BEST GOLF STAND BAGS 2023
Buyer's Guides

BEST GOLF STAND BAGS 2023

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BEST GOLF STAND BAGS 2023
PING Hoofer
PING Hoofer Lite
COBRA Ultralight Pro
PING Hoofer 14
COBRA Ultralite Pro +
BEST STAND BAG
PING Hoofer

The PING Hoofer is stable, sturdy and full of useful storage. Each pocket has a purpose, making this bag as functional as possible. Everything on this bag was made with the golfer in mind.

  • Best Stand Bag 2023
  • Well-placed pockets
  • Comfortable to carry
  • Colors for every style
  • Sturdy stand system
  • Heavier than some
PING Hoofer Lite

The PING Hoofer Lite has everything we know and love about the Hoofer in a slightly lighter form. Same great storage, functional pockets and sturdy build without the extra weight. This makes carrying the Hoofer Lite an absolute joy.

  • Lighter construction
  • Easily accessible water bottle pocket
  • Hidden rain hood placed for extra back support
  • Smooth dividers
  • Less storage to save weight
COBRA Ultralight Pro

The COBRA Ultralight Pro is what a stand bag should be. Nicely designed dividers make it easy to access your clubs and the well-designed pockets give you ample storage for all of your on-course accessories.

  • Ample storage
  • Solid stand system
  • Comfortable carry
  • Buttery smooth zippers
  • Some pockets lack utility
PING Hoofer 14

The PING Hoofer 14 has one of the best 14-way dividers we’ve tested. They do a solid job at keeping your clubs separated without making them hard to pull. And while slightly heavier than its siblings, the Hoofer 14 is still perfectly walkable.

  • Outstanding storage
  • Solid 14-way top
  • Large golf ball pocket
  • Curved stand legs for added stability
  • 14-way top isn’t as smooth as four- or five-way dividers
COBRA Ultralite Pro +

Looking for a solid all-rounder? The COBRA Ultralight Pro + offers satisfyingly smooth dividers, well-placed storage pockets and a stable stand system. Sounds like the makings of a pretty solid stand bag!

  • Comfortable strap system
  • Stable legs
  • Great storage pockets
  • Good divider system
  • Cooler pocket impedes ball storage

Golf Stand Bags

2023 Golf Stand Bag Buyer’s Guide

Your choice of a golf stand bag could be the difference between shooting your personal best or heading home with a sore back and aching shoulders.

Golf is hard enough. One of the few variables you have full control over is your golf bag. This year we tested 42 stand bags with you, the golfer, in mind. We put each bag through a rigorous test to ensure your hard-earned money is being spent on something that delivers what it promises.

Let’s find you a new stand bag.

Winner – PING Hoofer

Who is it for?

  • Those who walk more than they ride
  • Someone who needs ample storage
  • The golfer who values functionality over fashion

Best Golf Stand Bags 2023 – What to Look For

Storage

If you’re looking for a new stand bag, obviously you would rather walk than ride. In any case, it’s important to find a bag with ample storage. You shouldn’t have to decide which accessories to bring to the course.

Not only does the amount of storage matter but the usability does, too. Don’t let looks fool you—some bags hold a lot more than meets the eye while others punch well below their weight in this category. If maximum storage is important to you, you’ll enjoy the spacious real estate in the PING Hoofer or Vessel Player IV.

While some golf bags include gimmicky pockets, we found the best storage to be the most simple. Take, for example, the COBRA Ultralight Pro. Its water bottle holder is simple but functional. It sits at the perfect angle for easy access while the bag is on your back and makes placing or removing a bottle a one-handed experience. Other golf bags require the use of both hands which made it nearly impossible to retrieve a water bottle without setting the bag down.

Best Stand Bag for Storage - Ping Hoofer

Best Stand Bag for Storage - Ping Hoofer

The Ping Hoofer is the king of storage. This bad boy can hold everything you need and then some. Need to bring some extra balls? Can't make it through your round without snacks? The Ping Hoofer has room for all of the above.

Dividers

While a 14-way divider provides the most protection against bag chatter, this often makes for a less smooth club pull. The best dividers ensure that your clubs go in and out of the bag easily. Some stand bags also feature shortened dividers that don’t extend to the bottom of the bag. This can result in your bag becoming a jumbled mess with grips and shafts pointing every which way.

We found that the four-way divider on the Mizuno BR-D3 and the five-way divider on the PING Hoofer provide the best separation and organization without sacrificing smoothness.

Comfort

A good stand bag MUST be comfortable to carry. Good luck shooting your personal best with an uncomfortable strap or poorly placed support beam digging into your shoulder for 18 holes.

The PING Hoofer Lite and Sunday Golf Ryder 23 provide excellent comfort and straps that mold to your shoulder.

Weight

Another significant factor in the overall comfort of a stand bag is weight. While it may not seem like much on the first hole, an extra pound or two can take a toll on your body over an entire round.

Golfers looking for the lightest stand bag should opt for the Mizuno K1-L0 or Maxfli Air, which are lightweight yet durable.

Did you know?

Sun Mountain is doing its part to reduce plastic waste with their exciting new Repreve fabric. Approximately 25 plastic water bottles were recycled and repurposed to create the fabric for the Sun Mountain Eco-Lite stand bag.

Stand Leg Stability

The stand mechanism should be both durable and stable. Without a good stand, your golf bag could collapse and damage your precious sticks. Not only should the stand be stable but it should deploy and close with ease when the bag is fully loaded.

Ping Hoofer Golf Stand Bag

Best Walking Stand Bag - Ping Hoofer Lite

Best Walking Stand Bag - Ping Hoofer Lite

Ping's Hoofer Lite is the best walking stand bag in 2023. The comfortable carry straps and lightweight design make it a joy to carry.

Best Stand Bags of 2023 - Features

ProductWeightDividersPocketsColors
Callaway Fairway 14

Check Price
714718
Callaway Fairway C

Check Price
4.94523
Callaway Fairway C HD

Check Price
5.2455
Callaway Fairway+

Check Price
5.54614
Callaway Hyperlite Zero

Check Price
44611
Cobra Tour Stand

Check Price
8.3451
Cobra Ultralight Pro

Check Price
5477
Cobra Ultralight Pro+

Check Price
5.6584
Finally Stand Bag

Check Price
5.8862
IZZO Ultra Lite

Check Price
3.8446
Jones Trouper R

Check Price
5.45615
Maxfli Air

Check Price
3.14410
Maxfli Eco Tour

Check Price
614116
Mizuno BR-D3

Check Price
4.7486
Mizuno BR-D4

Check Price
66135
Mizuno BR-DX

Check Price
4.814145
Mizuno K1-L0

Check Price
3.1574
Motocaddy Hydro Flex

Check Price
4.3553
OGIO Fuse

Check Price
4.84612
OGIO Woode 8 Hybrid

Check Price
6.48911
Ping Craz-E-Lite

Check Price
3.2445
Ping Hoofer

Check Price
5.2567
Ping Hoofer 14

Check Price
5.714117
Ping Hoofer Lite

Check Price
54510
PXG Carry

Check Price
5481
PXG Hybrid

Check Price
8.4612
Srixon Z

Check Price
5.3454
Stitch SL2

Check Price
5.3433
Sub 70 5-Way

Check Price
4.95107
Sun Mountain 2.5+

Check Price
3.1468
Sun Mountain Eco-Lite

Check Price
4.2456
Sunday Golf Ryder

Check Price
5585
TaylorMade 5.0 ST

Check Price
4.6565
Titleist Players 4

Check Price
5.84715
Titleist Players 4 StaDry

Check Price
4.34711
Tour Edge Extreme 7.0

Check Price
4.8784
Vessel Player IV 14-Way DXR

Check Price
7.11491
Vessel VLS DXR

Check Price
4.8442
Vice Force

Check Price
5.7652
Vice Force Agua

Check Price
5.5651
Vice Smart

Check Price
4.5454
Wilson Exo Lite

Check Price
6.6466

EXPERT TIP - Zippers Matter

A good stand bag should make your life easier, right down to the zippers. Digging through the pockets on your bag to grab your rangefinder or an extra ball should be seamless. The best stand bags nail this detail, and have buttery smooth zippers for easy open and close.

More Tips

  • Do you carry a GPS or rangefinder? Look for a golf bag with an accessible rangefinder pocket. We found the magnetic rangefinder pocket on the PING Hoofer and Vessel Player IV particularly easy to use. Chances are you’ll use this pocket 70 to 80 times per round, making it one of (if not the most) important pockets on your bag.
  • Need a waterproof bag for those rainy rounds? Keep in mind that waterproofing has its tradeoffs. Often this makes the zippers more stubborn and pockets harder to access. The Motocaddy Hydroflex strikes the right chord with a waterproof design and decent zippers.
  • Some stand/carry bags also provide cart pass-throughs for those days when you just don’t feel like walking. One stand bag that features a great cart pass-through system is the PXG Hybrid bag.
  • Lighter isn’t always better but if your biggest concern is the weight of your bag, there are plenty of lightweight options that make carrying a breeze.
  • While it shouldn’t be the sole factor, the style of a bag is important to any purchasing decision. Luckily, most manufacturers offer multiple styles and colors, making it easy to find one that suits your taste.
  • More pockets don’t always make for a better bag. The DNA of any good stand bag takes into account the function of pockets, not just the number. Useless pockets add extra weight, making the bag less walkable, while useable pockets add to the overall positive carrying experience.

How We Test

We're here to help you find the perfect stand 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

Stand Bags are tested head to head using rigorous protocols.

The metrics we consider when rating stand bags include Storage, Walkability, Weight, Features, and Dividers.

Best Stand Bags of 2023 - Results

ProductStorageDividersWeightWalkabilityFeaturesTotal
Ping Hoofer

Check Price
1st1st23rd2nd1st95.5
Ping Hoofer Lite

Check Price
7th1st11th1st3rd94.25
Cobra Ultralight Pro

Check Price
4th4th11th5th4th92.75
Ping Hoofer 14

Check Price
1st37th30th6th1st91
Ultralight Pro+

Check Price
5th4th30th21st4th89.75
Sunday Golf Ryder

Check Price
15th8th11th8th4th88.25
Mizuno BR-D3

Check Price
14th1st11th8th16th86.75
Vessel Player IV 14-Way DXR

Check Price
3rd31st40th18th8th85.5
Sun Mountain Eco-Lite

Check Price
11th6th7th13th22nd85.5
Mizuno BR-D4

Check Price
9th11th30th15th10th85.25
Vessell VLS DXR

Check Price
15th8th11th6th22nd85
Ping Hoofer Craz-E-Lite

Check Price
40th25th1st2nd10th84.25
Maxfli Air

Check Price
39th35th1st2nd14th84
PXG Carry

Check Price
24th11th11th26th9th83.75
Sun Mountain 2.5+

Check Price
31st11th1st8th28th83.25
Maxfli Eco Tour

Check Price
9th31st30th34th7th82.75
Mizuno K1-L0

Check Price
24th21st1st8th30th82.75
Tour Edge Xtreme 7.0

Check Price
21st6th11th34th17th81.75
Titleist Players 4

Check Price
24th21st7th34th14th81.5
Motocaddy Hydro Flex

Check Price
11th18th30th21st26th81.5
Mizuno BR-DX

Check Price
11th31st38th26th10th81.25
Wilson Exo Lite

Check Price
22nd30th11th8th26th81.25
Srixon Z

Check Price
18th38th23rd15th19th81
Callaway Hyperlite Zero

Check Price
31st25th5th13th33rd81
Jones Trouper R

Check Price
15th18th23rd26th28th80.75
OGIO Fuse

Check Price
37th35th11th15th17th80.5
Titleist Players 4 StaDry

Check Price
31st21st7th34th19th80.25
Sub 70 5-Way

Check Price
24th11th11th33rd24th79.75
Callaway Fairway C

Check Price
31st11th11th24th35th79.25
OGIO Woode 8 Hybrid

Check Price
24th21st37th30th19th79
Vice Force

Check Price
24th25th30th18th33rd78.75
PXG Hybrid

Check Price
6th29th41st41st10th78.25
TaylorMade 5.0 ST

Check Price
18th25th11th38th31st78.25
Callaway Fairway C HD

Check Price
31st11th23rd24th38th78.25
Callaway Fairway+

Check Price
24th8th23rd30th35th78
Cobra Tour Stand

Check Price
7th11th41st39th24th77.25
Vice Smart

Check Price
22nd38th7th29th40th76
Callaway Fairway 14

Check Price
18th18th38th40th35th74.5
Finally Stand Bag

Check Price
42nd31st30th21st31st73
Vice Force Agua

Check Price
36th38th23rd30th42nd72.75
IZZO Ultra Lite

Check Price
37th41st5th42nd39th71.25
Stitch SL2

Check Price
41st42nd23rd18th41st71.25

EXPERT TIP - The Great Divide

While the idea of a 14-way divider might sound great, the bags with the best functionality often feature 4-6 dividers. But, if you're really looking to keep your clubs separated, the OGIO Woode 8 Hybrid has a unique design to keep your clubs from mingling with one another.

Best Golf Stand Bags of 2023 – FAQ

Q: Do I need an insulated pocket?

A: Keeping your drinks cool on a hot day is a must. Most stand bags have an insulated pocket to ensure your beverage of choice stays chilled.

Q: What is a “hybrid” golf bag?

A: A true hybrid golf bag is half stand bag, half cart bag. The versatility to walk one day and ride the next without having to switch bags should not be overlooked.

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

A: While most aren’t designed to fit on a cart or push cart, you should be able to use your stand bag on a cart. Some bags offer a cart strap pass-through which helps to hide the strap and avoid blocking access to the pockets. Other stand bags may not have a dedicated cart strap pass-through. In this case, the strap can generally be threaded through a carry handle. Push carts are a different story. If your push cart offers a stand lock-in design, opting for a stand bag shouldn’t be an issue at all. Motocaddy’s stand bags are designed to fit perfectly onto their push carts.

Q: How much does the carry strap matter?

A: That depends on whether you like a strap digging into your shoulder all round. If you want to play your best, you need to feel your best. A comfortable carry strap will send you well on your way to a pain-free round.

Q: What is a “Sunday” bag?

A: Sunday bags are lighter and smaller than standard carry/stand bags. The compact design and light weight make them ideal for par-3 courses or a quick nine.

Q: Which divider setup is right for me?

A: As a general rule, fewer dividers make it easier to get your clubs in and out of the bag. If this is important to you, opt for a four-way or five-way divider. For those who like to keep all of their clubs organized and separate, a 14-way top is the ideal setup.

Q: How much should I spend on a bag?

A: The answer to this question depends on what you’re looking for in a stand bag. However, our winner for the Best Stand Bag of 2023 and our other top choices all hover around the $250 mark.

For You

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      Jason Sawicki

      3 months ago

      When looking at water bottle storage, need to identify the size of the water bottle that can fit in the water bottle pocket. More and More people are bringing their own water bottles. I carry a 40 oz water bottle per 9 holes, yes, I switch out at the turn! I have a Callaway Fairway 14, where one of the bottles fits better than the other bottle. The slightly bigger bottle takes two hands most of the time but get it just right every so often where it slides right in with one hand!
      The PING Hoofer bag, love it! No issues whatsoever. The downside, the bag is falling apart, legs keep popping off. Time for a new bag. I like the 14 dividers, because the clubs get less crisscrossed. I have a jumbo putter grip and in the PING bag, it gets torn up!
      Lastly, how easy is it with a push cart. I have a Clicgear 3.5+. The PING is alright and the Callaway it the worse! Even with the booster foot it is still a problem. The slant where the foot to push the legs out, is the issue. It allows the bag to sit low and rub on the wheel.

      Reply

      Bagboy

      4 months ago

      I have a hoofer (not the 14 slot) I love it however the major flaw is that the towel hook is too close to the legs. My brush and towel frequently close up in the legs causing them to bounce while walking. It may have damaged the legs because my other complaint is that they need more closing power so they close all the way.

      I have only ever had one old Ogio bag and this hoofer. So take it for what it is worth.

      Reply

      K-Mo

      7 months ago

      So glad to see the Stitch bags at the complete bottom. They charge a premium, but their quality and customer service is dead last. Have had plenty of Stitch products and they fail too soon and the CS is non existent.

      Reply

      Jim Neuendorf

      7 months ago

      Interesting. The Ping Hoofer keeps making the top spot year after year. I recently purchased a Mizuno stand bag and main pocket in the back for golf balls was unthreaded. It was totally unusable. Quality is an important factor when choosing a golf bag.

      Reply

      John J

      7 months ago

      I’ve had two Ping Hoofer bags and while the specs are outstanding, I continue to have issues putting and retrieving clubs from the bag. The first bag’s carry strap broke after the first season, so I purchased another primarily because I really liked the pocket layout.

      I needed to create a 2nd bag for a vacation home and after reviewing all the options for 2023, I picked the Titleist Players 4. No problem removing clubs from the bag. Number and placement of the pockets could be better, but I’ll trade that for the easy and unobscured removal of clubs from the bag. Until Ping improves this, I won’t be buying another Hoofer bag (not the 14 slot one, which I personally abhorr.)

      Reply

      Aztec

      7 months ago

      How was the Ping Hoofer 14 chosen for this list? It gets absolutely TERRIBLE reviews on every site I’ve seen (Ping, TGW, Golf Galaxy). TGW, to their credit, exclude this bag when filtering for 14-way full length dividers because they’ve received so many complaints.

      Reply

      Connor Lindeman

      7 months ago

      It was noted in the test that the dividers were sub-par on the Hoofer 14, a la the “37th” place in the divider category. Our testing takes into account other factors, features, etc outside of dividers alone!

      Reply

      Daniel

      7 months ago

      Which bags minimize snagging of midsize grips?

      Reply

      Connor Lindeman

      7 months ago

      I found both the Cobra Ultralight Pro and Pro+ to minimize snagging with my midsize grips!

      Reply

      David V

      7 months ago

      Have Ping improved the dividers in the Hoofer line? I bought a Hoofer a few years ago and was very frustrated with the difficulty getting clubs in and out of the bag. Based on online comments at the time, I wasn’t the only one that had issues with it. I got a different bag after a few months and the Hoofer stores my old irons and collects dust in the garage.

      Reply

      Connor Lindeman

      7 months ago

      The 5-way top on the Hoofer was great in this years test – but if you’re looking for a 14-way divider, I really enjoyed the Callaway Fairway 14

      Reply

      Bill

      7 months ago

      Any of these bags symmetrical in design? Similar to Vessel VLX 2.0..

      Reply

      Kevin

      7 months ago

      Last I checked, we all had two shoulders. Why is it that every carry bag is designed to be carried on the right shoulder? Surely, I’m not the only one who carries on the left.

      Reply

      Bill

      7 months ago

      I agree. That’s why i’m looking at something like the Vessel VLX 2.0

      Reply

      WYBob

      7 months ago

      The MGS Most Wanted Stand Bag of 2022 was the Vessal Player 3 DXR. It beat the Hoofer by a full 1 point. This year the yet-to-be-released Player 4 is a full ten points lower than the Ping Hoofer and lands in 8th place. What changed- the most obvious answer is the person doing the evaluation! The Vessel Player 3 is head and shoulders a better bag than the Hoofer- better materials, better construction, and better design. Knowing Vessel, the Player 4 will be an improvement over the Player 3. And if you don’t like the 14-way top, they offer a 6-way top. As the song goes: “Something Just Ain’t Right!”

      Reply

      Jeff

      5 months ago

      I agree with Bob—do any of these testers actually use the bags? Vessel is head and shoulders above everyone on this list. Ping has great materials but an awful design.

      Reply

      Scott

      7 months ago

      Will you test hybrid bags separately? I feel like they’re best of both worlds – but also not fair to compare in either stand or cart bag worlds. I have a Sun Mountain C-230S and its great. Lots of storage – just not exactly great for carrying (esp no backpack strap).

      Reply

      Connor Lindeman

      7 months ago

      Appreciate your comment! At this time they are not tested separately, but as the hybrid bag space continues to grow, we’ll do our best to adapt! At this time, though, there aren’t enough true “hybrid” bags to facilitate their own test!

      Reply

      Scott Kalina

      7 months ago

      Vessel get no points for the quality of it’s materials and construction? Vessel is the Lexus of golf bags, and will likely last 2 to 3 times longer than these other brands..

      Reply

      Ron C

      7 months ago

      Love the Ping Hoofer bags and walk 200 rounds a year. Only draw back is they will wear a hole where the bag hits your backside. They seem to only last about a year before wearing a hole in them. I’m on my 4th one and every one has a hole in the same spot regardless of how I have adjusted how it sits on my back, either higher or lower.

      Reply

      Hopp

      7 months ago

      I would like to see something added to your chart, length of dividers, are the dividers full length or partial length as that is a huge factor in ease of use.. A 14 divider bag where the dividers don’t go to the bottom is worthless IMO.

      Reply

      Connor Lindeman

      7 months ago

      Appreciate this feedback! Always trying to improve our testing and information we pass on to you as a result.

      Reply

      Wilson Player

      7 months ago

      Completely agree.
      I have a hoffer14 and I struggle to get clubs out most times.
      New grips also stick on the way down and don’t slide smoothly into place.
      The opening on the HOOFER 14 are also too small in the corner locations. A plus4 or midsize grip barely fits, and will pull the fabric out with the club.
      The stand is also poorly made. I hade to strip mine and glue the center spine back in place.

      Reply

      Chris Sullivan

      7 months ago

      Are you able to include details around whether each bag has full length or shortened dividers? When doing research previously I ended up going with a Callaway bag because it had full length dividers for all clubs. Even though it had 14 separate divisions, the full length dividers have ensured I never risk having incoming clubs damage other clubs’ grips. When I tested the hoofer it had shortened dividers (as of last year) and I started feeling occasional snags.

      Reply

      James

      7 months ago

      Vessel Player IV? Early access?

      Reply

      Connor Lindeman

      7 months ago

      Coming soon!

      Reply

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