Like gloves, most golfers will use the same golf bag until it falls apart and is littered with holes. Even with broken leg supports, stuck zippers, golf balls falling out of rips and dirt covering the outside, the owners of such bags often want to get one more season out of them.
We get it. You would rather spend your money on greens fees or save it for a buddy trip, but a well-made golf bag can make your day on the course more manageable and comfortable. And with a bit of thought, buying your next bag doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are six things to consider before you buy your next golf bag.
1. Do you ride or walk? This is crucial because the needs of golfers who walk (or almost always walk) differ significantly from those of golfers who exclusively ride in carts.
Most walkers (especially those who carry their bag versus using a push cart) need a stand bag. Look for well-made retractable legs, a sturdy base and well-padded shoulder straps. Most stand bags come with a backpack-style, two-strap mechanism that distributes the bag’s weight over both your shoulders, which is ergonomically ideal, but some players prefer the old-school single strap.
If you exclusively ride in a cart when you play, a stand bag will work, but you can also consider a cart bag, which tends to be larger and heavier but has more pockets for storage. You want to be sure your cart bag has handles on the top and bottom to make it easier to get in and out of your car.
What about a staff bag, you ask? The only players who should consider a staff bag are golfers who never carry their bag and are offered one for free by a company or golf equipment brand. In other words, pros or influencers.
2. Pockets. Any golf bag you buy should have easily accessible storage pockets for balls, tees and a water bottle. You should also look for valuables pockets for your wallet, car keys and watch, and that pocket should be lined in fleece or a soft material so your valuables don’t get scratched. A pocket where you can keep a rain jacket is also great, as is a loop where you can attach an umbrella if you need to carry one.
3. Weight. If you are in the market for a cart bag, weight is not an issue. If you walk, look for the lightest stand bag you can find that has the storage you require. Anything around 3.5 to 4 pounds, empty, can be considered reasonably light. Remember, you’ll carry this bag up and down hills for miles, so every bit of weight savings will make your day easier.
4. Durability. There is a difference between light and flimsy, and if you pick up a golf bag and it feels like the legs can easily be bent, or the plastic base might crack if you drop it, keep looking. You want sturdy zippers, reinforcements in the strap areas and an overall sense of solidity to the bag.
5. Rain protection. Any stand or cart bag you buy should come with a rain hood that covers the opening of the bag and your clubs, and it’s wise to take the hood on and off a few times after you buy the bag so you can do it quickly instead of waiting to see how it works while you (and your clubs) get wet. Most bags are made with water-resistant materials, but if you know you will play a lot in rainy conditions, consider a bag that uses waterproof materials instead. It might add weight, but the tradeoff on a long, wet day could be worth it.
6. Style. This is the last thing you should think about when it comes to your golf bag. Yes, everyone likes a cool-looking bag, but this has to be a “form follows function” product for you. If you love the color of a bag, but it’s heavy, doesn’t have enough pockets or lacks durability, you will need to buy another bag too soon.
Bonus Tip: If you are buying a stand bag, look for small loops or cords in the bag, just under the legs. Many bags have these tiny loops so you can secure the legs and avoid them opening when you secure your stand bag to a cart or a pushcart. Is it a necessary feature? Well, but it’s a sweet thing to have.
Below are 10 golf bags you might want to consider if you are in the market for a new one.
Club Glove Ballistic Hotstepper stand bag, $299
Club Glove Ballistic Hotstepper stand bag (Club Glove)
Made with 1680D Ballistic Nylon fabric and stainless steel rivets, this 4.2-pound bag is as solid as they come. There are four dividers on the top and a pass-through area for a golf cart’s strap, along with an extra-thick lumbar pad on one side to make carrying it more comfortable.
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Callaway Hyperlite Zero stand bag, $279.99
Callaway Hyperlite Zero stand bag (Callaway)
Tipping the scales at just 3 pounds, Callaway designed the top of this bag using lightweight rubber, then added an oversized hip pad and easy-access pockets.
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Ogio Fuse stand bag, $249.99
Ogio Fuse stand bag (Ogio)
This 4.4-pound bag has four full-length dividers, six front-facing pockets and loads of functional details such as a water bottle pocket with a drainage port, three snaps to secure golf balls near the handle and a Velcro patch to hold your golf glove when you putt.
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Ping Hoofer, $275
Ping Hoofer (Ping)
Boasting 11 pockets, the Hoofer is the Sherpa of the golf bag world. It has a zip-off ball pocket panel, two valuables pockets and even a magnetic rangefinder pocket. At 5.5 pounds, this is not the lightest bag you will find, but it also has rugged 300D polyester panels and strong zippers and 22 liters of carrying volume.
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Stitch SL2 Colorblock Stand Bag, $398
Stitch SL2 Colorblock (Stitch)
Designed with a proprietary material that feels like leather but is lighter, stronger and cleans more easily, the stylish SL2 has a four-divider top, plenty of pockets and weighs just 4 pounds.
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Sun Mountain 2.5+ stand bag, $249.99
Sun Mountain 2.5+ stand bag (Sun Mountain)
Sturdy carbon fiber legs help keep the 2.5+ stand bag at just 2.9 pounds in overall weight, but it still has six pockets, including a full-length apparel pocket and ball pocket with two-way zippers and a rain hood.
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TaylorMade FlexTech Stand Bag, $259.99
TaylorMade FlexTech stand bag (TaylorMade)
Weighing a feathery 3 pounds, the FlexTech still has plenty of storage space, an insulated water bottle pocket and a large three-compartment top. Magnets near the bottom of the bag keep the legs from opening or clattering as you walk or use a cart.
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Titleist Hybrid 5 stand bag, $255
Titleist Hybrid 5 (Titleist)
This 4.6-pound bag has five full-length club dividers, an easily adjustable dual-strap system and a clever push cart rest that places the bag more securely. The handles in the top cuff make it easy to lift and grab, while the apparel pocket is expandable.
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Vessel Players IV, $395
Vessel Players IV stand bag (Vessel)
At just over 6 pounds, the Vessel Players IV is heavier than most stand bags, but it has several unique features. The synthetic leather feels premium, the legs are sturdy carbon fiber, the base plate is self-adjusting for added stability and there is a lockable interior valuables pocket. An insulated cooler pocket can hold several cans of drinks and snacks.
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Wilson Exo Lite stand bag, $199.99
Wilson Exo Lite stand bag (Wilson)
This bag weighs 4.5 pounds and has a magnetic pocket that can safely hold your laser rangefinder while still making it easy to get quickly. The Exo Lite has a waterproof valuables pocket, cooler pocket and self-adjusting straps.
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Story originally appeared on GolfWeek