Best Golf Travel Bags Under $100 2023

Best Golf Travel Bags Under $100

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 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.  

Best Golf Travel Bags Under $100

The VIP II Premium travel cover made our 2022 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

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. 

Arguably the most storage friendly option in this list, the OutdoorMaster Padded Golf Club Travel Cover features a foldable design and a bullet shape that means it can be stored away for peace of mind. There is also a U-shape wide open zipper system, that allows for easy opening and closing, that further enhances its usability.

Along with storing it away, the product prides itself on its outstanding padding and the inline skate system make it easy to move around despite how much you can get inside. In short, you really get a lot of bag for your buck here, offering excellent value. 

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.

What to consider when buying 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

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.