2022 Golf Travel Bag Buyer’s Guide
With the summer approaching, golf travel vibes are taking flight. But what are you doing to protect your golf clubs?
All golf travel bags are not created equal. After testing nearly all travel bags the market has to offer, we can prove there are huge differences between most of them.
A couple of tips:
The more wheels, the better. More wheels allow you to push or pull your golf travel bag with ease.
Some bags have extra legs and wheels that extend allowing you to pull or push your clubs with one finger. It’s just that easy.
Whether you’re looking to buy a golf travel bag today, looking for some buying advice or just want a closer look at what’s on the market right now, this guide will help you find the right one.
Winner: Sun Mountain ClubGlider Tour Series
It has been true for a few years that Sun Mountain produces the best golf travel bags on the market. This year is no exception. The Sun Mountain ClubGlider Tour Series may be one of the heavier travel bags but with that weight comes great durability and outstanding maneuverability. Its four-wheel system allows you to pull the bag with your pinky finger. Throw in a one-year warranty and you have the winner of the 2022 Most Wanted Travel Bag Test.
- 1st in durability
- 16th in packing
- 1st in maneuverability
- 3rd in protection
- 8th in storage
BEST CLUB PROTECTOR TRAVEL BAG - OGIO MUTANT
For those golfers who want your clubs to be tucked up nice and snug for the journey should consider the OGIO Mutant. It has best in class protection throughout the bag with a good amount of storage for extra items.
Features That Matter
Maneuverability
Versatile wheels are the way to go. Some have just two. Others have six. No matter how many wheels your travel bag has, it is imperative they work with ease because travel is stressful enough.
The travel bag that performed best in this category was the Sun Mountain ClubGlider Tour Series. Others that performed well were BagBoy Freestyle and Tour Trek TC-Flex. All have multiple wheels that rotate 360 degrees.
Protection
Keeping your golf clubs protected is the primary function of a travel bag. There’s nothing more depressing than going on a trip and getting to your accommodation and discovering your driver snapped in half. The best golf travel bags have ample padding throughout with extra at the top part of the bag to keep your clubs snug and safe.
Ogio, PING and Sun Mountain ensure your clubs are tucked up safe and sound for the journey. The ClubGlove Last Bag XL Pro Tour also performed well in this category
Durability
There is a multitude of options. Some are more durable than others. Different materials provide different levels of protection but it’s a misconception that hard outer shells are always more durable and offer better protection. Hard shells tend to crack more easily while materials that are semi-rigid and spring back to their original shape tend to be more durable than bags that have loose material.
What’s the point of having an item that only lasts a season? The best golf travel bags that will stand the test of time are Sun Mountain ClubGlider Tour Series, ClubGlove Last Bag XL Pro Tour and Srixon Travel Cover.
EXPERT TIP - Lock Your Travel Bag
If you travel often, make sure you have a padlock that is TSA-approved so they don't have to break into your travel bag.
BEST GOLF TRAVEL BAG 2022 - FEATURES
| Product | Colors | Wheels | Material | Pockets | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Amazon Basics Soft Sided Travel Bag Check Price | 4 | 2 | 1800D Polyester | 5 | 8.3LB |
 | Bag Boy Freestyle Check Price | 3 | 6 | 600D Polyester | 1 | 10.3LB |
 | Bag Boy T-10 Check Price | 4 | 2 | 600D Polyester | 2 | 9.6LB |
 | Bag Boy T-750 Check Price | 4 | 2 | 600D Nylon | 1 | 7.4LB |
 | Bag Boy T2000 Check Price | 5 | 2 | 168D Nylon | 4 | 9LB |
 | CHAMPKEY PROFESSIONAL GOLF TRAVEL BAG Check Price | 1 | 2 | 1200D Polyester | 6 | 6.4LB |
 | Club Glove Last Bag XL Pro Tour Check Price | 16 | 2 | 1600D Ballistic Nylon | 2 | 11.2LB |
 | Club Glove Medium Collegiate Check Price | 18 | 2 | 1600D Ballistic Nylon | 2 | 8LB |
 | Himal Outdoors Golf Travel Bag Check Price | 1 | 2 | 600D Polyester | 0 | 4.4LB |
 | Himal Outdoors Soft-Sided Check Price | 1 | 2 | 600D Polyester | 4 | 7LB |
 | Inesis Travel Cover Check Price | 1 | 2 | Polyester Cathlonic | 0 | 6.6LB |
 | Izzo High Roller Check Price | 1 | 6 | 168D Nylon | 1 | 12.8LB |
 | Ogio Mutant Travel Bag Check Price | 3 | 3 | 168D Polyester | 2 | 8.2LB |
 | OUTDOOR MASTER GOLF CLUB Check Price | 2 | 2 | 900D Oxford | 2 | 8LB |
 | Ping Rolling Travel Cover Check Price | 2 | 4 | 1200D Polyester | 1 | 8.9LB |
 | SAMSONITE HARD CASE Check Price | 2 | 1 | ABS Shell | 0 | 15LB |
 | Srixon Travel Cover Check Price | 1 | 2 | 168D Ballistic Nylon | 3 | 7.4LB |
 | Sun Mountain ClubGlider Tour Series Check Price | 2 | 4 | Vinyl | 2 | 13.2LB |
 | Titleist Players Travel Cover Check Price | 1 | 2 | 1200D Polyester | 5 | 8.5LB |
 | Tour Trek TC-Flex Check Price | 1 | 6 | 900D Polyester | 1 | 10LB |
 | VICE Shell Travel Cover Check Price | 1 | 6 | 168D Nylon | 1 | 5.7LB |
BEST ROLLING TRAVEL BAG - Sun Mountain Clubglider Tour Series
The Best Golf Travel Bag in 2022 goes to the Sun Mountain Clubglider Tour Series. One of the reasons for this win is because of its extendable legs making it easier to roll from car to airport. Trust me, it's a game changer.
More Tips
- Not every bag offers the same quality of protection. The best golf travel bags of 2022 keep your clubs safe against the worst the airlines have to offer.
- Many of the best golf travel bags of 2022 have side or front pockets to stow extra items rather than cramming them in your suitcase. As long as weight doesn’t become an issue, additional pockets can save space and money. But beware that some airlines charge an additional fee for overweight items. Check that out before you arrive at check-in.
- Golfers who want a leisurely stroll in and out of the airport should consider travel bags with four or six wheels as they typically require minimal effort to roll and control. Sun Mountain Club Glider and Tour Trek TC-Flex are good examples of bags with more user-friendly wheel designs.
- If you travel often, durability is a significant consideration. Material that is thin and baggy won’t last as long as thicker and more rigid materials.
- Wrap extra material—a towel, perhaps—between your clubs before closing the bag. This will protect them from rubbing against each other and hopefully avoid breakage.
- Stand bag legs can be damaged from time to time. Again, try to cushion them when packing your travel bag. The Bag Boy T-2000 has a stand protector to help prevent damages on those trips.
EXPERT TIP - Weight
Keep an eye on the weight while packing for your trip. Travel bags that already weigh a lot will hinder your ability to cram extra items into your travel bag. Going over on weight can prove expensive depending on the airline.
GET FIT FOR YOUR GAME WITH TRUEGOLFFIT™
Unbiased. No Guesswork. All Major Brands. Matched To Your Swing. Advanced Golf Analytics matches the perfect clubs to your exact swing using connected data and machine learning.
FREE FITTING
How We Test
We're here to help you find the perfect travel bag to fit your needs.
To do that, we employ a thorough and fully independent testing process that leaves no feature unexplored, no display unchecked, and no stone unturned.
Our Metrics
Travel bags are tested head to head with rigorous protocols.
The metrics we consider when rating travel bags include Durability, Packing, Maneuverability, Protection, and Storage
BEST GOLF TRAVEL BAG 2022- RESULTS
| Product | Durability | Packing | Maneuverability | Protection | Storage | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun Mountain ClubGlider Tour Series Check Price | 1st | 16th | 1st | 3rd | 8th | 92.5 |
| Ping Rolling Travel Cover Check Price | 5th | 19th | 4th | 2nd | 5th | 91.5 |
| Izzo High Roller Check Price | 8th | 13th | 4th | 3rd | 3rd | 91 |
| Ogio Mutant Travel Bag Check Price | 7th | 2nd | 6th | 1st | 8th | 91 |
| Club Glove Last Bag XL Pro Tour Check Price | 1st | 1st | 10th | 3rd | 20th | 90.5 |
| Tour Trek TC-Flex Check Price | 8th | 19th | 2nd | 7th | 1st | 90.5 |
| VICE Shell Travel Cover Check Price | 8th | 2nd | 2nd | 12th | 3rd | 90.5 |
| Bag Boy Freestyle Check Price | 11th | 2nd | 6th | 9th | 1st | 90 |
| Amazon Basics Soft Sided Travel Bag Check Price | 5th | 2nd | 10th | 9th | 6th | 89.5 |
| Club Glove Medium Collegiate Check Price | 4th | 16th | 8th | 7th | 8th | 89 |
| Srixon Travel Cover Check Price | 1st | 2nd | 10th | 12th | 8th | 89 |
| Bag Boy T-750 Check Price | 19th | 16th | 10th | 3rd | 6th | 86.5 |
| Titleist Players Travel Cover Check Price | 11th | 2nd | 10th | 9th | 16th | 86.5 |
| Bag Boy T2000 Check Price | 11th | 11th | 8th | 17th | 16th | 85 |
| Himal Outdoors Golf Travel Bag Check Price | 11th | 2nd | 10th | 17th | 8th | 85 |
| Inesis Travel Cover Check Price | 11th | 2nd | 10th | 16th | 16th | 85 |
| OUTDOOR MASTER GOLF CLUB Check Price | 11th | 2nd | 20th | 12th | 8th | 85 |
| Bag Boy T-10 Check Price | 11th | 13th | 19th | 12th | 16th | 84 |
| Himal Outdoors Soft-Sided Check Price | 11th | 13th | 10th | 17th | 8th | 84 |
| CHAMPKEY PROFESSIONAL GOLF TRAVEL BAG Check Price | 19th | 11th | 10th | 17th | 8th | 83 |
| SAMSONITE HARD CASE Check Price | 21st | 21st | 20th | 21st | 21st | 77 |
The Best Golf Travel Bags of 2022 – FAQ
Q: Do soft-sided golf travel bags work?
A: Yes. The majority of golf travel bags are soft-sided and provide full protection. Yes, some are better than others but the best performers in the test provide outstanding club protection.
Q: How necessary are wheels?
A: Completely. Every airport is different and you don’t want to be the guy lugging your clubs on your back from terminal A to E. Save yourself and let the wheels do the work.
Q: Will every golf bag fit in every travel bag?
A: That varies from company to company. Some companies, like Club Glove, offer multiple sizes of travel bags for virtually any size of golf bag. Other manufacturers take a one-size-fits-all approach. While your stand bag will likely fit in any travel bag, if you’re a staff bag kind of guy, you’ll want to take extra care in making sure your travel bag can handle your golf bag.
Q: Why can’t I find many hard-shell travel bags anymore?
A: Simply put: Hard-shell golf travel bags are becoming obsolete. Rigid designs are more prone to impact damage, cracking and, ultimately, total structural failure. Softer, semi-rigid materials absorb blows better and will often do a better job protecting your clubs.
*We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.
Imafitter
1 week agoBeen using the Bag Boy T-750 for over 4 years with at least 12 flights. The bag is great and the clubs are always fine. You just have to know how to pack the golf bag. Always take the heads off you woods and wrap your towels around the clubs. You won’t have any issues when you get to your destination.
Peter R
2 weeks agoOne thing that always amazes me is that you never discuss the airline policies for golf bags. Per United, as an example “United is not liable for damage to golf equipment that is not contained in a hard-sided case..” While they may not be the most stylish or even the best overall, if your clubs are damages by the airline and they aren’t in a hard case, your SOL. I haven’t reviewed every airline, as I primarily fly United out of Newark, but I am sure other airlines have similar rules. Just something to be aware of when buying and traveling with golf clubs.
AlanSF
3 weeks agoPlanning a golf to Palm Springs end of May I have an old Bagboy T700 that I used in the past. So I starting to look for a new travel bag.. Still deciding… than..I took my Datrex bag with four pockets and started to put my irons in the pockets upside down. They all fit. Will buy a extender for my driver and woods and see how it plays out..
Kevin H
3 weeks agoI’m really surprised you all didn’t test the Caddy Daddy First Class Premium Travel Bag. On paper it’s super similar to the Club Glove bags but at a much fairer $180 price point. I used it for a trip this past February and was super thrilled with it. Quality was just outstanding for the price and maybe it was excluded because you don’t get any commission from sales, I don’t know but a premium travel bag for $180 should definitely peak a lot of people’s interest.
Anthony Z
3 weeks agoI bought the SunMountain Club Glider Meridian about 3-years ago. It weighs in at 11.3 lbs and comfortably fits a PING cart bag, shoes and golf clothing. I can easily stay within 40 lbs with all my gear packed.
If you go the Club Glider route, I highly recommend that you also purchase a Club Glove Stiff Arm https://www.clubglove.com/viewproduct/stiff-arm/ or something similar. to protect the heads of your driver/3-wood.. SunMountain Club Glider bags are well padded around the heads of clubs, but they do not protect well against shocks to the top of the bag when launched by baggage handlers or take a head first tumble.
My travel bag has seen a number of flights to Arizona, Scotland and Barbados and I can attest to the durability of SunMountain travel bags. With all the recent travel protocols in various countries, airport line-ups are longer — only makes me happier that I have such an ease of maneuverability travel bag.
If I was in the market again, the SunMountain Club Glider series is the only one that I would consider.
Alex
4 weeks agoIf you get anything but the sun mountain with the clubglider legs, you messed. A lot of people recommend the Club Glove because they haven’t used the Sun Mountain. The clubglider is life changing…haha..
Trevor
3 weeks agoUhhh….yeah – if you have a Club Glove, you’ll probably never try any other bag. Ever. Period. For very obvious reason lol. 13 years in and mine still looks fresh. Scotland to Hawaii and everywhere in between. There’s no reason to ever look at another travel bag if you’ve got a last bag 😉
Mark
3 weeks agoI agree. I have a club glove bag that’s nearly 20 years old. While dirty from trips all around the world, it’s still in amazing shape and has always protected my clubs. So well made and probably last anther 20.
Kansas King
4 weeks agoI will say that I think weight is becoming a bigger deal in travel bags as some airlines now start charging additional fees at 40lbs instead of the usual 50lbs. I know an extra $20 to $25 may not sound too bad but tacking on an extra $50/trip starts to add up over time even if you only fly once or twice a year. I would have to say the Vice bag at 5.7lbs with the maneuverability, collapsibility, and bottom wheels may be towards the top of my list if I am ever in need of another travel bag. I really like the Glider but 7lbs is 7lbs.
Alex
4 weeks ago5.7lbs vs 7lbs. I think it would be easier to just not put your shoes in the bag than and get the benefit of the clubglider legs. But I understand why you feel that way because you never used a clubglider before, try it out in a store fully loaded and you’ll see why it’s worth it. and 1..7lbs will not make a difference.
Kansas King
3 weeks agoI really like the glider but the Glider is not 7lb but an extra 7lb over the Vice bag.
Rich
4 weeks agoI had the Ogio Mutant. It was a poorly made bag.. It protected my clubs, but I had to send it back twice. for rips/tears. Also, the wheels started to toe in. . The second time Ogio said they didn’t make the mutant any longer and they gave me the Alpha Travel Cover Max. Quality TBD..
Regarding the hard case vs.. soft case in the FAQ, my brother has an SKG case. that he had taken on many trips with no problems at all. If you buy a cheap hard case, I can see damage issues with impact, but the SKG is solid.. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I would have bought an SKG.. I don’t believe a soft case can provide the level of protection that the SKG provides. The SKG is heavier, but not really more expensive than the best soft cases. A trade off I wish I would have made..
Rich
4 weeks agoSorry, SKB cases
JD @ Mn
3 weeks agoEvery time the review is in, same results for the hard case. Funny when I hear about total structure failure, when I have had my samsonite one since 2008, with over 60 trips and not an issue. Some scratches, yes, but no issues. Plus total peace of mind with the clubs, and that is worth a lot. If someday mine cracks, the clubs will still be protected. plus I can throw some Jack Daniels inside with the same security. Only downside is the need to rent a bigger car. But I have done very well renting small Ford Focus and Kia Soul. The fabric bags look very very filthy after a few trips, and have seen many with oily dirts byproduct of the belts used at airport. I will recommend anyone that goes to the airport to see how they treat bags.
Pete A
4 weeks agoI have the Journey model of the Clubglider which is about $85 less. Truly a game changer, particularly when you have a long way to walk at the airport. No lifting involved – can literally pull your bag with one finger its so easy. Durability/padding with the Journey version has been excellent after a couple of trips.