Buying guide · 4 min read
How to choose a golf bag
It comes down to one question: do you walk or ride? Everything else — pocket count, top dividers, materials — follows from that answer, and getting it the wrong way round is the most common bag mistake we see.
If you walk
Weight is the thing you'll notice on the 14th, not the pocket count. The Ping Moonlite is 2.5 lb and holds a full set; the Hoofer Lite is around 5 lb with far more storage. Both carry 14 clubs — the difference is what you're prepared to shoulder for four hours.
Look at the strap system before the pockets. A proper dual strap with a back puck that converts to single is the difference between a bag you enjoy and one you replace.
- Under 3 lb: minimal storage, best for a quick nine or a firm walker
- 3–5 lb: the sweet spot for most walkers
- Over 5 lb: you're carrying a cart bag; consider a trolley instead
If you ride or push
A cart bag wants a forward-facing top so you can read the clubs from behind, a cart-strap pass-through channel so the straps don't cover your pockets, and a base designed to sit stable on a trolley rather than stand on its own.
The number of dividers matters more here than on a carry bag — 14- and 15-way tops keep grips separated and stop the tangle that costs you time on every shot.
Waterproof or water-resistant
There's a real difference. Water-resistant fabric will keep a shower out. Seam-sealed waterproof construction, like the Hoofer Monsoon or Pioneer Monsoon, will keep a Lincolnshire winter out. If you play through the winter, it's worth the difference.
