The Best Budget Golf Bags for $200 or Less

There are lots of great golf bags available these days. For the most part, you can expect to pay $300 or more for a quality golf bag. My personal favorite, which I think is the best overall bag on the market, is the Ping Hoofer. It retails for $275, which is actually a really great value.

If you want something a little flashier perhaps, like the Stitch SL2 Gen 2 or Vessel Player, however, that will set you back between $398 and $469 respectively. No problem if you’re not on a budget, but what if you want to check out the best budget golf bags? The truth is you don't have to spend nearly that much for something to hold your golf clubs.

There are certainly cheaper options, much cheaper, in some cases. If you look online, at Amazon or eBay, for example, you can find plenty of golf bags by brands you might have never heard of for less than $100. Some of them might be serviceable. Some of them, maybe not. You often get what you pay for and low-quality cheap golf bags tend to fail quicker than you’d expect. Broken zippers and stand mechanisms tend to put these bags into early retirement.

But you can find bargain bags that have decent quality and many features you’d find on average-priced bags and even some of the higher-priced models. In fact, you can find budget bags in every category. 

We consider bags that cost about $200 or less to be “budget” picks, and we found eight quality budget golf bags that we recommend. Sure, most of these don’t have magnetic pockets, and none are leather, but if you’re looking to save a little cash – which you might be able to spend elsewhere on a new wedge, golf balls, or even a lesson – you’ve got options. 

Here’s a guide to some of the best budget golf bags, whether you’re looking for a cart bag, a hybrid bag (which can be easily used on a cart or when walking), or one that’s designed to be carried.

Pros:

• Easy to carry
• Insulated drink pocket
• 1-year warranty

Cons:

• No magnetic pockets (which is nice for a rangefinder)

This lightweight carry bag from MacGregor is all you need if you’re on a budget. Sure, it might not be the best option if you ride all the time, but it’s easy to lug around, whether you’re talking about storing it, putting it in your trunk, carrying it out to the course, or carrying it on the course.

It has plenty of standard features, like an easy stand mechanism, hip pad, valuables and apparel pockets, and a cooler pocket that can hold up to three canned drinks. There’s also a velcro glove holder, rain hood, umbrella holders, tee holder, and buckle for a golf towel. It comes in several colorways and carries a 12-month warranty, all for $110.

Pros:

• Fairly versatile for walking or riding
• Grab handles on top and bottom
• Insulated drink pocket

Cons:

• No magnetic pockets for rangefinder

If you’re looking for a little bit of brand recognition on your golf bag with lots of features, the Mizuno BR-D3 Stand Golf Bag is an excellent choice. Like pretty much all the bargain bags, there are no magnetic pockets, but Mizuno included pretty much everything else, all for just $200.

Features include a 4-way top, grab handles up top and below to make it easy to get in and out of the car, a nice strap system, hip pad, quick stand mechanism, and lots of pockets, including an insulated drink pocket. There’s also a fleece-lined valuables pocket, a full-length apparel pocket, and a large, removable ball pocket, which you can personalize with embroidery or a patch if you like.

Pros:

• Bold look
• Unique features
• Lots of storage space

Cons:

• Maybe a bit too loud for some golfers

I’ve always loved the bold look and unique designs of Ogio bags. They harken to Ogio’s backpack and outdoors roots. For the most part, you can spot an Ogio bag a par-5 away, but it isn’t just about the looks. Ogio bags are very functional as well, and the Fuse Stand Bag is no exception. 

For starters, the Fuse bag comes with a new over-molded 4-way top, six front-facing pockets, a rapid-access snap fleece-lined valuables pocket, and water bottle pocket that features a drainage port. It also features a wide foam molded double shoulder strap with Ogio’s unique Fit Disc self-balancing strap system. There’s also a ball silo that holds three balls outside for easy access, as well as a velcro glove patch, and umbrella holder. Even better, Ogio currently sells this bag for less than $175.

Pros:

• Very versatile bag that works well on push carts
• Oversized insulated beverage pocket
• Molded driver and putter wells

Cons:

• Some may not prefer 14-way divider top

If you’re looking for a great all-around golf bag at a great price ($190), then the Datrek Go Lite Hybrid Bag might be the right choice for you. One of its cool features is called TOP-LOK Technology, which is a bag-to-cart attachment system designed to fit with Bag Boy push carts. (Bag Boy bags have this, too). If you have the right cart, it means the bag fits perfectly with the cart and won’t twist as you make your way around the course.

Of course, the Datrek Go Lite Hybrid Bag has plenty of other features, too, including a 14-way top with an EVA molded putter well and driver well. There are six zippered pockets, including an insulated beverage pocket. The base works well on a cart and push cart, as well as for walking as a stand bag. Finally, the rain hood has dual access, which makes it easier to get to clubs during inclement weather. 

Pros:

• Hybrid bag that works well on carts, push carts, and walking
• Plenty of storage space with 11 pockets
• Cart strap pass-through

Cons:

• 14-way divider top is not for everyone’s liking

Probably best as a cart bag, the Maxfli Eco Tour Stand Bag, is a versatile performer with lots of room. It has a 14-way divider on top, plus 11 pockets, which means you’ll have room for everything. Constructed from recycled material, it also has an insulated cooler pocket as well as a water bottle holder.

The reason I love this $150 Maxfli Eco Tour as a cart bag is that like the Ping Hoofer, it has a cart strap pass-through under the upper pockets. That means you have unimpeded access to everything when it’s on a cart. But if you do carry, it comes with a dual strap and hip cushion. And, of course, it works well with a push cart, too. 

Pros:

• Incredible value with all the standard features
• Scorecard slot is a nice touch

Cons:

• Not the quality of some of the other bags on this list

The best bargain on this list might be the Top-Flite Gamer, which can be had for pennies under $100. It’s a basic bag that will work in just about any circumstance. And it’s perfect for beginners.

It has seven pockets, including a large garment pocket, beverage cooling pocket, and velour-lined valuable pocket. The Gamer also has mesh straps, so you can carry it. There are also scorecard and pencil slots, and a towel ring and a glove holder. For the price, it’s hard to beat, but it probably doesn’t match the craftsmanship and quality of some other bags that cost a little more. 

Pros:

• Integrated cart strap loop
• Magnetic rangefinder pocket
• Large insulated beverage pocket

Cons:

• No carry strap

If you always ride, you can’t go wrong with the Tour Edge Hot Launch Xtreme 5.0 Cart Bag, especially for less than $150. It has all the standard features, plus a couple of things you wouldn’t expect in a bag at this price.

One of its best features is the magnetic, quick-access range finder pocket. I like this because being able to keep it there lessens the chances of forgetting the rangefinder in the cart. It also has an integrated cart strap loop, which means you’ll have easy access to all the pockets. Other features include a 14-way divider, two large garment pockets, two waterproof, velour-lined pockets, and a large insulated beverage pocket. A towel ring, velcro glove holder, and rain hood are among the other attributes.

Pros:

• Extremely light, especially for a cart bag
• Lots of storage space

Cons:

• No stand or double strap

At $150, you’d be hard-pressed to find a cart bag with this much space and utility. You also won’t find a cart bag that’s nearly this light. At under four pounds empty, the IZZO Ultra-Lite Cart Bag is lighter than many of the stand or carry bags on the market. This makes it easy to transport from your car to the golf cart or the range.

While the golf bag is very light, there is plenty of storage with six pockets, including one large pocket on each side for plenty of extra gear like outerwear, a small launch monitor, and a tripod for your phone, if you like. The bag also comes with a valuables pouch, large ball pocket, 14-way divider, umbrella holder, and rain hood. There’s no double strap or stand, so it’s definitely best for carts, including push carts.