For any golfer, new or experienced, choosing the right type of golf bag is an important decision.

Think about it. Your bag is always with you on the course. It stores all of your clubs, balls, accessories and other equipment for your round.

That’s not to say you can’t own more than one bag. I have two myself. Most average golfers will only have one though, which is why I wrote this post to help pick the right one.

What type of golf bag should I buy?

That’s the million dollar question. First it’s important to understand what’s available. The main types of bags you’ll come across include (everyone refers to these differently so I included a bunch of variations):

Each of these have their own attributes that cater to different scenarios, which I’ve outlined below. I also put together a very high-level comparison table if you don’t want to read through my commentary:

With the information above, now you should ask yourself…

If you walk often and you have a large, heavy bag, it may be a pain to lug around. If you ride most of the time and your bag is too small it won’t fit into the cart holder well. These are all considerations to make.

For the golfers only wanting one bag, the hybrid or stand bags will be your best bet. That’s because they’re the most versatile. You can walk or ride with most of them.

All that said, you’ll need to make a decision on what’s most important to you.

Staff Bags or Tour Bags

Tour bags, or sometimes called staff bags, are what professional golfers use on tour. Generally, a tour bag is carried by a caddie and not the golfer.

These bags are larger, heavier and more expensive than other options. With the added size, they have more room for accessories and extra gear. They’re much more durable too.

It’s worth noting that each bag is a different size and may not fit well on a riding or push cart. Definitely something to consider if you plan on riding.

I would not recommend this for someone who is carrying their own bag.

Golf Cart Bags, Pull Cart Bags, Push Cart Bags or Trolley Bags

As the name indicates, golf cart bags are made for just that. If you regularly ride or own a push or pull cart, then this is a great option for you.

These are not recommended for anyone who prefers walking, or carrying their bag, for obvious reasons. Also worth noting that many cart bags don’t have a shoulder strap, and if they do, they usually only have one.

Another distinct feature of these bags is that they have a rubber, non-slip base which helps keep the bag station in a cart. I own a stand bag and can’t tell you how many times it’s come loose from not fitting snugly in a cart.

In another post, I reviewed the best golf bags for push carts. In reviewing over 45 different bags, the title went to the Sun Mountain C-130 Supercharged Cart Bag.

Overall, a very durable bag with lots of storage and a 14-way organizer system with full length dividers. My personal favorite part of the bag is the charging bank for your mobile phone or portable speaker.

Hybrid Golf Bag

Hybrid golf bags are essentially a mix between a stand bag and cart bag. These are designed to be the best of both worlds, making for a versatile bag.

These provide adequate storage and are lightweight enough to carry. The stand is a prominent feature, helping earn the name hybrid, but it also doesn’t get in the way of using on a cart. That said, it may not fit perfectly still.

Most hybrid bags also have backpack carrying straps, an important feature for those who want to walk.

If you ride most of the time but want the option of walking, I would recommend a hybrid golf bag.

In another post, I reviewed the best hybrid golf bags. After trying out more than two dozen bags, the award went to the Big Max Dri Lite Hybrid Bag.

This bag is really well made and loaded with features. It’s rare to see a super lightweight bag with 14 full length dividers. Plus it’s made of waterproof material, has an insulated cooler pocket and fits beautifully on a push or riding cart.

Stand Bags

Stand bags are the most common type of golf bag you’ll see on the course. That’s because they’re great everyday bags. You can carry or ride with most stand bag models.

For golfers who carry, stand bags will be easy on your back. Thats because they have backpack shoulder straps and are lighter than hybrid and cart bags.

If you walk most of the time but want the option to ride occasionally, a stand bag is your best option.

Carry Bags or Sunday Carry Bags

A carry bag, or sometimes called a Sunday carry bag, is the smallest golf bag option available. These are usually structure-less making them much less durable, but also much lighter than other bag options.

These bags are also priced accordingly. Since they’re small and have less material than larger bag options, these are very affordable.

If you walk all the time, and rarely ride, this is a great bag.