If you are in the market for a new golf bag and are not a PGA Tour or LPGA member, a stand bag is probably the way to go. Even if you ride around your local club every time you tee it up, which makes you a prime candidate for a cart bag, a well-constructed stand bag is lighter to transport to and from your car, and it will accommodate everything you should need during your round.
When you consider which stand bag to buy, create some priorities.
- If you intend to walk and carry your bag, its weight is especially important. Over 18 holes, every pound counts, so be sure to compare how much each bag weighs.
- If you bring loads of high-tech gear and accessories such as a portable speaker, a spare battery, a water bottle, an umbrella and a laser rangefinder, look for a bag with plenty of pockets and spots where you can easily store your stuff.
- There are bags on the market that have individual compartments for each of your 14 clubs, but most have a top divided into either four, five or six sections. More dividers can help keep things organized, but dividers add weight. It also can be frustrating to get clubs in and out of individual holders. Opting for a bag with fewer dividers can save weight, but cramming three or four clubs into one section can be cumbersome when the grips and shafts are cluttered.
To help find a good bag at a good price, look for the following models at your local store or online.
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Callaway Fairway 14 stand bag (Callaway)
Price: $279.99
Weight: 6 pounds
Dividers: 14
Pockets: Six
The Skinny: The redesigned Lowrider top has traction elements that help make the Fairway 14 bag stay on pushcarts more securely. It also has an individual slot for each club, sturdy metal pulls on the zippers and an alloy ring for holding a towel. A pass-through section near the top allows a cart strap to slip through easily when you ride. Available in 11 colorways.
Callaway Fairway 14 stand bag: $279.99 at PGA Tour Superstore / $279.99 at Dick’s Sporting Goods / $279.99 at GlobalGolf
Cobra Ultralight Pro stand bag (Cobra)
Price: $219
Weight: 4 pounds
Dividers: Four
Pockets: Seven
The Skinny: The legs of this bag have been modified to make it more stable, and the base was designed to rest more squarely on the turf. All that means increased stability. With seven pockets, including a magnetic-closing pocket for your laser rangefinder, the Ultralight Pro can accommodate everything you want on the course. Available in five colorways.
Cobra Ultralight Pro: $225 at Dick’s Sporting Goods / $220 at Walmart
Ogio Fuse stand bag (Ogio)
Price: $229.95
Weight: 4.4 pounds
Dividers: Four
Pockets: Six
The Skinny: A model of lightweight utility, the Fuse combines comfort-enhancing features such as padded shoulder straps and a back pad with handy conveniences such as a three-ball silo on the back, easy-to-use zipper pulls and loads of storage. The water bottle pocket has a drain, there is a large handle at the top to make getting the bag in and out of your car easier and even a handy Velcro glove patch. It comes in nine colorways.
Ogio Fuse: $229.99 at PGA Tour Superstore / $229.99 at Dick’s Sporting Goods / $229.95 at Walmart
Ping Hoofer Lite stand bag (Ping)
Price: $245
Weight: 5 pounds
Dividers: Four
Pockets: Seven
The Skinny: A redesigned back piece makes it easy to switch from wearing the Hoofer Lite like a backpack to using a single strap, which some golfers prefer. It has plenty of easy-to-reach pockets, including an insulated water bottle pocket, and wide openings at the top to make grabbing and storing clubs easier. Available in 17 color and print combinations.
Ping Hoofer Lite: $244.99 at PGA Tour Superstore / $244.99 at Dick’s Sporting Goods
Stitch SL2 Camo stand bag (Stitch)
Price: $388
Weight: 4 pounds
Dividers: Four
Pockets: Four
The Skinny: Stylish and functional, the SL2 Camo features a minimalist design that is lightweight. As slender as it is, the SL2 Camo has a large apparel pocket that can store a rainsuit, an insulated water pocket and a fleece-lined valuables pocket. The proprietary fabric used to make the bag is as strong as leather but more durable and water-resistant.
Stitch SL2 Camo: $388 at Stitch
Sun Mountain 2.5+ stand bag (Sun Mountain)
Price: $249.99
Weight: 2.9 pounds
Dividers: Four
Pockets: Six
The Skinny: Designed specifically for golfers who walk, the 2.5+ has contoured, foamy shoulder straps, carbon fiber legs and six pockets to hold gear, including a full-length apparel pocket and beverage pocket. The 9-inch opening at the top makes getting clubs out of the four openings easier. Available in eight colorways.
Sun Mountain 2.5+: $249.99 at PGA Tour Superstore / $249.99 at Dick’s Sporting Goods / $302.77 at Walmart
Titleist Players 4 Carbon stand bag (Titleist)
Price: $245
Weight: 2.8 pounds
Dividers: Four
Pockets: Five
The Skinny: Even with pockets that are designed to hold golf balls, apparel, accessories, a water bottle and valuables, the Players Four Carbon bag is among the lightest full-size stand bags out there thanks to carbon fiber legs. A breathable hip pad and adjustable backpack-style straps make this bag more comfortable to carry. Available in 14 colorways.
Titleist Players 4 Carbon: $244.99 at PGA Tour Superstore / $270 at Dick’s Sporting Goods
Vessel VLX Stand bag (Vessel)
Price: $335
Weight: 4.65 pounds
Dividers: Four
Pockets: Five
The Skinny: Made from water-resistant and durable synthetic leather, the VLX Stand bag has a throwback look with some modern conveniences. It has a magnetic, velour-lined pocket designed for a laser rangefinder, a magnetic and expandable water bottle sleeve, carbon fiber legs, waterproof zippers and a self-adjusting, padded double-strap system to make carrying the bag more comfortable. Available in six colors.
Vessel VLX Stand: $335 at PGA Tour Superstore
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