Carry, stand, or cart? The first question is how you get around the course. If you walk and carry, you want a lightweight stand bag (under 5 lbs) with a dual strap. If you walk but use a push cart, a stand bag or a cart-style bag both work — just make sure it straps on cleanly. If you ride a power cart, get a cart bag: heavier, more pockets, and a stable base designed to sit on the cart. The Sunday Golf Loma is the exception — a minimalist carry bag for the golfer who wants to walk light with a half set.
Dividers: 4-way vs. 14-way. A 4-way top is lighter and lets you pull clubs faster, which is why walkers tend to prefer it. A 14-way top gives every club its own slot, which prevents shaft tangle and is the choice for cart golfers who keep a full set organized. Full-length dividers (running the entire length of the bag) are worth it either way — they stop shafts from clanging together and make pulling a club smooth.
Pockets and storage. A good bag has a valuables pouch (lined, so your phone and keys do not scratch), a apparel pocket big enough for a rain jacket, and a ball pocket you can reach without taking the bag off. Cart bags add a cooler pocket and a rangefinder pocket. More pockets add weight, so do not overbuy — a walker rarely needs ten pockets, and a cart golfer rarely wants to carry a bag with three.
Waterproofing. Most bags are water-resistant, not waterproof. If you play in the rain or in the morning dew, a fully waterproof bag like the Titleist StaDry is worth the premium. For everyone else, a rain hood that snaps over the top is enough for the occasional shower. A waterproof valuables pouch is a feature worth having on any bag.
Prices shift often, so we send you to the live price rather than quote a stale one. Check the current number before you buy.
