GOLF staff top picks: Our 6 favorite golf bags of the year

There’s nothing quite like getting a new golf bag. Starting fresh offers you a chance to clear out the old, streamlining your necessary accessories like tees, balls, gloves and more into newly organized compartments.

Getting a new bag also gives you an opportunity to enjoy some of the latest design advances. For walkers, that may mean an ultra-light, minimalist design. For riders, it could mean the inclusion of a cooler pocket or more interior pocket space.

Like all gear, your bag is a reflection of your personality, and can speak volumes about what you value. So if you’re in the market for a new bag this holiday shopping season — or need a winning gift idea for a loved one — check out these much-loved, tried-and-true golf bags, courtesy of GOLF’s staffers. You can click the links below to add to cart.

The GOLF staff’s 6 best golf bags of 2025

Ping 2023 Hoofer Lite Stand Bag

Most people who use Ping golf bags are so loyal it’s almost like they are a part of a cult. That’s how popular these bags are. The Hoofer Lite has long been one of the favorites, with its sleek design, plethora of pockets, light weight and, the best part, more than a dozen designs to choose from. —Josh Berhow

PING 2023 Hoofer Lite Stand Bag

The Hoofer Lite’s enduring popularity will only grow with this new edition, which boasts an innovative new bottom that reduces club tangle by guiding clubs to the correct segment and keeping clubs separated while carrying. More upgrades: a stacked pocket configuration for easier access, an expanded ball pocket, and flexible storage. The re-designed bag top makes for easier handling, and 14 wide-ranging colorways are offered (2 women’s). 

$245 from Fairway Jockey

View Product

Ping Moonlite Carry Bag

I’ll just add that I’m in the cult. If you like double straps but don’t care all that much about a stand, this bad boy takes up zero space, it’s durable, it’s comfortable and it’s perfect. —Dylan Dethier

PING 2025 Moonlite Carry Bag

New for 2025, the Moonlite tips the scales at just 2 lbs. and is more compact than the original, accommodating 7 to 9 clubs—perfect for a par-3 outing or a practice session at the range. This streamlined design features three pockets, including an insulated water bottle pocket and one for a rangefinder. Available in three colorways.

$110 from Fairway Jockey

View Product

Sun Mountain Matchplay Swift Sunday

I love golf bags designed with walkers in mind, so when I saw Sun Mountain was coming out with one with a 5.5-inch top, I immediately got one. This bag has been my perfect travel golf bag with the small size and super sturdy stand legs. I also love the simple and understated aesthetics. —Jack Hirsh

Sun Mountain Matchplay Swift Sunday

Elevate your game with The Matchplay Swift Sunday, designed for the golfer who values simplicity and efficiency. Featuring a 5.25-inch 3-way top, this bag offers a minimalist approach to club organization, perfect for those who prefer to keep their gear light.  The single strap system ensures easy and comfortable handling throughout your round.  With six well-appointed pockets, including a customizable zip-off ball pocket face, this bag provides just the right amount of storage for your essentials while allowing for personal customization. Embrace a sleek, lightweight design that doesn’t compromise on style or functionality with the Matchplay Swift Sunday.

$315 from Fairway Jockey

View Product

Jones Sports Co. Rover Stand

This bag has been my go-to for a while now thanks to it’s lightweight and well-constructed design and unique storage options. Rarely do I actually need a full-length apparel pocket, so this bag doesn’t have one and instead has a perfectly placed phone holder pocket. I also love the roomy three-way top and strap system. —Jack Hirsh

Rover Stand Bag – Black/Charcoal/Wheat

A new standard. The Rover Stand Bag. This isn’t just a bag; it’s the culmination of over 50 years of dedication and innovation. Designed from the ground up, the Rover Stand Bag is everything the competitive golfer needs and nothing they don’t. The new dual performance shoulder strap system is crafted for optimal balance and comfortability. From its custom flex bottom mold that adapts to any terrain, to the slip proof stand legs, and the full length club dividers, every detail has been thoughtfully designed. Use the catch-all pocket for quick draw needs, while the utility valuables sleeve is perfect for keys, wallet, and phone. The Rover Stand Bag is an extension of the player’s commitment to the game. Experience authenticity and excellence with our newest innovation.

$177 from Fairway Jockey

View Product

Sunday Golf Ryder S-Class

I had the chance to test this bag for our weekly “I Tried It” series earlier this year. I loved it right away, starting with the color. This bag comes in six different color options, and I love the matte finish and clean overall look. The dusty pink is really nice  — not too bright and flashy, but still eye-catching. There’s also eight pockets, providing ample storage options, including a “Frosty Pocket,” which can hold — and keep cold! — up to four beverages. The bag has a five-way top, which made slipping clubs in and out a breeze, and kept my putter in its place too. A final feature worth a mention: the Velcro glove patch. As someone who is constantly returning to the previous green to retrieve my glove because it’s fallen out of my pocket, I really love utilizing this feature. Now my glove is always visible and accounted for! —Jessica Marksbury

Sunday Golf Ryder S-Class | Dusty Pink Vegan Leather Full Size Stand Bag

Product Details: Introducing the Sunday Golf Ryder S-Class in Dusty Pink—because real golfers wear pink, and they do it in style. This dusty pink stunner isn’t just here to look pretty; it’s here to bring some serious game to the course. Soft and sweet on the outside, tough and ready for action on the inside—just like you. If you’re the type who likes to look fresh while sinking putts, the Dusty Pink Ryder S-Class is the bag you didn’t know you needed, until now. Features: Water-Resistant Vegan Leather Easy-Clean Surface Backpack Style Strap System Golf Cart Approved Built-In Carry Handle 5-Way Full-length dividers that holds up to 14 clubs Insulated 4 Can Frosty Pocket that keeps your drinks cold Smell-proof pocket Velour Lined Valuables Pocket High-tech water-resistant zippers Flat base for golf carts Velcro Glove Holder Tee Holder Dual-flex stand full-size stand Rain hood included Bag Specs & Dimensions: Size: 34.5” (H) x 6.5” (W) Weight: 4.9 lbs Divider Dimensions: 10″ x 7″

$299.99 from Fairway Jockey

View Product

Jones Sports Co. Players Series

Not the first to recommend a Jones bag, but this is a different one. I fell in love with the Players bag in 2020, when we all probably played a good bit of solo golf. This bag doesn’t have a stand — but I would reckon you really don’t need one. It’s light as ever, petite as anything, and still offers plenty of space for anything you’d want. I prefer a minimalist approach, and I’m not sure you’ll find a more minimalist bag that still gives you everything you need. —Sean Zak

Players Series – Sonoma

Simplify and golf. The Players Series bag embodies the Jones motto by naturally appealing to those who prefer to experience the course on foot. With minimal and understated aesthetics, it equips you with everything you need in a golf bag. Three pockets provide ample storage for enough necessities to keep you covered for a round or two. The enhanced mesh sleeve will now accommodate larger water bottles to keep you hydrated, and the re-enforced inner liner will withstand the abuse from the walking golfer. Step up your style by simplifying your bag with Jones Players Series. The new R-series features a recycled, ripstop material, woven from 100% PET single-use plastic bottles. The most innovative, durable, and water-resistant fabric to date, the R-series supports Jones’ commitment towards a more sustainable future. Tested and proven in the ever-changing climate of the Pacific Northwest.

$190 from Fairway Jockey

View Product