Best carry bags – 2023

Walking the golf course is one of the best things you can do for your health. If you don’t like working out at the gym or taking walks, simply get a carry bag, and you can complete all of those things while you are out on the golf course.

The number of steps you get while golfing is incredible; however, if you don’t have one of the best carry bags on the market, you will be struggling by the time you make it up to the 18th green.

We have put together the best carry bags that 2023 has to offer. These lightweight golf bags, stand bags, and traditional carry bags all have everything players need for a great round of golf.

Best golf carry bags

Sun Mountain Men’s 4.5 LS Golf Stand Bag

The Sun Mountain Men’s 4.5 LS Golf Stand bag is the best overall carry bag in 2022. This bag features a 10.5 inch top and fourteen individual club dividers. With a lightweight bag like this, the individual club dividers can be hard to find.

There are nine total pockets, including a hydration pouch. Having a spot to keep your water is essential with a carry bag. In addition, there is a water resistant valuables pocket to keep your phone and wallet away from the rain.

Even though we chose this as our best carry bag in 2022, it does have a cart pass through strap system to ensure that you can put this bag on a cart and still get the functionality that you need.

Pros

• Can switch from carrying to cart bag easily
• Has 14 individual full length dividers
• Durable stand bag that can hold a lot of gear
• One of the best golf bags for longevity and quality of design

Cons

• Sun Mountain products are a little higher in price

Callaway Golf Chev Stand Bag

The Callaway Golf Chev Stand bag is one of the best golf stand bags for the player that is looking for a mix of storage space and lightweight technology. This is considered to be a mid-sized stand bag, and it has a 4 way top with full-length dividers.

There are six pockets in this lightweight golf bag, including an insulated cooler pocket and an oversized apparel pocket. Although you won’t get nearly as many pockets as you do in a golf cart bag, there is plenty of room to store your belongings.

Pros

• Weight of just 4.3 pounds
• Midsized golf bag with a good mix of storage and lower weighting
• Double shoulder strap is comfortable and adjustable
• Hook and loop attachment for a glove
• Long-lasting fabric

Cons

• Color selection is a bit limited

TaylorMade Select ST

If you have a bag full of the latest gear from TaylorMade, then you may want to take a look at the TaylorMade Select ST golf bag. This is one of the best lightweight golf bag options on the market and is a perfect option for travel or for the golfer that likes to walk the golf course.

We like the 7-way divider top as it felt like it kept the clubs far enough apart as we walked the course. The extra-large ball pocket will accommodate quite a few golf balls if you are a player that likes to bring all of your gear along for the right.

Remember that by carrying a lot of golf balls and golf clubs, you can quickly take one of the most lightweight golf bags on the market and make it extremely heavy.

Pros

• Anti split stand system
• Large capacity pockets
• 7 way divider for clubs
• Towel ring

Cons

• Not the highest golf bag on the market

Izzo Ultralite Stand Bag

For golfers on a budget, the Izzo Ultralite Stand Bag can be the perfect carry bag. This is one of the best golf bags on the market for combining lower weight and functionality. The total weight of the bag is just 3.2 pounds. The top of the bag does have four full length dividers which provide some separation, although not quite as much as other stand golf bags.

The Izzo has plenty of unique features, including an Umbrella Holder and a matching rain hood. If you are new to the game of golf and don’t want to spend all of your money on a new golf bag, the Izzo Ultralite is a great carry bag in 2022.

Pros

• Only weighs 3.2 pounds
• One of the lightest golf bag options for the money
• Four way top for better club protection

Cons

• Fabric tends to fade faster than other brands

TaylorMade Flex Tech Lite

Sometimes when companies talk about the best golf bag on the market, they forget to mention the way the bag looks. We don’t know about you, but we care about the way the golf bag we are playing with looks, and the TaylorMade Flex Tech Lite is one of the better looking golf bags on the market.

The Flex Tech Lite also has a self adjusting strap on the back to ensure that you will be comfortable from the moment you put this bag on. There are four full length dividers and seven total pockets included with the Flex Tech Lite.

The bag is easy to organize, and it has the durability necessary for golfers that play many rounds of golf in a year.

Pros

• Detachable ball pocket for customization
• Great looking lightweight golf bag
• Anti split stand system
• Hip pad for better comfort while walking

Cons

• Pricing is a little higher than other lightweight golf carry bags

Cobra Golf Ultralight Golf Stand Bags

Created to improve your grip, the Bionic Men’s StableGrip Golf Glove comes with a natural fit made of genuine leather for added durability. With Bionic’s patented pad technology, you can comfortably grip your golf club as the relief system evens out your hand surface preventing fatigue, allowing you to have a light grip and stay in control.

StableGrip gloves also come with a tapered finger design and 3-D finger pads that can conform to your hand’s natural shape providing more durability and comfort as well as a better grip each time you swing. These durable gloves also have added support and an extra-long lifespan thanks to the additional pad on the glove’s palm.

Fitting like a second skin, the machine washable StableGrip Golf Gloves do not bag, so you don’t have to readjust your wrist strap constantly. They also have a pre-rotated finger design that helps improve their fit by following the natural curve of your hand. Plus, with Lycra running up the pointer finger, on top of the knuckles, and in between the finger gussets, you get the most flexibility and breathability on those really humid days without losing your grip.

Pros

• Durable gloves that stand up to several swings
• Perfect for lighter grips
• Gloves hold up well to consistent use

Cons

• Gloves take a little time to get used to due to the padding

Cleveland Golf Stand Bag

Cleveland golf always puts out some reasonably priced golf bag options, and this stand bag is no expectation. This bag has a nine inch top and a 14 way divider. If you are worried about switching from a cart bag to a carry bag because of golf club protection, the Cleveland Golf stand bag can be a perfect choice.

Most golf bags in this category will have one or two handles to help you load the bag into your car after a round; the Cleveland Golf Stand bag has 8. This means that you can easily maneuver the bag on a cart or on your back throughout a day of golf. We really liked the velour-lined valuables pocket being waterproof so that our essential gear had a place to go in the rain.

Pros

• Total of 13 pockets, more than most carry bags
• 14 way divider
• Insulated cooler pocket

Cons

• The larger size does make it slightly heavier

Jones Original Carry Bag

The idea of the carry bag has changed quite a bit through the years. What was once a bag that caddies used to throw over their shoulder has now turned into a backpack-type contraption that makes it possible for any player to enjoy a round of golf while lugging their own clubs around.

However, if you like the original carry bag concept, something similar to what Bobby Jones would have used years ago, the Jones Original Carry Bag could be perfect. This is a perfect looking carry bag that is just 3.15 pounds. The only downside is that there is no stand.

The single shoulder strap makes the bag a bit different to carry and could cause some fatigue in your shoulder if you use it for a lot of golf.

Pros

• Two zippered ball pouches
• One of the highest golf bags on the market
• Classic looking style

Cons

• Can deteriorate faster from laying the bag in the grass
• Does not have a stand

the Best golf carry bag …

Carry bag buyers guide

Be sure to check out these other golf bags:

• Golf cart bag
• Travel golf bag
• Stand golf bag
• Best womens golf bag
• Taylormade golf bags
• Golf bag rain cover
• Golf bag push cart

Now that you have a list of the best golf carry bags on the market, it’s time to start narrowing down which of these could be the best for your game. There are some key considerations to look through when choosing the best golf bags on the market.

Weight

Most of the best carry bags are between three and four and a half pounds. This is a good starting point before you put all of your gear into the bag and make it heavy! The total weight of the golf bag is typically controlled by the player. If you walk and play a lot of golf, be sure to narrow down the things you keep in the bag.

Strap

Most of the best carry bags on the market will have a backpack-type strap. These straps will balance the weight between your shoulders and make it less likely to experience a back or neck injury from carrying your clubs. The straps on some of the best carry bags are self adjusting.

Features and Organization

When walking the golf course, you are not going to have a cart to help you organize all of your gear. Look for pockets that will allow you to keep your water bottle cool store your golf balls, tees, valuables, and even your gloves. Making sure that your accessories have a place to sit during a round is essential.

Player type

Some golfers are new to the game and need a simple carry bag that is more like a Sunday golf bag. Others are serious about their health and wellness and play golf for exercise. Then there are players that are looking for complete organization and playability on the golf course. Try to consider the type of player you are and the functionality you need from your bag.

Golf carry bag faqs

Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions about a golf carry bag. Asking the questions before you purchase will help ensure that you are happy with the product that you get.

Are a golf stand bag and a golf carry bag the same thing?

A golf stand bag and a golf carry bag are the same things. The only difference you will sometimes find is that a classic or traditional carry bag may not have a stand. The stand helps to make gear easier to access and protects the clubs from sitting in the grass.

What is the best golf stand bag ?

The best golf stand bag is the SunMountain 4.5 LS. This golf bag has impressive features and great coloring. We find that the Sun Mountain fabric holds up for a very long time. The pricing on Sun Mountain golf bags may be a little higher initially, but in the end, it will pay off.

Who makes the best carry golf bag ?

The best golf carry bags are made by all of the major manufacturers in the game. TaylorMade, Callaway, Titleist, Cobra, and Sun Mountain make some of the best Lightest golf stand bag and carry bags on the market.

Are lightweight golf bags better?

Lightweight golf bags are better for players that walk and carry their clubs. If you play golf with a cart bag and never really remove the bag from your cart, then the weight will not matter. However, for most golfers, lightweight golf bags end up being a better option.