The 10 Best Golf Stand Bags
Editor's Notes
April 22, 2020:
For this update, we removed the RJ Sports Typhoon and Wilson Unisex, both of which had developed some quality control issues.
We added the Cobra Sunday Bag to include another lightweight bag option. This type of low-profile bag would be great for someone who is tired of lugging heavy, bulky bags around the golf course. If you want to slim down even more, consider our smallest option, the Knight Pitch and Putt.
We also added the Sun Mountain 2019, a high-end model that is packed with features. If price is no object, this bag is well-suited for golfers who want the convenience of being able to power a Bluetooth speaker, or charge their phone without interrupting their game. Its dual-strap system is also designed to be extra-comfortable.
If you’d prefer to not carry your bag at all, consider picking up a push cart to wheel your gear around. These are great because they still allow you to get a little bit of a workout, without exerting yourself too much.
Understanding The Different Types Of Golf Bags
When the legs are extended, they stand slightly canted, which makes it very easy to slide clubs in and out.
There are three main types of golf bags for the average consumer: cart bags, stand bags, and carry bags. Each of these different styles has their own advantages and disadvantages on and off the links. Cart bags are designed to be carried around the course by a riding cart or push cart. They tend to be heavier than the other styles, often in the six- to seven-pound range. Cart bags strap to the cart, so they stay firmly in place as you transport them, while still allowing easy access to all of their pockets. Speaking of pockets, cart bags tend to have more pockets than stand or carry bags for optional organization of everything from your valuables and your towels to your balls. Most feature a non-slip base of some kind and generally have a diameter somewhere between five and nine inches.
Stand bags are unique because of their retractable legs that make them capable of standing without any additional support. When the legs are retracted, the bag can stand completely upright. When the legs are extended, they stand slightly canted, which makes it very easy to slide clubs in and out. Stand bags are ideal for golfers who walk the course, as the two legs make them capable of a stable stance, even on slanted and uneven terrain. Other bags can only stand on completely flat surfaces, such as the back of a cart or the pavement. Since golfers carry stand bags around the course, most feature well-padded backpack-style straps. They are also lighter in weight than cart bags, usually around five pounds or so. Some stand bags may have soft hip pads for additional comfort while carrying. To achieve this lightweight form, they may forgo some of the organizational pockets or have a slightly smaller diameter than cart bags. Stand bags are also more versatile than cart bags, as many can also be strapped to carts, as long as you are careful not to damage the legs, whereas you wouldn't want to be stuck carrying a cart bag through 18 holes.
Stand bags are actually a type of carry bag, since golfers carry them around the course, but traditional carry bags lack the legs of a stand bag. Traditional carry bags are usually even lighter than stand bags. This is because they don't have the added weight of the legs and retracting mechanism. It is not uncommon to find carry bags that weigh as little as two or three pounds They also tend to have even fewer organizational pockets than either of the other two models, and a less rigid structure.
What To Consider When Choosing A Golf Stand Bag
When choosing your next golf stand bag, there are a number of features that you should consider before clicking that buy button. The number of pockets a particular bag features can often be a deciding factor for many. Since you are trying to balance weight and organization in any type of golf bag you will carry, you want to find one that has enough pockets and storage room for you to store all of your gear, but not so much that it adds unnecessary bulk or weight. Ask yourself what type of gear you like to carry around, and then choose a model that can accommodate said gear.
You also want sturdy straps and handles that won't break from repeated use.
Next look at the number of dividers in the bags you are choosing between. Some models may have just a two-way divider, while others may have as many as 14 separate club slots. You should also look at the length of the dividers. Lower cost models may have dividers that run just a short distance, resulting in the club shafts intermingling. High end models often have full-length dividers for better club protection. Your budget and the number of clubs you carry will dictate which is best for you.
The strap design, handle location, and amount of padding can also make or break a stand bag. You want strategically placed handles that allow for easy lifting from a variety of angles and positions. You also want sturdy straps and handles that won't break from repeated use. Since most golfers will regularly carry their stand bag, they would do well to choose a model with a double strap for even weight distribution.
If you have a very expensive putter, you may want to choose a model with a dedicated putter well. This ensures that your putter is never damaged by the other, less delicate clubs. A few other nice-to-have features are an umbrella holder, rain hood, and towel loop.
Health Benefits Of Playing Golf
There are many benefits to playing a round of golf, especially when walking the course and carrying your bag. It would be difficult to list them all here, so we won't. Instead we will focus on a few of the most important. Studies have found that regularly walking for long periods decreases your chances of suffering from Alzheimer's disease. It has also shown a lessening of symptoms of those already suffering from the disease. On average, golfers walk between six and seven miles during a single round of golf, and it only takes six miles over a whole week to decrease your risk of getting Alzheimer's.
Walking the links can also help with weight loss and management.
Walking the links can also help with weight loss and management. The magic number of steps for weight loss is 10,000 per day. Walking a round of golf equates to somewhere between 11,000 and 14,000 steps. A study by the Norwegian Golf Federation found that the average male golfers burns roughly 2,500 calories in a single 18-hole round of golf, with female players burning an average of 1,500 calories.
If all of that wasn't enough to persuade you to drop those keys and pick up that bag, how about this: A study at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden found that golfers actually live longer than non-golfers. Golfers have a 40 percent lower mortality rate when compared to non-golfers of the same demographic. This equates to a five-year increase in life expectancy.