As walking the golf course gets more and more popular, the lightweight golf bag has become a better solution for most golfers. Lightweight golf bags are easy to load and unload from your vehicle. They are easy to move on a golf push cart and not difficult to store in your garage. There are certainly more benefits to a lightweight golf bag than there are negatives. The hard part is going to be deciding which lightweight golf bag is the best for you. Here are five of the best lightweight golf bags on the market and some helpful information for choosing the right one.
Our Best Lightweight Golf Bags in 2021
- Sun Mountain 4.5LS 14-Way Stand Bag (Best Overall)
"The Sun Mountain 4.5 LS is a perfect solution for those that walk the golf course but don't want to break their back. Sun Mountain does a great job of creating high quality golf bags that have all the features you could ever need." - Cobra Ultralight Stand Bag (Best on a Budget)
"Cobra makes a variety of reasonably priced golf products. The Ultralight stand bag is only 4.5 pounds; it is thin and narrow and feels like nothing when strapped to your back" - Ping Hoofer 14 Stand Bag (Upgrade Pick)
"The Ping Hoofer golf bags have led the way for many years. These bags are lightweight, easy to carry, and very well designed for a serious golfer. This is the number one bag in college golf." - TaylorMade Cart Lite Bag (Best Lightweight Cart Bag)
- TaylorMade FlexTech Stand Bag (Best Lightweight Golf Bag for Women)
Best Lightweight Golf Bags
Sun Mountain 4.5LS 14-Way Stand Bag
Best Overall
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KEY FEATURES
The Sun Mountain 4.5 LS is a 14 way stand bag that allows you to keep your clubs protected. The 14 way top is rare to find in a lightweight stand bag. The top ensures that the clubs are going to be separated so that the shafts and grips don’t rub together. When shafts and grips rub on each other, they will start to deteriorate.
In addition to this great 14 way divider, the Sun Mountain also comes with an Air Flow hip pad. The hip pad makes it so that when you are carrying the golf bag, it does not cause strain to your hips. The golf bag tends to crash into the hip repeatedly while walking, but the Sun Mountain will not cause any distress.
The shoulder straps on the Sun Mountain are very easy to adjust. You can make sure that this bag fits you properly before you head out for your walk. If you choose to ride the golf course with the Sun Mountain, the cart strap pass through system is very easy and will keep your clubs securely in place.
Many people worry about storage with a lightweight golf bag because they are considerably smaller. Luckily the Sun Mountain 4.5 still have nine pockets, some are waterproof to protect valuables, and there is a hydration pouch as well. Overall this lightweight golf bag will give you everything that you need for a very fair price.
>>> Read about all of the Best Sun Mountain Golf Bags. <<<
Cobra Ultralight Stand Bag
Best on a Budget
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KEY FEATURES
The Cobra Ultralight Stand Bag is a great value golf bag. When we talk about value, it does not mean that a product is cheap. Simply stated, this bag is a fair price for what you get. As you have probably noticed, golf bags tend to get quite expensive.
The Cobra Ultralight has an EasyFlex base, making sure that when you put the bag down, it does not slip or slide on the turf. With a lightweight stand bag, this is an important consideration.
The top of the ultralight is a five way top. This provides ample space between your clubs while still keeping the bag very lightweight. There are some great pockets on the Cobra Ultralight and a large apparel pocket as well. Inside you will also find an insulated beverage pocket that will fit a large water bottle.
The front pocket on the Cobra Ultralight and unzip and come off completely. This allows you to have your name embroidered on it and then reattach it to the bag. This is a nice feature when you want to personalize your bag just a bit more. Overall we like this bag from a style and functionality stand point.
Ping Hoofer 14 Stand Bag
Upgrade Pick
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KEY FEATURES
If you have been around golf a while, you know that the Ping products certainly stand out from the crowd. They are made with quality and detail in mind. The Ping Hoofer is probably the most well known lite stand bag in golf.
These golf bags were the original stand bags with the strap system to make walking the golf course enjoyable. For many years all college golfers were using the Ping Hoofer golf bags because of their weight and easy access to gear as well. Ping Hoofer bags have a great pocket design, and their bags hold up in all conditions.
The new Ping Hoofer 14 stand bag is the best premium lite stand bag. The pricing on this bag is going to be quite a bit higher than some of the other choices on our list, but it will still be well worth it.
With the Ping Hoofer 14 you are going to get 11 pockets included a magnetic rangefinder pocket, two valuables pocket, and an apparel pocket as well. You will have no trouble organizing your gear while you use this carry bag.
One of the newest upgrades to the Ping Hoofer is a double shoulder strap that converts to a single carry strap. This is a new strap system and a great improvement that you won’t see on other carry bags.
If you are serious about golf and like to spend your weekends walking the golf course, the Hoofer is one of the carry bags that you will want to seriously consider.
>>> Read our roundup review of the Best Ping Golf Bags. <<<
TaylorMade Cart Lite Bag
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KEY FEATURES
The TaylorMade Cart Lite Bag stands out as the best lightweight cart bag on the market. For a lightweight bag, you will still get plenty of storage, but you won’t have to worry about hurting yourself just lifting the bag on and off the cart.
Most of the time, the words lightweight and cart bag don’t go together. Most golf cart bags are going to be quite heavy and offer a large storage capacity. Cart bags are not ideal for walking the golf course as they tend to be really heavy.
However, there are some benefits to purchasing a lightweight cart bag. You won’t have to worry so much about getting the club in and out of your car or the golf cart either. These lightweight cart bags make a great solution for golfers that want to have all their gear with them but still want to travel light.
The TaylorMade Cart Lite weighs 5.5 pounds. It has a 14 way top, so your clubs can stay divided and protected. One of our favorite features is the front facing pockets that allow golfers the ability to get to their accessories without having to maneuver or unstrap the golf bag.
The Cart Lite has the true cart pass through feature that allows your clubs to stay on the cart, but you still have access to all of your gear. The base of the cart lite is engineered to fit into a golf cart with ease. Overall if you want a lightweight golf cart bag, this is a great choice.
>>> Check out all the Best TaylorMade Golf Bags we reviewed for you. <<<
TaylorMade FlexTech Stand Bag
KEY FEATURES
Sometimes women think they are limited to purchasing a golf bag that is specifically built for the female golfer. This is just not the case. There is no reason that the female golfer cannot choose a bag that is built for men as well. Most of the time, the only difference is going to be the color.
The TaylorMade FlexTech Stand bag is our favorite golf bag for a woman that likes to walk the golf course. This is a 4 lb carry bag that will help keep your gear organized. There is a brand new self adusting strap on this Flex Tech that helps make it easier to lift and carry this golf bag.
The 5 way the organizational top is a good way to help your clubs stay protected as you move them from one hole to the next. The FlexTech comes with many pockets, including a valuable pocket and a full length apparel pocket.
Another great benefit is the anti split stand system. If you happen to fill a lightweight bag with too many clubs or golf balls, you can see the stand start to slide and potential split when you put the bag down. The FlexTech has reinforcements in place to make sure this doesn’t happen. Although we don’t recommend carrying bowling balls in your golf bag, the TaylorMade FlexTech would handle it just fine.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Now that you have a good understanding of the best lightweight golf bags on the market let’s take a look at some frequently asked questions. There are lots of things to consider when purchasing a golf bag. The first and most important is to decide if a lite stand bag is even the right choice for your game.
Why Choose A Carry Bag Over A Cart Bag?
If you like to walk the golf course, there is no question that carries bags are going to make more sense than cart bags. A carry bag is lighter, easy to manage, and usually has the necessary strap system to carry the bag across your back.
Even if you don’t enjoy walking the golf course, carry bags will be easier to manage. You can lift them in and out of your car easier. You will also be able to attach them to a golf cart with ease.
The major downsides of a carry bag are the fact that you will not have as much storage, and sometimes they slide around on a cart. The new cart integrated strap loops make it a bit easier to keep the bag upright as opposed to having it fall down or to the side during travel.
The type of bag you choose will ultimately be a personal choice, but the lightweight bag does make things easier to manage.
What Is The Benefit Of A 14 Way Top?
You probably noticed that a few of the stand bag options on our list advertise having a 14 way top. The 14 way top is a great way to make sure that your golf clubs stay protected in your bag. The top helps to make sure that each club has its own individual place in the bag.
When clubs rub against each other inside the bag, they will start to break down components of the shaft and the grip. Eventually, you may notice damage to a graphite shaft or damage to a grip. Of course, these things can be fixed or replaced, but you may as well protect your clubs.
Sometimes the 14 way top can add a bit of weight to the stand bag. If you see a bag that has a five or six way top, it is probably because they were trying to save a bit of weight.
What Are Full Length Dividers?
Full length dividers mean that if the top of the bag has 14 divisions, then those will continue down to the bottom of the golf bag. The full length dividers provide an added level of protection for your golf clubs.
Again, the major issue with the full length dividers is that they are going to add more weight to the bag. Most of the time, a stand bag will not have a full length divider. This should not be a deterrent when purchasing a stand bag.
How To Make Sure A Golf Bag Doesn’t Get Too Heavy?
One thing golfers should be a way of is making sure that their bag does not get too heavy and start causing back issues. As you will notice of these bags, start around four pounds. By the time you start putting all of your gear and golf balls in the bag, the weight will add up fast.
According to the rules of golf, you are allowed to keep 14 clubs in your bag. You should not be carrying more than 14 clubs, it adds extra weight, and you can’t use these clubs anyway. Stick to the 14 that you know will work and leave the others at home.
Another thing is to make sure that you are not carrying too many golf balls in your bag. If you have more than ten or twelve balls, that is probably excessive, and it is just adding extra weight. Try to keep the balls to a minimum and just add more in after your round if necessary.
We also recommend bringing a water bottle and then refilling it after the front nine. When you load your bag down with several drinks, it will get quite heavy and be difficult to manage around the golf course.
Keep an eye on accessories as they go into your bag. If you walk the course a lot, taking out the unnecessary things and saving a few pounds can make a huge difference. A golf course is typically about five miles of walking. If you walk with a 20 or a 30 pounds bag on your back, you will certainly be able to tell the difference.
Testing Criteria used for evaluation
Here are a few of the aspects that you will need to consider and decide on when you are choosing your new lightweight golf bag.
Color
Although you may think that your stand bag’s color will be a matter of preference, you should carefully consider this decision. A white golf bag looks excellent when you first purchase it, but as time goes on, it is going to get very dirty.
The white will be hard to clean, and eventually, you will end up needing to replace the bag. If you are fine with this, the white is a great choice. If you expect that your bag will last you for the next 5-10 years, it makes sense to choose a darker color.
The dark blue or black tends to be the most popular option. Gray golf bags also do a great job of hiding dirt.
Rain Hood/Waterproof
Most of the time, your entire bag is not going to be waterproof. Most will come with a matching rain hood that is going to help keep the clubs dry should you get stuck in a storm. Many of the bags also have a waterproof pocket to protect your phone or electronics should the weather turn on you.
Pay attention to the fabric of the golf bag you purchase. Some are heavier than others. It is always essential to make sure you treat the fabric according to the manufacturer’s directions so that it lasts for a very long time.
Putting your clubs away when the bag is still soaking wet could lead to some deterioration. Do your best to let everything dry out before storing your equipment.
Top Design
We talked a little bit about how extra dividers are going to provide your clubs with additional protection. If you play with graphite shafts, you will want to consider getting a bag with a higher number of dividers. For those with steel shaft, this is not as much of a concern.
Overall Weight
Right around four pounds is going to be the ideal weight for a lightweight bag. IF you can stay within this range, you leave yourself a lot of room to store clubs and balls before the bag should get too heavy.
You may see some cart bags that weigh 5.5 or so pounds. This is a great thing as far as maneuverability but remember they will not have the proper straps for helping you carry the bag on the course.
Strap
A large bag built for a cart typically comes with a single strap. Once you start looking at the stand bag, you will notice that they have the dual strap. The dual strap allows you to put the golf clubs across your back. This will make it, so both hands are free, and you can walk the course completely upright.
Make sure that the shoulder straps are adjustable and that you can get the hip pad on the bag to the proper height for you. Shoulder straps make a huge difference when you are carrying stand bags.
Pockets
Stand bags are not going to have a tremendous amount of pockets. They will have enough room for you to keep all the essentials but don’t expect to store all of your golf gear in these bags. Anything with eight or more pockets should have more than enough organizational capability for the average golfer. Things like a cooler pocket and three velour-lined valuables pockets may need to be saved for the larger, heavier bags.
Conclusion
| NAME | EDITOR'S CATEGORY | PRODUCT |
|---|---|---|
| Sun Mountain 4.5LS 14-Way Stand Bag | Best Overall |  |
| Cobra Ultralight Stand Bag | Best on a Budget |  |
| Ping Hoofer 14 Stand Bag | Upgrade Pick |  |
| TaylorMade Cart Lite Bag | Best Lightweight Cart Bag |  |
| TaylorMade FlexTech Stand Bag | Best Lightweight Golf Bag for Women |  |
By now, you should have all the information you need to get the best lightweight golf bag on the market. We think that the Sun Mountain 4.5 stands out as the overall best. The Sun Mountain has plenty of pockets, does a great job of protecting your clubs, and allows you to choose a color that you really like. You will be impressed with how long the Sun Mountain products last as they are made with very high-quality materials. Although your Sun Mountain may cost a bit more than other options, there are good reasons behind the price. It’s essential to choose a bag you love as this should last you for many years.
