The 15 Best Golf Bags for Walking Purists and Cart Riders Alike

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What truly marks a great golf bag? The answe

What makes a truly great golf bag? The answer to that question depends on a lot of things. (Has a golfer ever had any other answer for a golf question?) There's a whole population of golfers out there—not counting the touring pros who are required to—who believe walking is the only way to play the game. These romantics, purists, environmentalists, lovers of nature and step counters need a bag conducive to a few miles walking in the wilderness. They also need a way to gracefully set them down, as not to ding their precious beauties. Bags for walking golfers take a few different forms. Some are made to hold a few clubs, for short courses and practice sessions—think, an easygoing, beach-adjacent par-3 course on the Jersey Shore or a round at Pinehurst's The Cradle. Then you've got your stand and carry bags of different shapes, sizes, and functionality.

On the other hand, if you're riding in a cart (and prayers up it's not a Cart Path Only day), a bulkier bag might make more sense. Then you've got a place to stash an extra sleeve of balls and a couple of cold ones (or essentials for whatever your vice may be) without having to worry about carrying the weight. Plus, and let's be honest and vulnerable here, those big leather bags make us feel like pros for a day, even if our games are lacking and we'll never be the heroes that at PGA Tour caddies on hot July afternoons.

Whether you're changing the way you're playing, upgrading from the bag that came with your first set, or looking to add to your arsenal, these are the bags that not only get the job done, but don't look half bad doing it.

MV2 Golf Bag

MNML Golf's MV2 bag kills two birds with one stone. It's—ahem—minimally designed and well-cushioned in the shoulder strap so you can take it on a walking 18, no problem. However, its sharp design quality makes it stand out on the cart. An included, attached speaker and charging ports make it the perfect vessel for putting in an extra nine at twilight.

Lux Midsize Staff

Vessel's Lux Midsize staff bag is a bit of a flex. This isn't one of the bags you'll want to lug around—this is a riding golfer's luxe companion.

Trouper R

Jones' Trouper stand bags provide everything you want in a feature-heavy bag without leaning into the super technical look of most of the stand bags on the market from big Golf Brands. Jones has a timeless look, functional features, and has as much cart appeal as it does to the walking bunch.

2022 2.5+ Stand Bag

Speaking of technical-leaning bags, few do it better than Sun Mountain, the brand that's been making damn-good golf bags for as long as we can remember. This edition's cool comes courtesy of its lunar look, so it'll still work in a few decades when civilian space travel includes golf destinations.

8" Waxed Canvas Mac

Ask any serious golfer you know and they'll probably describe Mackenzie's golf bags as some variation of a holy grail. For 35 years, the folks at Mackenzie have set out to produce the ultimate bag for walking golfers. Great, Scot, they've done it.

Golf & Ski Golf Bag

A stand bag from Malbon that borrows its vibes from the staff bags of yesteryear (and golfers' sporting cousins on the slopes). It'll look great on the cart or a caddy's arm, but you can take it for a walk, too.

Sunday II Carry Golf Bag

Another bag, this one from G/Fore, that blends the aesthetic trims of staff and stand bags into a carry bag perfect for short course bliss or a range session at sunset.

Jain & MacKenzie: 1st Edition Canvas Bag

The mother of all carry bags gets an incredibly cool and playful take, courtesy of the game changers at Jain Golf. If you make this your bag, get used to double takes on the first tee, lots of inquiries, and never seeing someone with the same bag as you. If you do—you've found a friend for life.

Hoofer

Ping's Hoofer bag is aptly named, because it often shows up atop the annual Best-Of lists in the stand bag and walking bag category. That's because it's exactly what you think it is. A lightweight, no frills bag that comes in several colorways from an iconic golf brand that will not let you down.

Tour Bag

OK, this is the one I was talking about before. You may be thinking to yourself, damn, I'd better be really good at golf to show up to the course with my sticks in that. And you're not totally wrong—a Titleist Tour bag comes equipped with an assumption like that. But any serious golfer, whether they're a stick or a hack, can appreciate its beauty. If you want to feel like a pro out there, this is your bag. Just remember these three words: Tip Your Caddie.

MIY SL2 Golf Bag

Another great modern stand bag—but Stitch lets you pick the color of your chassis, saddle, and strap, on its MIY SL2 bag.

TaylorMade Pro 2023 Stand Bag

You know the shoes you keep by the door? Your go-to's? You can wear them with any outfit. This is the golf bag version. Its bells and whistles are the only ones you need. And hey, if you're playing TaylorMade clubs, consistency is always a good idea.

ORG 14 2023 Cart Bag

They do, in fact, make bags especially for carts. This one from Callaway's got all the essentials, strategically positioned for strapping into one of Club Car's finest.

Loma Bag

At the other end of the spectrum, Sunday golf specializes in bags that take all the hassle out of packing up for a round. Golfers who use the sport as a chance to get away from the complexities of everyday life will appreciate its stripped-down elements and easygoing look.

Last Bag Collegiate + Stiff Arm

It's not a golf bag—but not matter which one you've got, and if you're planning to put that golf bag, full of your expensive clubs, in the hands of your local airport's baggage handlers, make sure it can sustain the gauntlet ahead. Club Glob's "Last Bag" is called that for a reason. It'll be the last travel bag you ever buy, just after the one that got torn into shreds at JFK.

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