2019 CART BAG BUYERS GUIDE
Are you happy with your current golf bag? How could it be better? Do you wish it had a bigger insulated pocket or a rangefinder pouch? Is there enough storage to carry the basics along with a rain suit, plenty of snacks, and enough water to keep you hydrated all day long? With companies more serious than ever about golf bag engineering, there’s a good chance that a new bag can improve on what you have right now.
While most understand the lines between staff, cart, and stand bags. Even within the confines of each category, there is a tremendous amount of variety. Not all cart bags are created equal. If you’re an avid golfer who plays multiple rounds a year, you want your bag to go the distance. If you’re looking for more features or just more storage (perhaps a larger cooler pocket), we’ve got you covered.
Whether you’re looking to buy a new cart 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 cart bag to fit your needs.
How We Test
We're here to help you find the perfect cart bag for your needs.
To do that, we employ a rigorous and fully independent testing process that leaves no zipper un-pulled, no pocket un-explored, and no stone unturned.
The Test Process
Bags are loaded with 14 clubs and two dozen golf balls. Testers are encouraged to load and unload clubs from the bag as they would over the course of a typical round of golf. Consideration is given, the design, accessibility, and usability of the pockets and other features.
Our Metrics
The metrics we consider when rating golf bags include Features (42.5%), Storage Capacity (42.5%), Weight (5%), and Style (10%).
Final Grades
Best Overall is awarded to our highest scoring bag in the test. In addition to an Editor's Choice, Best Value may be awarded to a bag that offers excellent performance at a reasonable price. Finally, Best in Class recognition is given to bags offering features that push the established design envelope.
CART BAG FEATURES THAT MATTER
STORAGE
While the quantity of storage is invariably a consideration, focus on what makes sense for your individual needs. More isn’t always better. For some, a large side pocket might be unnecessary, while others need extra space for their favorite training aids, a full rain suit, a waterproof hat, and rain gloves.
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 usually better, especially if you’re a near constant snacker. Well-designed GPS pockets allow for one less thing to be clipped to the bag, while still allowing for easy access.
Dividers
Typically cart bags offer 14-16 individual slots. Some bags offer multiple putter wells, giving your putter, driver, or perhaps your ball retriever a defined and isolated space. That being said, full length, tight individual liners generally work best and pose fewer problems than partial or saggy liners, which are more prone to snagging. While many divider configurations look similar, some make it much easier to pull clubs in and out of the bag.
Cart Strap Pass-Through
For frequent riders, the cart strap pass-through a necessity. Assuming a competent bag design, it ensures full access to all your pockets when the bag is on a cart. Bags without pass-throughs force the straps to hug the pockets, which almost always limits access rendering some pockets almost entirely non-functional.
EXPERT TIP - Waterproof Bags
If you play in rainy conditions more often than not, you may want to consider a waterproof bag like the Titleist STADRY Deluxe, OUUL Aqua Waterproof, or the Big Max Aqua Sport 2. These bags are built from waterproof materials and feature seam-sealed zippers. From top to bottom, they're designed to ensure that your stuff stays dry even when you don't.
All that weather protection comes at a cost, however. Zippers must be placed where water won't pool and seep. That often means side zippers that limit full access to critical pockets. It's also worth noting that waterproof zippers tend to be less finger friendly. For rainy climates, the trade-offs may be necessary, but if you seldom play in the rain, skip the weather protection in favor of maxing out features and functionality.
2019 Cart Bag Features Chart
| Product | Weight (LBS) | Dividers | Pockets | Zipper Pockets | Cart Strap | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | AFO N7 Check Price | 6.3 | 15 | 13 | 9 | Y |
 | Bagboy Chiller Check Price | 7 | 15 | 12 | 9 | Y |
 | Bagboy Defender Check Price | 8.2 | 14 | 12 | 10 | Y |
 | Bagboy Revolver Check Price | 9.1 | 14 | 7 | 7 | Y |
 | Big Max Dri Lite Active Check Price | 5.5 | 15 | 9 | 9 | Y |
 | Big Max Aqua Sport 2 Check Price | 6.1 | 15 | 7 | 7 | Y |
 | Burton XLT Check Price | 6.6 | 15 | 11 | 11 | Y |
 | Cobra UltraLight Check Price | 6 | 14 | 13 | 9 | Y |
 | Datrek SGO Check Price | 6.5 | 15 | 12 | 9 | Y |
 | Datrek Lite Rider Pro Check Price | 5.9 | 15 | 7 | 7 | Y |
 | Datrek Transit Check Price | 7.9 | 14 | 8 | 8 | Y |
 | IZZO Gemini Check Price | 6.6 | 14 | 10 | 9 | Y |
 | Mizuno Pro Cart Check Price | 6.7 | 14 | 12 | 12 | Y |
 | OGIO Alpha Check Price | 7.3 | 14 | 14 | 10 | Y |
 | OUUL Aqua Waterproof Check Price | 6.1 | 14 | 7 | 7 | Y |
 | OUUL Airlight X Check Price | 6.9 | 15 | 8 | 8 | Y |
 | OUUL Air Light SC Check Price | 4.6 | 14 | 6 | 6 | Y |
 | Ping Pioneer Check Price | 6.8 | 15 | 14 | 10 | Y |
 | Ping DLX Check Price | 7.9 | 15 | 15 | 7 | Y |
 | Ping Traverse Check Price | 5.8 | 14 | 13 | 10 | Y |
 | Revelation Commander Check Price | 8.5 | 16 | 8 | 8 | Y |
 | Srixon Z85 Check Price | 6.2 | 14 | 10 | 9 | Y |
 | Stewart Golf Sport Drive Check Price | 6.8 | 15 | 9 | 9 | Y |
 | Stewart Golf Staff Pro Check Price | 9.1 | 15 | 9 | 9 | Y |
 | Sun Mountain Supercharged C130 Check Price | 7.3 | 14 | 10 | 10 | Y |
 | Titleist STADRY Duluxe CB Check Price | 6.7 | 14 | 9 | 8 | Y |
 | Tour Edge Extreme 4 Check Price | 6.7 | 14 | 9 | 9 | Y |
 | Wilson Staff EXO Check Price | 5.5 | 14 | 8 | 8 | Y |
EXPERT TIP - What to Look For in a Cart Bag Pocket
When it comes to cart bag pockets, there are 3 things you should consider; functionality, placement, and structure. Always think about your needs. Do you want a dedicated GPS pouch, a large insulated pocket, or a quarantine area to keep wet (and often smelly clothes) away from your snacks?
Well-designed bags put the pockets you use most within easy reach. A functional collection of pockets helps you put everything in its own place, while a competent structural design ensures that the functionality of one pocket isn't diminished by the presence of another. When pockets are located close together if you can't use both, what's the point of having two?
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More Tips
- Don’t just count pockets. Always consider the quality and functionality of the storage space. A pocket with limited accessibility has next to no value. Look for pockets that are easily accessible, and can hold everything you need them to hold.
- Do you carry a GPS or rangefinder? While many will choose to keep it in the cart with them, thoughtfully placed magnetic pockets provide easy access to your preferred electronic distance measuring device.
- If you have an oversize putter grip, a separate putter well is beneficial, as they are more accommodating of larger diameter putter grips.
- If you frequently play courses with limited or no water stations, you may want to focus on bags with dual water bottle pouches or larger insulated pockets.
- While waterproof bags can help, if your bag gets wet over the course of a round, be sure to empty it completely, put it in a warm, place, and give it adequate time to fully dry before using it again.
2019 Cart Bag Results
| Product | Price | Storage | Style | Weight | Features | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ping Pioneer Check Price | $250.00 | 3rd | 1st | 14th | 3rd | 95.5 |
| Cobra Ultralight Check Price | $209.00 | 3rd | 3rd | 6th | 3rd | 95 |
| Ping DLX Check Price | $300.00 | 3rd | 2nd | 24th | 2nd | 94.5 |
| Ping Traverse Check Price | $215.00 | 8th | 3rd | 2nd | 5th | 93 |
| Srixon Z85 Check Price | $199.99 | 3rd | 9th | 6th | 5th | 92.5 |
| Mizuno Pro Cart Check Price | $280.00 | 7th | 5th | 14th | 5th | 92 |
| OGIO Alpha Check Price | $299.99 | 1st | 9th | 20th | 5th | 92 |
| IZZO Gemini Check Price | $224.99 | 14th | 11th | 6th | 1st | 90.5 |
| Sun Mountain Supercharged C130 Check Price | $244.99 | 1st | 7th | 20th | 10th | 90.5 |
| Wilson Staff EXO Check Price | $179.99 | 10th | 7th | 2nd | 11th | 87.5 |
| Titleist STADRY Duluxe CB Check Price | $310.00 | 17th | 5th | 14th | 9th | 87 |
| Datrek SGO Check Price | $189.95 | 9th | 16th | 6th | 14th | 84 |
| Tour Edge Extreme 4 Check Price | $140.00 | 11th | 11th | 14th | 14th | 83 |
| Stewart Golf Sport Drive Check Price | $220.00 | 21st | 11th | 14th | 12th | 81.5 |
| Datrek Lite Rider Pro Check Price | $169.95 | 11th | 25th | 2nd | 17th | 80 |
| Datrek Transit Check Price | $189.95 | 17th | 18th | 24th | 14th | 79.5 |
| AFO N7 Check Price | $179.99 | 15th | 16th | 6th | 18th | 79 |
| Stewart Golf Staff Pro Check Price | $280.00 | 21st | 11th | 27th | 12th | 79 |
| Burton XLT Check Price | $229.95 | 11th | 18th | 6th | 20th | 78 |
| OUUL AQUA Waterproof Check Price | $249.99 | 15th | 11th | 6th | 23rd | 76.5 |
| OUUL Alirlight SC Check Price | $219.99 | 19th | 28th | 14th | 19th | 75.5 |
| Bagboy Chiller Check Price | $189.95 | 19th | 18th | 20th | 21st | 74 |
| Big Max Dri Lite Active Check Price | $229.99 | 24th | 18th | 2nd | 25th | 72.5 |
| Bagboy Defender Check Price | $209.95 | 24th | 18th | 20th | 23rd | 72.5 |
| Big Max Aqua Sport Check Price | $299.99 | 26th | 18th | 6th | 25th | 71.5 |
| Bagboy Revolver Check Price | $229.95 | 23rd | 18th | 27th | 21st | 71.5 |
| Revelation Commander Check Price | $149.99 | 27th | 25th | 26th | 27th | 64.5 |
| OUUL Air Light X Check Price | $219.99 | 28th | 28th | 1st | 28th | 61.5 |
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THE EASY ROLLER - DATREK TRANSIT
No bag drop, no problem. Made by Datrek, the innovative new Transit features integrated wheels and an extending handle that makes getting the bag from the trunk to the cart as easy as rolling your suitcase through the airport at midnight.
Other features include an ample cooler pocket, substantial storage, and wide 15-way dividers to name a few. If you have limitations that make you unable to carry your bag any appreciable distance, the Datatrek Transit could make it easier for you to play more golf.
POWER UP - SUN MOUNTAIN SUPERCHARGED C-130
A solid all-around bag with best-in-class storage, the Sun Mountain Supercharged C-130 also offers a unique mobile charging feature. A built-in USB port offers golfers the opportunity to charge their mobile devices on the course. With the usage of shot-tracking systems and portable launch monitors on the rise, we expect demand for similar features will increase.
Also noteworthy, the C-130 offers a secondary strap that that locks onto the cart's basket for extra security when riding. If either feature appeals to you, the Sun Mountain Supercharged C-130 is one to consider.
FAQ
Q: How much should I spend on a bag?
A: While there’s no definitive answer for everyone, we’ve found that well-designed, fully featured cart bags for avid golfers generally start at $199, with the majority of our top choices being in the $250-$300 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: You may be able to get by without an insulated pocket, however, you’re on the course for the full 18 and travel with a selection of snacks, an insulated pocket is essential. In general, when it comes to insulated pockets, bigger is better.
Q: Should I buy a bag from one of the big equipment brands?
A: While it’s true that the top performers in our tests often come from names you know, many equipment OEMs source their bags from 3rd parties like Sun Mountain and Vessel. Rarely do these white-label offerings match the performance of the top bags in the supplier’s own lineup.
Q: Does the cart strap pass-through matter?
A: The short answer is yes. Cart strap pass-throughs ensure access to key storage spaces within the bag (assuming the bag is otherwise well designed).
Steve
4 weeks agoI have the ouul bag and I must say it is a great cart bag. Water tight all around for thoese Florida showers as well as plenty of insulation for keeping drinks cool. Lack of small things like sun glasses/car keys small zipper is disappointing though. Its graded about right on the article. It’s a no frills bag, but dead on as 100% no leak water proof!
Tom OBrien
3 months agoDoes anyone have feedback on the Ogio Alpha Convey 514 cart bag? It appears to be the cart bag version of a Swiss Army knife. I can’t find it anywhere to look at it but given the fact that Ogio does luggage they would seem to be good at golf bags. Only two concerns I have are the fabric looks like it might absorb water and they have a different warranty on golf bags than their other products. I guess they trust the airlines more than golfers.
Jon Claffey
4 months agoI loved this test! The Exotics Xtreme 4 Cart Bag went up against 28 other cart bags currently on the market.
The Exotics Xtreme 4 Cart bag was the lowest priced bag in the test at $139.99 retail price. The numbers speak volumes when you look at their test data.
Here is what I saw when I broke down the data:
Xtreme 4 ranked 13th out of the 28 bags tested with a total score of 83.
The 15 bags that the Extreme 4 ranked AHEAD of averaged $95 more in retail price.
The 12 bags that rated higher than the Cart 4 averaged $101.99 more in retail price.
• The average weight of all bags tested was 7.04 pounds. The Extreme 4 Cart bag came in at 6.7 pounds.
•The average number of zipper pockets of all bags tested was 8.7. The Extreme 4 Cart bag has 9 zipper pockets.
Bottom line when we I looked at this test data: Tour Edge is THE ONLY MANUFACTURER DOING WHAT WE ARE DOING IN THE GOLF BAG MARKET: OFFERING QUALITY FOR AN EXTREME VALUE.
AT THE RETAIL SETTING, PRICE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IN CONSUMER’S DECISION IN BUYING A GOLF BAG.
Thank you to MyGolfSpy for allowing the data-centric consumer to see for themselves that Tour Edge offers a great bag at an unbeatable price!
Jon Claffey
Craig M
4 months agoI happen to be in the market for a new cart bag, so I really appreciate you doing this work. Question for the MGS crew – how would the Vessel Lux 2.0 done in this test had it been submitted?
Thanks, and keep up the great work!
Divot
5 months agoI am surprised that waterproof bags are not becoming standard. The majority of golf shoes are waterproof. I just don’t get why there are only 1-2 waterproof bags available now.
Jon
4 months agoCouldn’t agree more. Would have loved to see the Ping waterproof cart bag vs the Titleist one
mackdaddy
5 months agoThis is a great review. Thanks
Roger
5 months agoI use the Bagboy Revolver, it is rated low here and that is probably where it belongs. Heavy, large and difficult to get 2 in a riding cart. But what i love is i can put it on a rider and woods in back and irons in front. When i put it on my push cart, other bags would have woods at bottom with irons laying against wood shafts. With the revolver i can spin 180 degrees, woods on top and irons hanging away from wood shafts. On my 3rd Revolver, but i don’t like the new one with no putter well. Best 1 was the original one.
P.J.
5 months agoMy last two bags have been the Ping Pioneer, and let me tell you folks – this is absolutely one fantastic bag! I just bought the new model a few months ago and love it, as much as it’s predecessor. All the pockets are in great position, the zippers are quality and the stitching holds up over the years. I only bought a new bag because I keep a spare set of clubs at a place I travel to frequently. One nice feature that doesn’t get mentioned (and I wish more companies would do), there is a hook/latch inside one of the side pockets to allow you to clip your keys into. This is ingenious…TaylorMade used to do this, but as far as I know – only Ping does this now (no idea if all the Ping bags do, but Pioneer does for sure).
My only ding on this bag is that there’s no ring clip for the strap. That means two things to me. #1 – if the strap breaks/tears, the whole bag is dead (never had an issue, btw). #2 – I like to hook my towel into the strap hook, so it doesn’t drag the ground in a push cart. Like most bags, the loop for a towel is so low, it drags the ground. Either we need shorter towels, or put the towel loops up closer to the top. I know, not everyone has this problem.
Other than that – don’t hesitate to pick up this bag – I absolutely love it!!
Richard Eisenmenger
5 months agoCan’t believe the Sun Mountain C130 didn’t make the top 5????
Harry Nodwell
5 months agoHi Richard,
You are right. The Sun Mountain C130 SuperCharged is a great bag and finished with a score of 90.5 and only 5 points from 1st. The bag has many great additions that added to its value like the built in USB ports. However, it did have its downfalls. Here is what we found from testing:
Bag is on the heavier side;
Cooler pocket is on the side of bag and not as big as others;
Storage is very good with many expanding pockets;
Great cart strap pass though and extra security strapping to basket in cart so it doesn’t twist;
Divider material on the top is great because its soft and padded but will last a long time;
Front material on pockets is a little soft and moves around a lot which causes it to lose its form;
Because of the loose material, the zippers get caught when using one hand which is a shame because its a great bag otherwise;
Dividers are good but some are a little smaller than the rest which cause clubs to snag
With these findings, it C130 did not perform as well as others in the features section and lost points, therefore placed where it did.
Cheers Harry
Moe
5 months agoI purchased a Ping Pioneer Pioneer last year as it was the MGS best cart bag. I walk with an electric trolley. My trolley is sensitive to weight distribution and this is the best bag for maintaining weight balance in addition to all its other positives.
Pete S
5 months agoAny chance you’ll do a separate hybrid bag test? I have a cart bag now since I walk with a push-cart, but I often miss having the legs of a stand bag when I’m practicing.
LABillyboy
5 months agoI had the best cart bag ever a Callaway which had a huge insulated pocket able to hold at least a 12 pack. It eventually fell apart (dividers ripped) after 6 years. Not liking the individual club dividers, I decided to get a Callaway staff bag with 6 dividers… I am really, really happy with it. it’s set up to work on a cart with pockets facing outward and I now just use a small cooler (6 pack size) that is waterproof and flexible which fits perfectly in the front shoe/garment pocket.. Much easier to get clubs in and out of the bag, still have plenty of cold beverages and easy access to all my stuff… Lot’s of positive comments on the appearance as well.
Eye4golf
5 months agoFrom your recommendations 2 years ago I purchased a Ping Pioneer and that was a very wise decision. After 2 years and more than a hundred rounds strapped to my push cart it still looks brand new, the secret is buy black. Living in the southwest the colored bags fade quicker. Best feature is the cooler compartment that my golf buddies call it “the refrigerator “ as it holds a easy 6 pack of adult beverages. Glad to see and recommend that you get what you pay for in a long lasting quality cart bag.””””
Adam Burton
5 months agoWhile I was out at Golftown the other day, I noticed the new Clic-Gear cart bag. I was hopeful that it would be on this list. As a Clic-Gear user, it definitely had some appealing features. Perhaps in the 2020 list.
Rick Scarboro
5 months agoThe MGS claim of “unbias” sometimes gives me pause. For several years I’ve heard MGS rave about the quality and high bar set by “sun Mountain” bags of all types…. cart, stand , Hybrid.. And suddenly this year they drop almost from sight. I wonder if the decline is from Sun Mountain, or it is MGS
Tony Covey
5 months agoHi Rick,
While I do enjoy a thinly veiled ridiculous accusation as much as the next guy, the entire premise of this particular one is flawed from the get-go. See, the thing is, I have no recollection of MGS raving about Sun Mountain (side note: puzzled by your use of quotes). And so, as anyone else is free to do, I actually went back and checked all of our previous bag tests going back to 2015 when we did our first one. Wow, the presentation has come a long way.
Fun fact, this is actually our 5th large-scale bag test. As you can imagine, they’ve grown in scale over the years, and we learn from each test and update our metrics accordingly, but one thing that is true is that apart from a single 2nd place finish and some one-off recognitions for things like “lightest weight bag”, Sun Mountain has generally finished in the high (above) average range. Good bags, for sure, and like the Supercharger in the C-130, the company frequently adds some unique and often compelling features, but there’s nothing that would qualify as several years of raving. Are you sure you’re in the right place?
That said, looking over the results of past tests, with the exception of the occasional home run by a company like Datrek, PING and Cobra have been, far and away, the most consistent performers in our bag tests.
Jeff Jurgonski
5 months agoZero accusations here, but I’m surprised to see the regular C-130 not tested. I can’t remember it being tested last year as well. Just curious why.
Tony Covey
5 months agoWith bags, we rarely ever request specific models. Instead, we ask the manufacturers to submit what they feel are the best bags in each category. Sun Mountain sent us the Supercharged, which, while I’m not 100% positive, I suspect is the same as the standard C-130 with the addition of the power pack.
Stuart King
5 months agoI have recently bought a Calloway bag and not surprised that it does not figure in your Order of Merit as it is the worst bag I have ever purchased in forty years of golf.
The sections are poorly segregated
No putter store
Strap from my golf trolley slips off the front of the bag.
be warned if you are thinking of buying a trolley bag keep away from the CALLOWAY range.
Yours most disappointedly
Stuart king
MIKE EDELMAN
5 months agonot true of the callaway junior staff bag..everything about it great except of course for the price
michael edelman
5 months agothe cart bag I prefer is a junior staff bag from callaway rogue…great bag looks great stand up by itself…has magnetic pocket for range finder….
Edward
5 months agoEven though i do like the choices MGS selected. There is still none better than ogio silencer setup. Clubs that are fit for you are big money. The last thing i want to hear is them clashing together whether im riding or walking. Its kinda like buying a new ride and all you do is hit potholes all day in it. No thank you.
Doug
5 months agoEdward, how long have you used the Ogio Silencer? I’ve always been interested in this bag, because I like the concept of locking in my clubs, but I’ve heard from many users that that the clamps break down “quickly” and that they become useless after that. I’ve also seen some of these used where the top silicone sheet is pretty badly torn up. I question how much is from abuse and how much is real practical wear and tear.
Edward
5 months agoI’ve been using it two years going into the 3rd this season. I use it on a riding and push cart. Ive had no issue with mine. In fact, after i got mine, everyone i played with inquired about it because they noticed how quiet it was and that my clubs werent all dinged up. Had a buddy get fit recently for set of shiny mizunos, i told him to get one and he loves it. He sold his other bag immediately. I have midsize grips on all my clubs and havent had any issues with them not grabbing. Only drawback is getting used to hitting the slots with driver and fairway woods. It takes a couple of pokes at it sometimes, but i have no issues with setting irons or wedges. What you lose in club put back time versus an ‘open’ bag, you gain peace and quiet from the annoying sound of your mortgage payment of an investment being banged around like you could care less. Ive heard of that top silencer top issue you speak of, but in my opinion and experience, if you take care of your stuff it takes care of you. The clamps do kinda break in a bit and arent as tight as when you use it your first year, but it still functions as intended to. At this 3rd year point i wouldnt try the upside down trick that was touted during marketing of it. But sideways and upright is all anyone should be getting to anyway. No more clanging around in the car/truck with clubs halfway slid out either. It has been a win win for me.
Scott
5 months agoI am not Edward but I am also a fan of the Silencer. I bought the OGIO Silencer Chamber in 2015 and have loved it. I golf a lot so it has been used often. The silencer technology has actually never been an issue for me, all of my clubs seat in the bottom just fine and as along as you do not have white grips they will never be an issue. The spring loaded ball pocket has begun to weaken and if I carry the bag with that facing down and too many balls they will go scattering across the parking lot. Looking to get a new bag this year for that reason and am saddened that Ogio does not have an updated silencer as it takes such good care of your clubs and the noise reduction is awesome.
Wayne
5 months agoI agree and have been using the Bagboy Revolver for just this purpose. The other bag requirements are good/nice to have, but I want my clubs separated.