Choosing the best golf bag can be tricky if you don’t know what you are looking for. As well as there being a large number of brands to choose from, there are also several different types of golf bag that cater to the needs of different golfers.
Even allowing for the countless options on the market though, choosing the right golf bag is actually not that difficult once you have established the specific requirements you have.
The primary question to initially narrow down your choice is will you be carrying your bag or using a push or pull cart, or riding on a buggy? Maybe you alternate between them all and therefore need the flexibility to carry or push without needing to invest in two bags? Whatever your needs, there is a golf bag for you.
Stand Bags
If you walk the course and carry your bag on your back, you need a stand bag. The best stand bags are usually very lightweight and have specially designed straps for comfortable carrying. They also have legs that automatically kick out when you place the base of the bag on the ground, allowing the bag to stand on its own. They tend to have less storage space and fewer pockets because they are designed with carrying in mind, so the idea is that you only take the essentials with you to keep the weight down.
You can use stand bags on trolleys but they aren't always fully secure and the pockets may not be as easily accessible. Some stand bags have a cart strap channel which allows it to be secured to a trolley or buggy without restricting access to pockets. This makes it quite similar to a hybrid bag, which is basically a stand bag that is shaped almost like a cart bag and is designed to be equally as functional whether you are carrying or pushing/driving.
Cart Bags
If you use a trolley or ride a buggy then you’ll want a cart bag. You could even go for a Tour bag like the ones you see the professionals using, but they aren’t specifically designed for carts so unless you have a caddie to lug it around for you, Tour bags are generally best left for the pros.
Cart bags have plenty of storage and are designed to sit on a trolley or on the back of a buggy with the pockets in easy to access places. They will usually have a carry strap or a handle, but this is to make it easy to lift in and out of the car rather than for you to carry it around the course, which isn’t advisable due to the additional weight they come with.
Pencil/Sunday Bags
Finally you have Pencil bags (also referred to as Sunday bags), which are essentially a slimmer, more lightweight version of a stand bag. Often they won’t have legs, although there are some models which have shorter ones, and these bags are aimed more at the golfer who wants to travel light and not necessarily take a full set of clubs with them onto the course.
Pencil bags are ideal for par 3 courses where you only need irons, wedges and a putter, while they are also very handy for holiday golf as they take up a lot less room than a standard sized bag.
Other important factors to consider
So those are the main type of bags, but once you know which type suits your requirements you then need to take other factors into account in order to narrow your choice down further.
If you carry your bag on the course then weight is going to be a primary concern. You want something as light as possible but that is made from quality, durable materials. Weight is less of a consideration if you aren't carrying, but having something light on your trolley is certainly preferable to heavy and cumbersome.
The weather you play in is important too. If you often play in the rain you’ll obviously need a fully waterproof bag, such as the Ping Hoofer Monsoon.
How many clubs do you carry? If it’s the full 14 then you might prefer something with a 14 way divider system rather than one that has only three or four. You don’t want your clubs tangling and 14 way top systems are great for preventing that.
Then there is storage. If you a golfer that likes to be prepared for any eventuality you will want something with plenty of pockets to store things like waterproofs, a sweater, a spare pair of shoes or extra food and drink etc.
Little features can make a difference
If your putter has a thick grip (as most do these days) then a bag with a specialist ‘putter well’ is much more user friendly. Given that the putter is the club we use the most you need to get it in and out of the bag as easily as possible, and putter wells are brilliant for this so keep that in mind.
A Velcro glove holder is another undervalued feature that makes life easier out on the course. Some golfers keep their glove in their pocket when putting, but it’s easy to lose it and not even realise until you reach the next tee. A little bit of Velcro on the bag solves that problem. Most bags will have one but some won’t, so it’s worth checking before you buy.
A dedicated rangefinder pocket is useful too. You might be happy enough just having your laser rangefinder dangling from the clip, but if it’s an expensive model it's prudent to store it in an easy to access pocket between shots. A cooler pocket for drinks is a handy addition too, particularly for summer golf, but again not all bags have them so that’s something else to look for.
Taking all of these things into account will help you find the best golf bag for you and allow you to focus solely on playing without having to worry about anything else.
