleist StaDry series that is completely waterproof and made from nylon fabric. Mizuno also makes a completely waterproof bag made from polyester and the Ping Hoofer Monsoon also offers 100 percent protection against the rain.
Should I buy a cart bag or a stand bag?
Below are the main differences between a cart bag and stand bag.
Cart bag:
-Designed to be carried by a cart or pull cart.
-Big and bulky.
-Stands upright on flat surfaces but not on slopes, has to be set down.
-Has many pockets.
-Not easy to carry around the course.
-Usually only has one strap.
Stand bag:
-Has a stand that allows the bag to stand on slopes while the golfer hits their shot.
-Usually lightweight and a lot easier to carry around the course.
-Many have a backpack-like harness.
-Will usually have less storage than a cart bag.
-Carrying one of these after several hours can help burn fat and increase endurance.
-Smaller and more compact than a cart bag.
What golf bag does Tiger Woods use?
Tiger Woods uses a Vessel staff bag. The bag is black with one of his sponsors, Monster Energy, printed all over it.
How to clean golf bags
Below is a youtube video on how to clean a backpack. It also applies to cleaning a golf bag. Using these simple steps will have your golf bag looking good as new in no time.
First, take one part vinegar and two parts water in a bowl. Mix them well with a spoon or other item.
Second, use a toothbrush to clean the surface of the bag with the mixture. Rub the stains with the toothbrush with as much pressure as needed.
Third, wipe all the dirt with a piece of cloth.
Lastly, spray the bag with a scented, non-stainable spray to remove the vinegar odor.
A good way to clean inside the pockets of the bag and remove dirt is to use the hose on a vacuum cleaner.
How do I keep my golf bag from fading?
Since golf bags sit in the sun for hours and get rained on the colors can fade over time. A good way to prevent this is to use a waterproof fabric protection spray on the bag. To protect from the sun, spray it with a UV protection spray.
Conclusion
After reviewing eight of the top rated golf bags it’s evident there are many factors to consider when purchasing one. Our two picks for editor’s choice, The Taylormade Select cart bag and the Callaway Chev stand bag had the best features for each style of bag.
The 14-way dividers for the Select make it easy to stay organized and the lightweight portability of the Chev makes it one of the best walking golf bags.
Be sure to comment what kind of golf bag you use and why you like it.
