A golf bag is not a glamorous purchase. Nobody posts about their new bag the way they post about a new driver. But a bad bag will ruin your round in ways that a bad driver never will — a broken strap at the turn, a pocket that won't close in the rain, a stand that collapses on a slope. We tested fourteen bags across three categories so you can avoid all of that.
In the carry bag category, the winner was the one that solved the weight problem without sacrificing organization. It comes in under four pounds, has enough pockets for a full round's worth of supplies, and the dual strap system distributes weight evenly enough that eighteen holes feels like fourteen. The stand mechanism is the best we tested — it deploys reliably on uneven ground and folds flat without catching.
The best cart bag in the test is built for golfers who ride and want their equipment organized like a professional. Fourteen individual club dividers, a dedicated valuables pocket with a fleece lining, and a cooler pocket that actually keeps drinks cold for nine holes. The cart strap pass-through is positioned correctly, which sounds like a small thing until you have used a bag where it is not.
Staff bags are a different category entirely — they are not designed for carrying, and the best ones are not trying to be. The winner here is the bag you buy when you want your setup to look like it belongs on tour. It is heavy, it is structured, and it is the best-looking bag we tested. If you ride every round and care about aesthetics, it is worth the price.
The one bag that did not make any of our top lists: the one with the most marketing behind it. It looked good in photos and felt cheap in person. The zippers stuck after two rounds in the rain. Save your money.
Filed under
Canesh Arce
Canesh Arce is the Founder of The Par Report, covering the PGA Tour, major championships, and the business of professional golf.