Golf Bags, Push Carts & Trolleys: The Complete Buying Guide

Your golf bag and the way you carry it might seem like minor decisions compared with choosing clubs. But they affect your comfort, your energy levels and even your score. Carrying a heavy bag over 18 holes leaves many golfers tired on the closing holes, while the wrong cart can make a walking round a chore.

This guide covers every type of golf bag and cart, the features worth paying for and how to match your choice to the way you play.

Types of golf bags

Carry bags (Sunday bags)

These are the lightest, simplest bags — often holding just 7 to 10 clubs. They usually have a single strap, minimal pockets and no stand.

Best for: quick nine-hole rounds, par-3 courses, practice sessions, travel, and golfers who enjoy a minimalist approach.

Stand bags

Stand bags have two retractable legs that pop out when you set the bag down, keeping it upright and your clubs dry. They typically weigh between 1.5 and 3 kg and come with a padded double strap that sits like a backpack.

Best for: golfers who walk and carry. A good stand bag is the most popular choice for regular club golfers.

Look for:

• a comfortable, adjustable double strap;
• a lightweight frame;
• four to fourteen club dividers;
• a waterproof valuables pocket;
• a rain hood;
• a stable, non-slip base and sturdy legs.

Cart bags

Cart bags are designed to sit on a push cart, electric trolley or riding cart. They are larger and heavier than stand bags, with more storage and pockets that are accessible when the bag is strapped to a cart.

Best for: golfers who always use a cart or trolley.

Look for:

• a cart-friendly base that locks into the cart;
• forward-facing pockets you can open while the bag is strapped in;
• full-length dividers to stop grips tangling;
• an integrated strap channel so the cart strap does not block pockets.

Tour (staff) bags

Large, heavy and highly structured, tour bags are designed for caddies and professionals. They offer lots of storage but are impractical to carry and too big for many cart setups.

Best for: golfers who want maximum storage and always ride in a cart.

Waterproof bags

Fully waterproof bags use sealed seams and waterproof zips. They are worth considering if you play in wet climates or through the winter. See our guide to playing golf in bad weather.

Club dividers: does it matter?

Dividers keep clubs organised and protect shafts and grips.

• Full-length dividers prevent grips from tangling and make it easy to pull clubs out — ideal for graphite shafts.
• Fewer dividers (such as four-way tops) make the bag lighter and less bulky.

Organise your clubs logically: woods at the top, irons in the middle, wedges and putter at the front. You will find clubs faster and spot a missing club immediately.

Walking vs riding

Walking a round of golf is excellent exercise — often 8 to 10 km and well over 10,000 steps — and many golfers believe it helps their rhythm and course strategy. Read more in is golf good exercise?. The right equipment makes walking far more comfortable.

Push carts (manual trolleys)

Push carts carry your bag for you while you walk.

Two-wheel vs three-wheel

• Two-wheel carts are lighter and fold small but must be pulled and can tip on slopes.
• Three-wheel carts are pushed, are more stable and usually more comfortable over long distances. They are the most popular choice today.

Features to look for

• Quick, compact folding that fits your car boot.
• A foot brake for slopes.
• Adjustable handle height for comfortable posture.
• Storage console for scorecard, phone, balls and drinks.
• Umbrella holder and scorecard holder.
• Quality wheels with sealed bearings for smooth, quiet running.
• Bag fit — check that your cart bag sits securely.

Electric trolleys

Electric trolleys carry your bag under motor power. You walk alongside and control speed with a handle dial, or in some cases remotely.

Benefits:

• Much less physical effort — ideal on hilly courses, for seniors and for golfers with back, knee or hip problems.
• More energy left for the closing holes.

Things to consider:

• Battery type and range. Lithium batteries are lighter and typically last 18 to 36 holes.
• Weight and folded size.
• Braking and downhill control.
• Distance-control features, which send the trolley a set distance forward.
• Course rules. Some courses restrict trolleys in winter or after heavy rain to protect the turf.

Riding golf carts

Riding carts (also called buggies) are motorised vehicles that carry two golfers and their bags. They are common on resort courses, in hot climates and on courses with long distances between holes.

Using a riding cart well

• Follow the course's cart rules — paths-only, 90-degree rules and areas to avoid.
• Never drive near greens or tees.
• Park on the side of the green nearest the next tee to keep play moving.
• Take several clubs when you walk to your ball, so you do not have to return to the cart.
• Drive safely — carts can tip on steep slopes.

Buying a personal golf cart

Some golfers who live on or near courses buy their own carts. If you are considering one:

• Decide between electric and fuel-powered models. Electric carts are quiet and require less maintenance; battery care is important.
• Check local regulations if you intend to use it on public roads.
• Inspect used carts carefully: batteries, tyres, brakes, steering and charger.
• Factor in storage, insurance and maintenance costs.
• Consider practical accessories such as weather enclosures, cool boxes, sand-and-seed bottles and lights.

Travel bags

If you fly with your clubs, a travel cover protects them in transit.

• Hard cases offer maximum protection but are heavy and bulky.
• Padded soft cases are lighter and easier to store; look for reinforced ends and wheels.
• Protect your driver head by removing it (if adjustable) or using a support rod that sits taller than your longest club.
• Check airline rules and fees before travelling.

Our guide to planning a golf trip has more travel tips.

Matching your setup to how you play

What to keep in your golf bag

A well-organised bag means you always have what you need without carrying unnecessary weight.

Every round:

• 14 clubs or fewer (count them on the first tee — carrying more than 14 is a penalty in competition).
• 6 to 10 golf balls of the same model, marked so you can identify them.
• Tees of two heights, ball markers and a pitch-mark repair tool.
• A glove and a spare.
• A towel and a small brush for grooves.
• A pencil, scorecard holder and a copy of any local rules.
• Water and a light snack.
• Sun cream, sunglasses and a cap.

Seasonal or occasional:

• Waterproof jacket and trousers, an umbrella and rain gloves.
• Warm layers, a beanie and hand warmers for winter golf.
• A rangefinder or GPS device, if you use one.
• Basic first-aid items such as plasters.

How to pack your bag

• Put the longest, heaviest clubs in the top section closest to the strap or cart handle.
• Put irons in sequence in the middle sections.
• Keep wedges and putter in the front sections, where you reach them most often.
• Use the largest pocket for waterproofs and layers, the insulated pocket for drinks, and the valuables pocket for phone, wallet and keys.
• Keep a separate small pouch for tees, markers and pitch-mark tools so you are not rummaging through the bag on every hole.

A balanced bag carries more comfortably and sits more securely on a cart.

Caring for your bag and cart

• Empty wet items and open pockets to dry after rain.
• Clean mud from wheels and frames.
• Check straps, legs and zips regularly.
• Store bags indoors, away from extreme heat.

Choosing a bag for juniors, seniors and women golfers

• Juniors need light bags sized to their clubs, with simple, comfortable straps. Many junior sets include a suitable bag. See the junior golf equipment guide.
• Seniors often benefit from the lightest possible stand bag or, more commonly, a cart bag paired with an electric trolley to reduce strain on the back and knees.
• Women golfers may prefer bags with shorter strap lengths, lighter frames and practical pocket layouts. Try a bag on with clubs inside before buying.

Bag and cart buying checklist

1. How do you get round the course — carry, push, trolley or ride?
2. Weight — lift the empty bag; every kilogram counts over 18 holes.
3. Strap comfort — padded, adjustable, evenly balanced.
4. Dividers — enough to protect your clubs and keep them organised.
5. Pockets — waterproof valuables pocket, apparel pocket, insulated drinks pocket.
6. Stability — stand legs or cart base that holds firm on slopes.
7. Folded size — will the cart fit in your car boot alongside the bag?
8. Weather protection — rain hood and water-resistant materials.
9. Warranty and spare parts — especially for electric trolleys.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a stand bag on a push cart?

Yes, most stand bags fit on push carts, though the legs can sometimes get in the way. Many modern stand bags have a cart-compatible base. If you always use a cart, a cart bag is more convenient.

How heavy should my golf bag be when full?

A full stand bag with clubs, balls and essentials typically weighs 9 to 13 kg. Remove unnecessary items — old balls, extra layers in summer, spare gloves — to save weight.

Are electric trolleys worth the money?

For golfers who play regularly on hilly courses, or who have physical limitations, they can make golf easier and more enjoyable and extend playing years. For occasional golfers on flat courses, a push cart may be enough.

The bottom line

Choose a bag for how you carry and a cart for how you walk. Walkers who carry will love a light stand bag with a comfortable strap; walkers who prefer not to carry should pair a cart bag with a push cart or electric trolley; and golfers who ride need a cart bag with forward-facing pockets. Get the setup right and you will finish your rounds fresher — and probably score better on the closing holes. For the small items worth keeping in your bag, see our list of essential golf accessories.

Related: remote-control and follow-me trolleys.