2023 SUNDAY GOLF BAG BUYER’S GUIDE
2023 SUNDAY GOLF BAG BUYER’S GUIDEYou don’t know it yet but you probably need a Sunday golf bag. Not just for Sunday but for every day of the week.
Do you spend every afternoon counting down the seconds until you can escape for a little golfing “me” time? Do you enjoy the occasional twilight nine under the setting sun? Do you love a quick round at a par-3 course? If so, you need a Sunday golf bag.
So what’s a “Sunday” golf bag and how is it different than what you’ve got now?
The parameters that define a Sunday golf bag have shifted drastically over the last decade. What was once a bare-bones, ultra-lightweight golf bag for a quick weekend nine has swiftly turned into a slimmed-down carry bag, although some have nearly as much storage and functionality as their heavyweight siblings. It is important to note, however, that not every Sunday bag is a stand bag, but that the addition of a stand has become more standard as of late in the Sunday golf bag category.
Even so, the DNA of a good Sunday bag hasn’t changed. The best Sunday golf bags of 2023 feature lightweight construction, comfortable carry straps and enough storage for the essentials.
Truth be told, finding a well-executed Sunday bag can be a tall task. The flood of new players in the Sunday bag game has created a myriad of options that can be hard to sift through without the right information so we’ve done all of the heavy lifting for you. We tested 12 Sunday golf bags and have determined the best fit for your game. You’re welcome.
It’s time to crown a champion. Here are this year’s best Sunday golf bags.
WINNER – COBRA Ultralight Sunday Golf Bag
Who Is It For?
- The Weekend Warrior or Par-3 Professional
- Golfers who want a comfortable carry experience
- Someone who values a lightweight bag without sacrificing storage or functionality
Sunday Golf Bag Features That Matter
STORAGE
While the purpose of a Sunday golf bag is to minimize what you’re bringing to the course, it’s still important to have enough storage for the essentials. The best Sunday golf bags feature storage that maximizes space and function.
At a minimum, your Sunday golf bag should hold some balls, tees and a water bottle. The best Sunday golf bags for storage feature plenty of space for the above plus room for things like snacks or valuables. Of the 12 bags we tested, the Vessel Sunday, Sunday Golf El Camino and Mizuno BR-D2 featured the most useable storage.
Dividers
Due to the nature of a Sunday bag and its goal to minimize weight, dividers serve as a bit of an afterthought in this category of golf bags. More often than not, a golfer who utilizes only a Sunday bag needs to carry a few clubs, never a full 14. That’s why most Sunday golf bags feature two- or three-way dividers. A good Sunday golf bag does just enough to keep your clubs separated without adding unnecessary weight.
Both the Sunday Golf El Camino and COBRA Ultralight Sunday Golf Bag provide good club organization with their spacious three-way dividers.
Best Value Sunday Golf Bag
Look familiar? Not only did the Cobra Ultralight Sunday win the Best Sunday Golf Bag of 2023, it also takes the crown as the best value. Performance doesn't have to cost a pretty penny; the $129 retail price of the Cobra Ultralight Sunday provides the ultimate bang for your buck!
Comfort
Above all, a Sunday golf bag must be comfortable. Comfort starts with the straps but also considers the overall build of the bag. Do any of the straps or hardware dig into your back? Is the bag balanced when filled with clubs or does it feel like it’s prone to tip over with every step?
A relaxing weekend nine can quickly become a sore-shoulder catastrophe if you’re not careful. That’s why it’s important to choose a Sunday golf bag that doesn’t sacrifice comfort for the sake of weight because “lighter” doesn’t necessarily equate to “comfortable.” The best Sunday golf bag for a comfortable walking experience is the COBRA Ultralight Sunday Golf Bag. The straps are perfectly contoured to rest naturally on your shoulders without restriction and the balance point of the bag makes walking a very smooth experience.
Weight
Weight plays a pivotal role in the comfort of a Sunday golf bag but isn’t the sole factor taken into account when calculating walkability. That said, the lighter the bag, the easier it will be to carry without feeling fatigued. Any change to your current setup to alleviate weight can be a game changer if you tend to get tired towards the end of your round.
The lightest bag in our test was the Stitch SL Sunday. The golfer looking for an ultra-lightweight option that still has some of the bells and whistles of a stand bag should opt for the Titleist Premium Carry bag.
Best Pencil Golf Bag - PING Moonlite
Sunday golf bags with stands are all the craze right now, but that hasn't stopped Ping from keeping it old school with the pencil-style Moonlite bag. This ultra-light bag is everything you're looking for in a Sunday bag sans the stand. The two-strap carrying system and large side pocket make this simple pencil bag more than meets the eye!
Best Sunday Golf Bags of 2023 - Features
| PRODUCT | WEIGHT | DIVIDERS | POCKETS | STAND | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | CALLAWAY PAR3 Check Price | 3.8 | 3 | 4 | YES |
 | COBRA ULTRALIGHT SUNDAY Check Price | 4.4 | 3 | 5 | YES |
 | MIZUNO BR-D2 Check Price | 4.3 | 4 | 9 | YES |
 | PING MOONLITE Check Price | 2.5 | 4 | 5 | NO |
 | PXG SUNDAY STAND Check Price | 4.1 | 2 | 6 | YES |
 | STITCH SL SUNDAY Check Price | 1.8 | 2 | 1 | NO |
 | SUNDAY GOLF EL CAMINO Check Price | 3.9 | 4 | 4 | YES |
 | SUNDAY GOLF LOMA XL Check Price | 3.1 | 3 | 4 | YES |
 | TITLEIST PREMIUM CARRY Check Price | 2.7 | 3 | 4 | NO |
 | VESSEL SUNDAY III DXR Check Price | 5.2 | 3 | 5 | YES |
 | VICE MISSION PENCILBAG MULTICOLOR Check Price | 2 | 2 | 2 | NO |
 | ZERO FRICTION PENCIL Check Price | 6.1 | 4 | 5 | YES |
INDUSTRY TREND - Standing Out & Fitting In
Sunday golf bags are in a constant state of evolution as detailed by the variety of bags included in our test. The Sunday bag category was once flooded with simple pencil bags. Now, the space is ripe with larger, more robust Sunday golf bags that feature stand systems.
This year, eight of the 12 bags tested featured a stand. As the category continues to evolve, so will our testing. With stands on Sunday golf bags becoming an industry standard, our testing will start to account for, and award points to bags with functional stand systems.
Sunday Golf Bag Tips and Tricks
- A Sunday golf bag is not designed to hold your entire set of clubs so you won’t find any 14-way dividers. If you’re looking for a bigger carry bag with more functionality and enough room to bring all 14 clubs to the course, check out our Best Golf Stand Bags of 2023.
- Pay attention to the little things: the best Sunday golf bags nail the small details. Tight pockets and sticky zippers are two of many small annoyances that can add up over the lifetime of your bag. Don’t settle for anything less than a fully functioning, well-made Sunday golf bag to ensure your golf experience is as enjoyable as it should be.
- Before you buy, consider how often you’ll use a Sunday bag and its primary function. Are you looking for something small and lightweight or are you just looking to downsize your current carry bag without sacrificing function? Both ends of the spectrum exist in the Sunday golf bag category.
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How We Test
We're here to help you find the perfect Sunday bag to fit your needs.
To do that, we employ a thorough and fully independent testing process that leaves no feature unexplored, no detail unchecked and no stone unturned.
Our Metrics
Sunday bags are tested head to head using rigorous protocols.
The metrics we consider when rating Sunday Bag include Storage, Dividers, Weight, Walkability and Features.
Best Sunday Golf Bags of 2023 - Results
| PRODUCT | STORAGE | DIVIDERS | WEIGHT | WALKABILITY | FEATURES | TOTAL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COBRA ULTRALIGHT SUNDAY Check Price | 4th | 1st | 9th | 1st | 2nd | 95 |
| VESSEL SUNDAY III DXR Check Price | 1st | 4th | 11th | 3rd | 1st | 94 |
| MIZUNO BR-D2 Check Price | 1st | 1st | 9th | 2nd | 9th | 93.25 |
| SUNDAY GOLF EL CAMINO Check Price | 1st | 1st | 6th | 7th | 6th | 93.25 |
| CALLAWAY PAR3 Check Price | 5th | 9th | 6th | 4th | 5th | 92.75 |
| TITLEIST PREMIUM CARRY Check Price | 7th | 7th | 3rd | 4th | 6th | 92.75 |
| SUNDAY GOLF LOMA XL Check Price | 9th | 7th | 5th | 6th | 6th | 91.25 |
| PXG SUNDAY STAND Check Price | 6th | 9th | 6th | 11th | 3rd | 89.25 |
| ZERO FRICTION PENCIL Check Price | 8th | 4th | 12th | 8th | 3rd | 89 |
| PING MOONLITE Check Price | 9th | 4th | 3rd | 11th | 10th | 86.75 |
| VICE MISSION PENCILBAG MULTICOLOR Check Price | 11th | 11th | 1st | 9th | 12th | 84.5 |
| STITCH SL SUNDAY Check Price | 12th | 11th | 1st | 9th | 11th | 84 |
THE BEST SUNDAY BAGS OF 2022 – FAQ
Q: What is a Sunday golf bag?
A: The definition of a Sunday bag has shifted drastically over the last few years. Despite the Sunday bags of today being fairly large and more versatile, most are still minimalists at heart. The new age of Sunday bags features plentiful pockets, stand systems and dual-carry straps while maintaining their lightweight profile.
Q: How do I know what type of Sunday bag to buy?
A: The Sunday bag category is ever expanding so it can be difficult to recommend a certain type over one another. In order to find the bag that’s best for you, it’s important to prioritize your preferences. Determine what’s important to you, then find something that fits the bill. Use this guide as a course map and you’re well on your way to a new Sunday bag!
Q: What is a pencil bag?
A: A pencil bag is about as bare-bones a golf bag as you’ll find. Pencil bags have almost no structure, minimal storage and generally a single strap. Designed to hold a few clubs and nothing more, a true pencil bag is harder to come by in the day and age of feature-filled Sunday bags.
Q: How much does the strap system matter?
A: If you’re going to carry regularly, finding a strap system that works for you is critical. The seemingly smallest details matter. Look for straps with ample padding. Curved designs are generally more comfortable. When possible, test the strap system with the bag fully loaded to see if it’s a good fit for your body.
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Manotee
3 weeks agoI have a very old Mizuno Aerolite Stand bag, at least 20 years. 4 way top, full legs, dual straps. Since I use oversize grips, 12 clubs max. Very light, moderate space, a great Sunday bag.
My other options are a Titleist Players Carbon, 12 clubs max, 3 lbs,, and a 2022 Sum Mountain 2.5+, also 3 lbs.
I see the 2.5+ as a great anytime carry bag. On Sunday for minimum weight, take out a few clubs.
Mike
3 weeks agoInteresting article but I have never seen the use for a “Sunday” bag. Whenever I play I walk & always use a push card. Even if I’m only going out to practice for a couple holes, I can carry so much more and it’s much more convenient than a bag
Mike
3 weeks agoI bought the Titleist bag last year and I think you are under-rating its “walkability”…when you combine its low weight with what I think is the best strap of any Sunday or Stand bag it is a joy to carry when you decide to “half bag” it (fwiw: I use a Sun Mountain 3.5 for my full bag days and between the two I carried over 1,000 miles last year).
Unfortunately there are some issues that your testing wouldn’t have shown: the bag started to wear/tear after 25 rounds (Titleist has replaced my original but I don’t know yet if this is symptomatic of poor quality); the 4th pocket is the pencil slot so it is a 3 pocket bag; the open pocket is pretty useless as it doesn’t seem to hold anything I’d put in it (like a water bottle); the ball pocket is too big for its purpose (it can probably hold 24 balls which is cart bag territory) so It just flops around; they were too cheap to provide two (2) zipper pulls (for a $150+ bag); and the waterproofing (a mandatory feature for a drop bag if you want to keep your grips dry) is inadequate (or non-existent).
I hacked the last 2 myself (cudos to gorilla tape) but for a bag in this price range this is disappointing. If the replacement bag doesn’t hold up, I’ll likely go for the Ping next so detailed user experiences would be appreciated.
John
3 weeks agoI have been using a Sunday Loma bag for about a year, now, as my do everything bag, and reduced my club carry to 8 or 9. I like to walk 9 and call it a day.
My only ding is how I carry hydration, as the bag is great for a 12 oz can, but once that’s open it’s bottoms-up.
Rob Westendorf
3 weeks agoI recently moved to living on a golf course that requires carts all of the time. For most of the time I’ve been here it’s been cart path only. I have twice noticed guys who keep a pencil bag attached to their regular bag, and use it for when they need to carry a selection of clubs far away from the path. Beats putting grips down on wet or muddy ground!
Paul
2 weeks agoPlayed golf in Japan where they had 4 person carts that followed a buried cable (you could send the cart down to the back of the green or on to the next tee box with nobody on board) it took the 4 bags but had small plastic club carriers for each golfer where you could take a few clubs and putter as you went to your ball.
cksurfdude
3 weeks agoIMO anything over, say, 3 ½ lbs is not a Sunday bag but more like a regular stand bag .. eg. the emphasis should be on minimal.
Also Inesis was not included and, again imo, they have a decent, functional one at a good price at about 3-something lbs
Will
3 weeks agoI wish bag companies would make left sided versions, obviously you can carry on the left side but the side pad looks stupid when you do that.
Connor Lindeman
3 weeks agoAn interesting idea! Hadn’t thought about this before.
SV
3 weeks agoAGREE !!
Mytro golf
3 weeks agoI picked up the Mizuno bag this year. I’ve been using it for the last three months. Only downside are the legs but I can put a full set of clubs in this bag and it works for walking and or on carts. Rumor has it Mizuno’s adding full length legs to this bag for next year. The new side bag is clutch for balls keys snacks etc. it’s my go to bag now.
Connor Lindeman
3 weeks agoThanks for sharing! The side bag was a great touch. Full length legs would be a solid addition!