In an ideal world, every time we go to play golf we would be met with blue skies, warm temperatures and a gentle breeze. Unfortunately, we don't live in an ideal world, and weather conditions on the course can change for the worse very quickly. When the rain comes, you will want to be kitted out with some high quality waterproofs as well as some of the best waterproof golf shoes, because playing golf when you're soaked through can be a pretty miserable experience.
This guide will take you through all the great options available for golf bags that will keep your equipment dry when the rain begins to fall. These are not just the best waterproof models on the market, they are some of the best golf bags period.
With these waterproof bags, you'll not have to worry about valuable items in your bag getting wet so you can focus solely on your golf game. Whether it's a stand bag or a trolley bag, the best models will be constructed from waterproof fabric, have sealed seams and zippers and will come with a neatly fitting, easily attached rain hood. Waterproof stand bags should still be super-lightweight and comfortable to carry, while waterproof cart/trolley bags should be robust and stable, providing easy access to all pockets.
We've reviewed, compared and selected our favorite waterproof golf bags, which you can find below. If you want to expand your search, why not check out our buying guides for the the best lightweight golf bags and the best golf bags for seniors that money can buy.
The Quick List
The latest iteration of the classic Titleist StaDry, this premium bag offer robust and versatile practical features with 100% waterproofing to keep your clubs and accessories bone dry.
There is storage galore in the Dri Lite Hybrid Plus from Big Max, with this bag being versatile enough to carry or push on a trolley or electric cart.
This Ogio bag has slick but striking looks and is a highly functional waterproof bag with ample storage for all your golfing needs.
Sun Mountain are known for the quality of their golf bags, and the H2NO Litespeed tikes all the boxes needed. Lightweight, check. Storage, check. Looks, check.
The Ping Hoofer is a classic of the golf bag scene, and the Monsoon is an excellent option for those who play in wet conditions on a regular basis.
Stewart Golf's Nero cart bag is well crafted and highly functional with loads of storage space and a 100% waterproof exterior. Match with a Stewart trolley and you'll be in business.
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There's no need to pack light with the Big Max Aqua Sport 360, which comes with as much storage space as you could ever need in a cart bag.
A trolley targeting the female player who wants to keep her equipment dry, the H2NO Lite cart bag has ample storage to store all you need out on the course. It looks great and provides complete protection from the rain.
Best Waterproof Golf Bags
Stand Bags
There is much to love about the Players 5 StaDry bag from Titleist. Featuring a 5-way top, it's smart yet relatively simple look will certainly tick a lot of boxes for most golfers.
The 5-way dividers are smart and simple to help organize your clubs in the bag and aren't the only nifty, practical feature with this bag - one of the best Titleist bags available. It's a bag that boasts two external lined cooler poaches for beverage storage, a very spacious ball pocket and a Sharpie holder. Overall we found that there was ample space to store all of our necessities.
The standout feature of this bag though is the carrying experience which in our view is close to faultless. We tested this bag over 10 rounds of golf and at no point did the straps ever get tangled or twisted.
Add in the waterproof protection with seam-sealed zippers and lined valuable pocket, golfers will find this to be a reliable companion and vehicle for your kit on the course in all weathers.
- Read our full Titleist Players 5 StaDry Stand Bag Review
Big Max Dri Lite Hybrid Plus 2024 Stand Bag
The Dri Lite Hybrid Plus is the best bag if you are planning on playing golf in a monsoon, or even underwater because somehow, your equipment will remain dry. This bag is designed to hold firm in rainstorms that produce up to 78 inches of precipitation in a day - which is a lot of rain. It's easy to use and carry while still feeling lightweight and providing loads of storage.
The bag weighs around 2kg and we loved the dual strap system during testing. We found to be a breeze to carry and had no issues unfolding the legs of the bag as we placed it down. The 14-way divider in the bag might not be to everyone's taste, but without doubt helps organize your clubs in your bag. An added bonus of this bag is it will also easily attach to any of the best golf push carts or electric trolleys thanks to its flat bottom. Storage is not a problem as this hybrid bag comes with eight large pockets that give you all the space you are likely to need and then some.
- Read our full Big Max Dri Lite Hybrid Plus 2024 Stand Bag Review
Ogio All Elements Hybrid Stand Bag
Given the fact Ogio have named this bag the 'All Elements' you can imagine that performance in poor weather is pretty exceptional. Seam-sealed zips will ensure anything you bring out with you on the course will be safe from the rain in one of the bag's nine spacious pockets.
Ogio break the mould in eye-catching fashion with the fresh and funky design with this one, and we salute them for it. Too many golf bags have a simple, block color design, but the All Elements Hybrid is perhaps one of the coolest, most stylish and eye-catching bags out there.
The eight-way divider features a separate section for four big clubs and is the perfect way to keep your clubs organized and dent free. In testing, we felt this was one of the best Ogio golf bags that money can buy an if you're the type of player who likes to have all your clubs neatly organized but doesn't want to carry round a Tour bag, then this is a bag we would have no hesitation in recommending.
- Read our full Ogio All Elements Hybrid Stand Bag Review
Sun Mountain 2024 H2NO Litespeed Stand Bag
The H2NO Lite is one of the best looking golf bags on this list, with the unique and eye-catching color scheme providing a unique aesthetic in the best way. As a result, we think this is one of the best Sun Mountain golf bags on the market and a worthy inclusion on this list.
The quality of this bag is obvious from the first use. The TPU-coated waterproof fabric will mean no rain seeps inside the pockets - essential for keeping your valuable safe on those wet weather days. All the seams are taped and sealed and the high-quality YKK waterproof zippers further bolster protection.
The sturdy legs are lightweight and pop out easily when the bag is placed on the ground, while the divider in the middle of the velour-lined valuables pocket is a nice to avoid your keys scratching your phone or watch for example. After we tested this bag over several rounds, we found it hard to find a fault.
- Read our full Sun Mountain 2024 H2NO Litespeed Stand Bag Review
Ping Hoofer Monsoon Stand Bag
We featured the standard Ping Hoofer carry bag in our best golf stand bags guide and the waterproof version certainly matches it for performance and good looks. Featuring six pockets, four of which are seam sealed, this bag has plenty of storage and you will have room for whatever essentials you need. We particularly liked the 5-way reinforced divider which leaves the clubs with plenty of space and also provides good protection to prevent clanking as you walk around the course.
The looks match the performance, while this waterproof version adds another level of performance to already fantastic bag.
The shoulder strap features Ping's SensorDry technology to prevent water soaking into the straps no matter the conditions and those straps are easily adjusted from a backpack-style two strap to a single shoulder strap option.
- Read our full Ping Hoofer Monsoon Stand Bag Review
Cart Bags
Stewart Golf are expanding their range of golf options after building a reputation for making some of the best remote electric trolleys and best push carts out there. The Nero is the first premium cart bag offering from Stewart, with the bags specifically shaped and designed to fit onto a Stewart electric trolley. Therefore, in testing, we used the Stewart Vertx Remote trolley to get the optimum experience. Of course, it's not essential to use a Stewart trolley to match your bag, but after testing we concluded it would be worth the joint investment.
The no-nonsense, slick black look compliments the trolley nicely, whilst the all-black design will give you more longevity from your bag as it won't make nasty marks and scrapes from general wear and tear visible.
The Nero is made from a tour-grade synthetic leather so it's soft to the touch, looks premium and wipes clean really easily too.
We loved the large insulated front pocket because having testing hundreds of cart bags over the years, we've found so many to neglect the cooler pocket. The customizable zipped front panel can be zipped on and off in its entirety and can be personalized with some embroidery if you wish to.
- Read our full Stewart Golf Nero Cart Bag review
Big Max Aqua Sport 360 Cart Bag
The name of this golf bag is a dead giveaway for what it is designed to do - perform well in wet weather. It does just that. The bag is fully waterproof and delivers fantastic all round performance, with the standout being the sheer amount of storage space available. There are pockets the whole way around the bag and the extra space allows you to store things you probably wont need during your round, but want to bring just in case - umbrella, wet gear, and extra jumper etc.
In our testing we found that on the right push cart or electric trolley, where the bag sits away from the support frame, some of these rear pockets are still accessible.
The drinks cooler is big, which we loved, and can fit two drinks bottles and a couple of small snacks for on course nutrition. The double handles mean this bag is easy to carry and lift off your trolley into the trunk of your vehicle.
There is an oversized putter well that fits larger grips, while the 14-way divider is covered in soft, protective materials to prevent club crowding.
- Read our full Big Max Aqua Sport 360 Cart Bag Review
Sun Mountain H2NO Lite Cart Bag
Sun Mountain use a think, nylon fabric which we think is basically like a cross between one of the best golf rain jackets and a tent for ultimate protection from moisture. The H2NO deserves to use such a name because of how good it is in the worst of weathers, helped by a special coating on the surface which means water simply runs off the bag instead of staying on and absorbing into.
The zips and straps are cleverly taped for extra protection, but somehow this bag weighs less than 3kg despite all these fantastic features.
We like bags that stand out from the crowd, and the funky color schemes available with this bag (nine available) helped us fall in love with it. Looks are complimented with excellent attention to detail and clever design - like the full length club dividers to prevent shafts scratching together or club heads whacking off each other as you take your trolley over uneven surfaces.
There are ample pockets including a cooler pocket for your drink, a velour lined pocket to place your car keys, phone etc, as well as big side pockets for your waterproofs. There's even a little velcro patch on the outside of the bag where you can stick your glove if take it off to putt and don’t want to lose it.
- Read our full Sun Mountain H2NO Lite Cart Bag Review
How we test the best waterproof golf bags
Our testing process for all golf gear, let alone waterproof 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 also endeavor to use all the features on the golf bag, for example if the valuables pocket claims to be waterproof, we pour water on it to find out.
Here at Golf Monthly, we've tested thousands of different golf bags, golf accessories, clubs and more over the years - thus meaning we have a good idea what we're doing.
Our reviews are made for golfers, by golfers. There is no such thing as a brand or manufacturer 'buying' a good review, if an item is good, we'll tell you so. If it's bad, we'll tell you that also, but thankfully due to the increasing quality of golf equipment we don't have to do this very often.
How to choose a new golf bag
So what factors should you be considering when looking at purchasing a waterproof golf bag? We take a look below
Waterproof
If you play a lot of golf in the winter or in generally adverse conditions, it'll prove beneficial to invest in a waterproof golf bag. The bags on this guide are specifically designed more so for the tricky conditions of Scottish links golf than the desert golf of Arizona, so keep that in mind when searching for a new bag. This is also a factor to consider in other aspects of your golfing setup so make sure you have the best golf umbrella possible or best golf rain gear.
Stand/Cart
Do you use a trolley or prefer to carry your bag? Which ever you use, there are waterproof options catered to both.
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 but they do offer less weight and are easier to transport.
Cart bags are, you guessed it, designed for those who use manual or electric trolleys on the 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.
Storage
You'll likely need ample storage space for waterproofs and other items of clothing if you're preparing to play in adverse weather. Luckily, newer models of waterproof golf bags come with pockets specifically designed for different items you'll need on the course - apparel, golf balls, accessories and even cooler pockets for water or other beverages you take out on the links.
Looks
Importantly many brands have started to realize that we want our golf bags to look good as well as be functional. As such there are loads of unique designs and colors to choose from so it is a case of finding something you like the look of.
Budget
The final factor to consider is of course price. When choosing a golf bag you have to be aware of what you can afford because there are good models at every single price point, and of course there will be some more expensive and cheaper models which will offer differing degrees of waterproofing.
FAQs
Is it worth getting a waterproof golf bag?
Definitely! With the weather being as unpredictable as ever it is important that you know your equipment is going to be protected from a sudden downpour. If your grips and clubs get wet then it is nigh-on impossible to hold them when striking the golf ball.
Should I use a stand bag or a cart bag?
At the end of the day it comes down to personal choice. If you are somebody who likes to carry lots of necessities then a cart bag will be better for you. However, if you are someone who doesn't use a trolley then a stand bag better suited as it is lighter and easier to carry.
