One of the most popular brands in golf since the 1960s and for good reason, Ping are a company who have set the benchmark for a lot of golf products over the years including golf bags.
Obviously they excel with their club production but it's easy to forget that they make some of the best golf bags money can buy. Their impressive offerings include stand bags, pencil bags and cart bags so whether you prefer to carry or take a cart, there are plenty of options available and, below, we have been taking a look at some of their best golf bags.
Before we get into our selections, we should note that a golf bag must do the basics well. This involves keeping your clubs protected from all weather conditions, providing ample storage for your golfing necessities, and also being comfortable to carry and/or push on a trolley. If it does these well, it is going to be a fantastic performer.
Along with Ping, there are plenty of other companies that offer an array of premium performing bags, with Golf Monthly producing guides on the best TaylorMade golf bags, best Sun Mountain golf bags, and the best Callaway golf bags.
The Quick List
One of the classics of the golf bag market space, the Hoofer provides effortless comfort, ease of use and plenty of storage for all you need out on the course.
The Hoofer Monsoon has all the benefits of the original hoofer bag but is catered to those who tend to play in wetter conditions.
The Hoofer - but lighter. The same comfort and quality feel remains, with Ping producing a sturdy, well-built golf bag designed for those summer walks around the course.
A super lightweight golf bag designed with the golfer who prefers to walk and carry in mind, delivering a pleasant user experience thanks to comfortable straps and a spacious four way divider.
Despite it's size, the Traverse cart bag provides loads of storage and organisation and includes 14 way dividers for all of your clubs.
The Ladies G Le3 Traverse bag is as stylish a cart bag that money can buy and is made with a highly durable fabric for a top quality feel.
Load the next 2 models
The Moonlite is ideal for those who want a quick nine holes during the week after work, coming in four more neat colors for added customization.
A well-trusted brand, Ping's Rolling travel cover folds down next to nothing, moves around easily and is made from a rugged, abrasion-resistant fabric.
Best Ping Golf Bags
Stand Bags
If the best golf bags had a Mount Rushmore, the Ping Hoofer would be in it. For years it has consistently offered the perfect blend of performance and style for golfers of all abilities and the latest version is no different.
Ping have added a slight redesign to the classic Hoofer, with handy inside pockets added. The carry strap is dead easy to adjust, whilst a rain cover is handily stored within the padding on your back. The Hoofer has always been one of the comfiest bags out there, and the well cushioned double straps and hip pad add to this comfort. Although slightly heavier than other bags as a result, it's still a fantastic golf bag to use. For those who want a more lightweight option, there are more from Ping in this guide!
- Read our full Ping Hoofer Stand Bag Review
Ping Hoofer Monsoon Stand Bag
The Hoofer has proven such a popular golf bag over the years than Ping have delivered mutliple variations of it to create an even wider appeal. The Hoofer Monsoon is, as the name suggests, the wet weather alternative to the standard Ping Hoofer stand bag or the Ping Hoofer Lite for golfers who play during the wetter months of the year.
The first thing that stood out to us during testing was the new sleek design. Six roomy pockets come with the Monsoon, four of which are sealed with waterproof zippers - but they are still easily opened, even with the bag on your back. There's ample room for tees, golf balls, drinks and snacks within these waterproof pockets and there is a handy waterproof valuables pocket, too. Because of the space, it means you can organize your golf bag very easily.
- Read our full Ping Hoofer Monsoon Stand Bag Review
Ping Hoofer Lite Stand Bag
Ping have taken the best parts of the Hoofer golf bag and stripped away some extra weight for a more pleasant carrying experience with the Hoofer Lite. Comfortable straps enhance the carrying experience and although I questioned the inclusion of only four dividers, I found that my clubs remained well organized during testing thanks to the space provided. None of my clubs got stuck when taking them out, not even my putter which has a thicker grip.
We really liked the big pocket down the side, which easily fitted a full set of waterproofs with space to spare, but the beverage pocket and golf ball pocket were a little small. However, these are minor concessions in a bag designed to be lightweight and easy to use. Pop in as many golf clubs as are legally allowed and a few necessary accessories in this bag and it's an ideal, lightweight companion and one of the best lightweight golf bags on the market.
- Read our full Ping Hoofer Lite Stand Bag Review
Ping Moonlander Stand Bag
This is a bag made for the dedicated walker, coming in at just over 2kg. Complimented by an excellent double strap, the Moonlander isn't as light as the TaylorMade FlexTech SuperLite and Titleist Players 4 Carbon bags we have tested which weigh just 1.4kg, but we found that the Moonlander has more thoughtfully executed pocket spaces than the two aforementioned options.
The four-way divider is surprisingly spacious and can carry all 14 clubs, although crowding could be a slight issue if you're a player who uses a thick putting grip. Although there isn't a full length apparel pocket, there is plenty of storage on offer in the six pockets available. Finally, the price is a massive green tick in our testing box - this is a very affordable bag at £149 RRP, much cheaper than the two bags I mentioned earlier. It's a very competitive price for such a stylish, comfortable and well-designed golf bag.
- Read our full Ping Moonlander Golf Bag Review
Cart Bags
Ping is renowned for creating some of the best golf drivers and best golf irons on the market, but what is perhaps most underrated in their arsenal is the quality of their golf bags and the Traverse Cart Bag is no different. The already lightweight bag has been newly designed to be even lighter at 5.5lbs, saving 0.5lb from the previous generation.
Despite the lighter weight, this bag doesn't compromise on quality, maintaining impressive durability through use. It's easily to carry when moving from your car or locker onto your trolley via both a front-facing lift handle and an integrated trunk handle. The 14-way divider also includes two larger spots for your putter, given the growing popularity of thicker, oversized putter grips these days - a common feature of some of the best golf cart bags.
- Read our full Ping Traverse Cart Bag 2022 Review
Ping Ladies G Le3 Traverse Cart Bag
This might be one of, if not the best looking cart bag money can buy right now. The white, blue and golf colour scheme really pops, and there's a reason the words 'Play your best' is written on the side - you have to look the part first!
11 spacious pockets are dotted around this bag, with Ping leaving no stone unturned when it comes to clever additions. Inside the apparel pockets are two slip pockets and on the outside are two more magnetic slip pockets. The other pockets are positioned neatly at the front of the bag for easy access including one for valuables and an insulated cooler pocket. It also comes with an umbrella holder and rain hood, plus, if you take your glove off when putting, there’s a Velcro attachment.
Durability is guaranteed with a premium feel to match, and we loved how easy it was to organise our clubs thanks to the 14-way divider during testing. Multiple grab handles mean it's easy to carry from your locker or car onto your trolley, and it's size means it fits like a glove onto the best electric trolleys.
- Read our full Ping Ladies G Le3 Traverse Cart Bag Review
Pencil Bags
Ping Moonlite Carry Bag
The lightest of the Ping golf bags and one of the best golf pencil bags out there, the Moonlite is ideal if you’re zipping out for a quick nine holes or even an evening round.
Pencil bags are generally seen as 'second bags' by most players, but with six pockets, a cosy spot for your water bottle and a 4 way rigid top section that helps keep your clubs separate, there's no reason the Moonlite can't be the common bag you use day-to-day.
We loved the standing strap during testing, which sits upright, ready to pick up whenever. It provides serious ease of use and means you don't have to break your back and bend over to pick up your bag after every shot. The dual straps can be converted into a single strap too, making it very versatile.
Travel bags
Travel bags don't have to be flashing, they just have to reliable. The rugged abrasion-resistant Rolling Travel Cover will give you the peace of mind that your clubs are safe as you travel with them overseas.
An outside pocket, six handles and a polypropylene base with wheels mean this is one of the best travel bags on the market, from a brand you can trust when it comes to quality. You also get a bag to store it in and it folds down very small. If you want a matching Ping golf bag inside, check out the best Ping golf bags on the market right now.
How we test golf bags
Our testing process for all golf gear, let alone golf bags, is rigorous and comprehensive. As far as our methodology goes, if we say we have reviewed a product, that means we have used it out on the golf course and put it through its paces in different conditions.
We test our golf bags across multiple rounds of golf across multiple courses to really put them through their paces. Due to the number of items we test at Golf Monthly, be that clubs, rangefinders, shoes and more, we're often on the golf course conducting our reviews and with that, we need a golf bag. Therefore, golf bags and shoes are often our most thoroughly tested category of golf equipment.
Dan Parker testing the Ping Hoofer golf bag
Each golf bag has a unique selling point and when we test said bags we really put this to the test. If a brand claims a bag is waterproof, our testers will brave the elements to test this out. It's the same for bags designed for carts, trolleys and more - it's an area we focus on to determine whether each items meets the expectations the supplier gives us.
It's important we make the point that our reviews are totally impartial and free from bias - no brand can 'buy' a good review, nor will any manufacturer ever receive beneficial treatment over another. Instead, we aim to deliver informed buying advice to our loyal readership because we have built over a decade of readers trust in doing so and that isn't going to change. We also know a thing or two about what makes a product good or bad so we simply call it how we see it!
How to choose a golf bag
Keep the following tips in mind if you're unsure about what avenue to go down in terms of finding the right golf bag for your game:
Bag Type
What kind of bag do you want? Stand bag? Cart model? Pencil bag? All of these types of bag have their positives and negatives and you should think about what you think is important to your golf.
Stand bags are built for those who want to carry their clubs around the golf course which means factors like comfort and weight are very important. The two negatives most associated with stand bags are they require more effort to use, and they usually don't offer as much storage as cart bags. However, that being said there are several stand bags above that can also be used on golf carts as well so maybe that is a way of killing two birds with one stone.
Cart bags are for those who want to use golf carts on the golf course. One big advantage we have found is that cart bags also tend to offer ample storage for accessories, apparel, valuables and all the other golf paraphernalia you might need during the round. The main negative is they are just bulkier and have to be taken off the cart before and after the round, whereas stand bags offer a bit more freedom.
Pencil bags are obviously very light and perfect for quick rounds but are obviously limited in terms of storage and how many clubs they can store too without things getting a bit too over crowded.
Storage
Different players will need different levels of storage. If you use one bag all year round, chances are you'll need a bag with plenty of pocket space. It's the same for those who like to brave the elements or live in a climate where the weather can notably change throughout the round.
Having enough space to carry that extra jumper or wet gear is important for those who need it, so make sure you get a bag that adequately fits your needs.
Waterproofing
In keeping with our point about storage, this point is especially relevant for those thick-skinned golfer who like to test themselves in all elements. If you live in Scotland or Ireland for example, having a waterproof bag is a great idea - it'll keep your valuables dry and safe whilst also keeping your clubs dry.
Weight
Different bags often in all shapes, weights and sizes. If you're a traditionalist and prefer to carry your bag on your back, we recommend going for a more lightweight option so you can be kind to your shoulder and lower back. Even if you use a cart or electric trolley, it could be worth checking out the weight of your bag before purchasing.
Looks
Looks are important. Some people don't care - a plain black golf bag will do them nicely. Other players may want a flashy, brighter golf bag to stand out from the crowd. Certain types of golf bags come in more colorways than others, so look into this before choosing a model you like.
Budget
Our final factor to consider is of course price. There are golf bags at every single price point so if you want to go for a premium cart model you can, or if you want a cheap stand bag you can also do that too.
FAQs
How many slots should a golf bag have?
There is no correct answer to this question, with it being a personal preference as to how many slots you should have. Some bags will offer 14 slots, one for each club, whilst others will have four or five. A 14 slot bag helps to keep the clubs separated from one another, whereas a four or five way divider keeps them more compact.
Should I buy a golf cart bag?
That is down to your preferences as a golfer but cart bags can be useful if you're the type of player looking for a little more space in your bag. They're also handy if you regularly use a buggy or cart and want to store your clubs on that cart or trolley.
What golf bag is best for me?
Once again it is personal preference as there are a number of factors that need to be considered when purchasing a bag. Firstly, if you prefer to carry your clubs instead of putting them on a trolley, then a carry bag is the one for you. However, if you do use a trolley, whether it is an electric or push, then your options differ. It now comes down to how much storage space you require, with Tour bags providing the most, but taking up more space.
