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When it comes to organizing and planning your golf game, choosing the right golf bag is going to make all the difference. Unless you are lucky enough to have a caddy who is willing to lug a big tour bag around, then you are going to want to travel light and with the freedom to move around the golf course.
So, if you’re a golfer who enjoys carrying their clubs, you’ll need something lightweight that sits comfortably on your back. This is vital because a bag that isn’t comfortable is going to negatively impact your performance, particularly when you get to the back nine and tiredness starts to kick in.
Depending on the conditions you normally play in, you might also want to opt for a waterproof bag, with the quality of the stand and the amount of storage available something that needs to be considered when making your next purchase.
Put simply, there are a lot of factors that need examining before making your next decision. Even easy access to pockets, robustness and stability should be considered and, as such, it can be difficult to know where to start. However, at Golf Monthly, we have reviewed and tested a wide range of stand bags from multiple brands and selected our favorites below.
Ping Hoofer Stand Bag – Best Overall
Specifications
- Weight: 2.5kg/5.5lbs
- Pockets: 11
- Waterproof: Not fully
- Colors: 3
One of the best golf bags on the market and perhaps the most well-known range within the stand bag sector, the Ping Hoofer continues to offer an incredible blend of performance and stylish looks for a wide array of golfers.
To begin with, it is lightweight at just 5.5lbs, with the comfortable nature coming from two well-cushioned straps and a hip pad. Unlike some stand bags, the Hoofer is able to go onto a push cart, as the cart strap channel passes underneath the main pocket. This means that it is straightforward to attach and ensures unrestricted access to pockets.
In regards to pockets, there are 11 on the Hoofer, with all 11 varying in size and depth, so there is plenty of space to put waterproofs, drinks etc. Lastly, like the best Ping golf bags, the stand itself is excellent and performed perfectly in all manner of conditions and terrain. Downhill, uphill or sidehill lies were conquered with absolute ease thanks to the quality of the stand itself, and the renowned Hoofer base design.
Titleist Players 5 StaDry Stand Bag – Best Looking
Specifications
- Weight: 2kg/4.4lbs
- Pockets: 7
- Waterproof: Yes
- Colors: 4
The Titleist Players 5 StaDry Stand Bag is a stylish, classic-looking bag that really strikes the right chord with us. One of the best Titleist golf bags on the market, the design remains faithful to the DNA that made it resonate with so many golfers worldwide.
As well as the appealing aesthetics, the bag has tons of practical features too, including two external lined cooler pouches to store your beverages, a Sharpie holder and a spacious golf ball pocket. Titleist have also added a new 5-way top divider to aid with both club organisation and accessibility.
This bag oozes class and simplicity and comes in four color options that will appeal to a wide range of tastes, but the main stand-out feature, in our testing, was the straps, which didn’t twist or tangle throughout the 10 rounds we used the bag for.
Wilson Exo Lite Stand Bag – Best value
Specifications
- Weight : 1.8kg/3.5 lbs
- Pockets: 6
- Waterproof : Not fully (Showerproof)
- Colors: 6
Straight out the gate, we must say that this is one of the best lightweight golf bags on the market, with the Exo Lite weighing in at just 3.5lbs. However, don’t mistake that for a lack of sturdiness as, in testing, we had no problems with the legs kicking out when placed on the ground and, on a windy day, there will be peace of mind knowing it won’t topple over.
Admittedly, we have tested better straps but, importantly, they are comfortable and easy enough to adjust, whilst the comprehensive hip pad makes for an altogether comfortable experience over the shoulders and back. One other point to note, is that the bag isn’t fully waterproof, making it more suited to summer months.
There is a lot to like about the Exo Lite Stand Bag, with the stand-out feature, for us, being the magnetic rangefinder pocket. Not only is it convenient, it also feels super-premium. If you don’t want to store your rangefinder in this pocket then there are plenty of other pockets that will do, or there’s even an accessory clip that you can utilize as an alternative.
Callaway Fairway C HD Golf Bag – Best Waterproof
Specifications
- Weight: 2kg/4.4lbs
- Pockets: 5
- Waterproof: Yes
- Colors: 3
This is another terrific offering from Callaway who really excel in the carry bag department. At just 2kg (4.4lbs) this is one of the most lightweight bags that is still capable of holding a full set of 14 clubs plus everything else a golfer needs. Where this bag really elevates itself from the competition though is in its protection from the elements. Thanks to its 10K waterproof fabric and fully seam sealed construction, the Fairway C HD bag guarantees protection from even the heaviest of downpours.
In terms of comfort, we were very impressed with what this bag had to offer when we tested it on the course. A new strap and hip pad design brings added comfort to the shoulders and back and this really stood out for us in testing as we experienced a level of softness that is quite unusual.
When it comes to storage, there are other bags in this guide that offer more pockets but the five pockets in total were ample for us. The valuables pockets was a particular stand out for us because it is fleece-lined to protect your phone from scratching, which is a nice touch. Additionally it also has a cooler pocket as well as a large main pocket for carrying essentials such as waterproofs or a jumper, while we should mention that this bag comes in a variety of cool, unique colors as well. For more models from this brand, check out our guide on the best Callaway golf bags.