Golf Bags

Next to your clubs,  your golf bag  is one of the most important items when it comes to enjoying your golfing experience. Distant are the days where bags only carried your clubs and a few spare balls ; today's bags blend lightweight material, ingenious features, and myriad pockets, pouches, nooks and crannies, to tote everything you'll need on the links. It won't knock strokes off your handicap, but a good bag will definitely make chasing your ball around more pleasurable. Besides, you wouldn't put hubcaps on your Bimmer, so why would you carry your expensive set of clubs in a cheap, ratty, or outdated bag?

Types of Golf Bag

Top Picks: Golf Digest Editor's Choices

The Bag Boy NXO Revolver  is a cart bag with a rotating top that easily lets you select clubs without fumbling ($160).

The Sun Mountain Lightning  carry bag is designed with the golfer in mind: slip-stop legs, roomy interior, lightweight body, lots of storage pockets, and a well balanced handle ($190).



A hybrid bag that offers the lightness of a stand bag but the full-featured luxury of a cart bag, try the Ogio Syncro. 

Pencil Bags or Sunday Bags 

These no-frills models are extremely small and lightweight, but still have the room to carry 14 clubs. They're perfect for storing your clubs in a locker or a car. Good for use on dry days as they provide little protection against rain.

Stand Bag 

A stand bag is basically a carry bag with legs. Two legs under the bag spring out when the bag is placed on the ground, which lets your bag stand nicely at your side on and off the fairway. This also keeps your clubs and bag clean and dry, and makes it easier to select clubs. When purchasing a stand bag, it's important to test the stand with clubs inside the bag to make sure the bag will be sturdy when you're on the course. Look for:

  • Slip-stop end protectors to keep the legs from sliding.
  • Reinforced legs are the sturdiest.
  • Ergonomic straps make carrying much easier and more comfortable.
  • Double straps are usually better balanced, making the bag easier to carry.
  • Look for straps that are easily adjustable. Some use clips or are one hand adjustible.
  • Pockets for storing stuff onboard is helpful.

Cart Bags 

Cart bags are meant to remain in the cart, not to be carried, thus they have no legs. Instead they have a sturdy base that allows them to stand upright and some basic straps for toting them. Since they are not meant for lugging around, they have lots of compartments to store valuables and other things, such as balls and tees, even cold drinks. Most have a very roomy club area that can hold up to 15 clubs safely and in an organized fashion. Look for wheels to make transport easier.

Travel Bag 

The travel bag is designed to carry your golf bag when you travel, allowing you to place your regular bag inside during transit. There are hard and soft case models, but providing their own pluses and minuses. The hard bag is extremely rigid, and will not fit easily into the back of many cars, but they are great for keeping clubs safe during transit. As the name implies, the soft case is made of softer material, and is more suited for less demanding situations and storage. A case with wheels is often preferably for carrying these often heavy bags.

Major Manufacturers