Top 10 Best Golf Bags under 500

As a golfer, it is important to pick the best golf bag that will perfectly suit your golfing needs. There are different types of golf bags with different colors and styles that you can choose from. When I first started playing golf, I didn’t know the kind of golf bag to pick nor features to check on when purchasing the golf bag and I ended up buying an inferior bag that did not last long.

There are different types of golf bags with some designed specifically for professionals while some are designed for carts. Therefore, when shopping for a bag, you should be able to select one that matches your style of play. For example, if you prefer walking on the golf course while you’re playing your game, you should purchase a carry bag with comfortable straps and you will enjoy the game.

Our Top Picks

Product	Rating	Price
Sun Mountain 2018 C-130	Best Overall	See Amazon Price
Callaway GBB Epic Staff Bag	Best Staff Bag under 500	See Amazon Price
Taylormade Stratus Stand Bag	Best Stand Bag under 500	See Amazon Price
Titleist Golf Club Travel Cover	Best Golf Travel Bag	See Amazon Price
TaylorMade Tour 2018 Cart Bag	Best Designed Golf Bag under 500	See Amazon Price
Callaway Golf Rogue Staff Cart Bag	Best Golf Bag for Cart under 500	See Amazon Price
Sun Mountain ClubGlider Pro Travel	Great Golf Travel Bag with Wheels	See Amazon Price
Mizuno Pro Staff Golf Bag	Golf Bag with insulated beverage pockets	See Amazon Price
BELDING American Collection Bushwhacker	Best Custom Made Golf bag under 500	See Amazon Price
OGIO Grom Stand Bag	Best Ogio Golf bag under 500	See Amazon Price

There are a variety of golf bags on the markets and it can be overwhelming, stressful and time consuming for a buyer. I have made mistakes when buying golf bags and would not want you to waste your hard earned money to buy bags that will disappoint you. This article explores 10 best golf bags under $500 that will is worth your money.

10 Top-rated Golf Bags under $500

1. Best Overall: Sun Mountain 2018 C-130 Golf Cart Bag

See Amazon Price

This is a stylish and functional bag which will not break your bank. It comes with new features with improved design designs, best layout, and high-quality bag. The bag has a new strap system that attaches your bag with two Velcro straps to a riding cart.

Sun Mountain 2018 C-130 has 14 individual full-length club dividers which ensure that the clubs are protected from crowding and are well organized for easy retrieval. The bag has ten pockets which provide a lot of space which includes 2 full-length apparel pockets, a cooler pocket to put your beer or drink, 3 valuable pockets made of velour lining with forward facing pockets easily accessible when the bag is on a cart.

It also comes with a matching rain hood. With the single padded shoulder, you can carry it comfortably and be able to maneuver easily with 3 integrated handles at the top. It also features an umbrella holder, towel ring and integrated putter well.

What we loved about the bag

• 14 full-length club dividers
• 3 top integrated handles
• 2 velcro straps in the new smart strap system
• Accessible forward-facing pockets
• Matching rain hood
• Ten pockets
• Valuable velour-lined pocket
• A cooler pocket
• Integrated putter well

2. Staff Bag under 500: Callaway GBB Epic Staff Bag

See Amazon Price

This Callaway 2017 GBB Epic Staff Bag has been designed for golf pros and it meets all their needs. It is stylish perfect for you if you are fond of the green and white color. This staff golf bag is made of a high-quality leather material that makes it durable and features enough pockets for all your golf gadgets so you can hit the course with confidence.

This tour bag is easy to clean to ensure it remains shiny at all times. It holds the clubs perfectly without crowding or rattling and it is easy to move to your cart. The magnetic GPS pockets ensure that your bag cannot be stolen. It also features an integrated umbrella sleeve and full-length apparel pockets for maximum storage.

What we loved about the bag

• GPS magnetic pocket
• Integrated umbrella sleeve
• Full-length apparel pocket
• It holds the clubs well
• Durable
• Easy to clean
• Stylish

What we did not like

• It is only ideal for professionals
• This bag is heavy

3. Taylormade Stratus Stand Bag

See Amazon Price

This TaylorMade is a beautiful lightweight stand bag with many pockets to provide enough storage capacity to put all your golf accessories required for the course. It also has a cool beverage pocket to enable you to carry your drinks for the hot weather.

Its ball pocket can hold very many balls and is sturdy when placed down, therefore, cannot fall. This is also a carry bag since you can carry on your back while on the course and when put on the ground it automatically standout so it won’t fall. It has full-length dividers which ensure that your clubs do not crowd or rattle. With a redesigned shoulder strap, you can carry it comfortably on the course and it makes it durable.

This stand golf bag features an anti-split stand system. It also features a bottom trunk handle, cart compatible base, umbrella cord, towel loop and ball pocket which can be removed for customization. There is a valuable velour-lined pocket to ensure that all your valuables such as wallet, keys, phone etc are always safe.

What we loved about the bag

• Full-length dividers
• Insulated beverage sleeve pocket
• Sturdy when on the ground
• Anti-split stand system
• Redesigned shoulder straps
• Valuable velour-lined pockets

What we did not like

• It only has 6 pockets meaning small storage capacity

Specifications

• 5 pounds
• 12 x 10 x 36 inches dimensions

4. Travel Golf Bag: Titleist Golf Club Travel Cover

See Amazon Price

This Titleist Golf Travel cover is the best travel bag to have. It is protective, attractive and functional therefore worth the dollars. It is sturdy, lightweight and provides extra space for your shoes.

The bag has a big central zippered compartment capacity that and fit two stand bags or one staff bag makes traveling more easily. It provides full protection since it features a ballistic nylon base reinforcement that ensures it gives you indestructible and resilient support.

The zippers are premium coated to make sure they repel water and the premium Nexus buckles will secure contents. With the high-impact inline skate wheels, carrying it on a surface is much smoother and easier.

What we loved about the bag

• Perfect for traveling
• Water repellant coated zippers
• Full protection for your gadgets
• Inline skate wheels for smooth carrying on the surface
• Nexus buckles secure contents inside
• Large central zippered compartment to carry more than one golf bag

What we did not like

• It is too heavy hence not suitable for carrying but rather pulling on the surface

Specifications

• Weighs 11.5 pounds
• 51 x 16 x 19 inches

5. Great Design: TaylorMade Tour 2018 Cart Bag

See Amazon Price

TaylorMade Tour Cart bag made in 2018 is a 6-way velour top made of great quality featuring a design optimized for your cart. The design is made of great materials and you’re assured of its durability.

The cart bag features special pockets that have been designed to provide efficient and convenient storage in order to ensure that whenever you step out on the course, you will have everything that is required to play confidently. There are 12 pockets which provide enough storage capacity, 3 point shoulder strap to carry comfortably on your bag to the cart and zip off belly panel which ensures easy embroidery.  It is made of brushed perforated synthetic leather for durability. The bag also comes with an umbrella sleeve, towel clip, rain hood, and black gunmetal hardware.

What we loved about the bag

• 12 storage pockets
• Umbrella sleeve
• Rain hood
• Made of perforated synthetic leather
• Features zip off belly panel for embroidery
• 3 point shoulder strap for comfort

What we did not like

• Only 6-way top dividers
• Cannot be carried on the back but on a cart

Specifications

• Weighs 11 ounces
• 36 x 13 x 10 inches dimension

6. Golf Bag for Cart Use: Callaway Golf Rogue Staff Cart Bag

See Amazon Price

With a great design color combination, this Callaway Golf 2018 Staff cart bag has been designed with golf professionals in mind who use a cart. If you’re a beginner, there is no need to buy a stand bag and you can instead buy a beginner golf bag as you harness your skills.

This cart golf bag features 6-way top velour-wrapped dividers and a matching rain hood color perfect for you. The best staff bag is very sturdy, lightweight and its pockets are accessible even when on the cart. The pocket cover is easy to remove in case you want to embroil your name on it.

The umbrella sleeve is fully integrated to be ready for the rains and 9 pockets for enough storage with magnetic closure rangefinder and valuable velour-lined pocket to keep all your valuables such as phone, wallet, keys etc safe. Its balance base is perfect and the GPS pocket ensures that your bag can be easily found if stolen. Step out on the course with this golf bag and I assure you that you will never be disappointed.

What we loved about the bag

• Perfect balance base
• Valuable velour-lined pockets
• Magnetic rangefinder or a GPS pocket
• Fully integrated umbrella sleeve
• Matching rain hood
• Sturdy
• Lightweight
• Removable pocket cover for name embroidery

What we did not like

• Designed specifically for golf professionals

Specifications

• Weighs 8.8 pounds
• 10.8 x 12.5 x 37.2 inches dimension

7. Great Golf Travel Bag with Wheels: Sun Mountain ClubGlider Pro Travel 

See Amazon Price

If planning to travel with your golf bag, then this is perfect for you since it can fit a staff bag or two stand bags. This is perfect if planning to go and play on your trip and carry since wheels make airport maneuvering easy.

There are four internal pockets that ensure your clubs are well protected. It has stand-up rollers for easy pulling on any surface and integrated leg set to prevent any lifting and bending. This travel cover provides enough space to put all your golf gadgets plus your shoes. It also has 2-way heavy-duty zippers for easy access and dense padding of foam to protect the clubs and a lift-assist handle for easy transport and loading. This Sun Mountain Golf bag can be able to compactly fold for easy storage.

What we loved about the bag

• Perfect travel covers which fit one staff bag or two stand bags
• Full-length heavy-duty zippers
• Lift-assist handle
• Dense foam padding
• Folds for storage
• TSA approved lock
• Pivoting wheels

What we did not like

• It is specifically designed for traveling
• Heavy, therefore, cannot be carried for long

8. Golf Bag with beverage pockets: Mizuno Pro Staff Golf Bag

See Amazon Price

This Mizuno 2018 Pro staff golf bag is stylish, made of high-quality materials with 13 pockets for maximum storage. Such bags are designed for golf pros since they are heavy when empty.

It is a 5-way top cuff bag that will fit all your golf gadgets. It has insulated drink pouches so that you can carry your beer with you to the course to enjoy later after the game and other 2 full-length apparel pockets that provide maximum storage capacity.

What we loved

• 13 storage pockets
• Durable
• Insulated drink pouches
• 2 full-length apparel pockets

What we did not like

• Ideal for golf pros
• Heavy

Specifications

• Weighs 12 pounds

10. Custom Golf Bag: BELDING American Collection Bushwhacker 

See Amazon Price

BELDING USA based firm is known for high quality and durable products perfect for all golfers. The materials used are of high quality and the workmanship is explicit. This makes it unique from other golf bags making it worth the money.

This leather golf bag features a multi-pocket design which is made with harness leather and waxed with canvas, Ykk zippers, and detailed luxury luggage to give the bag an authentic design good for every golfer. It is good for a luxury golf and for travel luggage.

What we loved about the bag

• Durable bag
• Multi-pocket design
• Authentic design
• Made of harness leather
• Ykk zippers
• Perfect travel bag

10. Best Ogio Golf Bag: OGIO Grom Stand Bag

See Amazon Price

This Golf bag has a lot of spaces for storage which are easily accessible. The ogio golf bag is a 14 way stand top among performance that features a large putter pit and an integrated front handle for easy movement to the cart and easy maneuvering around the golf course. It is lightweight, sturdy, durable and of great style and color.

There are weather-resistant valuable pockets with fleece lining to ensure that all your valuables such as phone, keys, wallets and other important valuables even from the rain. It has a full-length suspension system that comes with a single shoulder stop to make it easy to carry comfortably. There is a low profile OGIO ball silo, easily access pocket and a zipperless ball pocket.

What we loved about the golf bag

• 14 -way performance
• Integrated front handle
• Large putter pit
• Easily accessible pocket
• Weather-resistant valuable fleece-lined pocket

What we did not like

• The ball pocket has no zip

Buying Guide for Golf Bags Under $500

5 Things that make a good golf bag

1. Tough materials your bag and the items inside the bag. If the bag is weak it means it is not good enough, therefore, your equipment will be prone to damage.
2. A bag with full-length dividers is necessary provides maximum protection to your clubs. After spending a lot in golf clubs, the last thing you would want is to have them damaged.
3. Good strap padding ensures that when carrying it, your back and the shoulders feel okay and comfortable. You may consider one with double padding.
4. Price is crucial to ensure you do not break your bank and at the same time get the best bag. There are good bags costing low price or mid-price that will never disappoint since all important features are there.
5. Consider customer service as this is the only way you will be assured of the bag’s durability. Good customer service ensures that warranty and services are met on time.

Importance of a good golf bag

Other than having a good golf bag, there is something which matters to every golfer. With a variety of bags with different colors and style in the market, you can choose one based on its features, style, and your favorite color. Some bags when placed down folds out its legs saving you the idea of bending down when picking it. Golf bags comprises golf club compartments to make sure they are well organized for easy retrieval. The idea of having tubes for protection of club grips is good since it makes getting your clubs out much easier. Your grips will last longer and will never tangle or overcrowd.

Consider the number of pockets a golf bag has to make sure it can hold all the gadgets you need. Choose a bag with a hood as it helps protect your bag and clubs from the rain. A pocket to put extra towel is crucial especially during summer to wipe your face or hands. Also, consider a bag with a pocket for storing extra tees and one for carrying enough golf balls. In case you are planning to play for many rounds such as 18 and a separate pocket for extra balls is a must.

Have you ever imagined how life could be stepping out on the course without a golf bag? How could you carry from home to the course because that would need a lot of hands to do so? It could be so messy and tiresome since you could be forced to stoop each time to pick the clubs, balls, tees, towels and divot tool. You would be forced to walk to where the ball is, put down the club and other stuff, and pick another club for hitting the ball then the process starts again. This could be painful, tiresome and impossible to go for up to 18 rounds. It is because of such instances that every golfer should avoid by having the best golf bag that will suit his needs.

Cleaning your golf bag

There are no special materials or cleaning kit required to clean a golf bag. However, you must maintain your golf bag properly to ensure its durability. In your daily cleaning routine, what you will be removing is mud, grass or condensation which is bad requiring you to carefully deal with it before drying the bag. You can use spot remover spray with a dry towel to remove the dirt, debris and any stains on the golf bag.

Can a golfer repair his own bag?

As much as you can, it is not recommended. The bag is meant to protect the expensive equipment and loading it too much might lead to tearing up. This must be solved immediately by calling on customer care on warranty and if it is expired, then you may consider buying a new bag since the safety of your equipment should come first.

How to Pick the Best Golf Bag for You

• Types of golf bags

The type of golf bags has a lot of influence on which bag you will pick and this will require informed decisions. It is an ultimate guide to finding the best golf bag that will suit your needs since it helps you understand all bags and who it is meant for. You should be aware of the type of bag you want and its function before purchasing one. The major considerations should be how easy it is to carry and how to store it. These types include:

• Staff bags

They are also known as caddy bags and are designed for professionals. They are expensive, heavier, big, bright and flashy to attract attention and most manufacturers sponsor tour players with these. They weigh 10 pounds and above when empty making it perfect for pros since they have caddies but for beginners do not attempt.

• Cart bag

These have been designed specifically for golfers who ride golf bags and do not intend carrying it. They are big and heavy to carry on your back. There are staff and traditional carry bags in this category. Avoid a staff bag if you are not a professional.

• Pull cart bags

Cart bags tend to be small and lighter compared to staff bags, therefore, easier to carry and cheaper. As a golfer, it will be good if you have a caddy to avoid getting tired or straining since it may weigh up to 7 pounds when empty. You can use a push cart or mount on the back of your golf cart since they have mounting wraps with rubberized, hardened and non-slip bottoms to keep them in place. They are bags that are spacious and accommodate all necessities. Also, you need a bag with easily accessible pockets when on the cart. This is perfect for you if you use a push or motorized cart and carry many gears.

• Stand bag

This is ideal if you love walking on the course. It is able to hold up to 15 clubs and provide small compartments. They weigh around 6 pounds making them lightweight and have retractable legs that open when the bag is stood on the ground, thus, providing balance. Make sure it is light and durable to have an uninterrupted time on the course. It has enough pockets to fit all you need for the game and handles on top to enable you to lift with backpack-straps to enable you to put on the back and distribute weight. With deployable tripods, the bag can prop up whenever you are taking a shot and reinforced bottoms to make it stand firm when placed on the ground.

Hybrid bags

These bags combine both carts and carry bags. They are large compared to carry bags and much heavier but are light to be able to carry. It features carry bag characteristics, has tripods and wraps to secure it to a push or golf cart. The pockets are also easily accessible when standing or on a cart.

2. Materials

The kind of material used to make a golf bag is something that should concern you. This is important to avoid the bag from breaking, ripping or leaking which may damage your equipment such as valuables, clubs, and other accessories. What you will never want to see is the bag falling when you are still not done with the rounds. Durable materials are very important. Choose a bag that is made of materials that are water-resistant and rip-resistant to protect your stuff. The lining of pockets is important. Pockets with Velvet lining are good for valuables and cooling capabilities for your drinks. It also prevents the phone from overheating during summer. One with an umbrella or hood slot helps keep the clubs safe when it rains.

3. Brand type

The brand name is also important in purchasing the best golf bags under 500. Brands that are well known tend to have stayed longer in the market and gives every golfer the confidence of buying their products as possible problems have been put into consideration. It helps to know if it is good or not.

Cart Bag Vs Stand Bag: Which is the best between a cart bag and a stand bag?

Every bag has its own benefits but knowing which is worth to buy is important. Both these bags can be used in any purpose apart from actual use. A cart bag provides a large storage space and is more cart friendly. It features double apparel space and locking systems as an enhancement of the cutting edge. It is ideal if you don’t love walking on the course. A stand bag comes with retractable legs to give it balance when standing up. It has a simple design compared to cart bags with the pockets being easy to access. They are comfortable carrying around for long, therefore, perfect for you if you love walking.

Can you have both? A Cart Bag and a Stand Bag

Definitely yes, especially now that hybrid bags featuring the features of both have been designed. This allows you to carry it on a cart and at the same time be able to stand it up since it has legs and is light.

Conclusion

The golf bags in this article are few among many that cost under 500. We narrowed them down to simply help you make an informed decision within a short time. Before buying a golf bag, we advise that you go through reviews to be able to know which kind of a bag you want for easy decision making. Ensure that the bag has important features for you to enjoy the game and boost your confidence when playing. We hope that from the 10 bags, you will find one that will suit your needs. Make an informed decision and enjoy the game.