The Best Cart Bags for 2020

2020 Cart Bag Buyer’s Guide

How would you improve your cart bag? More storage, easier access to important pockets, new features or perhaps a total reimagination of the golf bag?

Among the best cart bags for 2020, you’ll find some of all of the above and then some. This season’s offerings feature subtle upgrades to steady performers, significant improvements to under-performers of the past and some features that are, shall we say, unique. With the variety of bags on the market, we’re confident there’s absolutely something for everyone.

Whether you’re looking to buy a cart bag today, looking for some buying advice or just want a closer look at what’s on the market right now, we’re here to help.

Cart Bag Features That Matter

Storage

While the quantity of storage is an obvious consideration, for many golfers, more isn’t always better. While the best cart bags for 2020 feature ample storage, it’s important to consider your individual needs. If you don’t carry training aids, an abundance of miscellaneous stuff or play in a climate where rain is seldom a factor, you may be able to forgo some storage space in favor of weight savings or other features. Golfers who find themselves frequently challenged by the elements will not only need space for a rain suit, waterproof hat and rain gloves, but you should also consider a lined isolation pocket that allows you to keep the wet gear away from the rest of your bag.

Water-bottle pockets should be easily accessible and large enough to accommodate as much water as you need. With insulated pockets, bigger is almost always better, especially if you’re a constant snacker.

Magnetic closures have become the standard for GPS pockets. They provide easier access to your device while eliminating the need to clip one more thing to your bag.

For those looking for the absolute maximum functional storage a cart bag can offer, there’s no better option than the Ping DLX. It’s a larger bag best suited for riding carts, however. Push-cart users and other golfers looking for plenty of storage with less bulk should consider the Ogio Convoy SE.

Dividers

Typically, cart bags offer between 14 and 16 individual slots. Some bags offer multiple dedicated putter wells. While few of us keep two putters in the bag, the extra spot can provide alternative storage for your driver or perhaps a ball retriever.

The best cart bags for 2020 feature tightly pulled individual liners. These designs pose fewer problems than partial or loose 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.

If club organization and snag-free access to your gear are your primary concerns, the Ping Pioneer and the Titleist 15 are the best of the best.

Cart Strap Pass-Through

For frequent riders and many push-cart users, the cart strap pass-through is a necessity. Assuming a competent bag design, a pass-through channel helps ensure 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 invariably limits access, rendering some pockets almost entirely inaccessible.

PING bags, most notably the Pioneer, feature a flawless implementation of a strap pass-through. The Srixon Z85 is also excellent in this regard.

The Best Cart Bag For 2020 - Features

	Product	Weight	Dividers	Pockets	Zipper Pockets	Cart Strap Passthrough
	BagBoy Chiller Check Price	6.5	14	12	10	YES
	Big Max Aqua Sport 2 Check Price	6.4	15	7	7	NO
	Callaway Org 14 Check Price	6.2	14	13	9	YES
	Cleveland CG Check Price	5.2	14	8	8	NO
	Cobra Ultradry Cart Check Price	5.9	15	7	7	YES
	Datrek DG Lite II Check Price	5.3	15	7	7	YES
	Datrek Lite Rider Pro Check Price	6	15	7	7	YES
	BagBoy Shield Check Price	6.2	14	10	8	NO
	Datrek Transit Check Price	7.6	14	8	8	NO
	Inesis Check Price	6.6	15	8	6	NO
	Izzo Ultra Lite Check Price	3.7	14	6	6	NO
	Nevr Looz Check Price	8.9	15	14	9	YES
	Ogio Convoy SE Check Price	6.7	14	15	11	YES
	Ping DLX Check Price	8	15	9	8	YES
	Ping Pioneer Check Price	6.9	15	14	11	YES
	Ping Traverse Check Price	6.2	14	11	9	YES
	Srixon Z85 Check Price	6.3	14	10	9	YES
	Sun Mountain C130 Check Price	7.6	14	13	9	YES
	Titleist 15 Check Price	7.3	15	11	9	YES
	Tour Edge EXS Xtreme Check Price	5.5	15	10	9	NO
	Transrover Check Price	22.3	14	13	13	YES
	XXIO Lightweight Check Price	6.3	4	7	7	NO
	XXIO Transport Check Price	9.9	5	8	8	NO

More Tips

• Don’t just count pockets. 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, the best cart bags of 2020 have a thoughtfully placed magnetic pocket to provide easy access to your preferred electronic distance-measuring device.
• If you have an oversize putter grip, a separate putter well is beneficial. Be sure the bag you choose can accommodate the diameter of your putter grip.
• If you frequently play courses with limited or no water stations, consider a bag 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, wipe it down, empty it completely and put it in a warm place. Allow it to fully dry before using it.
• A bag’s color will fade. To help retain its original color longer, keep it out of direct sunlight whenever possible.

The Best Cart Bags 2020 - Results

	Product	Storage	Style	Weight	Features	Total
	Ping Pioneer Check Price	2nd	1st	6th	2nd	95
	Ping DLX Check Price	3rd	2nd	20th	1st	93.5
	Ping Traverse Check Price	7th	3rd	6th	3rd	92
	Srixon Z85 Check Price	4th	5th	6th	4th	91
	Ogio Convoy SE Check Price	1st	11th	6th	6th	90.5
	Titleist 15 Check Price	4th	3rd	17th	6th	90.5
	Sun Mountain C130 Check Price	4th	5th	17th	6th	89.5
	Callaway Org 14 Check Price	7th	8th	6th	12th	87.5
	XXIO Lightweight Check Price	11th	5th	6th	9th	86.5
	Cleveland CG Check Price	18th	14th	2nd	9th	84.5
	Tour Edge EXS Xtreme Check Price	18th	14th	2nd	12th	84
	BagBoy Chiller Check Price	11th	14th	6th	14th	82.5
	Cobra Ultradry Cart Check Price	11th	8th	2nd	17th	82.5
	Datrek DG Lite II Check Price	9th	14th	2nd	17th	82.5
	XXIO Transport Check Price	15th	8th	22nd	14th	81
	Transrover Check Price	22nd	11th	23rd	5th	80
	Datrek Lite Rider Pro Check Price	10th	19th	6th	19th	79.5
	Datrek Transit Check Price	15th	18th	17th	16th	79.5
	Nevr Looz Check Price	21st	21st	20th	9th	79.5
	Big Max Aqua Sport 2 Check Price	18th	11th	6th	21st	78.5
	Inesis Check Price	14th	21st	6th	19th	78
	BagBoy Shield Check Price	15th	19th	6th	21st	77.5
	Izzo Ultra Lite Check Price	23rd	21st	1st	23rd	73

Best Cart Bags of 2020 – FAQ

Q: How much should I spend on a bag? 

A: While there’s no definitive answer, we’ve found well-designed, fully featured cart bags for avid golfers generally start at $159.99, with the majority of our top choices being in the $250-$300 range. The cost of some bags within the category approaches $450. Golfers who play just a few times a year may be able to find a suitable offering for less.

Q: Do I need an insulated pocket?

A: You may be able to get by without an insulated pocket. However, if 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 third parties like Sun Mountain and Vessel. However, 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).

Q: Do dividers really matter on a cart bag?

A: Dividers are one of the most important features. Dividers that don’t have much space between each slot will cause snagging when taking your clubs out. Spaced-out dividers allow for easy extraction of your clubs.