Updated January 12, 2023. This article was thoroughly audited by multiple golf experts and coaches for its accuracy. You can read more about our rigorous testing protocol here.
The Rundown:
Best Overall: Founders Club Premium Cart Bag
“Its durable and strong handles, compact cooler pocket, and a molded 14-way divider top make the Founders Club cart bag the most feature-packed cart bag available today.”
Most Lightweight: TaylorMade Select Cart Bag
“The oversize pockets on the front, tear-resistant material, and lightweight construction of the TaylorMade Select is perfect for golfers looking for a reliable & solid cart bag – all while remaining extra lightweight.”
Best for Football Fans: Wilson NFL Golf Bag
“With 11 pockets, a matching rain hood, an umbrella holder, and a padded carry, the Wilson NFL is one of the most well-constructed cart bags on the market. And the best part? It features the logo and colors of your favorite professional football team!”
We’ve come up with a list of the ten best golf cart bags to buy in 2023.
Each cart bag on this list is durable, reliable, and offers exciting features that will only enhance your next trip to the course.
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Last updated on 2023-06-04. The links are affiliate links. Product images are served from Amazon Product Advertising API.
Table of Contents
Best Golf Cart Bags
- Best Overall: Founders Club Premium Cart Bag
- Most Reliable: TaylorMade Select Cart Bag
- Best for Football Fans: Wilson NFL
- Most Affordable Premium Bag: TaylorMade Pro 8.0 Cart Bag
- Best Luxury Cart Bag: Sun Mountain C-130 Cart Bag
- Best Lightweight: Titleist Cart 14 Golf Bag
- Best for Storage: Ping Pioneer Cart Bag
- Best Lightweight: Cobra Golf Ultralight Bag
- Best for Reliable Performance: Cleveland Golf Cart Bag
- Most Visually Appealing: Callaway Org 14 Bag
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PROS
- Molded 14-way top makes this one of the best cart bags for the organization of clubs
- Durable and robust handles make for easy to carry and lift from the vehicle
- Compact cooler pocket keeps drinks and food cold for anytime refreshments on the course
CONS
- Not as stylish as other cart bags, a tad old-fashioned in form and look
The Founders Club Premium Cart Bag is a stunner, offering golfers a 14-way individual divider top with a cutout to hold your clubs in place, nine zippered pockets, and durability that few other cart bags can match.
If you are in the market for a large one that offers great storage space and a unique way to secure your clubs, then the Founders Club Premium should be at the top of your list.
TaylorMade Select Cart Bag
Most Reliable Golf Cart Bag
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PROS
- Very dependable and lightweight bag that you can rely on to protect your clubs
- Oversize pockets on the front are great for storing large items
- Durable material won’t tear or scuff gives the toughness that others don’t
CONS
- Strap has minimal padding and is not made for carrying on the course while playing a round
TaylorMade makes several levels of golf bags, but their Select series always brings the goods and we’re happy to confirm that’s the case for their recently released Select model.
Everything you want is here as it features a 14-way top for keeping your clubs separated, seven pockets including a large valuables pouch, and it is constructed out of a tear-resistant material for premium durability.
A very affordable golf bag that offers a host of premium features, the TaylorMade Select is an excellent addition to the company’s well-regarded line of golf cart bags.
Wilson NFL Golf Cart Bag
Best Gold Cart Bag for Football Fans
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PROS
- Great for football fans that like branded merchandise with their favorite team’s logo
- 11 pockets provide plenty of storage space for rain gear and extra accessories
- Comes loaded with extra features such as a matching rain hood, umbrella holder, and padded carry
CONS
- Not for golfers who want a more traditional looking bag
If you are a die-hard football fan, then the Wilson NFL Golf Cart Bag is made for you.
Prominently featuring the logo and colors of your favorite professional football team, the Wilson golf bag has a uniquely designed 14-way opening that allows you to put your irons around the outside of the bag with the woods going in the middle.
Great for the football-loving golfer, the Wilson NFL bag is well-constructed and one of the more affordable golf cart bags on the market.
TaylorMade Pro 8.0 Bag
Most Affordable Premium Golf Cart Bag
PROS
- 10-inch opening with 14 full-length club dividers
- Lightweight body for easy lifting
- Lock base helps secure bag onto the cart
CONS
- A bit on the larger side for golfers looking for more compact golf cart bags
TaylorMade Pro 8.0 Cart Bag features a 10-inch top with 14 full length dividers that protect your clubs while you ride around the course. With a lightweight frame, the TaylorMade bag is easy to carry or lift from your vehicle and the key lock base securely fastens the bag to the cart.
All pockets on the Pro 8.0 bag are front-facing, making it convenient to remove any accessories needed for your day on the links.
Sun Mountain C-130 Cart Bag
Best Luxury Golf Cart Bag
PROS
- 14 full length club dividers with a 10.5-inch opening
- Forward-facing pockets offer easy accessibility
- Smart Strap System quickly secures the bag to the cart
CONS
- Although it has a five-year warranty, the material doesn’t look or feel as durable as other models
The Sun Mountain C-130 Cart Bag offers premium luxury on the course for golfers that want extra accessories at the ready. With 14 full-length club dividers, the Sun Mountain bag safely transports your clubs without worrying about damage from stacking.
All of the pockets on the bag are front-facing and accessible, with depth for storage of rain gear. The bag also features a Smart Strap System that securely locks the bag to the cart for minimal twisting.
Titleist Cart 14 Lightweight Bag
Best Lightweight Premium Golf Bag
PROS
- Several large pockets, including a cooling beverage pocket, gives golfers plenty of storage
- Highly functional strap loop helps safely secure the bag onto the golf cart
- Two durable handles help lift it from and onto the cart with ease
CONS
- Available in various exotic colors that tend to skew toward younger golfers
Titleist’s lightweight cart bag is a homerun with numerous deep pockets for plenty of storage and individual club dividers that keep your clubs free from damage.
The top of the bag is a great mix of innovation and practical use. The 14 individual club dividers give each of your clubs a place to securely rest during riding. Also, two durable handles allow you to easily pick the bag up or remove it from the cart without struggle.
11 zippered pockets, including a deep cooling beverage pocket, line the outer edges of the bag, providing a ton of storage for your rain gear, shoes, and other golfing accessories.
A high-quality cart bag from one of the most popular golf equipment companies, the Titleist Golf Bag is very worthy of its place on our best golf cart bags list.
Ping Pioneer Cart Bag
Best Golf Cart Bag for Storage
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PROS
- Wide apparel pocket for rain gear and extra towels
- Large cooler pocket stores cans and bottles
- Magnetic drop-down ball pocket offers quick access to golf balls
CONS
- Poorer quality compared to other Ping bags
From Ping, the Pioneer Cart Bag offers premium storage including a cooler pocket that holds several cans and bottles for quick access on the course. The bag also features a magnetic drop-down ball pocket that helps shave time when you need to replace a lost ball.
A large, deep apparel pocket stores rain gear and extra towels with room to spare. The bag also features a dedicated putter well for keeping your flatstick safe.
Cobra Golf Ultralight Bag
Best Lightweight Golf Cart Bag
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PROS
- Incredibly lightweight bag is a dream to carry while still offering lots of storage
- Insulated cooler pocket can hold a whopping ten 12-ounce cans with ice
- The oversized apparel pockets and a dual fleece-lined valuables pocket are exceptional
CONS
- Smaller bag that has a lightweight body, not ideal for golfers who want more storage
The Cobra Ultralight is a superb option if you are looking for a lightweight bag that can handle not only everything you need in a bag but also can be used to walk the course as well.
We feel that the Cobra Ultralight is a magnificent bag with a few small caveats. If you like to travel light and play even lighter, this bag will reduce the burden that some bags can place on the golfer.
Cleveland Golf Cart Bag
Best Golf Cart Bag For Reliable Performance
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PROS
- Versatile bag with a lightweight frame for easy carrying from garage to the car to cart
- Multi-featured bag with exterior putter tube, umbrella holder, and range finder pocket
- Spacious bag with several pockets that provide exceptional storage
CONS
- Has three panels to divide clubs and not full length dividers for each club
Cleveland has created one of its best values with its contribution to the market. The Cleveland Bag has a variety of well-made features including areas to store balls, tees, valuables and beverages.
If you are looking for a bag that utilizes its smart design to provide the best possible experience for your day on the course, then the Cleveland is a jack-of-all-trades, very much worth your consideration.
Callaway Org 14 Bag
Most Visually Appealing Golf Cart Bag
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PROS
- Sleek black look makes the Org 14 bag one of the best looking on the market
- Two molded handles provide easy lifting from car to cart and when storing in the garage
- Front-facing range pocket makes carrying your rangefinder easy to store and access
CONS
- Narrow club slots make it tough to pull clubs at times
If appearance is one of the features that you covet most, then the Callaway Org 14 Bag is finished in black and red, creating a sleek look that is visually appealing.
An excellent premium bag that will turn heads with its sharp look, the Callaway ORG 14 is a first-rate option that won’t disappoint.
How to Pick the Best Cart Golf Bag
Appearance
Although it may not seem important at first glance, finding a visually appealing bag is always essential to golfers. From the clothes they wear onto the course to the clubs they use, everything pours down into the confidence that a golfer brings to that very first tee.
If you plan to use your golf bag in professional settings, everything you bring to the course will be factored into how they initially feel about your abilities to get the job done.
Weight
For bags, its weight isn’t nearly as significant as it is for stand bags. But still, golfers have to carry their clubs from the car to the cart, and when their round is done, and they head home, they must also store the bag. All that lifting and carrying make the bag’s weight something to consider. Golf bags for women are usually lighter.
Since full-length bags are not recommended for walking, manufacturers have given these bags more storage and features. All of those extra perks add up to more weight.
Storage
Storage is the number one feature that the best golf cart bags can offer over a stand bag. Today’s best golf cart bags offer as many as a dozen zippered pockets to store everything from rain gear if you get caught in a storm to a cooler valuables pocket that allows you to pack ice cold drinks for the back nine.
Today’s bags offer the ability to carry whatever you may need for your round, and with the extra storage these bags provide, there’s no reason not to make sure all areas are covered for your day on the links.
Dividers
Keeping your clubs safe as they travel to the course and then, once they are on the cart, is another important job of the cart bag. Most have wide mouth openings that give your clubs room to breathe, so they are clanging into each other, causing dents and scuffs.
But the number one area that a golf cart bag can protect your clubs is through the use of individual full length dividers that keep your clubs separate and off the top of each other. These full length dividers allow your clubs to remain in good condition in the bag.
Durability
When we talk about the durability of a cart bag, we are specifically talking about the material used in constructing the item. Cheaper golf bags will experience tears and fraying much earlier in the item’s life as they age and go through the damage of being carried around from car to cart.
The best cart bag’s primary focus area should be on the padded top that divides the clubs and keeps the shaft and hosel from wearing down and being weakened.
Storage and Pockets
Finding the best golf cart bag takes into account the importance of storage. Since you are not walking the course, then you are afforded the ability to take more accessories to the course. Extra golf balls, tees, towels, and other necessities need pockets for quick and easy access on the course.
Another area where additional storage helps is with your valuables. Most modern golf cart bags have lined pockets that protect your watch, heaters, smartphone, and other valuables from scratches and potential damage.
Long pockets along the side of the cart bag can carry rain gear such as waterproof jackets and pants. And some cart bags offer umbrella holders that attach the umbrella to the bag’s outer shell without interfering with the clubs.
Straps
A strap system allows the golfer to carry the cart bag comfortably. Since carrying a heavy bag can create a burden on the upper back and shoulders of the golfer, manufacturers have attempted to construct ergonomic dual-strap systems to balance the weight.
Most cart bags only have one strap, unlike stand bags which usually have two straps attached to the top and bottom of the bag. Professional golfers use a cart bag on the course, mainly because they have caddies that carry the bag, and they need more accessories in case of an emergency.
A cart bag with one strap usually features a shoulder band that is wider and more padded when compared to a dual-strap system on stand bags. Although a cart bag isn’t ideal for walking the course, they offer a strap system that makes it easy to load the clubs onto the cart.
Size
Cart bags are the largest of all golf bags. Made with a round, wide foundation that offers more dividers than a Sunday or stand bag, a cart bag offers premium storage. The size of a cart bag lends itself to carrying a full complement of clubs with other accessories such as rain gear, an umbrella, and your valuables.
Stand and Sunday bags offer convenience over storage. While that’s great for golfers who love walking the course, the majority of golfers prefer the cart bag because of its functionality.
The cart bag is excellent for older golfers due to its size because the bag stores easily in the garage with a flat foundation. Also, the cart bag rides better than a stand bag in the cart for the same reason; the bag’s flat bottom.
Bag Locking System
A new feature to a cart bag is a bag locking system that connects the bag to ensure it doesn’t fall off the cart during riding. The bag locking system allows the golfer to rest assured that their clubs won’t get damaged or dropped from the cart.
The locking system works by attaching the cart and the bag. The attachments connect and lock once they are placed together.
A locking system is primarily featured on a higher-priced cart bag. But any golfer can purchase a locking system to attach to their bag, quickly creating a lock point to secure their clubs on the cart.
Putter Well
A putter well provides a dedicated space for a golfer’s flatstick. The well, usually located away from the irons and woods in the bag, helps protect the putter from banging into the heads of the other clubs.
A dedicated putter well is a great feature, primarily found in a cart bag, for golfers who have an expensive putter to make sure it keeps its original condition as long as possible.
The well also has a wide opening to accommodate the oversized head of a mallet putter, along with a full-length divider to protect the club’s shaft.
Rain Hood
The rain hood is a removable cover that protects the clubs from moisture. Most rain hoods utilize snaps to lock themselves to cover the clubs and stay in place while the bag rides in the cart.
Rain hoods have become popular accessories on stand bags since golfers who love to walk the course can find their clubs in trouble if rain begins. With the quick retrieval of the matching rain hood, a golfer can snap it in place over the clubs’ top to keep them dry.
Since they ride in carts, expensive cart bags typically do not have rain hoods.
Glove and Towel Ring Holder
Golf bags have a ring at the top of the bag that anchors the strap that carries the bag and can also attach a towel and glove holder.
A towel ring can hold the towel loosely in the front of the bag, making it easily accessible to wipe down the grips of clubs and clean mud from golf balls.
A glove holder can be attached to the bag to help air out the leather of the glove to prolong the life of the glove. The holder is made from plastic and takes the shape of a hand to keep the glove open for air circulation.
Handle and Padding
Usually found on stand bags, a handle is essential for lifting the bag when removing it from a vehicle or loading it into a cart. A cart bag has multiple handles, usually along the sides of the opening, to help golfers balance the bag while carrying.
When looking at the padding, golfers should look at the strap that golfers use to carry the bag. Cart bags typically have one strap because the bag spends most of its time on the cart. Stand bags have a dual-strap system that allows the bag to balance along the back while walking the course.
Cart Strap Pass-Through
A cart strap pass-through is vital to the security and safety of the golf bag and the clubs it carries since most stand bags are lightweight and don’t have the round foundation of a cart bag, the pass-through anchors the bag to the cart for stability.
Cart bags are far more stable on the cart than stand bags, so their pass-through is larger and works as a handle.
Some bags have additional pass through handles on the side of the bag to offer even more security for the golfer and to assure that the bag doesn’t dislodge from the cart.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Since golf bags are made with lightweight, durable material, golfers find it easy to clean with warm water and dish detergent. Most bags, especially during the summer months, will collect dirt and regular grime.
You need a cloth rag and a combination of detergent and warm water to clean these spots. By gently scrubbing the soaked rag on the dirty spots, the bag will return to its original condition.
Top-tier cart bags are available with a leather foundation. The maintenance of these bags is different and more involved than stand bags and typically needs pre-treatment to protect the leather.
Questions & Answers
How do I clean my cart bag?
A great way to keep your cart bags looking great season after season is by routinely giving them a quick wipe down using warm water and dishing washing soap. If your cart bag has spots from mud or grime, then applying this mixture will break down the stain and allow you to clean the area thoroughly.
How do I clean my cart bag?
Deciding between a cart or stand bag depends primarily on how you play golf. If you like to ride in a cart while you play, then the cart bag offers more storage options, along with a round foundation that keeps the bag stable during the ride.
If you prefer to walk the course, a stand bag offers a lightweight option that, when used with several accessories that help keep the clubs off the ground. The stand bag is anchored by two pop-out legs that help stabilize the bag for easy pickup after each shot.
What are magnetic pockets in golf bags for?
Magnetic pockets are handy because they clasp the pocket closed without zippers. A magnetic pocket provides a secure closure for the pocket when storing valuables.
Another reason that golfers prefer magnetic pockets is that the style makes it easy to reach into the pocket for balls, tees, and other accessories for quick retrieval. Most high-end bags use zippered pockets, especially in top-tier cart bags, but magnetic pockets have become a popular accessory in recent years for stand bags.
While magnetic pockets might not offer the security of zippered pockets, they provide an easy way to retrieve items on the fly.
Do I need full length dividers?
If you have clubs that you want to keep protected, then full length dividers are essential for your golf bag. A full-length divider runs the entire length of the bag from the opening to the foundation. It protects the whole shaft from the hosel to the end of the grip.
By keeping a club in a divider, the club stays away from other irons and woods in the bag, thereby keeping it safe and easy to retrieve when needed.
Some stand bags use multiple dividers, where several clubs go in each compartment, and while that does reduce the weight and size of the bag, it does place clubs against each other.
Who makes the best golf bags?
The best golf bags come from companies that exclusively make golf bags, such as Sun Mountain and OGIO, and golf equipment companies such as TaylorMade, Wilson, and Callaway.
These best cart golf bags share similar characteristics such as durability, high-quality material, multiple pockets, including a valuables pocket and additional cooler pocket for keeping beverages cold.
With the best stand, golf bags are lightweight with a dual-strap padded system making them easy to carry on the golf course.
Regardless of whether they are stand or cart bags, the best ones offer plenty of storage along with long-lasting durability that provides golfers years of storage and convenience.
What golf bags do the pros use?
Professional golfers typically use the golf bags provided by their sponsors. Regardless of brand, the bags used by pros are cart bags that offer maximum storage since the golfer’s caddy needs to have all contingencies covered on the course.
The bags during tournaments must have extra balls, tees, towels, and rain gear in case bad weather hits the course during their round. With these possible needs on the course, the pro golfers need a golf bag with multiple pockets.
Since these bags are classified as cart bags, they are large and rounded with multiple full-length pockets that can hold towels, clothing, and additional items such as shoes.
What is the best golf cart bag to buy?
For amateurs, the top choice on our list is the Founders Club Premium Golf Bag. With a 14-way top, the bag features full length dividers with a dedicated putter sleeve that keeps the flatstick safe and away from other clubs.
The bag features several handles for lifting the bag, along with nine zippered pockets for an incredible amount of storage. A front facing cooler pocket can hold several bottles and cans along with ice to keep the drinks cool.
Other features include an external tee holder, umbrella holder, clips for towels, range finders, and glove holders. The bag is available for an affordable price and offers durability that will keep the bag worth using for many years to come.
Do cart strap pass-through matter?
Yes, the cart strap pass-through matters because it is the point in the bag where it is secured to the cart. The pass-through must be strong enough to handle the rigors of riding 18 holes.
In a stand bag, the pass through will be smaller and less bulky than with a cart bag. However, since the cart bag is designed to ride in a cart, companies emphasize creating a pass-through that can safely secure the bag when riding in the cart.
Pass-throughs typically have plenty of room for a strap to easily slide through the opening to tightly fasten the bag to the apparatus that holds the bags on the back of the cart.
Final Thoughts
Our choice for the best golf cart bags is the Founders Club Premium Cart Bag. The bag offers a 14-way top that holds each golf club individually for premium protection.
In addition, the cart bag features nine zippered pockets that carry everything from accessories such as golf balls and tees to your rain gear to cover you in wet weather. The Founders Club bag also offers other luxuries, such as a compact cooler pocket that keeps your canned and bottled drinks cold throughout the round.
Offering fine construction, exceptional storage, and outstanding durability, each bag on our list offers functionality along with an affordable price.
