Carry golf bags are lightweight and compact bags that are very functional. These bags provide comfort and easy access, whether strolling on the fairway or heading out to the course for a quick round. I’ve tested a couple of carry-on golf bags and ranked the six that outperformed each other.
I’ve been hitting the local Par 3 golf course more frequently this year, which nudged me to pick up the Titleist Player 5 Stadry bag. It’s a real gem for its lightweight design and comfy shoulder straps, perfect for toting around my 8 go-to clubs and essentials like tees and a drink. It cost a bit more than my buddy’s Cobra Ultra Light Sunday bag, but the convenience and ease of accessing my clubs make it a standout choice.
Before settling on the Titleist Player 5 Stadry Bag, I tried a couple of others and thoroughly evaluated six that stood out to me. I will provide detailed reviews of my top recommendations in this article, sharing my experiences with each. This will help you decide which golf bag fits your preferences and needs.
Image | Product | Detail | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Titleist Player 5 Stadry Bag | Buy Now For $259 | ||
Sunday Golf Loma Bag |
| Buy Now For $129 | |
Cobra Ultralight Sunday Golf Bag |
| Buy Now For $129 | |
G/Fore Daytona Plus Carry Bag |
| Buy now For $375 | |
Callaway 2023 Fairway CHD Stand Bag |
| Buy now For $249 | |
Ping Moonlite Carry Golf Bag |
| Buy Now For $174 |
Compare Carry Golf Bags
Before delving into a comprehensive review, let’s take a moment to compare the features of these carry-on bags. This quick overview will give you a side-by-side glance at their specifications, making it convenient to assess their key attributes, especially if you’re in a hurry.
Carry golf bags. | Weight | Dividers | Waterproof | Stands | Price |
Titleist Players: 5 Stadry Bags | 3.71lbs | 4-way | Yes | Yes | $295 |
Sunday Golf Loma Bag | 2lbs | 2-way | Just the Zippers | Yes | $129 |
Cobra Ultralight Sunday Golf Bag | 3.8lbs | 3-way | No | Yes | $129 |
G/Fore Daytona Plus Carry Bag | 4.65lbs | 4-way | Yes | $375 | |
Callaway 2023 Fairway C HD Stand Bag | 4lbs | 4-way | Just the pockets | Yes | $249.99 |
Ping Moonlite Carry Golf Bag | 2.5lbs | 4-way | Yes | No | $174.99 |
Best Carry Golf Bag Overall: Titleist Players 5 Stadry Bag
Titleist Players 5 Stadry Bag
$295
- Waterproof Construction: The bag features StaDry™ waterproof technology with seam-sealed zippers, ensuring your gear stays dry in all weather conditions
- Lightweight and Durable: It weighs just under four pounds and is designed for easy carry. It includes high-grade light aluminium legs and an advanced hinged bottom for best-in-class stability and durability.
- Functional Design: Offers ample storage with a full-length apparel pocket and an easy-access horseshoe-style tee pocket. The bag is also fitted with high-quality YKK zippers for enhanced accessibility and reliability
My personal favourite: I like the aesthetics and feel of this bag on my shoulder. The premium double straps offer great comfort, seriously making it a breeze.
I never hit the course without a beverage, and I appreciate the added convenience of external insulated cooler pouches to keep my drink cold.
Introducing a new 4-way top divider that holds up to 10–14 clubs of mid-sized grip and a robust stand has been a game-changer, facilitating easy access to my clubs.
The waterproof material and seam-sealed zippers seal the deal for me. Regardless of the weather, I can rest assured that my beloved clubs will remain safe from any water damage, thanks to its waterproof material and seam-sealed zippers.
Since I began carrying this bag two months ago, it has remained pristine, supporting my 14-club set easily. Did I spend more than I had hoped on this bag? Yes, I did, but it’s been very functional, so I can’t complain.
What I liked:
- Straps provide excellent comfort during carrying.
- Offers generous storage space for golfing essentials.
- Highly functional design, making it easy to access content.
What I didn’t like:
- Occasionally, lifting the bag clip gets caught.
- a tad more expensive than some other bags.
The Best Lightweight Carry Golf Bag: Sunday Golf Loma Bag
Sunday Golf Loma Bag
$129
- Lightweight and Portable: Weighing in at about two pounds, the Loma Bag is exceptionally light and easy to carry, making it an ideal choice for golfers who prefer walking the course or need a bag for short rounds. Its portability also makes it a great option for travelling with clubs.
- Stylish and Modern Design: The Loma Bag features a modern look with clean lines and updated colorways, providing a minimal yet aesthetically pleasing appearance. The material used is of high quality, contributing to its overall appeal.
- Functional and Efficient: Despite its minimalist design, the bag includes functional features that are apparent at first glance, enhancing its practicality for various golfing needs.
Another excellent option is its remarkable lightweight design, weighing just about 2 lb. It is one of the lightest carry-on golf bags available. Despite being lightweight, it can comfortably accommodate six clubs, allowing for easy movement around the course.
Now for storage. It has two big side pockets that easily hold my phone and wallet, and there’s this nifty insulated cooler pouch for my refreshments. It keeps everything refreshingly cool.
However, it came with a single padded strap, whose comfort level did not match up to other carry-on golf bags I used. But it’s budget-friendly, making it a good carry-on golf bag without breaking the bank.
However, it lacks significant waterproofing, so it might not be the best choice for wet weather conditions. If your course tends to be wet, opting for a waterproof alternative could be more suitable.
Its lack of insulation in the refreshment pocket is another feature I was not happy with, so I would not be going for this bag. It may be a more affordable bag, but you’d give up a great feature.
What I liked:
- extremely lightweight and easy to carry.
- durable material, built to last.
What I didn’t like:
- less storage compared to alternatives.
- Not waterproof
- The product lacks an insulated cooler pocket.
Best Budget-Friendly Carry Golf Bag: Cobra Ultralight Sunday Golf Bag
Cobra Ultralight Sunday Golf Bag
$129
- Ultra-Lightweight and Compact: The bag stands out for its super lightweight design, weighing just 1.7kg, which makes it easy to transport and carry. Its slim profile enhances its portability, making it an ideal choice for golfers who prefer a light, compact bag.
- Functional Design Features: It includes a long pocket on one side and a water bottle holder, offering practical storage solutions. The bag also features a strap to secure the legs when mounted on a trolley, adding to its convenience.
- Multiple Handles and Club Storage: The bag has multiple handles, including a top grab handle, providing easy handling and transportation. Additionally, it has a three-way top divider for club storage, although it’s noted that clubs can get a little cluttered if carrying a full set.
I was very impressed with this carry bag, particularly because it is one of the more budget-friendly options. So, you don’t have to break the bank to get your hands on a lightweight bag.
It, however, provides less storage than most other Sunday golf bags; it holds just about seven clubs comfortably without clustering. This is why I wasn’t necessarily drawn to this bag because, most times, I’m on the course with at least nine clubs, and this bag would not serve me well.
On the bright side, the bag’s material is not just easy on the wallet but surprisingly tough, too, weighing about 3.8lb, so you do not have to worry about it giving way after a few months.
Accessing my clubs was easy with a 3-way top design, full-length club dividers, and a handy top grab handle. Plus, despite its compact size, it even comes with a stand. So, you can pop it down and grab your clubs between shots.
Another big turn-off for me was that it had just one strap, greatly reducing the comfort of using this bag.
I would only recommend this bag if you are very tight on budget, but if there’s a little bit of wiggle room in your budget, I would recommend a more comfortable option with dual straps.
What I liked:
- The bag’s material stood out for its durability, promising longevity, and reliable performance.
- It’s remarkably comfortable, making carrying a breeze.
- It is budget-friendly without compromising on quality, making it a great value for the price.
What I didn’t like:
- This might not be ideal if you’re searching for more storage space.
- The single-strap design is less adjustable, which might be a drawback for some users.
Best Premium Carry Golf Bag: G/Fore Daytona Plus Carry Bag
G/Fore Daytona Plus Carry Bag
$375
- Ease of Access and Club Protection: The bag boasts a four-way top design for easy access and safe storage of clubs, coupled with a rivet-less mesh construction that prevents scratching of club heads and shafts. A rotator stand system at the base provides excellent stability and ground adjustment.
- Convertible Strap for Comfort: It features a self-adjusting convertible strap, offering balanced weight distribution when carrying. The strap includes a tailored neoprene back panel for added comfort and can be adjusted for either dual strap or single-shoulder use.
- Ample Storage and Elegant Details: The bag is designed with grosgrain detailing and quilted panels, enhancing its aesthetic appeal. It includes a large clothing compartment, water-resistant pockets, a cooler-lined water bottle pocket, and an umbrella holder, ensuring generous storage capacity.
This premium carry bag hits the sweet spot between functionality and style. What I love most is how comfortable it is, thanks to the self-adjusting convertible strap and back panel.
The 4-way top that improves club organisation adds to the overall accessibility, making it a functional and stylish choice if you want to splurge a bit.
Equipped with a rain hood in a matching colour, an umbrella holder, and a waterproof pocket, your belongings remain safeguarded regardless of the weather conditions.
The ergonomic double strap adds a nice touch, easily converting to a single strap for a balanced carry over one or both shoulders, allowing for personalised adjustment.
But I’ll be honest: all these amazing features come with a price, a premium one, and I’m just not willing to spend that much on a carry-on golf bag. Not when I can find a more affordable and lightweight option equally functional in comfort and performance.
What I liked:
- The design is a real standout—stylish and visually appealing.
- The bag is lightweight and practical, making it easy to carry around.
- Durability is a big win here. It is always a plus that the bag is built to last.
What I didn’t like:
- The major hiccup for me was the price tag. It’s on the higher side, making it more expensive.
Best Carry Golf Bag For Storage: Callaway 2023 Fairway CHD Stand Bag
Callaway 2023 Fairway CHD Stand Bag
$279
- Lightweight and Waterproof Design: Weighing in at just 4 lbs, the bag features a multi-layer waterproof construction with seam-sealed zippers, providing durability without adding significant weight and protecting belongings and clubs even in heavy downpours.
- Quality and Functionality: The bag has metal zip pulls and a high-quality zipper system, contributing to its overall build quality. It also includes a quick-clip and opti-fit comfort strap, designed for easy adjustability and comfortable carrying.
- Organized Club Storage: The bag boasts a lightweight 4-way divider and a full-length divider, facilitating efficient organization and secure placement of clubs, minimizing rattling or snagging during retrieval.
This bag offers impressive storage, holding up to 14 clubs and then some. The strap and hip pad system comforted my back and shoulders.
It is, however, not the lightest bag in this category, and if I’m going to be walking nine holes or more with my gear, I need a bag that’s as light as can be.
With five pockets, including a handy fleece-lined one, it’s a dream for organised storage. I particularly appreciate taking my phone away without worrying about scratching it.
However, the cooler pocket didn’t quite hit the mark for me. It was a bit too small and tight, making fitting in and retrieving my water bottle difficult.
An important feature of a carry-on golf bag is easy access, and having to struggle to get content out of my golf bag is not an option.
On the bright side, the waterproof material makes it a reliable choice for navigating wet courses without any concerns. Despite the weight, it’s a practical option for those prioritising ample storage and comfort.
What I liked:
- The top storage design makes it easy to access my clubs.
- The comfort level of the straps was a big win, making it enjoyable to carry.
- The waterproof feature added a layer of reliability, especially in unpredictable weather.
What I didn’t like:
- It’s not the lightest in the lineup, which could be a consideration for those prioritising weight.
- The cooler pocket turned out to be a bit of a headache, proving more of a hassle than a convenience.
The Best Waterproof Carry Golf Bag: Ping Moonlite Carry Golf Bag
Ping Moonlite Carry Golf Bag
$174
- Ultra-Lightweight and Versatile: Weighing only 2.5lbs, the PING Moonlite is noted for its super-light design, making it an ideal choice for golfers who prefer a light and easy-to-carry bag. It offers single or double-strap options for convenience and four stylish colour options.
- Comfortable Carrying Experience: The bag’s strap is padded and substantial, providing a comfortable carrying experience. Reviewers have noted the surprising lightness and comfort of the bag, even when carrying a half set of clubs.
- Ample Storage and Customizability: The Moonlite offers adequate space for essentials, including a valuables pocket, a large pocket for clothing, drinks, balls, and tees, and a water bottle pocket. Additionally, it features a removable second strap, catering to preferences for either single or dual straps, a thoughtful design consideration for different users.
The straps were one standout feature during my test of the Ping Moonlight Ultralight Sunday golf bag. The design is uncomfortable, and I found them a little awkward. The weight of my shoulders felt uneven, and no matter how many times I moved them around, I couldn’t find the right balance.
The water-resistant nature is another win, ensuring my clubs and belongings stay well-protected during early morning games.
Weighing in at a mere 2.5 lb., the bag’s lightweight yet durable material provides both comfort and longevity. The 4-way top allows easy club storage, accommodating up to 10 clubs with a standard grip.
The bag storage structure was a bit of a letdown. The bag storage structure was a letdown as my clubs often became entangled, making retrieval more challenging.
So if you prioritise the convenience of easy access to your clubs and a lot of comfort, this bag is not for you. You should go for an alternative.
What I liked:
- The bag’s lightweight design adds to its overall convenience.
- The water-resistant feature ensures protection for clubs and belongings during different weather conditions.
- The compact layout makes reaching and grabbing clubs a hassle-free experience.
What I didn’t like:
- The downside is the limited organisational features, which provide fewer options for keeping items in order.
- not the most comfortable strap design,
Final verdict.
Finding the best golf bag to carry is about matching it with your unique preferences and needs.
Whether you prioritise comfort, style, versatility, or staying within a budget, each bag in the review presents a compelling option. It’s all about enhancing the enjoyment and ease of your time on the course. So which would you go for?