MGS Tested: Golf Stand Bags of 2020

2020 Stand Bag Buyer’s Guide

What would you change about your current golf bag? Do you wish it had a bigger insulated pocket, a rangefinder pouch, or space for a larger water bottle? Is there enough storage for all of your stuff, or do you find you’re paying a weight penalty for more bag than you need? Let us help you find the perfect bag.

It goes saying that not all stand bags are created equal. While most understand the lines between staff, cart, and stand bags, it’s important to understand that a tremendous amount of variety exists within each category. As with anything else, it’s important to consider which stand bag features are most important to you and narrow your focus accordingly.

Today, more than ever, bag companies aren’t just designing, they’re engineering golf bags, and that means that there’s a good chance that your next bag will be significantly better than the one you bought just a few years ago. Whether you’re looking to buy a new stand bag today, are 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 stand bag to fit your needs.

Best Stand Bag of 2020 – What to Look For

Storage

When it comes to storage, more is often better – provided it’s usable. In that respect, good storage design is often more about the layout of the pockets than the number. What good is a pocket if it’s difficult to access or is rendered useless because you put something in a different pocket?

The best stand bags for 2020 have well-designed pockets that don’t overlap one another or reduce the functional space offered by an adjacent pocket. If the pockets are laid out intelligently, each pocket can function to its full capacity without limitation, giving you more room for your stuff.

Water bottle pockets should be easily accessible and large enough to accommodate as much water as you need. When it comes to insulated pockets, bigger is typically better, especially if you’re a frequent snacker. Well-designed GPS pockets offer magnetic closures, allow for easy accessibility without the need to clip anything to the bag.

Golfers looking to maximize storage should consider the Ogio Convoy SE.

Dividers

As with pockets, more isn’t always better. While 14-way dividers allow you to put everything in its place, they often prove frustrating in stand bag designs. In this category, 4 to 6-way dividers typically prove more functional. Keep in mind that every divider eats up precious space (and weight) in your bag, and as the count increase, the likelihood of clubs snagging as you pull them out of the bag increases. A well-designed top keeps your clubs separated, and prevents snagging, while still providing good organization.

We find the dividers offered by Ping Hoofer and Sun Mountain 3.5 LS to be exceptionally functional.

Comfort

While it sounds obvious enough, don’t forget that comfort is a huge part of carrying. While there are aftermarket systems available to improve comfort, the best stand bags for 2020 have reinforced shoulder straps and extra padding to help support your lower back and keep you feeling good over 18 holes…maybe even 36.

The Ping Hoofer Craz-E Lite and the Stitch SL2 are the most comfortable bags for walkers

Weight

Weight is a critical consideration for the walking golfer. While a single pound might not sound like much, the extra mass can dramatically affect fatigue levels throughout a round. A little extra weight can mean the difference between finishing strong or leaking oil on the back 9.

For those who push or ride, weight should be less of a concern. When the bag is rarely on your back, the massive storage, additional features, and more versatile tops found in hybrid bags.

Cart users looking to take advantage of feature-rich bags should consider the Ping Hoofer and the Ping Hoofer 14

Stand Leg Stability

The materials, opening system, and frame of a stand bag’s legs are a critical part of what makes for a great stand bag. Once your bag is fully packed with equipment, the stand needs to be sturdy and durable. The best stand bags for 2020 easily open to the proper standing position, close just as easily, and remain closed while on your back.

The most stable leg systems we tested were found on the Ping models and the Titleist Hybrid 14.

The Best Stand Bag For 2020 - Features

	Product	Weight	Dividers	Pockets	Colors
	BagBoy Chiller Check Price	7	14	10	7
	Big Max Dri Lite Hybrid 14.0 Check Price	5.6	14	7	7
	Callaway Hyper Lite Zero Check Price	3.4	4	6	5
	Callaway Fairway 14 Check Price	5.6	14	8	8
	Cleveland Stand Bag Check Price	5.5	14	8	4
	Cobra Ultradry Check Price	5.7	14	5	1
	Datrek Go Lite Hybrid Check Price	5.8	14	6	8
	Inesis Light Check Price	4.7	5	6	7
	Izzo ultra lite Check Price	3.7	4	4	4
	Nike Air Hybrid Check Price	6.4	14	11	2
	Nike Air Sport Check Price	5.5	6	9	2
	Nike Sport Lite Check Price	4.3	5	6	4
	Ogio Convoy SE Check Price	6.3	14	11	7
	Ogio Fuse Check Price	4.7	4	7	7
	Ping Hoofer Check Price	5.3	5	11	7
	Ping Hoofer 14 Check Price	5.4	14	11	5
	Ping Hoofer Craz-E lite Check Price	3	4	7	3
	Ping Hoofer Lite Check Price	5	4	7	10
	Srixon Z Check Price	5.2	4	7	6
	Stitch SL2 Check Price	5.4	4	4	3
	Sun Mountain 3.5 LS Check Price	3.6	4	7	9
	Titleist Hybrid 14 Check Price	6.8	14	8	11
	Titleist player 4 Check Price	4.7	4	6	15
	Titleist Players 4 carbon Check Price	3.7	4	5	9
	Tour Edge EXS Xtreme Check Price	4.5	7	8	7
	Vice Golf Force Check Price	5.5	6	5	1

 

More Tips

• Do you carry a GPS or rangefinder? Bags like the PING Hoofer and Hoofer light offer a thoughtfully placed magnetic pocket for easy access.
• If you walk or push more often than you ride, consider a hybrid bag. They offer more storage space, and their 14 or 15-way tops are more functional on push or riding carts.
• Conversely, if your stand bag is almost always on your back, fatigue can be an issue. Consider forgoing all but the minimum storage space necessary in favor of a lighter and often more comfortable bag.
• Nylon is lighter but tends to retain more dirt. For those looking to save weight and keep things looking fresh, Stitch bags are made made from leather and easy to clean.
• Don’t just count pockets. Always consider the quality and functionality of the storage space. Look for pockets that are easily accessible, and can hold everything you need them to hold.
• If you frequently play courses with limited or no water stations, you may want to choose from bags offering large cooler pockets, like the Bag Boy Chiller, for multiple water bottles.
• While waterproof bags are good in rainy conditions, their pockets often require two hands to open and close.

The Best Stand Bag for 2020 - Results

	Product	Storage	Style	Walkability	Weight	Features	Total
	Ping Hoofer Check Price	4th	1st	3rd	11th	1st	95
	Ping Hoofer Lite Check Price	12th	5th	3rd	11th	2nd	93
	Ping Hoofer 14 Check Price	4th	1st	3rd	11th	3rd	92.5
	Cobra Ultradry Check Price	4th	9th	9th	11th	4th	90
	Sun Mountain 3.5 LS Check Price	4th	10th	11th	1st	8th	90
	Titleist Hybrid 14 Check Price	9th	1st	18th	11th	4th	89
	Titleist player 4 Check Price	21th	5th	3rd	11th	10th	88
	Srixon Z Check Price	12th	10th	11th	11th	6th	87.5
	Stitch SL2 Check Price	26th	1st	2nd	11th	6th	87
	Ping Hoofer Craz-E lite Check Price	24th	12th	1st	1st	13th	86.5
	Big Max Dri Lite Hybrid 14.0 Check Price	9th	14th	9th	11th	11th	86
	Ogio Convoy SE Check Price	1st	12th	22nd	25th	8th	86
	Cleveland Stand Bag Check Price	2nd	15th	18th	11th	11th	85
	Vice force Check Price	18th	5th	11th	11th	14th	85
	Titleist Players 4 Carbon Check Price	22nd	5th	3rd	1st	21st	82.5
	Ogio Fuse Check Price	9th	15th	18th	5th	16th	82
	BagBoy Chiller Check Price	4th	15th	26th	11th	15th	81
	Callaway Hyper Lite Zero Check Price	12th	15th	18th	1st	23rd	80
	Datrek Go Lite Hybrid Check Price	2nd	20th	18th	11th	23rd	79
	Nike Air Sport Check Price	16th	22nd	11th	11th	18th	79
	Inesis Check Price	18th	24th	17th	5th	20th	78
	Nike Air Hybrid Check Price	18th	20th	11th	25th	18th	78
	Callway Fairway 14 Check Price	22nd	15th	25th	11th	17th	76.5
	Tour Edge EXS Xtreme Check Price	12th	24th	11th	5th	25th	76.5
	Nike Sport Lite Check Price	24th	26th	3rd	5th	24th	75
	Izzo ultra lite Check Price	16th	22nd	2nd	5th	26th	73

Best Stand Bags of 2020 – FAQ

Q: How much should I spend on a bag? 

A: Well-designed, fully-featured bag generally start at $150, with the majority of the best stand bags for 2020 falling in the $250 range. Golfers who play just a few times a year may be able to find a suitable offering for a bit less.

Q: Do I need an insulated pocket?

A: Although most stand bags today come with insulated pockets, bigger is normally better. For instance, those who play 18 holes may want to consider a bag with a large cooler pocket. Golfers who only play 9 holes at a time can typically get away with a smaller insulated pocket.

Q: How much does the strap system matter?

A: During testing, we found straps that have a self-balancing system tend to move with the motion of walking. Finding a strap system that works for you is critical. The seemingly smallest details matter. Look for straps with ample reinforced padding. Curved strap designs are generally more comfortable. If you love the bag, but hate the straps, aftermarket systems like those from Walk 18 golf can dramatically improve comfort, though, they will add to the cost of your bag.

Q: Does the top matter?

A: The short answer is yes. If you carry all the time, a 4 or 5-way top is almost certainly the way to go. Having fewer dividers makes getting clubs in and out of the bag easy. Bags with 14 to 15-way tops are more prone to snagging and are much better suited to the push cart mafia and riders. Also, keep in mind that bags with 4-way tops are, on average, 2lbs lighter than those with 14-way tops

Q: Can I use my stand bag on a cart or push cart?

A: The short answer is yes. Some bags, like Ping that offer a cart strap pass-through which helps retain the full functionality of every pocket. Stand Bags that are used on push carts tend to slide around during a round. If your push cart offers a stand lock-in design, opting for a stand bag shouldn’t be an issue at all.