What To Look For In A Golf Bag (Complete Overview)

Written by Todd in Uncategorized

First the golfer must decide what style and size of bag they need depending on whether they walk the majority of their rounds or ride in a cart.  If you walk and carry, you will want a lighter carry bag.  If you walk, but use a push cart, you can expand the size of your bag.  If you always ride in a cart, you might consider a larger bag to allow you to carry extra items.

The golf bag is a rather important item when playing the game of golf.

Ultimately, the golf bag is serving many purposes even beyond carrying the golf bag.  If you have too big of a golf bag and you carry your bag, you might have a miserable experience.

On the other hand, if you have too small of a golf bag, but always ride in a cart, this could make it difficult to take all of the “extras” to ensure you have a fun, comfortable round.

As we know when playing golf the weather can vary from time to time on certain days.  Golfers in certain climates have to prepare for multiple weather conditions.

What To Look For In A Golf Bag?

Below, we will break down the essential things to look for and what golfers will value based on how they play their rounds of golf:

  • The Golfer That Frequently Walks and Carries
  • The Golfer That Frequently Walks, but Uses a Push Cart
  • The Golfer That Frequently Rides in a Cart
My preferred setup is a larger carry bag with a push cart!

The Golfer That Frequently Walks and Carries

This golfer is going to value the following in a golf bag:

  • Light and Easy to Carry
  • Quality Golf Stand
  • Enough Storage

The golfer will want to identify a bag that is light and easy to carry.  The best carry bags come with comfortable double steps which helps balance out the weight of the bag onto both shoulders.  If you are walking 18 holes, there is the probability that you are going to pick up and set down your golf bag around 54 times over the course of the round and you will walk close to 7 miles.

Helpful Post: Is carrying a golf bag good exercise?

These golfers need to ensure they are picking out a quality option.  I would value the lightness and quality carrying features vs storage.  Being worn down at the end of your round from carrying a 20-30 pound bag around the course can ruin your round of golf.

The best carry bags also come with a quality golf stand.  One that is stable and easy goes out when the bag is set down on the ground.  You want this feature to provide stability as the bag is set on the ground because of the variety of slopes throughout a golf course, especially around greens and tee boxes.

Helpful Post: Stand Bag vs Cart Bag: Which one should I buy?

Finally, you will want enough storage to carry golf balls, golf tees, an extra layer for a jacket, and a golf umbrella.  Most carry bags will have a pocket down the side.  In addition, you will want a place to store a small size water bottle.

Excellent Carry Bag Option!

The Golfer That Frequently Walks, but Uses a Push Cart

This golfer is going to value the following in a golf bag:

  • Fits the Golf Push Cart Properly
  • Is Easy to Move From Cart to Car
  • Plenty of Storage

This golfer can start to expand the size of the bag.  One of the best investments I made was my push cart.  These wonderful golf accessories allow the golfer to enjoy the outdoors, get in some exercise, but not be burdened by carrying a golf bag.

It also allows the golfer to increase the side of their golf bag, which increases the storage capacity and ensures the golfer is prepared for the variety of situations that arise throughout a round of golf.  The golfer can be prepared for rain, cold weather, warm weather, minor aches and pains and can even carry a training device to use at the range before or after the round of golf.

Also, the golfer will want to consider the ease of moving the bag from the push cart to their vehicle and will want to consider that they will also have a push cart that they will have to fit in their vehicle.

Helpful Post: Carrying Golf Bag vs Push Cart

Picking the right bag for your push cart is important!  I personally have kept my larger size carry bag, which fits the golf push cart nicely, allows me carry if I want and can be moved from the push cart to my vehicle rather easily.

Recommended Push Cart (The best option!)

The Golfer That Frequently Rides in a Cart

This golfer is going to value the following in a golf bag:

  • Storage
  • Looks
  • Moving From Cart to Car

Ultimately, this golfer can focus on the storage provided by the golf bag and overall appearance of the bag. . While this golfer has to worry about moving the bag from the cart to the vehicle, those with larger size vehicles can pick a large golf bag and maximize the storage space provided by this type of golf bag!

These types of bags provide many pockets all over the place.  Golf can be a difficult game, the last thing you want is to be unprepared for the event that may happen.  A quick rain shower, a golf glove that develops a hole, nasty bugs or insets ont he course, a minor blister or sore on your hand or foot, sudden hunger.  

Whatever might happen, you can be prepared, especially with this style of golf bag!

Here are 12 essential items for your golf bag:

  1. Golf balls
  2. Golf tees
  3. Golf makers or coins
  4. Golf glove (and a backup golf glove)
  5. Towel
  6. Umbrella/Rain gear/Pullover
  7. Sun block
  8. Bug spray
  9. Essential medication
  10. Tape and band aids
  11. Snacks
  12. Water bottle

And 12 other items that you might consider carrying if you own a large golf bag:

  1. Extra socks
  2. Rain hat
  3. Winter hat
  4. Rain golf gloves
  5. Winter golf gloves
  6. Hand warmers
  7. Chapstick
  8. Extra towel
  9. Swing aid
  10. Rangefinder
  11. Divot tool
  12. Alignment stick

Quality Cart Bags

Next Steps: What To Look For In A Golf Bag

Here are the chronological steps you should take when considerwhat what to look for in a golf bag:

  1. Determine how you prefer to play the majority of your rounds: carrying, walking with push cart, riding in a power cart.
  2. If you picked option two: check out push carts here.
  3. Decide what bag you want and check out your variety of options.
  4. Once you decide, go play and enjoy the game of golf as frequently as possibly!

Looking to take your game to the next level?  Check out some helpful links below!

If you store your bag in a locker room, you do not have to worry so much about transporting back and forth!

Take Action – What You Can Do Today to Get Better

What does this mean for you?  I believe in the following recipe to get better:

1 – Improve your motion in the golf swing by identifying a golf instructor.  Here are some options:

Here is a list of golf instructors that we have reviewed:

2 – Train to swing faster and improve your swing speed.  Here are some options:

Looking to gain more Speed and Distance in your swing. Two Options:

3 – Understand course strategy and work to break through your next barrier.  Here is a series on breaking through:

We have provided guides on how to break 100, 90, 80 and 70. Check out more below, if interested.

4 – Practice Frequently

Did you know that I build a golf simulator in my garage and have played over 500 rounds of golf on my SkyTrak system?  It has been a game changer and one worth checking out. Here are some of my other posts on golf simulators frequently asked questions:

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