Pencil bags are an under-appreciated item of equipment. They were very popular at one time but it's quite rare to see them out on the course these days. Yet many golfers could benefit from using one. Pencil bags (also known as Sunday bags) are the lightest golf bags on the market and while they aren't ideal for everyone, if you are the type of golfer who doesn't carry around too many clubs or if you have just had enough of lugging around a heavy bag around the course, a pencil bag could be the ideal solution. They are also the perfect bag for the new golfer who might be starting out on their golf journey with a half set of clubs instead of the full compliment of 14.
Carrying a bag has its advantages, specifically in giving you more freedom to walk straight up to your ball wherever it's come to rest (in those places carts and buggies can't get too), but you can expend a lot of energy carrying a bag around the course. Some of the best golf bags are are very lightweight too but if you want to travel even lighter, a pencil bag will minimize energy loss and maximize carrying comfort. Pencil bags give you the flexibility to travel freely around the course and get back to a more minimal approach where you’re less burdened by equipment. It can be quite liberating.
They aren't just for beginners though and experienced golfers may also want to use a pencil bag as an alternative to their main bag. There are certainly situations when it's advantageous to travel light. Maybe just playing nine holes on a summer evening, or you're heading out for a quick game after work with your friends. Pencil bags are perfect for those situations, as well as for holiday golf when you don't want to take your full set and a big cart bag. Pencil bags are very underrated and should be utilized more than they are. In this guide, we'll be taking a look at some of the best golf pencil bags currently on sale, but if a pencil bag is not for you then check out our posts on the best golf trolley bags, best golf stand bags or the best golf push cart bags.
The Quick List
This bag has perfectly proportioned pockets, an ultra-lightweight build and its trendy look make it a class leader in the Sunday bag category. It has clearly been designed by golfers as it's very user friendly.
The Quiver from TaylorMade is a supremely lightweight bag that takes up very little room in the trunk of a car or in a locker, making it ideal for those who like to travel light.
The Titleist Premium carry bag is lightweight, packed with features and well worth considering as a second bag, especially considering the relatively modest price.
The water resistant pencil bag is incredibly lightweight and has three pockets, a 3-way top with full-length dividers to keep your clubs separate.
This Callaway pencil bag boasts many of the features you get with a larger stand bag while being incredibly lightweight and easy to carry. It's also fully waterproof and the micro legs work perfectly.
The Moonlite is the lightest of the Ping golf bags and it's ideal if you’re zipping out for a quick nine holes or spending a summer evening on the course. It comes in four cool colors.
Best Golf Pencil Bags
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Top pick
Sunday Golf specialise in pencil bags and their Loma XL is our pick as the best in this category. They look very stylish and with nine colors to choose from, there should be a color to suit for everybody.
At just 3.4lbs (1.5kg) the Loma XL is amongst the more lightweight models in this list but it still has plenty of storage for its size. The 3-way divider neatly stores up to 8 clubs and there is a double strap for comfort, although given the lightweight nature of the bag you can easily just sling it over one shoulder.
Among the various pockets is our favorite, the ‘Frosty Pocket’, which is perfectly sized to hold a water bottle or two cans of drink and keep them icy cold. There is also a velcro glove holder, a tee/pencil holder, a valuables pocket, a mesh pocket (ideal for storing a rangefinder), a side pocket and also a ball holder which comfortably holds half a dozen. We enjoyed testing this bag and it's clear that it has been designed by golfers, which is why it's our top pick!
- Read our full Sunday Golf Loma XL Stand Bag Review
Best stand
This is a supremely lightweight bag at just 1.4kg and as such it takes up very little room in the boot of a car or in a locker, making it the perfect choice for the player who wants to walk a quick nine holes without taking all their clubs out. It can actually carry a full set of clubs if needed though, while there is also enough storage for a waterproof jacket plus a decent amount of accessories.
In testing we found it was very comfortable to carry, mainly thanks to the self-adjusting strap which is ideal. Additionally we found that the extended grab handle and short, retractable legs make it easy to quickly lift and put down. In terms of storage, there are six pockets which is a lot for a pencil bag, while the five-way top kept our clubs separated nicely. Overall, this a nifty little bag that’s perfect for the golfer who wants a lightweight, minimal carrying option. If you are a fan of TaylorMade you might be interested in our guide to the best TaylorMade golf bags, too.
Best premium
The Titleist Premium Carry Bag is light as a feather and weighs in at just 1.27kg. The bag has been specifically designed for a quick summer round or nine holes in the evening with a half set. You might struggle to get a full set in there as well as all of the rest of your kit, but there is space for a waterproof jacket, balls and accessories. We find that hitting the fairways with a pencil bag like this feels great, it's quite liberating to be unencumbered by bulky equipment as you can just focus on enjoying the walk.
In testing we found this bag to be super comfortable to carry thanks to the ergonomically designed double strap that allows you to carry over both shoulders or just one, depending on your preference. We also found it to be pretty solid and the mini stand legs are useful in keeping it nicely off the ground to stop it from getting wet. It isn't a bag you'll want to use all the time and playing 18 holes in the winter isn't going to be ideal, but as a second bag for travelling light in the summer this is a perfect option. In fact, we like it so much we also included it in our guides on the best Titleist golf bags too.
- Read our full Titleist Premium carry bag review
Best lightweight
We enjoyed our time on the course with this bag as there's just something very satisfying about throwing a few clubs together, slinging in a few balls and tees and heading out onto the links. It’s a great feeling getting back to golfing basics and it brings back that feeling of being a kid just starting out in the game.
Even in terms of pencil bags this is extremely light. At only just over 1kg, it’s the lightest of the Callaway golf bags and the most lightweight on this list, but it still has adequate storage and is quite sturdy. A three-way top with full-length dividers keeps your clubs separate and there are three pockets, including a full-length apparel pocket which is ideal for waterproofs.
The double strap makes it comfortable to carry and we noticed in testing that the water-resistant underside did a good job of keeping our kit dry in a shower. Had tghe rain been heavier though and we might have been in trouble as it isn't fully waterproof. When it comes to popping out for a quick nine holes on a summer’s evening, the Callaway Carry is a great option. If you're looking for something more substantial from the Callaway range though, head over to our best Callaway golf bag guide.
Best waterproof
The Par 3 HD pencil bag is a superb offering from Callaway that takes features from the best stand bags and uses them in a slimmer, ultra lightweight pencil package. You get most of the benefits of a larger stand bag with the functionality and ease of use of a pencil and we were really impressed with this model in testing.
We used the bag for 18 holes with close to a full set of clubs and found it to be one of the lightest bags we've ever used. It is not designed carry a full set of clubs like some of the best lightweight golf bags but you could squeeze all 14 clubs in the bag if you wanted to. That kind of defeats the purpose though and in our testing we comfortably got 10 clubs in there.
As you'd expect, there isn't exactly loads of storage but this isn't necessarily a bad thing as it makes you think about what you actually need rather than just carrying a load of stuff in various pockets that never sees the light of day. The Callaway Par 3 HD held a dozen balls, a bottle of water, a wallet, some tees and a sweater, which could have been switched out for a waterproof jacket if needed.
There's also a handy, secure waterproof pocket for your car keys which is very useful. Speaking of waterproof, this bag is made from 10k waterproof fabric and is fully seam-sealed (unlike many other pencil bags), so you can play in heavy downpour with peace of mind knowing that your belongings wont get soaked. This protection really differentiates it from the competition and it's comfortably the best waterproof option on this guide.
- Read our full Callaway Par 3 HD Pencil Bag Review
Most comfortable
Ping golf bags are generally excellent and feature heavily on all of our buying guides. The Moonlite bag is another fantastic product and has been a staple of Ping’s line-up for years. As you would expect, it is ideal for a quick jaunt around the course, but it can do more than that if required and we were mightily impressed by the functionality and comfort on offer.
There are six pockets, which is more than you will generally find on a pencil bag, and it also comes with a water-bottle holder for easy access. The four-way top provides ample storage space for a full set if that's your preference, but it's ideal when you want to just throw half a set in the bag and go for a leisurely knock.
When on the ground, we noticed that the straps sit in a rigid position which makes it really easy to pick the bag back up once you’ve hit your shot and want to get on the move again. It's very comfortable to carry and we really like the design and style of this bag.
How We Test
When it comes to our process of testing golf bags, we take it very seriously. Whether we are sent a product or buy it ourselves, we always endeavour to put each bag to the full test out on the golf course in different weather conditions to ensure we can provide thorough and reliable advice to you, the reader. Manufacturers cannot pay for a good review because all of our staff here at Golf Monthly tell it exactly how they see it, good or bad. You can be assured that every member of our team is an avid golfer and as such, knows what does and doesn't make for a good stand bag. Specifically though, pencil bag testing is headed up by Golf Monthly's bag leader, Dan Parker.
As far as our methodology goes, if we say we have reviewed a product, that means we have done so properly and used the product extensively. We will make the effort to use all of the features on the pencil bag. As an example, if a brand claims the valuables pocket on a bag is waterproof, we will pour water on it to find out. If a strap is billed as being comfortable, we'll carry that bag over multiple rounds to put it to the test. This comprehensive testing style is not just exclusive to golf bags either, we use this same rigorous procedure and methodology across all gear categories, from golf balls to putters.
How to choose a pencil bag
So maybe after reading all of this you have decided that you do in fact want to buy a pencil bag. So what next? Well, we've listed five key points below that we think are the most important points to think about when choosing your next pencil bag. While most bags will meet these criteria, it's important to look out for each when you're picking your next pencil stand bag.
Weight
Compared to a cart bag or a stand bag, pencil bags are designed to be lightweight. Very lightweight in fact. If they are not significantly lighter than other bags then they aren't serving the purpose they have been designed for. Put simply, a pencil bag is for players who don't want to carry too many clubs with them as a general rule, or who just want to take a few clubs out for a quick round on a hot summers evening for instance. The lighter the bag, the less strain it is going to put on your shoulders and lower back. This makes pencil bags a good choice for the senior golfer who still ionsists on carrying their clubs rather than using a cart. Some pencil bags are a lot lighter than others so its important to check this before you buy it. Take a look at our guide on the best lightweight golf bags for some examples of some of the lightest stand bags and cart bags too.
Comfort
On that note, having a comfortable bag is of vital importance, particularly if you are a senior golfer or someone who suffers from back pain. Your bag needs to fit properly on your body and also must have comfortable straps that don't dig into your shoulders while carrying. Some pencil bags weigh almost nothing, but it's still advisable to pick a pencil bag that provides a great level of comfort because you will be adding significant weight to it when you add your clubs. Some have padded areas around the hips and back, which can provide great support to your lumbar.
Durability and strength
While you may want to use your pencil bag as a second option along with a stand bag or a cart bag, it's still important to purchase a bag that lasts for a long time. Golf equipment is very expensive and you don't want to shell out on a new golf bag every season, so try to buy a bag from a reputable brand as this will generally mean it will last for a long time. Many come with guarantees too, so look out for that. Also pay particular attention to the strap, stand and handle as these are the parts of the bag that are used the most and will break easily with repeated use.
Waterproof
Pencil bags are more for use in the summer months, but as we all know you can still get absolutely soaked in the summer. For that reason, you need to think about buying a pencil bag that can keep your clubs dry from the elements. If you play a lot in the rain, you will need to look at bags with waterproof pockets, zips, a stand, a club rain cover and a plastic base. Take a look at our best waterproof bags guide for more information on what to consider when buying a rain-proof bag.
Ease of Use
Storing your gear in your bag correctly is really important as if you don't have a bag that can house your clubs correctly you can end up damaging them. It can also be very annoying when you reach for a club and pull out several because the grips are jammed together in the bag, so you will want something that is easy to use and well designed. You also want to check to see how easy it is to stand the bag up. Lastly, think about how easy it would be to store that bag in the boot of your car, as no one likes faffing around with their bag before or after their round.
FAQs
What are golf pencil bags used for?
Golf pencil bags are a lightweight alternative to a stand or cart bag. They are mostly used during the summer months by players heading out for a quick round of golf after work not wanting to take a full set of 14 clubs. They can also be a great starting bag for beginner golfers or perfect for senior players not wanting to carry too much weight around the course.
How many golf clubs fit in a pencil bag?
Depending on the bag, you can fit up to 14 clubs in a pencil bag. But most of these offerings are not designed to take that many clubs out, with many recommending that you take maybe six or seven.
Can you play golf without a bag?
You can technically play golf without a bag, but it is unadvisable to do so. Firstly, as a rule most golf clubs require each player to carry a bag of clubs as a rule. That is to stop slow play. Secondly, carrying several clubs, tees and balls in your hands is just a massive inconvenience.
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