An Expert Guide to Golf Bags

Published on 12/12/2023 · 9 min readDiscover the perfect golf bag for your game with our expert guide. Elevate your golfing experience and carry your clubs in style!
Michael Leonard, Golf Expert
By Golf Expert Michael Leonard

Photo by Wavebreak Media

Tl;dr: The right golf bag can help you protect your clubs, exercise more, and enjoy the round, while the wrong bag can lead to golf injuries and unnecessary frustration on the golf course.

Golf bags are an important but overlooked accessory in the game. Most of us spend all of our time and energy researching drivers, irons, and putters but forget the bag.

However, the right golf bag can help you in more ways than one. Not only will it protect your prized possession, but it can also help you get more exercise and avoid injuries.

The key is to buy the right type of bag for your typical playing style, travel schedule, and more. I’ve made some mistakes when buying golf bags, which I’ll cover today to help you find the right one for your game.

What Are Golf Bags?

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Golf bags are an essential part of the game to hold your clubs, golf balls, and other accessories. They weren’t a big part of the game until the 1900s, when the sport became more popular and players began using more clubs.

Bags have evolved greatly over the years and used to have a very minimalistic appearance and design. But as the game continued to grow, so did the selection of golf bags.

The invention of golf carts in the mid-1950s also led to a new generation of golf bags. Now, some bags have stands, some have built-in coolers, and others have extra dividers to help protect your shafts.

What to Consider When Buying Golf Bags

When you’re searching for the right golf bag, you’ll want to ask yourself these three questions:

Do I walk, ride in a golf cart, or use a push cart?

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The most important factor when buying a golf bag is your playing style.

Do you walk most of the time and carry your bag or use a push cart to help your back? Or, are you someone who always rides in a cart and maybe keeps their bag at the country club instead of in your car?

As you’ll learn today, each playing style has a different type of bag that pairs best. For example, if you’re riding in a golf cart most of the time, a bigger bag can provide more storage and more protection for your clubs. But if you're someone who always walks for extra exercise, a stand bag is a much better choice as it’s lighter and built for more comfort.

How many dividers do I need?

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The second thing to consider with a golf bag is the number of club dividers. Most bags have 4 to 5 compartments that house 3 to 4 clubs in each.

However, more and more bags are now offered with 14 or 15-way compartments. This allows each club to have its own full-length divider to protect it and not rattle against other clubs. This does make the bag heavier, which isn’t great if you like to walk and carry clubs on your back.

However, it ensures clubs stay in mint condition, are quieter in carts, and are easier to notice if you leave on the previous hole.

What type of storage do I want?

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Another thing to consider when shopping for golf bags is the amount of pockets and types of storage. I’m someone who loves to show up to the golf course prepared for anything, so I like ones with plenty of storage space. Others want a minimalistic design to keep things simple and save on total weight.

Cart golf bags have the most storage and make it easy if you have rain gear. Some even have a built-in cooler, too.

Different Types of Golf Bags

In the past, there were two main types of golf bags - stand and cart bags. Now, there are four main varieties alongside staff bags (also known as Tour bags), which are reserved for professional golfers who use a caddy. Let’s review each type to see which one will work best for your game.

Cart Bag

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Golf cart bags are the heaviest and biggest type of bag and are meant for storage above all else. As the name suggests, it’s typically used with a golf cart and not a push cart or carried during the round. However, these bags can work with an electronic push cart if you do opt to walk instead of ride during some rounds.

Benefits:

  • Includes a cart pass-through system to securely stay in place.
  • Has 14 or 15-way full-length club dividers to protect your equipment.
  • Has the most storage and largest pockets to carry all your essentials (most have 8+ pockets).

Be Aware:

  • The no stand makes it hard to take them to the driving range.
  • Cart bags won’t fit in a soft case travel bag.
  • These bags are heavy and not easy to transport from the car to the course. Plus, they’ll take up a lot more space in your trunk.

Stand Bag (Carry Bag)

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The second main type of bag is a stand bag (also referred to a carry bag), which is typically used by players who prefer to walk instead of ride. These are most commonly used by high school and college players who might walk up to 36 holes per day. As the name suggests, they have a pop-out stand, which is very convenient while playing or practicing.

Benefits:

  • Lightest design.
  • Work well with push carts.
  • A significantly better option if you practice a lot.
  • Much smaller and easier to travel with and leave in your car.
  • Dual shoulder strap design to make carrying much easier and will help avoid injuries.

Be Aware:

  • Not a ton of storage space compared to cart bags.
  • Most stand/carry bags only have 4 to 5 compartments, which might damage clubs over time.

Hybrid Golf Bag

The third type of golf bag is a hybrid design, which is the best of both worlds. A hybrid bag has the storage capacity of a cart bag with the convenience of a stand bag. It’s larger than a carry bag but smaller than a cart bag with a pop-out stand. These bags work on a golf cart and a push cart, and you can also carry them on your back if needed.

Benefits:

  • Tons of pockets.
  • Almost as light as a stand bag.
  • More storage space than a stand bag.
  • Much easier to use with a push cart if you want to walk 9 or 18 holes.

Be Aware:

  • This style might require a bigger travel bag. I have a soft shell case, and my hybrid bag barely fits inside it, so I decided to travel with my old stand bag instead.

Sunday Golf Bag

Photo by Michal Bednarek

The final option is known as a Sunday golf bag. These are smaller than a stand bag and only carry about 8 to 10 clubs, not your full set. This type of bag is great if you want to play or practice with a handful of clubs or prefer executive-style courses vs. full championship golf courses that don’t require a full set.

Benefits:

  • Incredibly lightweight.
  • Easy to walk and won’t hurt your back.
  • Some Sunday bags come with a small stand.

Be Aware:

  • Minimal pockets.
  • Most don’t come with a stand.
  • Can't use it with a full set of clubs.
  • Very little protection for your clubs.
  • Most only come with one shoulder strap.

Features to Look for in Golf Bags

Now that you have an overview of the four main types of golf bags, let’s get into a few other features to consider.

Style and Color

A feature to look out for is the color of your golf bag. I’m someone who loves the color white, but in golf, this isn’t always a good idea. I once bought an all white golf bag and within a month of winter golf it was nearly ruined.

Most golf bags aren’t easy to clean (unless it’s leather, which comes with a much steeper price tag), so buy the right color for your climate. Use lighter color bags in summer and darker colors in winter when it’s muddy and wet.

Don’t be afraid to let your style show with some of the bold new designs and color patterns in a new golf ba

Stand

I think a stand is so important and something I personally can’t live without. A few years ago, I received a free bag in a raffle after a scramble and gave it to a friend a week later. Since I practice a lot, it was hard to get it to stay on the driving range stands, and it was constantly falling over.

If you like to practice a lot at the driving range or short game area, opt for one with a stand for more convenience.

Price

The final feature to consider is price, as some golf bags can run upwards of $500. The fabric impacts the price, and a leather bag is the most expensive. Make sure to buy the right style, color, and material so that it will last in your typical playing conditions.

How to Choose the Right Golf Bag

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Below are three examples of different types of golfers and what bags could work best for them.

Steven

Steven is a senior golfer with jumbo grips and a fat putter grip. He only rides in a golf cart and doesn’t frequent the range very often.

Features Steven should look for:

  • A large cart bag.
  • Individual club dividers.
  • A large putter well compartment for his fat grip putter.

His best picks are the Ogio Woode 15 and Titleist Cart 14 bag.

Rick

Rick is trying to get out and walk more often but prefers to ride in a golf cart… especially if the weather is bad. He likes to play, but also frequents the driving range and short game area quite often after work.

Features Rick should look for:

  • Stand included on his bag.
  • Hybrid design for a good mix of lightweight and plenty of storage for his golf gadgets.

His best picks are the Ogio Hybrid Bag or MacGregor Hybrid Bag.

Camden

Camden is a younger golfer who almost always walks the golf course. Sometimes he uses a push cart, but likes to throw the bag on his back like he did in college in tournaments. He also just has some new custom-fit clubs and spends a ton of time on the driving range.

Features Camden should look for:

  • Dual straps.
  • Stand bag for stress-free practice.
  • Lightweight bag, so it’s easy to carry.
  • Individual club dividers to protect his new clubs.

His best picks are the Ogio Golf Fuse 4 Stand Bag, Sun Mountain 4.5 LS, or Callaway Fairway C double strap.

Find the Best Golf Bags for You

Choosing the right golf bag will make your life a lot easier. Make sure to consider your playing style (walking, riding, or push cart) above all else.

If you aren’t sure which bag is right for you or have more questions, don’t hesitate to contact a Curated Golf Expert today.

Curated experts can help

Have a question about the article you just read or want personal recommendations? Connect with a Curated expert and get personalized recommendations for whatever you’re looking for!

Shop Golf on Curated

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Titleist 2022 Cart 14 Golf Bag
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Ogio 2023 Woode Hybrid Stand Bag
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