7 Best Golf Stand Bags (Carry Bags for Walking)

Golf stand bags are extremely popular among golfers who like to carry their bags during a round. As great as golf carts and push carts can be, there are still some downsides that golfers don’t talk about. Let’s face it, maneuvering a golf push cart around the course can be a bit of a nuisance. In addition, there are times when you can’t get the push cart all that close to you. 

However, your clubs will always be by your side with a golf stand bag. With the right technology and equipment, you can walk a golf course and barely even feel like you have your clubs on your back. 

We have tested and researched the best golf stand bags on the market in 2022. So if this is your year for a new carry bag, keep reading. 

Best Golf Stand Bags: Our Top Picks

• Best Overall: TaylorMade Flex Tech Lite
• Best Value: Cobra Golf Ultralight
• Best Premium: Titleist Players 4 Sta Dry
• Best Lightweight: Sun Mountain 2.5+
• Best for Organization: Callaway Golf Fairway 14
• Best Durability: Ping Hoofer Craz-E Lite
• Best Looking: Vessel VLX

Best Overall: TaylorMade Flex Tech Lite

The TaylorMade Flex Tech Lite is the best overall golf stand bag for 2022. If you want to spend more time walking the golf course and carrying your clubs, this bag makes it well worth it. The overall weight is just a few pounds, but the bag was made to be stable and hold up even with 14 clubs and a dozen golf balls inside. 

One of our favorite features here is the self-strap system. It is incredibly easy to adjust the straps when you put the bag on, and they will not move around during the round. In addition, the Flextech stand system is one of the best around. 

The stand system is durable, but it also is very responsive. It folds down and picks up exceptionally quickly, and is more responsive than other bags on the market. 

What We Like:

• Four full-length dividers
• Hip pad for extra comfort
• Clubs will have plenty of space between them 
• Smooth release system for better stand functionality 
• Lightweight overall construction  

What We Don’t Like:

• Color selection can be limited in the Lite version

Related: 10 Best Golf Cart Bags for 2022 (For Every Budget)

Best Value: Cobra Golf Ultralight Stand Bag 

Walking the golf course is excellent exercise; however, there are other vital benefits that players need to consider, including saving money. If you are walking the golf course, you won’t have to pay a cart fee and will end up saving quite a bit of money. Purchasing the Cobra Golf Ultralight Stand Bag helps you keep your budget intact and have all the right gear for playing the golf course. 

The Cobra Golf Ultralight Stand Bag has a 5 way top, large apparel pocket, fleece-lined pockets, insulated beverage pockets, and will even fit a large water bottle. Although this is a smaller golf stand bag, it is easy and comfortable to carry around the course. 

What We Like:

• Fleece lined valuables pocket
• Quick release shoulder straps make it easy to pick the bag up
• Stable golf bag
• Very fair pricing 

What We Don’t Like:

• Cobra branding and logo is pretty heavy 

Best Premium: Titleist Players 4 Sta Dry

The Titleist Players 4 Sta Dry is a great golf bag for the serious golfer. If you are interested in heading out on the course in any weather condition, the Titleist Players 4 Sta Dry is a great option to consider. The waterproof construction will repel water, and the seam-sealed zippers will help keep water from getting in the golf bag.

A full-length apparel pocket ensures that you will also have room for your rain gear. The top of the bag has four individual dividers with full-length separators. The total weight of the golf bag is 3.8 pounds, making it an excellent option for walking and ensuring you still have plenty of energy left. 

What We Like:

• Premium looking golf bag made with high quality materials
• Avaialbe in several colors
• Waterproof construction helps you and your equipment stay dry 
• Long lasting golf bag 

What We Don’t Like:

• Pricing is a bit higher than some other bags because of the waterproof construction 

Best Lightweight: Sun Mountain 2.5+ 2022 Stand Bag

The Sun Mountain 2.5+ Stand Bag is a new release with some of the best lightweight golf bag technology. This bag weighs less than three pounds and does a great job of keeping your golf clubs protected and your gear in place. If you are worried you will not be able to walk 18 holes carrying a bag, the Sun Mountain 2.5 can make it possible. 

The X Strap System is very effective and can work as a shoulder or backpack strap and a single strap. In addition, there are durable carbon fiber legs that ensure your bag can support the weight of the clubs. 

What We Like:

• Durable and sturdy golf bag 
• Brand new accessory pocket
• Comes with a matching rainhood 
• Plenty of strength even though it is so lightweight 
• Built for golfers that walk the course often 

What We Don’t Like:

• Sun Mountain products are always priced a bit high 

Best for Organization: Callaway Golf Fairway 14 Stand Bag

As great as all of the extra features are in a golf bag, they are known to add in a bit of weight. The Callaway Golf Fairway 14 Stand Bag has plenty of organization and storage, but it does weigh just a bit more than some of the other bags on the list. The good news is that you can still use this as a carry bag the next time you play the course. 

The 14 way top with a full-length divider will ensure that your golf clubs do not get damaged as you play. For golfers that switch between walking and carrying and walking and using a push cart, the Callaway Golf Fairway 14 is a great choice. 

We liked the OptiFit Comfort Hip Pad that ensures you will stay comfortable while carrying the bag. In addition, the X Act Fit Strap System will perfectly balance the bag across your back. 

What We Like:

• Plenty of pockets and features
• Cell phone sleeve, valuables pocket with waterproof zipper
• Fits the shape of your shoulders perfectly
• 14 full length dividers 

What We Don’t Like:

• A little heavier than other bags on the market 

Best Durability: Ping Hoofer Craz-E Lite Stand Bag

The Ping Hoofer golf bags are perhaps the most well-known stand and carry bags. If you ask any college older which company makes the best one for walking the course, they will likely tell you it is the Ping. The Ping Hoofer Craz E Lite is a bag that weighs only three pounds but has all the features that you will need on the course. 

With seven total pockets and impressive fabric, this is a durable and higher-performing golf bag from Ping. The Craz E Lite sits on your shoulders easily and makes it simple to walk the golf course without feeling additional fatigue. 

What We Like:

• Very lightweight
• Strong carbon fiber legs
• Seam sealed valuables pocket 
• Coverts to a single strap 

What We Don’t Like:

• For those with oversize golf grips, things can get a little tight 

Best Looking: Vessel VLX Stand Bag

The Vessel golf bags are known for their premium material and look. If you want to enjoy your time on the golf course and look great while doing it, the Vessel LVX stand bag can be perfect. This is, without a doubt, a luxury golf bag. 

The total weight on the Vessel VLX is 4.65 pounds. Most golf bags from Vessel are large cart or staff size bags that weigh quite a bit, but the Vessel VLX is perfect for walkers. Aside from having many of the premium features that we have expected from Vessel, the bag can also personalize the front pocket and match the all-weather rain hood. 

What We Like:

• Premium velour lined valuables pocket
• Bottle opener/towel ring
• Rotator stand system for extra stability 
• All weather rain hood

What We Don’t Like:

• Sometimes Vessel products are more about the look than the usability 

---

What is a Golf Stand Bag? 

A golf stand bag is a lightweight, player-friendly golf bag designed to be carried around the golf course. Each time a player puts the stand bag down, a mechanism on the bottom of the bag will release the stand. The stand is durable and sturdy and meant to hold up a bag with fourteen clubs and associated gear. 

How to Choose a Golf Stand Bag 

We have given you seven of the best golf stand bag options on the market in 2022. Carry bags for walking need to have a few essential features to get the job done. Trying to make a cart bag work as a carry bag will ensure that you never walk the golf course again. Here are a few things we recommend looking into when choosing a stand bag. 

Club Dividers

Most stand bags will have fewer club dividers than a cart bag. This is to be expected and should not alarm you. In fact, when you carry your golf clubs, you can rest assured that they will not be experiencing very much damage. This is the safest way to get your clubs from point A to point B. 

Some golf stand bags have 14 full-length dividers. The trade-off here is that the dividers will add some extra weight to the golf bag. If you think you can handle the extra pound or so, and you want the additional organization that comes along with the club dividers, go for it! 

Weight

Most of the best carry bags for walking will be between 3 and 5 pounds. Once golf bags go past the 5-pound mark, you must be sure that you will be able to keep the weight in the bag down to make up the difference. 

If you are a player who likes to carry a dozen golf balls and all of the extra gear and equipment, the bag’s weight is a significant consideration. Most of the lightest full-size stand bags for walking will be just under that three-pound mark. Anything lighter would likely be a limited capacity Sunday golf bag. 

Related: 6 Best Lightweight Golf Bags in 2022

Golf Cart Functionality 

Many golfers that like to walk will also play with a golf cart from time to time. If you are a player who also enjoys a round of golf in the cart, you may want to consider a bag with some golf cart functionality. For example, some stand bags have a cart strap pass-through system that helps ensure the bag will stay in position when you play. 

Most stand bags transfer to a cart relatively easily. However, some of the smaller, more lightweight ones can deteriorate faster if they are used on a golf cart day in and day out. 

Waterproof Technology 

A golf stand bag can be made with waterproof materials. These materials will help repel water and keep the equipment inside the bag dry. Waterproof technology is a smart decision if you want to do everything you can to protect your golf clubs. 

Sometimes if you play golf in the morning, your golf bag will be in the wet grass. This wet grass can damage the bottom part of the bag over time if you don’t have that waterproof fabric. At the very least, try to find a golf bag with a waterproof valuables pocket to ensure that things stay in place. 

Related: The 5 Best Waterproof Golf Bags of 2022

Pricing

The best golf stand bags will range from around $150 to more than $300. Golf bags are expensive, and it has to do with the purpose they provide homeowners. If you want to ensure your clubs are protected and well cared for, you need a bag that does a great job of this. 

The most expensive bags typically have extra bells and whistles like waterproof technology and even more pockets. The key feature here that you need is a lightweight bag with a really good carrying strap. If you find a bag for a great price that has these features, it will certainly help your game. 

Colors

Golf stands bags come in a variety of colors. One of the great things about walking a golf course is that you can put your golf bag down wherever you would like. When a bag is on the back of a cart, you won’t be able to see what is happening to it from a dirt perspective. 

Golf cart tires will splash up mud that can cover the bag. When walking and carrying your bag, this is not a problem. So if you see a white or light gray bag that you like and think you will walk consistently, go for it! 

Features and Accessories 

The best stand bags typically have more than five pockets, a hook for a towel, a few full-length dividers, and a water bottle or cooler pocket. The pocket for the water bottle is essential when carrying your bag. Ensuring you don’t get dehydrated on the golf course is a significant benefit. 

Golf Stand Bags vs Golf Cart Bags: Which is best for you? 

If you like to walk the golf course and carry your bag, the golf stand bag is the only way to go. The cart bag does not have the right strap, and it is much too heavy to carry around for 18 holes. With a golf cart bag, you can use a pushcart to help you walk the course, but it’s not a good solution for walking and carrying. 

If you are an athletic person and see yourself walking the course from time to time, the golf stand bag is the way to go. 

Golf Stand vs. Golf Carry Bags: What is the difference? 

The terms golf stand bag and golf carry bag are often used interchangeably. This leaves many golfers wondering if these are the same thing. The golf stand bag and the golf carry bag are essentially the same. Since the golf stand bag has a stand and can be placed down wherever a golfer wants, it is meant to be carried around the course. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions about the best golf stand bags on the market. A golf bag can last you five to ten years; asking the questions before purchasing is smart. 

Can you use a golf stand bag on a push or pull cart? 

Golf stand bags work well on a push cart. Sometimes you will have to make sure that your push cart has the proper straps on the bottom to accommodate it, but the stand bag can be positioned to work quite well on a push cart. 

Related: The Best Golf Bags For Push Carts

Can you use a carry bag on a golf cart?

A carry bag can fit on a golf cart; the only issue some players have is that the base is a bit loose. With a cart bag, the base fits snug in the bottom of the golf cart, but there can be more movement with a stand bag. Just make sure to properly protect your clubs, and use headcovers so that no damage is done. 

Are 14-way stand bags good?

The 14-way stand bags are great, as long as you can handle a little extra weight. Since the stand bags have these full-length dividers, the bag’s overall weight will go up slightly. 

What is the best lightweight golf bag?

The best lightweight golf bag is the Sun Mountain 2.5+. This bag weighs less than three pounds and does a tremendous job of combining the features and functionality that a player needs. In addition, you can purchase the Sun Mountain in a few different colors. 

Conclusion

We hope you now feel as though you can find the perfect golf stand bag for your needs. Walking the golf course is the best way to play it. If you can handle it physically, your golf game will see tremendous benefits, and you will be pleasantly surprised by the health benefits.

The TaylorMade Flex Tech Lite is the best overall golf stand bag. This bag is lightweight, easy to use, comes in many colors, and makes the perfect golf bag for any serious golfer.