2019 STAND 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 of category, there is a tremendous amount of variety. Not all stand bags are created equal. If you’re a devoted walker, forgoing features in favor of weight savings and all-day comfort makes sense. If you push or ride a good bit of the time, more versatile hybrid bags offer nearly the capacity and features of larger cart bags while leaving the door open to walking the occasional 9 or even 18.
Whether you’re looking to buy a new stand bag today, are 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 stand bag to fit your needs.
How We Test
We're here to help you find the perfect stand 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 carrying functionality, the design, accessibility, and usability of the pockets and other features.
Our Metrics
The metrics we consider when rating golf bags include Features (35%), Storage Capacity (20%), Comfort and Functionality while Walking (25%), Weight (10%), 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.
STAND 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 will 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
As with pockets, more isn’t always better. While riders and members of the Push Cart Mafia can take full advantage of 14-way tops and putter wells, avid walkers are generally better off with few dividers and the weight savings that comes with keeping it simple. While many divider configurations look similar, some do a much better job allowing you to pull clubs in and out of the bag with ease.
Comfort
While it sounds obvious enough, do forget that comfort is a huge part of carrying. Nearly every bag is comfortable when it’s empty, but you need to consider how the bag feels on your back when its filled with 14 clubs, and all that other gear we just discussed. Simply put, the bag needs to feel as good on your back as it looks on the ground. Your bag should never get in the way of walking 18 or even 36.
Weight
Hand-in-hand with comfort, weight is a critical consideration for the walking golfer. While a single pound might not sound like much, the extra mass can dramatically affect fatigue levels throughout a round. A little extra weight can mean the difference between finishing strong or leaking oil on the back 9.
For those who push or ride, weight should be less of a concern. When the bag is rarely on your back, the massive storage, additional features, and more versatile tops found in hybrid bags can be well worth the extra weight..
Leg Stability
The materials, the hinge point, and even the stability of the frame itself play a critical role in the design of a stable stand bag. A bag that’s stable in the store may not hold up when it’s loaded with gear. There’s nothing worse than a stand bag that can’t stand on its own on the golf course, no matter what the conditions.
2019 Stand Bag Features Chart
| Name | Price | Weight | Dividers | Pockets | Zipper Pockets | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | AFO N7 Check Price | $112.49 | 5.8 | 5 | 6 | 5 |
 | Bagboy Chiller Check Price | $189.95 | 7 | 14 | 10 | 8 |
 | Bettinardi Stand Check Price | $240.00 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 7 |
 | Big Max Aqua Wave Check Price | $249.99 | 4.8 | 4 | 6 | 6 |
 | Big Max Dri Lite Check Price | $199.99 | 5.2 | 14 | 7 | 7 |
 | Burton CSX Check Price | $249.95 | 5.2 | 5 | 7 | 7 |
 | Cobra Tour Stand Check Price | $279.00 | 9.4 | 4 | 9 | 6 |
 | Cobra Ultralite Check Price | $189.00 | 5.1 | 4 | 7 | 5 |
 | Datrek Go Lite Hybrid Check Price | $159.95 | 5.9 | 14 | 6 | 6 |
 | IZZO Versa Check Price | $219.99 | 6.2 | 11 | 8 | 4 |
 | Nevr Looz Stand Check Price | $249.99 | 10.3 | 15 | 6 | 6 |
 | OGIO Alpha Check Price | $299.99 | 7.3 | 14 | 16 | 8 |
 | OGIO Shadow Check Price | $229.99 | 4.7 | 4 | 7 | 5 |
 | OUUL Python Check Price | $119.99 | 3.7 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
 | Ping Hoofer 14 Check Price | $240.00 | 7 | 14 | 10 | 6 |
 | Ping Hoofer Check Price | $220.00 | 5.5 | 5 | 10 | 6 |
 | Ping Hoofer Lite Check Price | $190.00 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 6 |
 | Srixon Z85 Check Price | $199.99 | 5.3 | 4 | 7 | 5 |
 | Sun Mountain 4.5LS Check Price | $219.99 | 5.4 | 14 | 8 | 7 |
 | Titleist Players 4+ Check Price | $225.00 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 5 |
 | Titleist Hybrid 14 Check Price | $240.00 | 6.8 | 14 | 9 | 8 |
 | Tour Edge Xtreme 4 Check Price | $139.99 | 5.4 | 7 | 8 | 8 |
 | Wilson Staff EXO Check Price | $159.99 | 5.5 | 5 | 6 | 5 |
EXPERT TIP - CHECK YOUR ZIPPERS
Zippers are an often overlooked component of good golf bag design. Even when durability and waterproofing are already the primary consideration, well-designed zippers allow for easy one-hand operation. You shouldn't need to put the bag on the ground or use both hands to get at the gear you need.
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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? If so, consider buying a bag with a thoughtfully placed magnetic pocket for easy access.
- If you walk or push more often than your ride, hybrid bags offer more storage space and their 14 or 15-way tops are more functional on push or riding carts.
- Conversely, if your bag is almost always on your back, fatigue can be an issue. Consider forgoing all but the minimum storage space necessary in favor of a lighter and often more comfortable bag.
- If you frequently play courses with limited or no water stations, you may want to focus your options on bags offering dual water bottle pouches.
- 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.
- Leather bags are often easier to clean. Nylon is lighter but tends to retain more dirt. For those looking to save weight and keep things looking fresh, consider a bag like the PING Hoofer, which allows the outer shell to be stripped off, and machine washed.
2019 Stand Bag Rankings
| Product | Storage | Style | Weight | Walkability | Features | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ping Hoofer Check Price | 4th | 1st | 10th | 9th | 1st | 90 |
| Cobra Ultralite Check Price | 8th | 10th | 7th | 5th | 2nd | 89 |
| Ping HooferLite Check Price | 10th | 1st | 4th | 9th | 3rd | 88.5 |
| Titleist Players 4+ Check Price | 8th | 5th | 4th | 12th | 6th | 84.5 |
| Sun Mountain 4.5 LS Check Price | 3rd | 5th | 12th | 5th | 11th | 83.5 |
| Wilson Staff EXO Check Price | 14th | 5th | 14th | 5th | 5th | 83.5 |
| Bettinardi Stand Check Price | 10th | 12th | 4th | 12th | 6th | 83 |
| Srixon Z85 Check Price | 10th | 12th | 10th | 4th | 6th | 83 |
| Ping Hoofer 14 Check Price | 4th | 1st | 19th | 9th | 6th | 81.5 |
| OGIO Shadow Check Price | 21st | 12th | 2nd | 3rd | 14th | 81.5 |
| Titleist Hybrid 14 Check Price | 2nd | 5th | 18th | 16th | 10th | 80 |
| Tour Edge Xtreme 4 Check Price | 10th | 10th | 12th | 12th | 14th | 79.5 |
| Big Max Aqua Wave Check Price | 16th | 21st | 3rd | 1st | 17th | 79.5 |
| Datrek Go Lite Hybrid Check Price | 10th | 16th | 16th | 5th | 12th | 78.5 |
| Big Max Dri Lite Check Price | 16th | 12th | 8th | 1st | 22nd | 78.5 |
| OGIO Alpha Check Price | 1st | 5th | 21st | 20th | 4th | 76.5 |
| OUUL Stand Check Price | 21st | 21st | 1st | 17th | 18th | 74.5 |
| Burton CSX Check Price | 16th | 19th | 8th | 18th | 18th | 73.5 |
| Cobra Tour Stand Check Price | 4th | 4th | 22nd | 19th | 14th | 73 |
| AFO N7 Check Price | 23rd | 20th | 15th | 15th | 18th | 71 |
| Bagboy Chiller Check Price | 4th | 16th | 19th | 20th | 12th | 70.5 |
| IZZO Versa Check Price | 16th | 16th | 17th | 20th | 21st | 66.5 |
| Nevr Looz Stand Check Price | 20th | 23rd | 23rd | 23rd | 23rd | 55.5 |
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Next-Level Hybrid Bag - OGIO Alpha Convoy 514 RTC
For those who push or ride more than they walk, the OGIO Alpha warrants serious consideration. Offering a massive amount of storage, easy to grip handle, and innovative features like Fidlock magnetic towel loop and the interchangeable MOD storage system, the Alpha Convoy sets a new standard for hybrid bag designs.
The Alpha is heavy, but the extra weight is more than offset by its capacity and well-designed 14-way top. At $299.99 the OGIO Alpha is one of the more expensive bags in our test, but for golfers who go directly from the range to the cart (RTC), it's just about perfect.
ULTIMATE STYLE - COBRA CROWN TOUR STAND BAG
Made by Vessel, this Cobra bag offers style for days. With its leather construction it's in a class by itself, though like the OGIO Alpha Convoy, it's well above the average weight for the category.
Offering a single strap system by default, The Cobra Crown Tour ships with an accessory strap that provides a bit more stability and comfort while walking - though unless you have someone to carry your bag for you, it's better suited for riding and push carts. Other features include generous storage and two water bottle pockets.
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 bags for avid golfers generally start at $150, with the majority of our top choices being in the $200 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: If your golf is limited to 9 holes at a time, you may be able to get by without an insulated pocket. If however, you’re on the course for the full 18 and prefer to carry a selection of snacks with you, an insulated pocket is essential. In general, when it comes to insulated pockets, bigger is better.
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 mission critical. The seemingly smallest details matter. Look for strips with ample padding. Curved designs are generally more comfortable. When possible, you should test the strap system with the bag fully loaded to see if it’s a good fit for your body.
Q: Should I buy a bag from one of the big equipment brands?
A: While it’s true that often the top performers in our tests 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 top matter?
A: The short answer is yes. If you carry all the time, a 4 or 5-way top is almost certainly the way to go. Having fewer dividers makes getting clubs in and out of the bag easy. Bags with 11 to 15-way tops are more prone to snagging and are much better suited to push cart users and riders. Also, keep in mind that bags with 4-way tops are, on average, 2lbs lighter than those with 14-way tops
Craig S
3 months agoI hope next review you can add a column for those of us that carry on the left shoulder. Most (almost all) makers do not make a reverse side bag, the pads and pockets hit all the wrong places if carried on the left shoulder.
Every year I see a great review for the next best bag, only to be left wanting because a left side carry is not an option.
Bobby
3 months agoSpeaking as one of the top green grass golf bag retailers in the nation, you guys have missed the boat by not including Sun Mountain 2.5, Sun Mountain 3.5 LS, and Sun Mountain 4.5 LS 14-Way, as well as Sun Mountain 4.5 LS Zero-G. Also not including Callaway HyperLite Zero, and Callaway Fusion Zero is a huge miss. I’m sure your limited in some respects, but I can tell you from what actually sells, and what walkers actually want, these are 6 of the top 10 selling bags at green grass golf shops. Sun Mountain is far and away the #1 golf bag company at the green grass level, and for them to have 1 golf bag in the 2019 stand bag review is pretty weak.
Leif Nilsson
3 months agoBought the Cobra Ultralight last year based on your test. The bag is comfortable, has great dividers and storage with enough pockets – BUT it gives a creaking sound every step you take. The sound comes from the “plastic connetions” (English is not my native language…) were you fix the shoulder straps. Irritating to hear when you walk 18 holes. Strange this didn’t come up when you did your test – or is it just my bag…?
Brad
3 months agoI’ve just bought a Ping Hoofer bag based on past reviews and from my own looking around at lots of stand bags over the past couple of months. So far, I’m very happy with my purchase and the Hoofer is a fantastic bag that has everything I need and is very well built and easy to carry.
The only negative I’ve found about it compared to my old bag, which is an Ogio Silencer stand bag, is that the Hoofer is not nearly as stable in the upright position when loaded with 14 clubs as the Ogio and can tip over much easier. The Ogio is about as stable as a cart bag in that respect. However, the stand mechanism on the Hoofer is way superior to every stand bag I’ve ever owned or used and other than that stability issue when sitting upright, is better in every way than my old bag.
Highly recommended.
SV
3 months agoTo me one of the keys to a stand bag is the top dividers. Four and even five tend to crowd the clubs too much to easily get one out. One of the best stand bags I have used is a Callaway Warbird with a 7 way top. It works well whether you are walking (carry or trolley) or riding.
Tartan Golf Travel
3 months agoThe best carry bag hands down is the Sun Mountain 3.5 zero g. Trust me I’ve had them all. Hoofers, 2.5,4.5 Callaway, Titleist, mizuno, etc…. Nothing even close to the 3.5 ZG. Better made than the 2.5+ and the zero g belt takes all the weight off your shoulders. Try it… you won’t regret it.
THOMAS
3 months agoI keep looking? Nothing yet
I just like a light bag, don’t need a whole bunch of pockest. 4 is enough
6 balls, 1/2 doze tees, 1 golve – Top design 4 sleeve – 10 inches
When placed on cart should slop back to front – pockets facing front
mackdaddy
3 months agoI like the Hybrid bags because many of the courses in my area are to spread out to walk.
Jim
3 months agoNice review. Although I agree with the quality of the Ping Hoofer bag you failed to mention that the hoofer design creates a binding problem. Every review you read about this bag notes how bad the binding problem really is. I was looking at either the Hoofer or the SM 4.5 and chose the SM bag as it doesn’t bind as much. As a loyal Ping fan they really need to ditch the Hoofer design.
Susan Eno
3 months agoThe problem will all of these stand bags is that the top angle is all wrong for when you do use it in a cart or push cart. After struggling with my stand bag on a push cart for a couple of years when I stopped carrying, last year I changed to a regular 14 slot cart bag which is fine I guess. But this year I plan to add a Calloway Hyper with the little legs for when I want to walk a light 9 holes with maybe not a full set or go to a driving range.
Dee
3 months agoWell said Susan and you are not alone in your frustration.
What I want is a cart-like bag with a stand, so when used with a push or riding cart, tall clubs in back, short in front. We get lots of pockets out front, putter well, etc.
Then when I practice at range, short game practice area, putting green, etc. the bag will not fall over because the stand will support it.
I don’t want to shuffle clubs, or transfer clubs to one bag to another, take a push cart to practice area, etc.
WAH.
There, I feel better.
Maybe the OGIO Alpha Convey 514 RTC bag is the answer. It is hard to tell from the images on-line. Got to check it out.
Sean
3 months agoWhat is ‘walkability’? How can the lightest bag have the 17th best walkability score?
Harry Nodwell
3 months agoJust because it is the lightest bag doesn’t mean that it will be comfortable when walking. The straps do not mold to the contour of your body and dig into your side. You can also feel the handle dig into your back when walking to name a few issues. Hope this clears up your question
Mark M
3 months agoI played an Ouul Python for a season and a half. Loved how light it was but it has some serious usage/walkability issues.
The strap system is the worst I’ve ever used. The water bottle compartment opening is just big enough to fit a flask – forget about a water bottle. And the stand/leg system is marginal at best. Went back to an old, beat up SM 3.5 in the middle of last year and never looked back.
Will
3 months agoI also use the Sun Mountain 2.5 bag; it beats the 6 & 7lb stand bags, imo, that you still have to add equipment to. My 2.5 bag wears well &has enough zipppered compartmentsto carry your needs & the top handle was a fine thought…
Andrew C
3 months agoThe Ping Hoofer was on my list for Santa and I’m glad he delivered! Happy to get rid of my 14 slot bag, so much less binding with the clubs. The Ping Hoofer has so much flexibility for storage and organization. I will be curious to see how well the water bottle insulation works in the hot months.
Dave S
3 months agoFirst off, love the new format of these reviews. The layout is much better and there’s way more information organized in an easy to find and comprehend manner. Kudos!
Second thing, and I’ve mentioned this before on other reviews, but it would be great if on top of giving us your top bags based on your metrics, you also provided the features chart and allowed us to tweak the metric weights to our own personal preferences. For example, to some, weight (lbs) may be the most important metric and it would be great to have the optionality of giving that a higher % of the total metric weighting. That would allow the reader to really drill down and find the bag most suited to them. #powertotheplayer
Craigar
3 months agoI am sorry to see Cleveland’s $139.99 stand bag wasn’t in the mix this year.
MG
3 months agoNice review! Any chance you can do this with Sunday golf bags? I’d also be interested to see how a Sunday golf bag holds up against a Sun Mountain 2.5.
Harry Nodwell
3 months agoAlready have it on the list for this year. Stay tuned
Andrew Han
3 months agoI like the new layout. To the point with subjective feedback.
Matt R
3 months agoA must should be waterPROOF not resistant phone/watch pocket. it should also be easily accessible when walking down the fairway, that is the time to check messages or add scores to your phone. think people.
Norm F
3 months agoI wish you would have noted which bags have a pass thru for a cart strap, Some of us don’t always walk. 😉
Dave B
3 months agoJust run the cart strap underneath the handle
John Armstrong
3 months agoCan confirm that the Sun Mountain 4.5 LS has a pass-through for a cart strap.
Walter
3 months agoJust my opinion but I would place the highest priority on the walking and weight score. Which in that case tied for 1st place would be the Ogio shadow and the Big Max aqua wave. Who cares about too much storage as you don’t want to carry extra weight, just what you need. Style is a “who cares”, who notices other golfers bags and whether they look good or not. As long as they are functional and they stand properly and have solid built zippers etc then they pass for me. I will say that Ogio has great customer service. My previous Ogio bag had one lazy leg after a couple of years use and one phone got me a new lastest top bag with free shipping and return shipping of the old bag – can’t beat that for service. Not to mention I think they are well built bags. I also have a Sun Mountain from at least 30 years ago which is still in great shape but only has a single strap system.
Dave B
3 months agoI’ve played golf for 60 years (I’m 70) and have either carried or used a push cart for 95+ percent of my rounds. Since the 1980s, I’ve owned nothing but Ping stand bags. Whether it’s been an L8, Hoofer or 4 Series, I’m not aware of any bag that works better or lasts longer. I have never had a Ping stand break, a fabric wear out or a zipper become ruined.
Ping’s fabrics do of course fade over time, but that’s to be expected. My only complaint about Pings is that they last so long I never have a good excuse to buy a new one (which of course has never stopped me from doing so).
Ron
3 months agoA use the Sun Mountain 2.5 lb carry bag and find it to be the best I have tried. The top opening is large and the dividers work well. When you carry over a hilly course as I do, bag weight is the most important quality. The new version also has much improved storage.
Jordan
3 months agoPing Hoofer is in a league of its own. I have the 14 way and the only knock is that it keeps the clubs in the same position, so when i’m walking the heads of my mp18s just bang against each other in the same place, causing forged heads to show nicks and scratches. I’m kind of wishing I went with the 5 dividers now.
Divot
3 months agoIt does not matter which type of bag you have, the heads will always bang together in some way. The only way to protect your irons from those kind of nicks is to use an iron cover (But that just adds more weight when carrying
Stump
3 months agoHow long did it take you to test all of the bags? Watching this video, with the number of bags and the amount of things you looked at, seems like it would take a boat load of time.
Darrell
3 months agoCan you explain what this means and how to do it: “Outer fabric is removable for easy cleaning”
I have a Hoofer but did not know that the fabric could be removed. I know that the ball pocket can be, as I have done that with mine.
Jon
3 months agoAre you doing a review of WATERPROOF bags too?
Steven
3 months agoI bought a bagboy chiller and it has worked out great. I had to put my double shoulder strap from my old bag on it as it only comes with single strap. That’s to carry to and from parking lot or other short distances. When I walk I use my clicgear cart. The bag is a bit heavy.
Dick Read
3 months agoI recently bought new Sun Mountain at my club. Great bag BUT. The top of bag has hand grip to pick up bag. It is very strong but also large. With bag on back, using two straps, it digs into low back very uncomfortably.
Club sent to Sun Mountain, came back no fault found. Changed to Ping bag. Bit smaller, less room, but much more comfortable in carry mode.
JohnF
3 months agoAs someone who was owned both the ping hoofer and the sun mountain 3.5 I can tell you that while the plng is nice the sun mountain is much better. Pockets are better laid out, much more comfortable to carry, and the full length dividers make a huge difference. I exclusively carry and love the sun mountain 3.5
AFord
3 months agoHi guys, great work as always. Just a heads up for those of us that walk a lot, the Sun Mountain 2.5 is a star.
Corey
3 months agoDoes the Hoofer have true full length dividers, that extend all the way to the bottom of the bag?
Woody
3 months agoNo, the Hoofer will have a set amount of full length dividers. For example the Hoofer 14 has six full length dividers.
Corey
3 months agoSo does the Hoofer 5 divider top have maybe 2 or 3 that are full length?
Woody
3 months agoI believe the regular Hoofer with the 5 way too will have 3 full length dividers. Ping use to give this information on their website a couple of years ago but now you can’t find it on their website.
If you are looking for a good stand bag with great quality with 14 or 6 full length dividers depending on which top you go with, buy a Vessel Stand Bag 2.0. Great quality and the price is not that much more. The Vessel Stand Bag is the one that mygolfspy has on their online store.
Corey
3 months agoReally appreciate the responses. Funny coincidence… I literally just came from Vessel’s website and have all but decided on the 2.0 6-way. Incredible quality. So you can confirm that their 2.0 bags have at least a couple full length dividers on the 6-way? Their new lite stand bag says that it has full length dividers on the website, but I’ve ready multiple places that’s not actually the case. I’ve reached out to Vessel via email, waiting to hear back an answer on the 2.0. I ride more than walk, so prefer the 2.0 over the lite stand bag. Thanks again.
Thomas A
3 months agoI’m still using my 1st generation Wilson Staff Nexus bag. I believe it won for best bag some years ago. It’s holding up very well, stand is superb, and it’s super comfortable to walk 18+.
Kenny B
3 months agoSame here. I bought mine on sale when they went to the new model. Paid $50. Perfect for carrying to the range, and it fits on my SM MicroCart perfectly.