If you’re a traditionalist who prefers carrying your golf bag rather than pushing or riding, investing in a bag designed specifically for that purpose can make a world of difference. One key factor to consider is weight, which is why we are specifically looking at the best golf bags that feature lightness at the core of their designs.
A lightweight golf bag can give you a real edge out on the course, improving comfort and reducing fatigue, especially over those final few holes when energy levels start to dip. Golf is both physically and mentally demanding, so why waste extra effort lugging around a heavy, uncomfortable bag?
After testing dozens of golf bags this year, I’ve compiled this guide to the very best lightweight options on the market. It’s an area that’s grown rapidly in recent years, giving golfers more choice than ever before. Whether you’re after the best golf stand bag or the best golf cart bag, there’s something here for everyone. And if you’re looking for even more inspiration, don’t miss our other roundups, covering the best golf trolley bags, best golf bags under $100, and the best golf pencil bags.
Having joined the Golf Monthly team in 2021, Dan is our golf bag guru and heads up the review team in this department as well as shoes, carts and other apparel.
The Quick List
A superb lightweight bag that any dedicated walking golfer will appreciate. Despite its sleek appearance, it offers plenty of space to carry all your on-course essentials, while the roomy four-way divider keeps your clubs organised and makes for a smooth, enjoyable experience.
A durable stand bag that combines solid storage with excellent comfort thanks to its double strap design. It sits nicely balanced on the back, is easy to adjust and remains compact for convenience. Impressively, it’s also the lightest model we’ve tested.
An excellent, truly lightweight bag that’s both comfortable to carry and easy to use. While it isn’t completely waterproof, it easily accommodates a full set of clubs without feeling bulky or cumbersome.
The Wilson Exo Lite is an excellent bag featuring thoughtfully designed pockets, sturdy metal legs and a handy magnetic rangefinder pocket. It delivers impressive performance for its price, making it one of the best value options on the market.
Waterproof bags are often on the heavier side but not the H2NO Litespeed. It’s undoubtedly the best lightweight waterproof golf bag currently available, combining weather protection with exceptional portability.
The Callaway Fairway C HD stands out with its eye-catching colour options and delivers on every front. It's a lightweight, versatile bag that does everything you need it to and more.
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A delightful golf bag for a quick nine holes. It's lightweight, stylish and practical, with plenty of clever features that make it a joy to use, such as the movable (or removable) pockets that add a touch of fun and flexibility.
Best Lightweight Golf Bags
Top pick
Our top pick and a standout new addition to Ping’s lineup, is the Ping Moonlander. Designed specifically for golfers who walk most of their rounds and prefer to carry, this bag ticks nearly every box you could hope for in a functional, lightweight golf bag.
Weighing just 4.5lbs (2kg), it’s not the absolute lightest bag capable of holding a full set of 14 clubs, but it more than makes up for it with superior pocket space compared to many of its rivals. The double strap system is another big plus as it’s comfortable and supportive, which is not always guaranteed on lightweight stand bags.
The pocket setup might look unconventional at first glance, but it’s surprisingly practical. Instead of a traditional front pocket for balls and tees, Ping has added a water bottle holder flanked by two larger side pockets for accessories. Your water pouch is easy to reach, and the valuables pocket sits just above the ball pocket, an unusual but well-thought-out layout. It’s refreshing to see a brand rethink pocket design and I wouldn’t be surprised to see others follow suit.
The four-way divider provides ample room for all 14 clubs, while the seven available colorways add a touch of personality, especially the camo version I tested and the white “Mr. Ping” design featuring the classic retro logo. In an age where many golf bags can feel a bit samey, the Moonlander genuinely stands out from the crowd.
At £149, it offers exceptional value compared to competitors like the Titleist Players 4 Carbon (£230). Stylish, comfortable, and cleverly designed, the Ping Moonlander has quickly established itself as one of the best Ping golf bags on the market today.
- Read our full Ping Moonlander Stand Bag Review
Best looking
One of the best Titleist golf bags currently available, the Players 4 Carbon Stand Bag is yet another excellent release from a brand renowned for crafting reliable, high-quality golf gear. Its design is understated yet sophisticated, striking the perfect balance between style and practicality with minimal branding and a clean, well-organised pocket layout.
Weighing just 1.4kg (3lbs), it’s one of the lightest golf bags we’ve ever tested. The double strap system and extra padding make it exceptionally comfortable to carry, even over a full 18 holes. Titleist’s reputation for user-friendly designs shines through once again here, with the StaDry material providing solid protection against the elements and six thoughtfully arranged pockets offering ample storage.
The valuables pocket deserves a special mention too. It features a divider to keep your phone and keys separate, preventing the dreaded screen scratches that I’ve fallen victim to more times than I care to admit during testing. At $310 RRP, it’s certainly a premium option compared to others on this list but for golfers who prioritise lightweight performance, comfort and long-term durability, the Players 4 Carbon is an outstanding investment that will serve you well for countless rounds.
- Read our full Titleist Players 4 Carbon 2025 Stand Bag Review
Most comfortable
Weighing just 1.4kg, the TaylorMade FlexTech SuperLite Golf Stand Bag impressed us with its comfort and ease of use. The straps are quick and simple to slip over the shoulder, while the padded lower-back section provides excellent support and protection. Design touches such as this led us to label this model as the most comfortable in our guide.
The stand legs offer a solid, stable base when set down and automatically adjust depending on the slope, meaning you can confidently place the bag anywhere on the course without worry. It’s one of the best TaylorMade golf bags we’ve tested for walkers who value both comfort and functionality.
With six well-sized pockets, there’s more than enough room for all your on-course essentials and the four-way divider feels sturdy and well-built. While not fully waterproof, it is durable enough to handle the occasional light shower which makes it a great choice for summer golf. The bag is also available in a wide range of colors, from timeless, classic looks to bolder designs that stand out in the crowd.
- Read our full TaylorMade FlexTech SuperLite Golf Stand Bag Review
Best value
The Wilson Exo Lite Stand Bag is a thoughtfully designed, highly practical option built to make carrying as effortless as possible. It’s one of the lightest stand bags available and with golfers increasingly filling their bags with the best golf accessories, we really appreciated the balance of functionality and storage it provides.
At 1.8kg, the Exo Lite hits a perfect sweet spot between spaciousness and portability. The four-way divider kept our clubs neatly organised and well-spaced during testing, while the bag itself feels reassuringly solid. It's premium and sturdy without being bulky or boxy.
One minor drawback is the stand legs which didn’t always extend as far as we’d have liked when setting the bag down. However, that’s more than made up for by the magnetic rangefinder pocket, which is a clever and convenient touch that adds a real sense of quality. Considering the reasonable price point, the Exo Lite delivers excellent value and stands out as one of the best lightweight stand bags in its class.
- Read our full Wilson Exo Lite Stand Bag Review
Best waterproof
Sun Mountain is renowned for producing some of the best waterproof golf bags on the market, and the H2NO Litespeed Stand Bag continues that impressive tradition. Like the rest of the H2NO series, it uses fully waterproof fabric with seam-sealed protection on both sides, ensuring your gear stays dry even in the worst conditions.
What really stood out to us was how lightweight it is given its waterproofing. Weighing just 4.4lbs, it’s remarkably easy to carry and felt barely noticeable on the back during testing. The bubble-style hip pad and X-strap system work beautifully together, providing a secure and comfortable fit that makes walking 18 holes effortless.
With seven pockets, there’s plenty of storage space for all your essentials, whether that’s valuables, spare layers or accessories. We especially liked the hydration sleeve, which easily fits even the largest water bottles or flasks, keeping you refreshed during long summer rounds. The fleece-lined valuables pocket is another nice touch and the thoughtful overall design clearly shows this bag was created by golfers, for golfers.
- Read our full Sun Mountain 2024 H2NO Litespeed Stand Bag Review
Best color choice
To start with, the Callaway Fairway C HD earns top marks for color options, offering one of the most extensive and vibrant selections on the market. The bold orange model pictured might not be to everyone’s taste, but with seven colorways available, there’s sure to be a style to suit every golfer.
The bag features a four-way divider and multiple well-placed pockets, reflecting Callaway’s attention to detail. The inclusion of the brand’s signature ‘shaft-shield’ rubber overmold helps protect your clubs and keep them neatly organised, a feature also found on some of the best Callaway golf bags. Add to that a water-resistant fabric and you’re well-equipped for those rounds where the weather takes a turn.
A fully waterproof valuables pocket is another excellent touch, offering peace of mind that your phone, wallet and other essentials will stay dry. With nine spacious pockets in total, storage space is plentiful and the sturdy stand legs ensure the bag feels stable and secure when set down.
- Read our full Callaway Fairway C HD Golf Bag Review
Best sunday bag
I haven’t had more fun testing a golf bag in 2025 than I did with the Ogio Funday, athough given the name maybe that shouldn’t have come as a surprise!
Sunday bags have become increasingly popular, designed for golfers who want a quick nine holes after work or at the weekend without lugging around a full set or a heavy bag. They prioritise lightness, simplicity, and ease of use, and Ogio has absolutely nailed that formula with the Funday.
It's packed with standout features that really set this bag apart, such as the movable and removable storage compartments. If the forecast is clear and you don’t need extra layers, you can simply detach the largest pocket to make the carry even lighter. This is a clever, practical touch that adds to the joy of walking the course. Comfort hasn’t been overlooked either: the moulded shoulder and hip pads provide extra cushioning, making the Funday one of the most comfortable pencil-style bags we’ve tested.
As fun as it is functional, the Ogio Funday perfectly balances creativity and practicality. Lightweight, thoughtfully designed and genuinely enjoyable to use, it fully earned the five-star review we gave it earlier this year.
- Read our full Ogio Funday Stand Bag Review
How we test golf bags
When it comes to testing golf bags, we take the process very seriously. Whether a product is sent to us or purchased independently, every bag is thoroughly tested out on the golf course so we can offer fair, detailed and trustworthy feedback. Most importantly, manufacturers can’t pay for positive reviews as we call it exactly as we see it. Every member of the Golf Monthly team is a passionate golfer, which means we know firsthand what makes a great stand bag and - just as importantly - what doesn’t.
We don’t think it’s fair to test a bag (or any golf product or apparel) just once and then write a review. Instead, we put each bag through multiple rounds on different courses to truly understand how it performs. The same standard applies across all our reviews as we aim to be as thorough as possible so you get the best-informed buying advice.
As you can imagine, we test a lot of gear at Golf Monthly, which means our team spends a lot of time on the course. We’ll often evaluate several products at once. Such as, let's say, a pair of shoes, a bag and a rangefinder. Rest assured though, every bag gets a proper workout and we try to include different weather conditions to push it to its limits. We also scrutinise each model’s unique selling points, so if a bag claims to be waterproof, we’ll head out in the rain or pour water on it to verify the claim. We leave no stone unturned.
We take great pride in our tried-and-tested review process because, as mentioned above, our reviews are written by golf fans, for golf fans. That means we call it exactly as we see it, drawing on our expert knowledge, hands-on experience and genuine passion for the game, all while staying true to our readers. No brand can “buy” a good review and no manufacturer receives special treatment. Our goal is simple: to give you honest, informed advice so you can make the best possible decisions when it comes to your golf purchases.
How to choose a new golf bag
Here are a few key factors to think about before buying a new golf bag:
1. Weight
If, like many of the Golf Monthly team, you prefer to carry your bag, then weight is a major consideration. The last thing you want is a sore back as you’re trying to keep your score together on the back nine. So choose a bag that’s lightweight enough to make walking the course easier and more enjoyable, but also sturdy enough to withstand the bumps and scrapes of regular play.
2. Comfort
There’s no point in carrying a bag that isn’t comfortable. Thanks to modern strap systems it’s now easier than ever to find a golf bag that sits snugly on your shoulders and evenly distributes weight. Look for padded, ergonomic straps and hip supports to make your round as comfortable as possible.
3. Strength
A good golf bag needs to strike a balance between lightness and strength. The structure of the bag, the durability of the straps and the sturdiness of the stand all play a role. The more robust the bag, the better it will protect your clubs from damage over time.
4. Storage
If you like to bring plenty of extras such as spare clothes, snacks, drinks etc then it’s worth paying close attention to the storage layout. Check how many pockets the bag has and whether it includes dedicated spaces such as a drinks pocket, valuables pocket or rangefinder compartment. A well-thought-out design makes life much easier on the course.
5. Waterproofing
For those who play in all weather conditions, waterproofing is essential. Some bags are fully waterproof, while others are simply water-resistant. There’s a BIG difference, so check the specifications carefully. A 100% waterproof model will keep your gear safe and dry during downpours, while a water-resistant one will only handle light showers.
6. Looks
While performance comes first, looks matter too. At Golf Monthly, we live by the motto: look good, feel good, play good. Choose a design and color scheme that suits your style as your golf bag is basically an extension of your personality on the course.
7. Budget
Finally, consider your price range. Golf bags are available at all budgets, from affordable models to premium options packed with features. The good news is there’s something for everyone, no matter whether you’re after top-of-the-line tech or just great value for money.
For more advice on purchasing top quality golf bags, check out our guides on the best golf bags for seniors, best women's golf bags, or best Tour golf bags.
FAQs
How many clubs should I carry in my bag?
That really depends on the type of game you play, the clubs you use most often and how you space out the distances between them. For beginners, 14 clubs (the maximum allowed) might feel like too many, while for more experienced players it can be just the right number to cover every yardage gap efficiently. Ultimately, it’s about finding the setup that best suits your swing, confidence and style of play.
Should I use a stand bag or a cart bag?
That really comes down to personal preference. Golfers who value mobility and like to walk the course will benefit most from a stand bag as it’s lighter and easier to carry. However, if you prefer using a trolley or tend to bring along more equipment, a cart bag is the better choice as it offers more storage space and is designed to sit securely on your trolley throughout the round.
What equipment should I carry in my golf bag?
Aside from your clubs, we definitely recommend packing a bag of tees, plenty of golf balls to see you through the round and some waterproofs in case the weather takes a turn. It’s also handy to bring along snacks, an extra jumper, a divot tool and anything else that might make your round more comfortable or enjoyable. For more ideas, check out our guide to the best golf accessoriesas you might find a few essentials you didn’t even realise you needed!