TaylorMade Golf Bags: How to Choose


Photo by Daniel Stenholm
Tl;dr: Discover the best golf bags from TaylorMade so you can buy with confidence and find the right one for your game.
If you’re a big fan of TaylorMade Golf, you need a matching bag.
There is no hard and fast rule about matching brands, but it’s a personal preference I’ve had for years. If I’m playing a certain type of equipment, I like matching the bag (call it my type A preference). Or, if you’re playing the golf ball of a major manufacturer, it makes sense to play a matching brand golf bag. But even if you have a different brand of clubs, you can always use these awesome TaylorMade bags.
Today, I’ll help you find the best TaylorMade golf bag that’s right for your game.
Who is TaylorMade Golf?
Photo courtesy of TaylorMade
TaylorMade Golf is a very popular brand in golf, as they make equipment and clubs for all types of players. They rank alongside Titleist, Ping, and Callaway as some of the biggest brands in golf. Whether you need a new driver, irons, wedges, putters, gear, or bags, they have a product for you.
TaylorMade has also likely garnered some new fans in recent years as they signed the GOAT - aka Tiger Woods. He has his own line of irons, which I wouldn’t recommend for most golfers, and plays a majority of TaylorMade equipment.
As mentioned above, it’s common to use a golf bag that matches your equipment, and TaylorMade has no shortage of bags. If you use the TP5 religiously or love the Stealth 2 driver, a bag is the perfect complement for your game.
What to Consider Buying TaylorMade Golf Bags
When it comes to shopping for golf bags, you want to consider three main questions.
Will I walk, ride, or push my golf clubs?
The first question will help you quickly identify the type of golf bag you’ll need. If you prefer to walk and carry your bag on your back, it’s best to buy a stand/carry bag. These are lightweight, with dual straps (like a backpack), and make it easy to lug your clubs around the course for 18 holes.
If you prefer to walk with a push cart, you’ll want a carry bag or hybrid bag. Carry bags are lighter than hybrids or cart bags and are easy to push for 18 holes. Hybrid bags are slightly bigger and have a few more benefits that I’ll outline below, but they also fit easily on push carts.
If you tend to almost exclusively ride in a golf cart, a cart bag might make the most sense. These types of bags also have their own advantages, which I’ll cover below.
Will I travel often?
Another important question to think about before buying golf bags is your travel schedule. If you’ve ever taken your clubs with you on vacation or a business trip, you know it’s somewhat of a hassle. You have to buy a travel case, pack your clubs, and pray to the Golf Gods that TSA doesn’t damage or, even worse, lose them in the process.
The reason you should consider your travel schedule when buying a bag is that cart and hybrid bags are much bigger. These typically don't fit in many soft shell cases and might require you to buy a larger, hard shell case. These tend to cost more money and weigh more, which means less stuff you can bring to avoid extra baggage fees.
If you plan to travel often, avoid a cart bag and opt for a stand bag (or lightweight hybrid bag) instead. This will help eliminate some stress that travel typically brings.
How often do I practice?
The final question to ask yourself is regarding your practice schedule. If you’re someone who loves to frequent the driving range or short game area (trust me, I get it), you want a stand bag. Having a stand makes it so much easier to prop your clubs up and not lay them on the ground.
Plus, there’s nothing worse than trying to balance them only to watch them fall in the middle of your backswing. This could damage your equipment and/or valuables that you might have in the bag, too.
Different Types of Golf Bags
As mentioned in my expert guide to golf bags, there are five common types. These include stand (carry), hybrid, cart, Sunday, and Staff bags. Amateur golfers typically have a cart, stand, or hybrid bag, which they use the majority of the time. However, some golfers might also have a Sunday bag. These are smaller bags (also known as pencil bags) meant to hold 8 to 10 golf clubs. They’re ideal if you’re playing an executive golf course or just want to take a few clubs to practice.
Note that TaylorMade does not make any Sunday bags. And for everyday golfers, I do not recommend a Staff bag as they’re bulky, nearly impossible to travel with, and take up so much room in your trunk. If you're not a PGA Pro, skip these bags and leave them for Tiger or Rory McIlroy.
Here are more details about the three types of golf bags from TaylorMade:
Golf Stand Bag
Photo by Jacob Lund
Stand bags are the lightest type of bags and ideal for travel and regular practice. As the name implies, these types of bags have a stand that automatically pops out when you set them down.
TaylorMade has several stand bags, but I like the FlexTech Lite the most, as it’s incredibly lightweight with multiple color options.
Here are some of the details about this lightweight stand bag.
Benefits:
- Four color options.
- Water-resistant valuables pouch.
- 4-way top with crush resistant construction.
- Leg Lock technology to keep the legs from drooping during the round.
- Proprietary Flex Techn stand system makes it easy for the legs to release quickly.
- Removable fixed straps are better if you’re using a push cart or electric golf cart, as they won’t get in the way.
Be Aware:
- Four way is relatively narrow compared to similar stand bags and won’t work well if you have a large, oversized putter grip.
Golf Hybrid Bag
Photo by Olena Yakobchuk
Hybrid bags are part stand bag, part cart bag. They have a stand, which makes them significantly more convenient. They also have a lot of pockets, which is similar to a cart bag. Most also fit in a soft shell case, which I think is a lot easier to travel with.
The TaylorMade Flextech Crossover stand bag is the best option and the only hybrid bag in their lineup.
Benefits:
- Water resistant valuables pouch.
- Easy chili cooler pocket to keep food/drinks cold.
- Cart strap passthrough to secure your clubs in the golf cart.
- 14-way top to easily organize your club and reduce chances of damage.
Be Aware:
- Fewer pockets than in a cart bag.
Golf Cart Bag
Photo by Yakobchuk Viacheslav
The last option is a cart bag, which is significantly heavier and bigger than hybrid or stand bags. However, they also provide the most protection and storage for your clubs and other gear. TaylorMade has several cart bags to choose from if you’re someone who prefers to ride in a cart vs. walk with a push cart.
I like the TaylorMade 203 Cart Lite Bag the most, as it’s much lighter than most and definitely one of the best golf cart bags.
Benefits:
- Six color options.
- Only weighs 5.5 lbs.
- Deep well cooler pocket for beverages.
- 14 club spots for great organization and protection.
- Oversize putter well (which works perfectly if you have an oversized “fat” grip).
- Push-cart enabled design, so you can keep it secure when walking vs. riding.
Be Aware:
- Even though it’s lighter than most, it might be hard to travel with as it’s still a bigger design.
Features to Look for in a Golf Bag
14 Way top on the Flextech Crossover Stand Bag. Photo by TaylorMade
Now that you have an overview of the different TaylorMade golf bags, here are three extra features to consider.
14-Way Top
The tops of golf bags are one of the most important features, as they’ll help organize your clubs and protect them better. I used to only use 4 to 5 way dividers with stand bags but switched to 14-way dividers a few years ago, and now I’ll never go back. I like each club to have its own compartment, as it protects them much better.
I tend to sell most of my old clubs, and a 14-way divider system keeps the clubs in better shape so I can resell for the most value. Plus, with each club having its own spot, it’s easy to identify if you accidentally lose a wedge or leave your putter on the prior hole.
Storage and Pockets
Aside from choosing the right type of top, you also want to consider the amount of storage as well. Some golfers (like myself) are kind of pack rats and like plenty of storage for gear, extra clothes, food, and drinks. This is why I prefer a hybrid bag, as there is more storage space than a stand bag.
If you’re more of a minimalist and don’t need a ton of storage, a stand bag will likely work just fine. But if you have a lot of golf balls, tees, gloves or accessories like most avid golfers, you'll probably want more storage.
Double Straps
If you want to make transporting your bag as easy as possible or like to walk, you definitely want a double strap bag. This is similar to a backpack and makes it a lot easier on your shoulders/back during the round.
Don’t forget, walking a round of golf is at least four miles (usually more) so make sure you’re comfortable. If you find yourself getting tired or if your body is too stiff, consider walking with a push cart instead.
How to Choose the Right Golf Bag
Below are some examples of different types of golfers and what bags will suit them best.
Nelson: Senior Golfer - 20 handicap
Nelson is in his 60s and plays a couple of times per month. He doesn’t practice much and loves to play in the mornings with his buddies. He does have an arm lock putter with a jumbo grip to help with his short game and is known to carry plenty of gear.
Features Nelson should look for:
- Lightweight cart bag.
- Full-length dividers and plenty of storage compartments for apparel and other necessities.
His best pick is the TaylorMade 2023 Cart Lite Bag or the TaylorMade 2023 Supreme Cart Bag.
- Free shipping
- We price match
- Returnable
TaylorMade 2023 Supreme Cart Bag
- Free shipping
- We price match
- Returnable
Micah: Weekend Warrior - 10 handicap
Micah has a busy schedule during the week and plays sometimes in the afternoons and at least one day on the weekend. He’s working on his game a lot and wants to get in better shape with some more exercise on the golf course.
Features Micah should look for:
- Lightweight design to push or carry.
- Stand to make practice more convenient.
His best pick is the TaylorMade FlexTech Lite Stand Bag.
TaylorMade 2022 FlexTech Lite Stand Bag
- Free shipping
- We price match
- Returnable
Steve: Scratch Golfer
Steve is a scratch golfer who loves to practice and compete in tournaments at his club. He almost always walks and travels with his sticks as well.
Features Steve should look for:
- Lightweight bag to make traveling easier.
- A bag with a stand so it’s easier to use during practice at the short game area or range.
His best pick is the TaylorMade FlexTech Lite Stand Bag.
TaylorMade Custom FlexTech Lite Stand Bag
- Free shipping
- We price match
- Returnable
Find the Best TaylorMade Golf Bags for You
If you’re a TaylorMade guy, a matching bag is just what you need. Whether you want a lightweight stand bag, hybrid, or cart bag, there is a great option for you.
Make sure to consider your typical playing style (walking or riding) and the other features to find the right bag for you. 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.