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By: Taylor Adams on Tue May 20, 2008

There are four basic categories of golf bags: travel bags, cart bags, standing bags, and staff or touring bags. The cheapest golf bag and the best golf bag are not always the same golf bags, nor are the expensive golf bags the best. Depending on what you want out of a golf bag, you might be shopping for a used golf bag rather than dropping precious pennies on a Slazenger golf bag or an Izzo golf bag or even that personalized Walter Hagen bag.

Golf travel bags are designed primarily for transportation of your golf clubs, and not to be brought out onto the course. Cart bags are generally sleeker and design-oriented, as they’re made to be used along with a golf cart. Standing bags are lighter than cart bags, and are intended to be carried around the golf course. Standing versions will have a retractable tripod that allows to them to remain upright. Staff or touring bags tend to feature the brand logo and name of the golfing goods manufacturer, and are used by professionals in open play.

What sort of golf bag is good for you? Personally, I think it’s of no consequence for most golfers to consider travel bags or staff bags unless you happen to find yourself in situations that require them. Most golfers will have to choose between a standing bag or a cart bag, a choice which depends on how you, as a golfer, navigate the golf course. If you drive a golf cart, choose the cart bag. Cart bags have handles that are appropriate for a bit of us outside of the car, but aren’t recommended for schlepping around the whole nine holes, as it were.

So, generally, you’re going to be taking a standing bag (also called a carry bag). Make sure that by choosing a standing or carry bag you’re not going to be affecting your game or your health negatively, as often times some bags can aggravate pre-existing back conditions by placing undue stress on your back. If you do have back problems, ask a medical professional if you can use a standing or carry bag, and do a little research about the ergonomics in each potential standing golf bag you’re looking at.

If you’re choosing a cart bag, you’ll find that the difference between a push or a pull cart can add $75 to $200 to the ticket price.

When considering purchasing a golf bag, ask yourself a number of these questions – how often do you play? How much equipment do you use when you play a round? What kind of terrain and courses are you playing golf on? How many golf clubs do you take when you play? How much space do you need for other supplies? How much do you want to spend? What sort of material do you like? The size, features, and design of your golf bag will be determined by your answers to these questions.

Golf Bag Materials
Are you an abusive golf bag owner? What kind of punishment will you demand your golf bag be able to take? Are you leaving it outside for long periods of time and exposed to the elements? Or is this a holiday bag that you’ll be playing a leisurely 9 holes with at the golf course connected to your hotel? The harder you think you’ll be on your golf bag, the more tough the bag’s material must be.

Depending on your preference and taste, what about keeping the bag clean? Old-styled suede golf bags (which are making a comeback) can be a nightmare to take care of, so if you’re going to expose your bag to the elements or aren’t the best at maintenance, you’ll want to go with a synthetic material for your golf bag.

Golf Bag Storage
How much storage are you going to need? Many bags can offer you a seemingly infinite amount of pockets, handles, and other storage options and features, and depending on what you take with you on the golf course, you might use all that. Generally, I caution golfers to keep it simple.

Golf Bag Dimensions
Appropriate height is another aspect of a good golf bag that is often neglected. A good golf bag will cover your golf clubs adequately, and protect them from wear and tear and the elements. If you’re using extra long shaft clubs, you’ll need to ensure that your bag will provide adequate coverage. Also keep in mind that you’ll have to be able to store these clubs somewhere! Find a happy medium between adequate golf club coverage, and appropriate size for storage and transport.

The weight of a golf bag is a very crucial element of a golf bag, and if you’re going to be doing a lot of walking around the golf course, you should be searching for lighter weight bags.

Choosing a bag with a wide top diameter will allow you more space for storage. If you have wide grips or over-sized clubheads, buy the wider bag.

Golf Bag Features
Club dividers are usually full-length and plush lined compartments that keep clubs separate, make it easier to remove and replace clubs, and protects them from damage, but also increase the ticket price.

And finally, consider if you need to add any of the extra features to your bag, such as a scorecard clip, a bottle holder, a rain cover (called a hood), or a fuzzy set of dice. Accessories, as you might expect add to the price, but can be cluttering. I prefer a less cluttered look, but you have to make some sacrifices to have the best all-around golf bag.

And finally, and what I consider to be the most important aspect to consider when buying a new golf bag, think of the guarantee!