Golf bags- stand or cart, and why?

[Rob Person]

As the topic suggests, do you use a stand bag or a cart bag? do you have a specific reason?

As i start diving deeper into the world of golf, I have noticed more and more of all the different bags I would probably like to own. I only have experience with my inherited 25 year old cart bag, and its got lots of pockets with ample space. Its in great shape too. But it is a tad heavier.

I have never walk played a course, and not sure if I ever will anytime soon.

My most recent obsession is with Ogio bags. There X top club divider is appealing , and the bags seem well constructed. 

Of course, before I get a new bag, I'd need a legitimate reason for buying one. (ie- new clubs!) 

Feel free to post pics of yours (or dont...lol)

[Owengeorge13]

Stand bag!  Think versatility!  I carry, but I do have a sun mountain push cart.  I bought a vessel Sunday bag (which holds 14 clubs, and looks like a regular sized stand bag) to walk with.  It fits in the pushcart and in cart perfectly!  Get a bag that does it all!  

[MattF]

I've always used cart bags but if I can get a 14 way stand bag I'll take it.

Word is wait for the new Callaway bags to hit, apparently they're probably going to be the best on the market when they're released next month.

[Josh Parker]

I have always liked the Ogio bags.  I really like the club set up of the OGIO 2023 Woode Hybrid Golf Stand Bag.

I know you mentioned you don't walk but with the ability to be a stand bag, works for the range. 

[Rob Person]

1 hour ago, Josh Parker said:

I have always liked the Ogio bags.  I really like the club set up of the OGIO 2023 Woode Hybrid Golf Stand Bag.

I know you mentioned you don't walk but with the ability to be a stand bag, works for the range. 

Yeah, that's a nice bag. Wonder if you can get it with a silencer top option, or add it to the bag after? There is a black/grey one on a pro shop here that really caught my eye. Just not quite ready to pull the trigger on it.  About to go read the silencer review thread in a minute too.

 

Edited December 20, 2023 by Rob Person

[Parshooter36]

I have always been a cart bag guy.  I am on a cart 99.9% of my rounds.  On the rare occasion that I do walk I use a push cart, so I never saw the need for a stand bag.

[Rob Person]

11 minutes ago, Parshooter36 said:

I have always been a cart bag guy.  I am on a cart 99.9% of my rounds.  On the rare occasion that I do walk I use a push cart, so I never saw the need for a stand bag.

That was my thought process too...lol 

[tdc1]

Majority of my rounds are with a push cart, so my primary bag is a Sun Mountain Sync -- 14-way divider, no stand, single strap (used once just to make sure it worked).

Off-season is a small carry stand bag that fits a half-set of clubs (Sunday Golf El Camino - my unofficial review is on the forum: 

 

Edited March 29 by tdc1
Added link to unofficial review

[oldguy819]

I've been golfing 63 years. Obviously seen much evolution in golf and equipment.  First "SET" was a Bobby Nichols leather grip forged hand me downs.  Now it's the Titleist T 300 and thinking about the new T200's.  Many drivers.  Many woods and not surprisingly, many bags.  Open tops, 3 dividers, tubes.  Plastic. 1 leather. A few "Tour (Logo) Brand" tour bags.  HUGE MOTHERS.  The last 8 years or so I've turned to "Cart" bags.  I'm 70 years old.  The days of walking (let alone carry) my clubs are long since past. There are 2 main reasons I like the cart bags. The first is, all the compartments face the same way. Easily accessible from the cart without having to remove the bag. Second are the handles at the top or opening. In and out of the trunk or vehicle made easier. AND I've gone with the individual club sleeves. Makes the club selections in and out of the bag MUCH easier.  One thing I will stand by though is this. You get what you pay for. Buy cheap. Get cheap. Buy quality and you get something that lasts more than a season or two.  REGARDLESS what equipment you buy. I don't have the money to get new "STUFF" every year. When I do I make sure it's quality so it lasts

[Mez57]

I love all the room in a cart bag, but that's the problem also.  I have switched to a stand bag with a 6 way top.  It's lighter and it causes me to be strategic with what I bring with me on the course.  I travel with my clubs and the stand bag with a smaller top fits better when I travel with my clubs and my wife's clubs.  The 6 way makes it easier to take several clubs out when cart path only conditions.  The cart bags with individual slots tend to grab the clubs as they begin to age.

[SeniorGolfer]

I have used a Sun Mountain Sync 14 way cart bag to go with my Sun Mountain push cart. Three years ago I switched to a Clicgear 4.0 push cart and also switched to a Ping Hoofer 5 way stand bag I switched bags principally because the range at my course does not have bag stands, so I had to set up my cart and wheel it over to the range. With the stand bag I just carry the bag to the range. I am talking about range practice sessions, not pre round warm ups. 

[mgatesjr]

I've always had stand bags.  I walk and carry 60-70 rounds a year, so a cart bag would only be an option for me if I was some sort of masochist (I'm not).  I've used Sun Mountain bags for the past 10 years and love them - very light, durable, and comfortable.

[Jeremy26]

16 hours ago, Rob Person said:

As the topic suggests, do you use a stand bag or a cart bag? do you have a specific reason?

As i start diving deeper into the world of golf, I have noticed more and more of all the different bags I would probably like to own. I only have experience with my inherited 25 year old cart bag, and its got lots of pockets with ample space. Its in great shape too. But it is a tad heavier.

I have never walk played a course, and not sure if I ever will anytime soon.

My most recent obsession is with Ogio bags. There X top club divider is appealing , and the bags seem well constructed. 

Of course, before I get a new bag, I'd need a legitimate reason for buying one. (ie- new clubs!) 

Feel free to post pics of yours (or dont...lol)

It has to have 15 full length dividers, and a cooler. Those are my requirements for a bag. I only ride, but I still like the stand for parking lots, putting greens, etc... I looked at all the new bags this past spring, and for me the Ping Pioneer was far and away the best one. It doesn't come with a stand, but I grabbed an after market one from eBay and put it on. Works awesome. I get the benefit of a big cart bag, but the versatility of a stand bag.

[DaveP043]

I've used stand bags for the longest time, even though I almost never carry any more.  I ride some, and I use a motorized trolley some.  I had a Ping Hoofer from 2015 that I just replaced with a new Ping Hoofer.  I don't like 14-hole bags for myself, I don't need any more storage than the Hoofer has, and I like having the stand for general purposes, setting it down at the range, or at the back of the car, whatever.  The Hoofer isn't the smallest or lightest stand bag available, I think its a good compromise for me.

[Joseph Watts]

I use a cart bag. I usually walk while my partners drive, so I just put it one of their carts. The extra space for all the gear is primarily why. Alignment sticks, launch monitor, speed stick, Tour Aim, rain gear all fit without me having to take it all out each time to play. Cheers

[saz0418]

I have used both carry/stand bags and cart bags.   I have 3 or 4 in the garage, right now.   I do sometimes throw a half-set into my light, carry bag and walk.   I have had really nice cart bags that have a ton of pockets-- but without the stand they are impractical.  They don't stand at the range.  The wind blows them over easily.   They are large and bulky to handle.   

My go-to bag, currently (the one I use 90% of the time) is an OGIO Woode Hybrid 8 Stand Bag.   It is the only bag I have found with the (unique) 8-way divider.   I use mid-size grips-- but even without those I just don't like the 14 way top.  So this 8-way arrangement is a nice compromise.  

I would love a cart bag with a stand that does NOT have a 14-way top.   I don't think they make one, so this is the closest I have found.   I found mine on a smoking-hot online deal-- $249, but $100 off.  That made it sort of a no-brainer.   This one also has magnetic-snap closures for the valuables pocket, and on the front of the ball pocket (for easy entry).   

If I was going to replace mine, today, this is  absolutely the bag I would go with.   Nice in-between size, more than enough pockets, love the 8-way top, fold out stand, not too heavy, easy carry handles and grips, nice color options.    

The only thing I would add is a full length pocket for the umbrella and a separate external tube for the putter.    But this is the closest to perfect (for me) that I have found. 

[vandyland]

I go back and forth on this since I walk with a push cart most of the time. I like having the stand utility (and I just think it looks waaay better than a cart bag), but that is just vanity. Same with the dividers, I had a bag that had a 14 way divider and just didn't like the way it looked so I went back to a 4 way, again vanity. 

My solution is that I have an old macgregor single strap carry bag that doesn't have any stand mechanism. It only has a 3 way top but kind of operates as a cart bag/stand bag hybrid. 

[ZJeb67]

I have a stand bag from Costco, but I think Santa is bringing a cart bag this year.
Hope it's not coal instead

[Jim N]

Stand bag, also from Costco. I walk using a pushcart, and it's big enough to carry all the stuff I need, but won't fall over in the parking lot or garage when I'm not on the course. There is one executive course near a friend's house where you almost have to carry that I play once in a blue moon, too, and I'm too lazy to swap everything around if I'm going to visit him and play.

[GolfSpy_APH]

Both and because I can! Haha

[GolfSpy_KFT]

I am cart all the way, solely because the only golf I play currently is cart golf. With a 6 & 4 year old who both like to join me on the course, walking just isn't an option.

When my boys are older, though, I'll be buying a stand bag so that we can do some of both! 

[FrogginBullfish]

I'm currently using a hybrid bag but as I've recently switched to jumbomax grips, I might need to upsize as it's a bit of a tight fit at times.

[Big moose]

Cart because everyone I golf with is too old to walk. And I have a bad hip.

[dnjoyce]

Stand bag - walk all of the time in Ireland (motorised cart). One major downside of most stand bags is the umbrella holder being a silly lace loop that catches on the umbrella - the umbrella sleeve on carts bags is much easier when you need your umbrella out pronto!

[Byrnzee]

I've also always had a stand bag. My dad refuses to ride, so riding bags growing up were out of the question  I walk fairly often and like the versatility and the look of a standard 4-5 pocket stand bag.

I currently have a standard Sun Mountain stand bag, but am looking to switch things up in 2024 hopefully - potentially with something like a Ping Hoofer. Although my current bag is still in decent shape, I've had it for about 10 years and I'd like to get something with a less protruding kick stand as I've been using a push cart more in the past year. 

[tdroma98]

I'm pro stand bag.  Since I practice a lot, I find the stand bag to be easier around the practice green & range. The only drawback of the stand bag is using on push carts, they don't fit as well as a cart bag.  The bottom of the stand bag has the lever sticking out which enables the legs when you put on the ground. Some push carts just don't accommodate that bag feature, although my BagBoy Quad XL cart is ok with it. As @dnjoyce stated the umbrella sleeve does catch a bit. 

 

[Evendale_Rob]

I like a stand bag, I am begining to walk more and spend a lot of time at the range, but the limiting number / space of pockets is a drawback.  I have been looking at the PXG Hybrid Stand Bag.  I like the size and number of pockets, as well as the 6 way divider at the top.  Drawbacks for me are the price and the single carry strap.

Anyone have any guidance on how well the single carry strap works vs an over both shoulders 4-point carry strap system?

Any other suggestions as  on other bags to look at?  Thanks

[FrogginBullfish]

20 minutes ago, Evendale_Rob said:

I like a stand bag, I am begining to walk more and spend a lot of time at the range, but the limiting number / space of pockets is a drawback.  I have been looking at the PXG Hybrid Stand Bag.  I like the size and number of pockets, as well as the 6 way divider at the top.  Drawbacks for me are the price and the single carry strap.

Anyone have any guidance on how well the single carry strap works vs an over both shoulders 4-point carry strap system?

Any other suggestions as  on other bags to look at?  Thanks

My hybrid bag is the PXG hybrid bag. The single strap is definitely a downside for me. I don't walk when I play currently due to a foot issue but the single strap would bug the heck out of me if I was carrying the bag. It is removable via clips though and there are four clip in points if I recall correctly so might be swappable to a dual strap system.

It's a good bag otherwise, imo. Lots of pockets and storage space.

The bigger concern for me with it ATM is my jumbomax grips lol

[Gmangolfr]

I use a cart bag as well due to not walking as much as I should and when I do I use my trusty Clic Gear push cart with the Alphard Electric conversion. I got the original version off of the Kickstarter and I am looking to upgrade that to the Club Booster V2. I like the amount of storage that the cart bags offer. I am also looking to upgrade that to one of the newer models that has some sort of club support to keep my new P770 Phantom Black irons from damage.

[Logster168]

I have always gone with a stand bag because I enjoy the versatility that it provides. I would say that I am split 50/50 between walking and riding, so it would be very difficult for me to have a cart bag.  I have recently switched to having a push cart when I walk (to make it easier on my back), and I think the stand bag works a little better with a push cart because they angle back towards the handle of the push cart.  Whereas a cart bag angles towards the front pocket and away from the handle.  With that being said, the stand bag has significantly less storage.  I personally don't like having individually pockets for each of my clubs like most cart bags have; however, that is just a personal preference. It does cause the clubs to rattle in my bag more when I am riding in a cart.

As you continue to dive deeper into Golf, I would recommend walking more because it always you think about what you're doing more. I find I play better and smarter when I walk because I am more critical about my game. That's just my personal opinion though.

I currently have a Taylormade bag, but I have also used Srixon and Sun Mountain. The Taylormade seems to be the best quality, but the Sun Mountain was significantly lighter.

Edited December 20, 2023 by Logster168