Updated July 30, 2021. 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 For Most Golfers: AmazonBasics Soft-Sided Travel Bag
“This golf travel bag from Amazon is very lightweight, has a smooth rolling system great for airport travel, and plenty of compartments for storage – it will fit most golfers’ needs at a great price.”
Highest Quality Golf Travel Bag: CaddyDaddy Constrictor 2
“The Constrictor 2 is the most durable golf bag we tested, with an internal strap that keeps your bag from sliding inside and additional padding to protect your clubs. If you know your bag will have to survive hell, get this one.”
Best Premium Golf Travel Bag: Caddy Daddy Golf Phoenix
“With a hard shell top that is highly rated for impact prevention, the Phoenix delivers excellent protection and exceptional storage for all your traveling needs. Get this one if you want a travel bag for the long haul.”
There’s nothing better than packing up the clubs and hitting the road to play the best courses the world has to offer.
When looking for a solution to this problem, this is the moment where the golf travel bag jumps in and saves the day. Durable and with wheels to make transporting a snap, golf travel bags protect your clubs on the plane or in the car.
We’ve spent countless hours testing golf bags, and the best golf travel bag is the AmazonBasics Soft-Sided Bag – it will keep you worry-free, allowing you to focus on the great experiences that lie ahead.
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Last updated on 2021-08-03. The links are affiliate links. Product images are served from Amazon Product Advertising API.
Table of Contents
10 Best Golf Travel Bags
Here are the best golf travel bags on the market today:
- Best Lightweight Travel Bag: AmazonBasics Soft-Sided Golf Travel Bag
- Best for Quality and Durability: CaddyDaddy Constrictor 2 Cover
- Best Overall Travel Bag If Money Is No Object: Caddy Daddy Golf Phoenix
- Best Travel Bag for Holding While Walking: Himal Soft-Sided Golf Travel Bag
- Best Luxury Travel Bag: Sun Mountain ClubGlider Meridian
- Best Travel Bag for Mobility: Sun Mountain Clubglider Journey Wheeled
- Best Golf Travel Bag for Extra Storage: OGIO Mutant
- The Touring Pro’s Choice Offers Top-tier Protection at a Premium Price: Club Glove Last Bag Medium Collegiate
- Best Hard Shell Travel Case: SKB ATA Standard Golf Case
- Best Bag on a Budget: Athletico Padded
AmazonBasics Soft-Sided Golf Travel Bag
Best Lightweight Travel Bag: Perfect For Most Golfers
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PROS
- Made from a durable, water-resistant nylon fabric that handles the rigors of travel well
- Rolling system is smooth and effortless for comfortable moving in airports
- One of the best bags for additional compartments with several pockets for storage
CONS
- The outside shell is softer than a hard shell case, so you’ll want to secure your clubs before traveling
A nice entry-level bag that is great for golfers looking for a quick fix, the AmazonBasics Soft-Sided Travel Bag has plenty of storage and a nice roomy interior for keeping your clubs secure.
The AmazonBasics bag features durable handles for carrying and moving, an excellent two-wheel system that is smooth for easy rolling and a heavily padded top that secures your clubs in the instance of hard impact.
We recommend this product as one of the best travel bags for golf on the market right now.
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Also assisting the handling of the bag is the heavy-duty rails that rest above the wheels, making it easy to pull up on a curb or stairs.
For protection, the AmazonBasics bag has two features that help lock your clubs in for a long golf trip. The first is two straps that secure the top of the bag, so your clubs don’t rattle around. The next is a thick layer of padding along the area where your club heads rest so that they stay intact if they should, unfortunately, encounter a hard impact collision during travel.
This golf bag does have a soft cover, and the lack of a hard shell does make it vulnerable to traveling on airplanes where high impact crashes can happen. If the AmazonBasics bag has a preferred use, it is inside a vehicle where you control the transportation and luggage that surrounds it during travel.
The AmazonBasics bag, measuring 50 inches tall, has a deep interior that will carry your tallest clubs and umbrellas plus allow you the room to store heavy clothing, sunscreen, and larger accessories. Great for a car, even better for a golfer on a budget, this bag is solid performer worth a look.
CaddyDaddy Constrictor 2 Cover
Best Travel Bag for Quality and Durability
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PROS
- A strong and durable bag that does an admirable job at protecting your clubs
- An internal strap that keeps your bag from shifting and sliding inside the travel bag exterior
- Additional padding does well to protect your clubs from direct contact throughout your travels
CONS
- Doesn’t have a strong composite or plastic support shell, but does have plenty of storage
One of the most known companies for manufacturing some of the best golf travel bags, CaddyDaddy has made an inexpensive, well-constructed cover with their Constrictor 2 model.
Featuring in-line skate wheels that provide exceptional mobility, a series of lockable zippers that accommodate your standard luggage lock and compression straps that secure the interior of the cover as well as the exterior, the Constrictor 2 delivers a well-rounded package.
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Although this is a soft cover bag, CaddyDaddy has given the Constrictor 2 a full one-year replacement warranty that covers any damage incurred while flying.
While we usually wouldn’t recommend that you fly with a soft cover travel bag, the warranty does help assure you that you’ll be covered if flying with this cover.
Another feature that caught our eye was the heavy-duty zipper system that provided plenty of security once we utilized our luggage locks.
If you are worried about clubs sliding around, two durable wide straps lock in the middle and top of the bag to reduce movement and offer additional stabilization.
In our testing, we appreciated the outside pockets but wished they were better integrated with the interior of the bag because we hung them against corners and other luggage when trying to move the bag around.
Also, this is a better soft cover option, but it still does not rate well when potentially reducing high impact occurrences.
A high-quality softcover golf travel bag, the CaddyDaddy Constrictor 2 offers several high performing functions that will make your travels more comfortable and give you a better peace of mind knowing your clubs are safe and sound. r a golfer on a budget, this bag is a solid performer worth a look.
Caddy Daddy Golf Phoenix
Best Overall Travel Bag If Money Is No Object
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PROS
- Affordable bag with high-impact absorption shell made from EVA for incredible protection when traveling
- A sturdy foundation is led by a locked wheelbase and two hard pegs that provide stabilization when standing
- Three large pockets provide plenty of storage for any additional golf items
CONS
- Not much to dislike with the Phoenix, but could be a little bulky for smaller travelers
With a hard shell top that is highly rated for impact prevention, the Phoenix delivers excellent protection and exceptional storage for all your traveling needs.
Starting with the High Impact EVA Plastic Mold top that wraps around the area of your club heads, the Phoenix does a phenomenal job of making sure you’re not picking up a set of broken clubs after your flight.
It stands as our #3 on our best golf travel bags list.
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The clubs are held in place by an internal compression strap that locks your clubs securely against the frame of the Phoenix, while an external strap makes sure that the bag will not open during travel.
If you want to carry additional shoes, clothes and golf accessories, then the Phoenix has three external wide and deep pockets to accommodate your needs.
In addition to the pockets, the bag measures 53-inches in height for plenty of room for your driver and other long clubs.
We loved the full, sturdy foundation of the bag which kept the bag upright and when it came time to move, the two wheels at the bottom rear of the Phoenix were seamlessly smooth for effortless motion.
If there is a complaint about the Phoenix, and we didn’t have one, we could see where smaller golfers might have a beef with the bulk of the bag as it is one of the taller and broader bags we tested.
For a dependable bag that checks all the boxes, including being very affordable for the value, the CaddyDaddy Phoenix is at the top of our list for best in show.
Himal Soft-Sided Golf Travel Bag
Best Travel Bag for Holding While Walking
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PROS
- Great handle system gives the golfer plenty of options for holding, carrying and pulling the travel bag
- Wheel system is fluid and easy to roll, making the Himal a dream on hard floors such as concrete and tile
- Top of bag is heavily padded to make sure your club heads don’t receive direct contact causing possible damage
CONS
- Entry-level travel bag without a lot of bells and whistles, affordable but straight forward
A roomy travel cover with a large amount of storage for your golf bag and essentials is the Himal Soft-Sided Travel Bag. Made from polyester, the Himal wears well throughout your upcoming golfing vacations.
Ideal for the car, the Himal Soft-Sided is incredibly spacious with an additional pocket in the front. Although the wheel system is a bit small, you’ll never worry about becoming stuck or having an issue with getting the bag to its ultimate destination.
This is a solid choice and stands as one of the best golf travel bags if you walk a lot on the course.
Sun Mountain ClubGlider Meridian
Best Luxury Travel Bag
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PROS
- The four-wheel system is extraordinary, providing plenty of convenience and stability in a variety of situations
- The zipper system does exceptionally well with locking the bag leaving the golfer with confidence that the bag is secure
- Internal straps keep the golf bag secure to the exterior shell for excellent damage protection
CONS
- Maybe a bit expensive for the weekend warrior, but is very well made and worth the expense
Our choices for the best luxury bag on our list goes to the great company, Sun Mountain, for their creation, the ClubGlider Meridian.
Yes, the Sun Mountain Meridian is expensive, but for your money, you are getting a bag that will last for many years and provide a convenience that very few bags can offer in the golf travel bag market.
Sun Mountain Clubglider Journey Wheeled
Best Bag for Mobility
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PROS
- Two interior pockets give the golf plenty of storage space without exposing them to outside impact
- Terrific wheel system that moves smoothly, allowing the golfer to turn and maneuver through tight spaces quickly
- Leg mechanism adds two more wheels to the rolling system but also keeps clubs off the ground
CONS
- A luxury bag from Sun Mountain that does have a hefty cost but is durable and will maintain value for many years
This Sun Mountain bag also has four wheels making it our favorite bag for mobility due to its smooth glide and wheels that pivot in all directions.
With a dynamic four-wheel system, two large interior pockets, and a sturdy internal strap that keeps your bag snug inside the Journey, this bag is a wonderful helper for any golfer’s upcoming golf vacation.
OGIO Mutant
Best Golf Travel Bag for Extra Storage
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PROS
- Roomy interior with plenty of room for your clubs and any additional accessories you need to take to the course
- An extensive two-wheel system aided by two strong front pegs that give the Mutant stability when standing
- Padded compartment around the club heads prevent direct impact and shield clubs while traveling in airports
CONS
- Does not have a hard shell for better impact protection, but does an exceptional job at securing and keeping clubs locked during travel
The OGIO Mutant is our favorite bag for extra storage. With a soft cover, the Mutant has a narrow top that provides padded protection for the club heads in your bag and a large bottom area that is spacious for exceptional storage space.
For incredible storage that accommodates golf bags of any size but allows the traveling golfer tons of room for anything else they’ll need, the Mutant is a dynamite innovation that earns its stripes as one of the largest travel covers we’ve ever tested that is worth our seal of approval.
Club Glove Last Bag Medium Collegiate
The Touring Pro’s Choice Offers Top-tier Protection at a Premium Price
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PROS
- Club Glove Last Bag is the top name in travel bags
- Lightweight but excellent protection
- Attaches to other Club Glove products for convenience
- Free Stiff Arm offers excellent shaft protection
CONS
- Expensive
- Tight fit for cart bags
The Club Glove Last Bag Collegiate is the most-used bag on the PGA and LPGA tours for good reason: despite its lightweight of just over 10lbs, it offers excellent amounts of padding and protection for your delicate golf clubs.
It includes the essential Club Glove “Stiff Arm” that anyone using a soft bag should have in order to protect your graphite shafts from airplane mistreatment.
SKB ATA Standard Golf Case
Best Hard Shell Travel Case
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PROS
- The incredibly strong shell that locks your clubs in and provides exceptional protection for impact
- Tall enough to accommodate long clubs such as 48-inch drivers or tall umbrellas
- The case provides an exceptional seal with the locking mechanisms keeping dirt and moisture away from your clubs
CONS
- No extra storage, this case is streamlined with the ultimate goal of protecting your golf clubs
Our best bag for protection due to its hard shell case is the SKB ATA Travel Case. The ATA case is made from a tough compound known as polyethylene that is the material that the U.S. military deems acceptable for their cases and containers.
The ATA is capable of storing drivers up to 48 inches long and bags that are around one foot in diameter. This hard case won’t provide a lot of additional storage capability, but you can rest assured that your clubs aren’t going anywhere and won’t be damaged during travel.
Athletico Padded
Best Bag on a Budget
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PROS
- Well organized, simple bag with durable handles for easy carrying
- The vinyl base does help reduce wear and tear when you are sitting the bag upright on the ground
- Padded shoulder strap does help carry the bag long distances in place of wheels
CONS
- Does not have a wheel system to assist in mobility, so golfer is stuck carrying the bag from location to location
If you are looking for a low priced bag that offers a sizable cover for your golf bag, then the Athletico Padded Bag is a reliable option.
Featuring an interior 5mm pad protecting your clubs, the Athletico may not give you a tremendous amount of protection, but it will provide you with enough padding to make a car trip safe for your clubs.
Things to Consider When Buying the Best Golf Travel Bag
Durability
Travel covers, cases, and golf travel bags are only as good as their durability. If you use bags for air travel, the bag has to withstand the punishment of being thrown into compartments, riding along the conveyor belt that throws bags in with other luggage, and general wear and tear along the way.
Since golfers have two choices, soft and hard case, for their travel bags, it is vital to determine what each can bring in terms of durability. USA Today states that soft cases are “ideal for golfers who do the majority of their traveling by car rather than airplane.” On the other hand, hard cases “provide more protection, but are much heavier.”
For soft covers, make sure the material used is a durable nylon or polyester. When looking at hard shell cases, see if the plastic is EVA impact rated so that it can withstand the beating of air travel.
Materials
Typically, golfers have two types of golf travel covers and cases to choose between. The first is a soft cover usually made from nylon or polyester. The softness of the cover does well to keep out dirt and other debris.
Also, most manufacturers have added an inch or two of dense padding around the area that surrounds the clubs to prevent damage if that location is impacted.
The hard shell case is typically made from a high-impact rated plastic or composite material. As Golfweek states, “Unlike soft travek bags, which has flexibility, the hard case shape is set, so measure to ensure the case is large enough for your clubs and bag.” The hard shell case must be able to deflect or absorb any possible impact that it encounters along the way.
Whether you choose the soft shell or the hard case, know that the materials used with each item are vitally important in keeping your clubs safe throughout traveling. No matter if you are riding with your clubs in a car or taking them through the punishment of an airport, each type of case must be durable and willing to withstand the rigors of travel.
Protection
The whole point of a golf travel bags or case is to protect your clubs so that they make it to the course without any damage. Although a hard shell case does much better compared to a soft case, companies have adapted the soft case to provide maximum protection with the materials used.
The company, Ship Sticks, is known for delivering your clubs safely ahead of your arrival at a golf course. As they state on their website, “Flying or driving with your clubs and accessories requires protection. If you want to play your best on the course, your sticks have to be in good, playable condition, without any travel damage.”
So when looking for a golf travel bag or case, if it is a soft cover note how much padding is around the clubs. Does the inside of the golf travel bag have an internal strap system that will lock my clubs to the cover and not allow them to slide around?
If it is a hard shell case, is the plastic or composite EVA rated for high impact protection? Running down a checklist of how the cover or case will or will not protect your clubs is essential before purchasing travel bags.
Mobility
Most golf travel bags, covers, and cases have a wheel system that allows them to roll around an airport, parking lot, or any hard surface area without a problem. Hard shell cases are typically easier to move around because of the rigidity of the case, but soft bags have made considerable strides in recent years.
As USA Today stated in their article about travel bags, a hard shell case, “…(has) one benefit to these cases is that they tend to be easier to maneuver around busy airports.”
But soft cover travel bags are, as Top Travel Tips states, “easier to store and maneuver into different types of cars, making them an excellent choice if you are mainly traveling with your golf gear by car.”
When looking for quality golf travel bags with high mobility, take note of the wheel system. Are the wheels small or large? Is the base wider or more narrow? Typically, a broader base with bigger wheels is easier to move around, especially in heavily trafficked areas like an airport or hotel.
However, not all the golf travel bags on our best of list have wheels. The lone exception is the Athletico Padded Travel Bag. This bag works exclusively as a cover. It has three handles that help with mobility.
The first is on top of the golf travel bag and helps hold the bag when it is vertical and needs placement in a vehicle. The second set of handles is in the middle of the bag and come together to provide a secure holding point. Finally, a shoulder strap allows golfers to place the bag tightly against their back for carrying.
If you are using your golf travel bag in an airport or having to cross long distances, then the incorporation of wheels is an essential feature. It makes mobility so much easier plus removes strain from your body.
Storage
Finally, the last area to gauge the quality of a golf travel bag is by how much storage it contains for your clubs, shoes, towels and other accessories.
Most golf travel bags will have exterior pockets for plenty of room for your rain gear, rain suit, and footwear, but some bags, in particular, hard shell cases, won’t have any additional storage.
It is wise to have a bit of spare room in the bag to give yourself the ability to pack more items without having to use extra luggage. Heavy coats, sweaters, and rain tops and pants all do well filling the extra space in travel bags.
Extra room in a golf travel bag allows you to also complement the protection of your cover or case by packing it with extra clothes, especially around the area where the clubheads rest.
As Paul Schmidt, a golf travel bag specialist with Premier Golf in Duluth, Ga, told the PGA website, “If you’re going to Scotland or Ireland, it’s easy because you’re going to be throwing extra sweaters or a windbreaker in there to give it extra protection.”
When looking for the best bag for your game, always account for the storage capabilities because it will undoubtedly save you a lot of headaches when you’re ready to pack.
Hard Case vs Soft Case
The difference between choosing a soft cover or hard case is primarily dependent on how you travel.
As Top Travel Tips notes, “a hard case gives the best protection and tends to be preferred by those that travel frequently by air with their golf set.”
The site further states that, “a soft case is lighter, cheaper and easier to maneuver and therefore popular choice by those that travel occasionally with their golf set by air.”
When deciding between the two take note of how the bag handles its weaknesses. A soft cover will need to augment its protection, while a hard case will need to maximize its storage.
Weight
The first thing you need to take into account is that a standard weight of golf clubs alone is around 30 pounds. So any travel cover, whether it be a soft cover or hard shell, will add substantial weight to the cumulative total.
This figure is essential to note, especially when taking your travel bags on an airplane as most airlines have weight limits on bags before they begin to charge fees for storage.
The PGA website encourages golfers to always check with the airlines for details. “And if you’re unsure on the cost or weight allowance, check with the airline or your travel agent.”
Soft cover bags typically weigh around 8-10 pounds with hard shell cases weighing anywhere from 12-20 pounds.
Warranty
Most golf bags for travel have a one-year warranty that protects your bag from the rigors of running around airports and throwing the clubs in the back of cars undoubtedly causes degradation to cases and covers.
However, some of the more elite bag companies, such as Samsonite, offer five-year limited warranties. You can see an example of the company’s warranty here at the Luggage Pros website.
Shipping companies that handle golf clubs like Ship Sticks offer $1,000 of protection on your clubs with any purchase but highly suggest the use of a case or travel bag.
Questions & Answers
Where should I buy my golf travel bag?
Websites like Amazon, eBay, and GlobalGolf are terrific golf-centric businesses that offer a wide variety of golf travel bags, including every model on our Best Golf Travel Bags in 2021 list. These sites stand out by offering affordable pricing along with quick shipping that gets the bag to you in plenty of time to prepare for your trip.
When shopping for a travel bag, you’ll find that the three sites offer detailed information to make sure that the bag provides the features that you are looking for to protect your clubs. Features such as number of pockets, quality of material, type of padding, and warranty information is clearly spelled out on the bag’s page.
What is the best way to pack my golf clubs?
The best way to pack golf clubs is first to find a travel bag that offers premium protection. The outer shell will provide the majority of padding that can handle impact into the bag, keeping the clubs safe while they travel.
Once you load the clubs in the bag, take a towel or even clothing like your rain gear and weave it through the golf club heads that are exposed from the opening of the bag. What you want to do is stabilize those clubs and not allow them to move during travel. Also, wrapping them adds another layer of protection that will prevent them from rattling against each other.
How much should I spend on a golf travel bag?
While everyone should stay within their budget when adding new clubs and accessories to their golf bag to cover all their needs, a well-made travel bag is well worth the cost when factoring in the possibility of your golf clubs breaking or being damaged during travel.
Travel golf bags from Amazon have prices that run in the entry-level, budget-conscious category of around $60-$100. For travel bags with more protection, you can expect to pay anywhere from $80-150.
Finally, luxury travel golf bags by companies like Sun Mountain offer more convenience and better rolling systems while continuing to offer premium protection for the clubs.
Final Thoughts
Keeping golf clubs safe during travel is vitally important, especially if you love your current mix of drivers and irons. While it may look at first glance like a hassle, finding the right travel golf bag is quite easy and affordable.
Our choice for the best travel golf bag, the AmazonBasics Soft-Sided Travel Bag offers durability, protection, and plenty of storage. The bag’s waterproof nylon fabric is very strong and the rolling system won’t snag and moves effortlessly through airports and hotels.
Whether you are in the market for a low-priced entry-level bag or a luxury bag with dazzling bells and whistles, traveling golfers can agree, a well-made golf bag shell can protect your clubs and is well worth the investment.