While it is important for a golf player to have superior golf clubs before hitting the course you still might want to take the time and money to invest in a great golf bag. After all, you want to avoid a mess with your clubs and focus on your swing instead of worrying about how to haul your set of clubs for your 18 hole journey.
Your main question is going to be whether you will be mostly walking the golf courses, using a push cart, or whether you will be able to use golf carts. You might want to take a closer look at some of our reviewed and recommended carry bags in case you prefer to keep on your feet. However, if you have the chance to be using a cart, then this is just the right place for you. We tested dozens of golf cart bags and analyzed thousands of customer feedback responses to come up with the best golf bags that are on our list of reviews, including the pros and cons of each golf bag.
We will show you our top five golf cart bags on the market today, detail what makes each bag great, and help you find the best cart bag for you.
THE Best Golf Cart Bag We Reviewed
- Ping Traverse Cart Bag (Best Overall)
"Featuring a 14-way full-length divider and 13 pockets (including an extra oversized apparel pocket) , the durable Ping Traverse Cart Bag provides plenty of storage space for everything you need during a round of golf. It is constructed with extremely high quality in mind and comes in a variety of color options to fit your style. Most of the customers seem to be unable to find a major flaw to pick on. We were very impressed with our test." - TaylorMade Select Cart Bag (Best on a Budget)
"One of the best golf cart that offers maximum protection with all your clubs while staying on a budget." - Callaway Org 14 Cart Bag (2nd Best Overall)
- Founders Club Premium Cart Bag (Best to Stay Organized)
- Bag Boy Chiller Cart Bag (Best for Drinks on the Course)
Best Golf Cart Bags
Ping Traverse Cart Bag
Best Overall
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KEY FEATURES
We think the golf cart bags, made by the golf juggernauts at Ping Golf, is currently the best golf cart bag in the market.
While it may not possess as many extra pockets as some of its competitors, it simply works perfectly and is a pleasure to use. It features 14 way top way full-length club dividers, as the majority of high-end golf cart bags do. The 14-way full-length dividers provide for easy access to all your clubs without any tangling. It also has total pockets of 13 featuring all bells and whistles from a cooler pocket, a ball pocket, a velour-covered valuables pockets, all the way to a special rangefinder pocket.
This provides plenty of storage room for storing accessories like tees, scorecards, pencils, and your cell phone, meaning you will always be perfectly equipped for a round of golf. Also, the handle makes it easy to carry your bag when necessary.
The pockets on this bag are noticeably larger than most competitors, and can easily store all of your golfing accessories with space left over. One other thing that makes the Traverse stand out is the two large molded wells, which can fit putters of varying sizes, including those with oversized grips, which is something most other bags don't provide.
If you are a golfer on a budget, the Traverse may be a bit of a tough choice. While great in design, the bag comes not cheap. However, we feel like this is a case of "you get what you pay for".
That said, if you can afford it, this golf bag is more than worth the money. For golfers who love a beautiful & attractive design, as well as plenty of space for their clubs, the Ping Traverse Cart Bag is the best golf bag for you.
>>> For more reviews of the Best Ping Golf Bags click here. <<<
TaylorMade Select Cart Bag
Best on a Budget
KEY FEATURES
If you are looking for a big brand name in the world of golf, TaylorMade seems like a great place to start.
TaylorMade Select cart bag is one of the best golf bags on a budget. With the TaylorMade Select Cart Bag, you get a wonderful basic bag for any golfer, especially if you want convenience and maximum protection for your clubs, while still keeping a budget. It is also easy to carry thanks to its sturdy handle.
As is the standard for most bags in this market segment, it comes with 14-way top dividers (including an oversized putter well) and not only offers generous storage opportunities for your clubs, but also in the form of two extra velour-lined valuables pockets, two nice large side pockets for apparel, two standard pockets like ball pocket and smaller items like tees, and a water-resistant pocket in case you get caught in the rain. This allows you ample space for any equipment and golf gear you choose to carry with you on the course. To top things off you also get a rain hood cover.
All in all, it's great to see such a lightweight (weight under five pounds) golf bag with still all the necessary features most golfers will ask for. Particularly at this valuation, we would consider the TaylorMade Select Cart Bag the best lightweight golf cart bag on the market today.
Callaway Org 14 Cart Bag
2nd Best Overall
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KEY FEATURES
Callaway produces a great line-up of golf products across the board. The Callaway Org is our next pick for the best cart bag. With the Org 14, they also feature the most beautifully designed cart bag on our list today. A little bit of color is always fun.
The Callaway Org is wonderfully designed, with the ergonomics being just as big of a success as the looks. Because of this, the top opening grab handles are strategically placed to make sure wedges are flush and reduce hang.
It has the standard 14-way full-length dividers with a separate putter well. Unfortunately, this is the one area of the bag that is a problem. Unlike the previous model, the latest Callaway Org 14 cart bag has full-length dividers. This will make your clubs durable as it prevents them to bang each other.
The only drawback that we had for the putter well is the size. It is pretty small so that anything bigger than a standard size putter will be a tight fit. This was obvious pretty quickly when we tried to place a putter in there. Even more so, as the strap placement makes it pretty much impossible to load and unload the putter when using the strap to fix it onto the cart. An easy fix for Callaway, but they still need to get around to fixing these features on future golf bags. Poor design of that feature on an otherwise amazing product. However, if this is not a major concern to you, then the rest of the bag is probably our favorite on the list. But it is a big compromise to take for many golfers.
If you're ready to pack all your golf needs, this cart bag has plenty of storage. It has 11 total pockets including a molded front-facing rangefinder pocket velour-lined valuables pocket. There's also an umbrella pocket and an abundance of storage for your balls, tees, cell phone, pencils, scorecards, and anything else golfers could ever think to carry. This cart bag exceeds the storage needs for most golfers.
Considering the number of pockets involved, this cart bag is lightweight. It weighs only six pounds. We know that this bag was designed as a cart bag. However, if in some instances if you need to carry this bag, it is still good to know that it is not that heavy. Even ladies can still carry this bag on golf course without worrying much about hurting or breaking your arm and legs because of the weight.
We are quite convinced that if you opt to go with Org 14, you won't be disappointed. This cart bag is durable It is made from nylon materials making it more durable. You're sure that you keep your clubs protected with 14-way full-length dividers. With plenty of pockets involved, you can free up your pockets and just put all your valuables in your golf bag.
Founders Club Premium Cart Bag
Best to Stay Organized
KEY FEATURES
Something a bit different now as the next on our list. If you are not too concerned about the brand of your bag, but more about making sure you know where each of your precious clubs is then the Founders Club Premium Cart Bag will be an exciting option for you.
This bag comes with a unique pre-molded insulated foam organizer for up to 14-way top organizer for your clubs to be safely stored within it. This is a very unique feature among bags. It has a great design if you want your clubs to stay organized. Your iron, wood, and putter have each place on the bag.
And a rain hood that can b easily put on and taken off keeps them dry, so you can stay focused on your game even in the rain.
To help you support all the weight of these clubs is a padded shoulder strap, allowing you to make light work of carrying your golf bag, even though it's not the same as a carry bag. The bag is versatile, though as people have reported that they successfully use it on their push carts.
The pocket side of things also shines on the aspect of keeping things where they belong. A total of 12 pockets (10 of them with zippers), including a cooler pocket, valuables pocket, and extra ball pockets & tee pocket allow you to have a storage place for everything you will need on your round of golf.
There really are few negative things to say about the bag, except for the fact that the pre-molded club holders don't really work for lefty clubs. The strap placement might also be an issue for some carts, which might make it hard to get some clubs out.
Unless you play lefty or don't like the strap placement, you will be hard-pressed to find an issue with the bag. Unfortunately, my wife plays lefty and because she sometimes borrows my bags this wouldn't be an option.
But I was very intrigued by the top dividers feature and protection this bag offers for the golf gear you bring to the course. While not as big of a golf name as some others, the Founders Club Premium Cart Bag, with strong construction and ease of use, can easily blow bigger names out of the water.
Bag Boy Chiller Cart Bag
Best for Drinks on the Course
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KEY FEATURES
The Bag Boy Golf Chiller Cart Bag might be a surprise cart bags pick for some, but they really play in the same league with the big equipment manufacturers on this one. With this well-insulated gem of a bag, they created a crowd-pleaser that doesn't only shine in its main job of helping you keep on top of your game, but also shines with keeping your drinks cool for the whole round.
The Bag Boy Chiller Cart Bag goes beyond the usual standard number of dividers. This golf cart bag has a 15-way full-length divider for your clubs with a large opening, and every single one of them will be securely, and safely separated from each other by a full-length divider. This keeps your clubs safe and in place, allowing you to quickly access and use your clubs.
The standout feature is the removable insulated cooler bag that can hold six 12 ounce cans. But there are a total of 9 pockets, including an oversized pocket for golf balls and tees, a valuables pocket, and an umbrella holder providing tons of storage for everything golfers need for a day at the course. The simple style of this golf bag makes it a wonderful choice for the style minimalist, as it is available in black with accents in 5 different color options. A nice bonus is the snap-on rain hood, which might help cover your clubs in a surprise downpour. Downside: it only covers the clubs and not the whole bag in case of heavy rain.
In our test, we didn't seem any issues standing out, but customers frequently complain about the zipper durability. If they can get this issue under control they have a star with the Chiller Cart Bag, because who doesn't like to bring cool drinks with you on the course to have a good time. A cold, insulated beverage has never disappointed and might be worth the weight of the bag, which clocks in at six and a half pounds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What Is The Best Golf Cart Bag To Buy?
We recommend the Ping Traverse as the number one cart bag. However, if you are willing to deal with the small size of the putting well dividers and the odd strap & handle placement just in front of it, then the Callaway Org 14 is our personal #1 choice.
Is A Cart Bag Or Stand Bag Better?
There isn’t really a better or worse option between the two. It very much depends on your intended use case. As the name suggests, these are an excellent choice when you’re planning on playing a round of golf using a golf cart most of your time on the course. However, if you decide to walk a course your cart bag will not bring you much joy due to its weight and lack of a stand. It’s only designed to stand upright on a flat surface. As a compromise, you could go for a back-up push cart.
However, if you are planning on keeping your options open to both take carts and also walk the course, then stand bags are a good compromise usually. They are a lot more lightweight, while at the same time still providing most of the storage space a cart bag would provide. However, they are not as light as some Sunday or travel bags.
Can Golf Stand Bags Be Used On A Cart?
Absolutely. We at Hitting The Golf Ball actually recommend stand bags for people who alternate walking the course, using a push cart, and using golf carts, as these are the most hybrid bag option available. However, the higher possible weight compared to a stand bag allows for better dividers and in consequence better protection for your clubs. The additional pounds from extra features make it harder to carry your golf bags, though.
What Is The Lightest Golf Cart Bag?
The TaylorMade Select bag has the lowest weight among the reviewed golf bags and is easy to carry. We feel 100% comfortable recommending it. With a weight of just under 5 pounds it's close in weight to some of the heavier carry bags, stand bags, and Sunday bags.
What Is The Best Waterproof Golf Cart Bag?
None of the bags on our list are completely water-resistant, however, all of them (except the Ping) come with a rain hood to protect your clubs. It's usually very easy to put on and take off the rain hood and use these features. However, this is not as big of an issue for your golf bags as carrying bags, as the golf cart usually provides enough protection from the rain.
What Are All The Pockets On A Golf Bag For?
The main function of the pockets is to help you store your golf gear and equipment and have order in your bag. Typical pockets are ball pockets, as well as small pockets for golf tees, a larger pocket for apparel, and a few generic extra pockets. A lot of higher-end models come with pre-molded rangefinder pockets, velour-lined valuables pockets, umbrella pockets, or even cooler pockets. Most golf bags focus on zippers to close your bags because the bag moves around so much that the chance of losing your items would be too big with slip pockets. All in all, pockets are for storage and making sure it is easy for golfers to find their items.
Testing Criteria used for evaluation
Once you decided that you will go for cart bags, searching and spotting the best golf cart bags will become easier if you know what are the key factors to look for. Bear in mind the following features when choosing the best golf bag in the market.
Weight
Golf cart bags are design for cart, however, this does not mean that you cannot carry them. There are instances that you need to carry it or when you plan to carry it on the golf course instead. Golf cart bags are heavier compared to the carry bags. Check the weight of the bag and see whether you will not going to have any difficulty when a situation comes that you need to carry a bag instead of putting it on the cart. You don't want to hurt your shoulders and back even before finishing your game. We include the weight of each cart bag in the review above. If you can't still decide which one to pick, you can narrow it down based on the weight and the price of each golf bag.
Storage Space
The biggest advantage of cart bags is storage space. Compared to the stand bags and carry bags, cart bags consist of a lot of pockets. Some golf bags have even more specific pockets for each of your golf gear. These are some of the pockets that are present in different kinds of bags. It has a velour-lined valuables pocket, ball pocket, cooler pocket, water bottle pocket, and rangefinders. Manufacturers have different ways of designing the pocket on each cart bag. Look for the one that is not just well designed but also allows you to have easy access as you push or pull your golf gear.
Dividers
The number of dividers on each golf bag differs on each model. The most common is the 14-way dividers. However, there are also cart bags that have 15-way full-length dividers like the Bag Boy Golf Chiller Cart Bag. Dividers offer to protect your clubs by preventing them from knocking and tangling each other. One thing to check for a divider too is the type. Is it a top-level divider only or full-length dividers? Full-length dividers ensure that your golf clubs will not tangle with each other. Another great feature of cart bags that are not present on stand bags is the putter well. The putter well protects your most precious putter by making sure to separate it from the rest of the clubs.
Conclusion
| NAME | EDITOR'S CATEGORY | PRODUCT |
|---|---|---|
| Ping Traverse Cart Bag | Best Overall |  |
| TaylorMade Select Cart Bag | Best on a Budget |  |
| Callaway Org 14 Cart Bag | 2nd Best Overall |  |
| Founders Club Premium Cart Bag | Best to Stay Organized |  |
| Bag Boy Chiller Cart Bag | Best for Drinks on the Course |  |
In conclusion, each bag has its advantages and its disadvantages. It is up to you to weigh them up and decide which is right for you. We looked at many different golf bags, as well as their pros and cons, and these are the five products we wholeheartedly recommend. However, do not limit yourself to golf cart bags. A Stand bag is always a great option and if you prefer to travel light, then check out our reviews of the best Sunday golf bags, or if you travel often, these market leading travel golf bags may be a lot more suitable for you.
As long as you make sure to do your research you will be sure to find the right fit. We hope that you got a lot of value out of our lineup. Thanks for reading and we'll see you on the green!
| NAME | EDITOR'S CATEGORY | PRODUCT |
|---|---|---|
| Ping Traverse Cart Bag | Best Overall | |
| TaylorMade Select Cart Bag | Best on a Budget | |
| Callaway Org 14 Cart Bag | 2nd Best Overall | |
| Founders Club Premium Cart Bag | Best to Stay Organized | |
| Bag Boy Chiller Cart Bag | Best for Drinks on the Course | |
