10 Best Golf Bags (Review) In 2021

Features To look For In Best Golf Bags

The top-rated golf bags come with a whole heap of features and benefits that have been specially designed to meet a golfers playing style and preferences. Some of these features are common across all the different types of bags (stand, cart, carry and hybrid) and will help you determine if that’s the right golf bag for you.

Size- You need to choose a bag that will comfortably accommodate the size of your clubs. Most golfers, even those just starting out, tend to be “enthusiastic” about their new pastime, so you’re likely to know already precisely what size clubs you’re investing in which will determine what bag you also go for.

Weight- All that golfing equipment can work out to be quite heavy so keep that in mind when you are purchasing a bag, especially if you do intend carrying it around the green. A lightweight option may help reduce the overall load.

Dividing System- The dividing system you have in place will help to protect those valuable putters of yours and keep your club shafts separated inside your bag. Some bags have no dividers at all, others have 14-way dividers that allow for one totally separate club to be placed in each spot whereas others have partial dividing systems so that your shafts will intermingle in the bag itself. Your choice entirely.

Pockets- The amount of pockets you go for depends upon how much additional gear you are likely to take with you. Some bags only have one or two pockets, others have a whole range which might be useful for additional spare balls, tees, valuables, extra apparel, etc.

Cooler Pocket- An additional beneficial feature is an insulated cooler pocket, perfect for storing that refreshing bottle or can of something cold and tasty for when you work up a thirst on the back nine before you head back into the clubhouse.

Rain Hood- Not something that’s fitted as standard but certainly a convenient extra if you do enjoy a round of golf whatever the weather. You might not mind getting wet yourself, but woe betides if those precious clubs you’ve invested in get wet!

Towel Rings- Lots of higher end bags will come with a towel loop, ring or clip system which is a great functional little extra that means you can quickly grab a towel to wipe any dirt or debris off your clubs before you put them back away into their designated divider section.

Umbrella Holder- A convenient extra feature, depending upon where in the world you predominantly do the majority of your golfing, is a convenient umbrella holder in case of a spot of rain mid round!

Types Of Golf Bags:

Think of your golf bag as your best friend, by your side through thick and thin, good games and bad, sunshine and showers! Knowing which type of gold bag is best suited for you is as important as picking out your clubs. Functionality and comfort are of course key. Below are the main types of golf bags you could opt for.

Staff/Caddy Bags

These are top of the range bags as used by the Pros of the circuit. They’re characteristically going to carry prominently displayed brand logos and are more luxurious and roomy. Great if you have your own personal caddy! A bit cumbersome if you have to lug your own staff bag around. They may not be light, but they are certainly going to be well constructed, expertly craved and packed with plentiful storage and additional features.

Cart Bags – Riders or Pull Carts

Slightly smaller than the staff/caddy bags we just reviewed and noticeably lighter too, a cart bag is specially designed to go with either a golf riding cart or a golf push cart. If you do plan walking around the course, then a cart bag isn’t really going to be your best bet as they’re not manufactured to be carried over your shoulder the whole time. Most will feature a non-slip base as well as plenty of easy to access pockets.

Stand Bags

These type of bags uniquely feature two retractable legs which allow your bag to stand upright when you set the bag down. They’re an excellent choice for any golfer who enjoys walking the course and additionally may feature backpack style straps for more even weight distribution along with ergonomic features for your comfort.

Hybrid Bags

Designed to be more lightweight and carried by golfers without the need for carts or caddy’s, these are all about manageability and are quite often known as “Sunday bags” because they are the perfect option for the recreational golfer. They’re typically more minimalist in design but will still have plenty of useful pockets for spare golf balls, gloves, and those all-important liquid refreshments!

Stand Bag vs. Cart Bag

They’re pretty self-explanatory with one being designed to clip into a cart while the other can be carried over your shoulder then propped up on legs. The key factor with stand bags is in ensuring those legs don’t give way and break, otherwise, you will be reduced to laying your bag down on the floor and having to do plenty of bending over which won’t do your back any favors.

Q: Which Type of Golf Bag should I choose?

A: Which type of golf bag you end up going for will be a function of the budget you have available and also how likely you are to want to carry that bag around yourself. In the good old days the choice used to be cart or carry, but there are plenty of other options in between, including popular stand bags, staff bags as well as travel bags. If you read our guide above explaining the features and benefits to look out for in a golf bag, along with the various options and their difference, you will quickly be able to decide whether you need a cart, carry or stand bag. Let’s quickly summarise the options below:

Cart - designed to be transported via a golf cart not a person. Lots of storage and pockets

Carry - also known as a Sunday bag and designed to be comfortably carried by a person.

Stand - lightweight and comfortable option that has the added benefit of featuring legs.

Staff - also known as Tour bags and used on the Pro-tour seen. Ideally, require a personal caddy to carry for you.

Q: What should I carry in my Golf Bag?

A: Obviously, you are going to need to carry your golf clubs and the rules, as we’ll go on to discuss in more detail below are a maximum of 14 in your bag, although you can, of course, take less. Depending upon your handicap (high or low) will determine what clubs you most frequently use. When you’re starting out you are likely to make more use of a 3-wood or hybrid club than you are a driver whereas the more advanced your game becomes, the more specialist wedges you might want to carry like a lob wedge or a gap wedge.

Besides your golf clubs, other useful accessories to carry include a glove for extra grip in rainy weather conditions, golf tees, of course, a pencil to record those scores (old school but part of the game) along with a pitchfork to repair the green if you’ve messed up. An umbrella is also a sensible option along with a towel for wiping down your clubs. You might also want to throw in a hat and of course some liquid refreshments.

Q: How Much Weight Can a Golf Bag Carry?

A: That entirely depends upon the construction of the bag that you have purchased but most regular golf bags, when full of the pre-requisite gear including clubs, balls, and tees, etc are going to weigh in at about the 30-50lbs including the weight of the bag itself. If you opt for a more lightweight option such as a stand bag or carry bag which itself will likely way about 3-5lbs before it's been kitted out, you can expect that weight to go up to about 20lbs when you’ve added all your essential daily golfing gear.

Q: How Many Golf Clubs can I Carry in a Golf Bag?

A: Unless you are already a seasoned Golfer and familiar with all the global rules and regulations of the game, you might be surprised to learn that the amount of golf clubs you can carry is not really a matter of capacity but rather legality. Your bag may well be able to take more clubs than the stipulations of the golfing authority where you are playing your game actually allows.

According to the USGA, that limit is 14 clubs in one bag. There are further rules that denote what the makeup of those 14 clubs should also be and woe betide if you get it wrong and end up facing a penalty fee! Below is what you are allowed to carry and check it out, it doesn’t actually add up to 14 either! It is in fact only 12 as two of the slots are reserved free for your own personal choice, so it’s not all bad! Just choose your other two weapons wisely!

3 Wood Drivers

8 Irons

1 Putter

Q: Are There Any Specific Instructions on How to Take Care for The Bag?

A: There’s no denying that a new gold bag is an investment that you will want to take care of for many years to come but also to proudly show off to everyone at your club! With a few simple maintenance tips, you can keep it in excellent working order. Always be sure to follow your manufactures specific guidelines on how to properly take care of your particular make of bag. Besides that, these three tips should keep you in good stead.

1. Clean your bag off with a damp towel on a regular basis to remove any dirt or debris that’s collected and pollen and dust over the summer months.
2. Don’t overfill your pockets and be careful what you store in them. Don’t be tempted to put wet items in your pockets for extended periods of time otherwise, you run the risk of mold and mildew developing
3. When you’re not using your bag, ensure you store it in a clean, dry, dust and pollen-free environment and consider covering it with something like a plastic sheet or a protective cover, which will stop any airborne particles from settling on your bag and causing potential damage.

Q: What is the best way to carry a Golf Bag?

A: While golf carts have their place and certainly make it much easier to get around those 18 holes, there’s plenty to be said, especially health-wise, for walking around the course and carrying your own bag! With a typical gold bag, complete with clubs and accessories, weighing in at around 15-25 lbs, it’s no mean feat though and carrying it correctly can help to minimize unwanted injuries, especially shoulder ones. Just carrying the bag in itself is somewhat of a workout, so you really are doing yourself a favor if you opt to carry yours.

The best thing is to totally familiarise yourself with your golf bag before you even head out onto the greens. Make sure you fully adjust it where possible to ensure that it’s a comfortable fit and is tailored to your frame where possible. Try walking around at home with it first to make sure that you have it all loaded up correctly. A new bag is like a new pair of shoes, they might take a bit of breaking in at first but after that should feel natural and an extension to your own body. Make a note of how the strap fits and feels over your shoulders as this is where the brunt of the weight is going to be distributed.

Place the golf bag over your dominant shoulder and either carry it inline with the side of your body so that it’s hanging underneath your arm rather like a messenger style bag, or sling it purposefully over your shoulder and across your upper thigh. Always ensure that when you lift your bag from the floor, especially when it is fully loaded with all your gear, that you lift with your legs and not your back to avoid pulls and strains.