We tested more than 80 golf bags in 2024, evaluating key features such as storage capacity, walkability, weight, pocket design, zipper quality and overall usability. Whether you’re walking the course or riding in a cart, these are the best golf bags of 2024.
Best cart bags
With 38 golf cart bags in the test, the competition was fierce. We looked at each bag’s weight, storage, dividers and features. You may be surprised to find that there is more than a five-pound difference between the heaviest and lightest cart bags. Even if you aren’t walking, that’s a lot of weight to deal with.
In addition, most of the top cart bags had 14 dividers. The traditional 14-way top is still beneficial. Lastly, keep an eye out for golf bags that allow you to hide the strap. It’s nice not to have pockets blocked and avoid damage to the strap while you play.
Best overall cart bag: PING DLX
The PING DLX is the best golf cart bag of 2024. It has massive amounts of usable storage. Not only are there a good number of pockets but they are functional. You’ll also notice premium features like magnetic closures and top-quality zippers. If you don’t want a large cart bag, steer clear of the PING DLX because it’s one of the bigger ones we tested.
Best cart bag runner-up: Sunday Golf Big Rig
The Sunday Golf Big Rig has a 14-way top and a dedicated putter well to protect your clubs. It also has a Frosty Pocket for your drinks. The Big Rig is the first cart bag that Sunday Golf has produced. It nearly took first place in the test so this is worth looking at if you want lots of storage, great zippers and more.
Editors’ choice: Vessel Lux XV 2.0
The Vessel Lux XV 2.0 is a premium cart bag for golfers who value organization. It is one of the more expensive bags on our list but it has all the features to match the price. The Vessel won our Editors’ Choice category thanks to its magnetic pockets, storage and luxury feel. You may want to look elsewhere for a lightweight cart bag, though. This one is a bit heavy.
Best for pushing: Callaway Org 14
The Callaway Org 14 features Lowrider technology that makes it easy to get the bag to sit properly on your push cart. It also has a large number of storage and pockets to keep you organized while you walk. It is not super-light but the little bit of extra weight won’t matter much on the push cart. Testers loved the spacious putter well and the 14-way top.
Best lightweight: PING Traverse
Each of our top cart bags so far has been known for being a little heavy. You won’t run into that problem with the PING Traverse. The Traverse is one of the lightest bags we tested in 2024 but it also has great zippers and good storage, considering its size. It is a smaller bag, certainly much smaller than the DLX, but it comes at a better price point as well.
Best value: Maxfli Honors
Not rated quite as highly as the other cart bags on this list, the Maxfli Honors is still strong enough to take the best-value golf cart bag title. It is priced at $189 and, considering most of the other bags in the test were $260 or more, it’s a good deal. The bag features a 14-way top, quality zippers and a pass-through cart strap. Testers noted that it felt a little cheaper and lacked some of the storage found in premium cart bags.
Best stand bags
Our stand bag test was a big one. There were 42 stand bags overall and we rated each for its weight, walkability, storage, dividers and features. We found a big difference in weight between the heaviest and lightest stand bags (more than five pounds). If you walk and carry, you need to pay attention to this.
In addition, consider hydration on the course. The water bottle pocket is an important consideration but some of the bags we tested didn’t have one. The price difference between the most and least expensive golf bags on the stand bags test was more than $800!
Best Overall: PING Hoofer
The PING Hoofer is the best overall stand bag of 2024. It is super-stable and has quality components to hold up over time. The Hoofer has spacious pockets, is comfortable to carry and won’t fall over.
Stand bag runner-up: PING Hoofer 14
The PING Hoofer 14 is just a little heavier than the Hoofer and the dividers are less streamlined which is what pushed it back to second place. The 2024 model has updated pockets and better dividers but retains the same quality golfers have come to expect from PING golf bags. If you want the 14-way divider, this is the best stand bag you’ll find.
Editors’ choice: Sunday Golf Ranger
The Editors’ Choice award went to the Sunday Golf Ranger. We loved its pockets, including the Frosty Pocket, to help keep drinks cool. It’s not a cheap stand bag at $400 but it’s not often we see a golf stand bag rival the PING Hoofer and the Sunday Golf Ranger did a good job of it. If you want something different and you like Sunday Golf, which has zeroed in what golfers need on the course, the Ranger is one to consider.
Best hybrid bag: Callaway Fairway 14
If you are undecided about whether you need a cart bag or a stand bag in 2024, the Callaway Fairway 14 is the best option. It has great storage and a ton of pockets and it features the Lowrider 2.0 tech to make it easy to use on carts and push carts. However, if you walk the course exclusively, the Callaway Fairway 14 is probably too heavy and bulky.
Best for walking: Vessel Player Air
If you only walk, you’ll want the Vessel Player Air bag. It’s comfortable, lightweight and has plenty of storage. The only thing testers didn’t love about the Vessel Player Air is the newer lightweight material which can cause the zippers to get sticky and create some resistance when trying to open.
Best value: Maxfli Honors
The Maxfli Honors stand bag is the best-value stand bag of 2024. This was one of the few stand bags priced at less than $200. It has comfortable straps and is easy to carry. It doesn’t have the premium feel you’ll get with some of the higher-priced bags.
Best Sunday bags
We tested 11 Sunday bags. When buying a Sunday bag, pay close attention to the number of clubs it can carry and its overall size. These are great for a range session or playing a par-3 course but if you need something for everyday golf, you’ll probably want a stand bag or cart bag.
Best overall: Vessel Sunday III
The Vessel Sunday III took first place as the best Sunday bag of 2024. It’s not light. In fact, it’s heavier than about 15 of the stand bags we tested. However, it has great storage and pockets and is very easy to carry.
Runner-up: Callaway Par 3
The Callaway Par 3 is our runner-up for the best Sunday bag. You’ll notice this one has a half stand so you won’t get the extra weight of having the full stand but you also don’t have to lay your clubs in the wet grass. Testers loved the dividers on the Callaway Par 3.
Editors’ choice: Mizuno BR-D2
Finally, for our Editors’ Choice, we have the Mizuno BR-D2. If you like storage in a Sunday bag, you’ll love the Mizuno. It is priced at less than $125. The Mizuno BR-DR has a half stand so you’ll have to be willing to bend down a little to pick it up.
Final thoughts
This list of the best golf bags of 2024 will help get you started on your journey to find the best golf bag for your game. If you want to see the full results of any of our golf bag testing, take a look here:
Steve
1 year ago
Although I am a big fan of Vessel bags and products, I will say “Buyer beware” of their LUX cart bag. For the price point, I would expect better. It is awkward to carry and since it is without “legs” it topples over easily if not on flat, firm pavement. I wondered if was just me until a buddy of mine with the identical bag complained of the same issues. It’s no surprise their new “Player V” bag series is creeping up in size to be more of a cart/walking hybrid of a bag.