Our Picks: 8 golf bags we love (and you will too)

Welcome to GOLF’s 2024 holiday edition of Our Picks, where our experts are hand-selecting the items you — and your golf-loving family and friends — need on your radar. Scroll below for our latest batch of recommendations, and visit our Best Golf Stuff of 2024 hub page for more articles.

For golfers, few things are more exciting than buying a new golf bag. Why? Easy. You can never blame it for a bad shot, and you’ll never lose it in the woods (if you do, you have bigger issues).

It’s your trusty sidekick for all your golfy adventures, and a good, loyal one will never let you down. Plus, there are a ton of options out there — so you can always find one that’s perfect for you and your needs.

Let’s quickly breeze through some basics. There are essentially three different styles you are looking at here: the carry bag, stand bag and tour bag. The carry bag is mostly just that — a bag you’ll carry, one that usually doesn’t include a stand and often it’s lightweight and compact. It’s a minimalist approach. The stand bag is your most common option, something with a little more cargo space and often used by walkers and cart riders. Then, finally, there’s the tour bag, which is meant to be exclusively for those riding on carts (unless you are a pro and have a caddie doing the heavy-lifting for you).

Beyond that, there are lots of other key factors you need to consider: model, color, weight, size, storage, price and all those other fun bells and whistles you might not think about: a cooler pocket for drinks, a spot for your rangefinder, a safe pouch for valuables and even a USB charger.

And here at GOLF.com, we play a lot of golf, so I’d consider this group experts. What golf bags do our staffers love? We asked them.

Our 8 favorite golf bags

Keep scrolling for our picks of the best golf bags you should buy.

Jones Sports Co. Rover Stand Bag

Jones Sports Co. Rover Stand Bag – Cement/Cobalt Blue

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.

$205 from Fairway Jockey

View Product

The Jones Rover Stand may be one of the most perfect golf bags for regular walkers. It has a very comfy strap system, a three-way divider top, a lightweight and sturdy construction and plenty of storage options without weighing it down too much. The new phone pocket might be one of the smartest and best-placed pockets I have seen in a golf bag. If you want more of my thoughts on this particular one, I wrote about it here. — Jack Hirsh

PING 2025 Moonlite Carry Bag

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

I’ve been an evangelist for the Moonlite for years but I remain blown away by this fella. Takes up no space. Sturdy as could be. Comfy straps. Maybe I’ll become a golf-bag-with-legs guy at some point but for now, this is as good as I’ve found (and the newest model was recently released). Join the movement! — Dylan Dethier

PING 2025 Hoofer 14 Stand Bag

PING 2025 Hoofer Stand Bag

Generations have relied on this lightweight workhorse for its ease of use and practical attributes. Available in new colorways and patterns, it offers 16 pockets and padded, convertible shoulder straps. The reconfigured bottom improves club removal by guiding clubs to the correct segment and keeping clubs separate while carrying. A slimmer, stacked pocket configuration allows easier access to your golf essentials.

$275 from Fairway Jockey

View Product

I’ve used a couple of different golf bags over the years but the Ping Hoofer Stand Bag is tough to beat. It’s light, durable, comfortable to carry and has a billion pockets (the newest ones have 16). I also love all of the color options available. The 2025 models just came out — with a few added improvements — and I’m excited to get my hands on one. — Josh Berhow

Jones Sports Co. Players Series #003

Jones Sports Co. Players Series #003 – Navy

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 and nothing you don’t. Three pockets provide ample storage for enough necessities to keep you covered for a round or two, while the mesh beverage sleeve keeps all of your supplies securely within reach. Step up your style by simplifying your bag with Jones Players Series.  

$190 from Fairway Jockey

View Product

This bag isn’t for everyone. Only minimalists, who love golf on the go, who want to play golf via train or bus, who store their clubs in a closet rather than a garage. In all that minimalism is a lightness that encourages walking and never becomes a chore to carry. I’ve used it for the last four years and swear by its simplicity. — Sean Zak

Vessel Player V Stand

Vessel Player V Stand

From the hidden valuables pocket to the beverage compartments, each pocket of the Player V has been carefully designed and placed to improve organization, accessibility and on-course convenience.

$429 (Save 20% with code) from go.skimresources.com

The smooth matte finish of this bag looks sharp but my favorite feature is the number of magnetic pockets scattered all over. The straps make carrying it a breeze and the magnetic pockets can store all the essentials you might want to grab quickly during a round. If you would rather use a cart, the sturdy build will keep your bag from bouncing around during your ride. — Adam Christensen

Stitch SL2 Gen2

Stitch SL2 Gen2

The SL2 GEN 2 features a magnetic ball pocket that holds up to 12 golf balls, plus a felt lined pocket for your valuables. The pockets include YKK Tough Zippers built for extreme durability.

$398 from go.skimresources.com

The SL2 from Stitch is a great bag for a golfer on the go. With a proprietary leather-like exterior, this bag is tough. For someone using public transit to get to and from the course, that’s a huge plus. No matter how many subway poles I hit or commuters I bump into, I know this bag won’t be any worse for wear. — Zephyr Melton

Titleist LINKSLEGEND Members Bag

Titleist LINKSLEGEND Members Bag

The LINKSLEGEND Members Bag features a premium finish and offers excellent organization, generous capacity and unmatched style featuring significant enhancements throughout the bag.

$410 from go.skimresources.com

I absolutely love this bag for its simplicity and minimalist look. At just over five pounds, it’s streamlined and easy to carry and has plenty of roomy pockets for all my accessories, including a beverage pocket with magnetic closure. Though it’s composed of synthetic leather, it feels premium without being fussy — just elegant and elevated. You can even order it with complimentary personalization, which is a nice touch. — Jessica Marksbury

Ogio 2024 Fuse Stand Bag

Ogio 2024 Fuse Stand Bag

With a new over molded 4-way top, the Fuse Stand Bag is your go-to lightweight carrying option. Featuring new updated durable materials, rapid access pockets, and a 4-way full length divider top, this golf stand bag has everything you need and nothing you don’t.

$173 from go.skimresources.com

I finally swapped out my ancient golf bag last offseason for a brand-new, GOLF-branded Ogio Fuse Stand Bag, and I couldn’t be happier. If you’re looking for a small Sunday bag for a few clubs, this isn’t the bag for you. But if you, like me, want a full-size bag with all the modern features — like a fleece-lined valuables pocket and a water-bottle pocket with a drainage pouch featuring rapid-access snap enclosures — that’s still lightweight and easily carryable for 18 holes, the Fuse Stand Bag could be what you need. — Kevin Cunningham