Best Golf Travel Bags Under $100 2024
Do you have a golf trip booked away soon, but don't want to splash out on an expensive travel bag for your clubs? Well here, we have you covered
Best Golf Travel Bags Under $100: Quick Menu
1. The list in brief
2. Top pick
3. Best durability
4. Best budget
5. How we test
6. How to choose
7. FAQs
There's nothing better than a golf trip aboard. The drive to the airport, the plane touching down in a hot climate and the stunning golf courses that are ready to played on. Before getting on the plane though, there are a number of important factors that need considering, chief among which is how to protect your golf clubs. We all like to use our own golf clubs when going abroad because, let's be honest, we've all had or heard terrible stories of renting a set abroad.
That brings us to another problem though as, once again, there have been stories where you take your own clubs on holiday and, once they're checked in at the airport, they get damaged. This is either from the heavy-handed baggage handler, or the way they are stacked when put on the plane.
This is where a travel bag comes in, with the protection and padding it provides keeping your clubs safe. One slight issue, though, can be cost with some of the best golf travel bags costing upwards of nearly $500. Help is at hand though, as there are a number of options which are significantly cheaper than the premium models, but still offer fantastic performance.
In this piece, we have tested several models and we will take you through the best golf travel bags that are currently on the market for under $100, with fantastic models available for a small amount of budget. What's more, for those of you who need a travel bag, scroll down to our picks, but if you need other travel accessories, then take a look at our best golf luggage, and what to pack for a golf trip guides.
The Quick List
Top pick
The MacGregor VIP II Premium features a cover that can stand up to airport abuse, it’s easy to transport, and it’s an exceptional value at its price.
Best durability
We think this Bag Boy model offers outstanding value given the combination of price with the performance, protection and overall ease of use.
Best budget
A well-thought-out and user-friendly golf travel cover, the Ram FX travel cover has plenty of space and solid protection for golf clubs and more gear.
Best Golf Travel Bags Under $100
Why you can trust Golf Monthly
Top pick
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The VIP II Premium travel cover made our Editor's Choice List because it offers all the durable protection and ease of use of the Deluxe model, with a few extra features for added peace of mind. These include additional padding around the top of the cover, which increases the layer of protection for the clubs, while an internal support strap keeps clubs secure during transit.
Three heavy duty external straps provide a fail-safe seal on the cover and lockable dual zips add a final level of security that makes this travel cover very good value for money. There is also plenty of space to throw in the clothing and footwear that didn’t make it into your suitcase and, to give you an idea of how much space there is, there’s enough to accommodate a 49-inch driver.
- Read our full MacGregor VIP II Travel Cover Review
Best durability
Bag Boy T-460 Travel Cover
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
This Bag Boy T-460 Travel Cover is one of the best value models on the market at the moment. The cover is plenty functional with multiple handles, an easy-access lockable zip department, smooth rolling wheels and reinforced corners for added sturdiness. There is also added padding at the top and the internal compression strap helps stabilize the bag nicely during travel, while an external pocket provides space for things like shoes.
Finally, it is made with weather- and tear-resistant premium 600D nylon and, consequently, it really does offer outstanding value. The only slight negative we could find is that the design doesn't really stand out that well, so you have to be on the ball when it comes to spotting the bag in busy areas.
Best budget
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
A well-thought-out and user-friendly golf travel cover, the Ram FX is made from a very sturdy ripstop fabric with extra padding across key areas where the golf clubs would be. A large main compartment houses golf clubs and features one main strap to hold your clubs down once they are packed.
Exterior pockets include one perfectly sized for a pair of the best golf shoes and a similarly sized pocket we found useful for packing accessories like some of the best golf socks and belts. Additionally it may seem like a small feature, but we really liked the blue accents on the outside of the bag because it made it very easy to spot when a deluge of golf travel bags get dropped off at the oversized baggage section in the airport. Overall with a lower RRP than some others on this list, this bag easily represents one of the best-value travel bags on the market, but you aren't compromising on that much performance.
- Read our full Ram FX Golf Travel Cover Review
How we test travel bags
Our testing for golf gear is built upon a comprehensive process combined with the knowledge and expertise of the Golf Monthly test team. Our team usually attend product launches and then when it comes to our actual testing, we test products over a period of time that we can gauge the performance. For travel bags we do our best to use them when travelling which admittedly has been tricky over the past couple of years, but doing this allows to gauge performance in scenarios that you might face as well.
It should also be mentioned that manufacturers cannot pay for a good review and we make our conclusions from the testing and our experiences. This is because we strive to give the best reviews possible so you can get a greater understanding of the products themselves.
How to choose a travel bag
There are a variety of factors to consider when looking at travel bags and here we have discussed them. Let's start with protection.
Strength/durability
Above all else, a travel bag has to protect your golf clubs properly as well as be able to put up with general wear and tear of travel. As a result, the bag should be made from strong, tear-resistant fabrics, and they should also have some features to protect the clubs on the inside of the bag too like compression straps on the inside and outside, along with foam padding around the top of the bag. The wheels should also be strong and move properly.
Weight
Given you will be moving the bag around, weight is very important, especially if a model only has two wheels. Here a fine balance has to be made between lightness and strength because you don't want to compromise on either.
Maneuverability
Good models are also very easy to move around which means having wheels that slide well and can change direction properly. From a luggage perspective we would recommend four-wheels but with travel bags two-wheels work well because they can be laid on the ground easily.
Warranty
This is definitely a factor to consider if, god forbid, your clubs and golf gear are damaged or broken. We recommend checking with retailers and manufacturers themselves how long they offer on warranties.
Budget
Finally have a think about how much you want to spend on a golf travel bag. We think this is not an area to compromise on given they are designed to protect your golf clubs however we do think there are good models that don't have to cost an arm and a leg, as the above models show. That being said if you want to invest in premium models like the Sun Mountain Club Glider Meridian Wheeled Travel Cover, or the Ogio Alpha Travel Cover Mid, you can.
FAQs
What should you be looking for in a travel bag?
Strength and durability is your starting point. A good travel bag has to be strong and durable to put up with the general wear and tear of travel. This means being made of strong, tear-resistant fabrics, and also having some features to protect the clubs on the inside of the bag too like compression straps on the inside and outside, along with foam padding around the top of the bag. The wheels should also be strong and move properly.
Is weight important for a travel bag?
Given you will be carrying the travel bag around, weight is very important, especially if a model only has two wheels. Here a fine balance has to be made between lightness and strength because you don't want to compromise on either.
Good models are very easy to move around which means having wheels that slide well and can change direction properly. There are several excellent models above with more than two wheels and these are usually the best in this factor, but some two-wheel options move well too, such as the Sun Mountain Kube.
If you want more buying advice, why not take a look at our guides on the best golf net, or best golf mat as well.
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A golfer for most of his life, Sam is Golf Monthly's E-commerce Editor.
Working with golf gear and equipment over the last six years, Sam has quickly built outstanding knowledge and expertise on golf products ranging from drivers, to balls, to shoes.
He combines this knowledge with a passion for helping golfers get the best gear for them, and as such Sam manages a team of writers that look to deliver the most accurate and informative reviews and buying advice. This takes the form of buying guides, reviews, supporting gear content as well as creating deal content.
This is so the reader can find exactly what they are looking for, at a good price.
Sam now spends most of his time testing and looking after golf gear content for the website, whilst he is also responsible for all content related to golf apparel.
Additionally Sam oversees Golf Monthly voucher/coupon content which seeks to find you the best offers and promotions from well-known brands like Callaway, TaylorMade and many more.
Unfortunately, Sam is not a member of any club at the moment but regularly gets out on the golf course to keep up the facade of having a single-figure handicap.
Sam's What's In The Bag:
Driver: Cobra LTDxLS (9 degrees)
Fairway Wood: Ping G430 Max (15 degrees), Nike Covert Tour 2.0 (19 degrees)
Irons (4-PW): Titleist AP2
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 54˚, 58˚
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5
Ball: Srixon Z-Star Diamond
Shoes: G/FORE Gallivanter/Nike Air Zoom Victory Tour 3/Cuater The Ringer
(For off the course he goes for Nike Jordan 1 Low G shoes as well)
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