8 Best Golf Stand Bags: Carry & Hybrid Options for Easy Walking

If you only have one golf bag, it should be a stand bag.

If you’re walking, you have to have a stand bag. But if you ride most of the time, or even all the time, a stand bag is still a good choice.

The reason? There are several. Stand bags are easier to get in and out of your car, take to the range, set up during practice, and most of them work just fine on a powered golf cart or a push cart.

If you have more than one golf bag, then perhaps a cart bag should be part of your repertoire, but it’s safe to say the stand bag (including carry and hybrid bags) are a staple.

Of course, not all stand bags are the same. Some are more suited for carrying. Those need to be light and have a super comfortable and adjustable strap system. Being waterproof, or at least water-resistant, is a nice feature, too. Walkers tend to be more resilient golfers and they often play in adverse weather conditions, whether that’s just for fun, in a competitive tournament, or checking off bucket-list links golf in the UK or Ireland.

Hybrid bags are bigger and slightly heavier stand bags, meaning they can work as a carry bag, but also do well on a push cart or powered cart. 

So is a hybrid bag better than a carry bag? Here’s where you need to consider your needs. If you play a great walking course and love to carry, a light carry stand bag is necessary. On the other hand, if you play a lot of different courses (some require powered carts), or you mostly use a push cart, a hybrid bag is probably the best choice.

Fortunately, I’ve been able to try out just about every kind of bag over the years, from super lightweight carry bags to big cart bags. Personally, my everyday bag is always a versatile stand bag.

What follows are my picks for the best stand bags of 2025, whether they are carry or hybrid bags.

Pros:

• Well-balanced with superior strap system
• Cart strap pass-through
• Two magnetic water bottle pockets and magnetic rangefinder pocket

Cons:

• Clubs, especially with larger than standard grips, may not go in and out as easily as with some other brands

While I still contend that the regular Ping Hoofer, which has evolved over the last few decades, is the best overall golf bag on the market, the new Ping Hoofer Tour is super intriguing. It’s definitely a little more substantial than the regular Hoofer, with a vinyl, leather exterior that gives it a little more of a premium feel (and price at $370). 

The Hoofer Tour, in addition to standard features, has two magnetic water bottle pockets, which makes it easier to stay hydrated on the course, whether you’ve got a caddie, you're carrying this bag yourself, or putting it on a cart. 

A full-length apparel pocket among the 10 pockets means you can always store enough outerwear for changing conditions on the course, and I’ve always felt the strap system is among the most comfortable of any bag on the market.

Pros:

• Newly designed internal compression bottom
• Comfortable dual strap system
• Lots of storage space

Cons:

• Might not be the best choice if you mostly ride

Missoula, Montana-based Sun Mountain has always had a reputation for great stand/carry bags, and the new Eclipse E-Series is a solid choice in many ways. It’s a well-balanced bag with plenty of storage for everything you need. The E Series 3.5 has 11 pockets with a capacity of 21.8 liters.

Perhaps the most innovative feature is the new Internal Compression Bottom.  Instead of the standard foot mechanism that activates stand bag legs, the new E Series uses a unique, two-piece hinged bottom in its place, which is easier to activate when used as a carry bag and also more cart-friendly when the bag is used on riding carts or push carts. In addition, the bag now has duratech mesh shaft protection. The E-3.5 also comes with a choice of tops – a four-way and a 14-way top.

Pros:

• Super lightweight
• Sleek compact design

Cons:

• No magnetic rangefinder pocket
• Not the best choice for golfers who mostly ride

Callaway’s lightest stand bag to date, the new Hyperlite Zero, is just as its name sounds. It’s really light, easy to carry, and has a sleek, clean look, perfect for those who want to carry on the course.

For a bag this light, it also has plenty of storage space with nine pockets. We also like the “anamatic” shoulder strap system, which seems to self-adjust and is very comfortable. It comes with a four-way top, and the stand mechanism works very well. Perhaps the only drawback is that it doesn’t have a magnetic rangefinder pocket, but more and more rangefinders these days are coming with their own magnetic cases, which you can easily attach to the golf bag. 

Pros:

• Classic Titleist look
• Lightweight
• Waterproof

Cons:

• No magnetic rangefinder pocket

There’s something about that classic Titleist look, even if you’re not playing Titleist clubs or balls (though we suspect if you have this bag, you’re probably at least playing the balls). More than that, however, the Players 5 StaDry Stand Bag really is a great bag on several levels.

First off, it’s fairly light at just 4.4 pounds, which combined with its comfortable strap system and balance, makes it a good carry bag. It also works fairly well on a cart, so it’s certainly versatile. 

Because it has a StaDry waterproof construction and seam-sealed zippers, this is a bag that would work well for Bandon Dunes or links golf across the pond. The bag also has plenty of storage space that includes a full-length apparel pocket for extra outerwear.

Pros:

• Great looking bag
• Loads of storage space
• Velvet-wrapped dividers to protect clubs

Cons:

• Perhaps a little heavy for carrying

Like its belts, apparel, and golf gloves, the bags at Ghost Golf have a substantial, quality, premium look that portends the features and durability of the product. In this case, it’s the Ghost Golf Maverick. It comes with either a 14-way or seven-way top, but in both cases, there’s a separate putter well. There’s also a magnetic rangefinder pocket, water bottle sleeves, and velcro glove keeper.

In short, the Anyday Maverick Black Ops is a substantial golf bag that can be used in any type of application. It’s a true hybrid bag that works well on a powered or push cart. And even though it’s not real light, if you don’t weigh it down too much, you can certainly carry it with its balanced double strap system and stable stand system and base.

Pros:

• Sleek, luxurious look
• Convertible strap system
• Lots of pockets

Cons:

• Lots of pockets, but not lots of space

The Ogio Shadow is a good example of a golf bag that not only looks premium, but is very functional as well. With nine pockets and fairly lightweight build, it can really work well in any application. The four-way top uses multi-materials – verlour and premium synthetic leather – to protect clubs. 

There’s a magnetic accessories pocket perfect for a rangefinder, and the strap system can be converted from single to double depending on how you want to use it.

I also like the Rapid Access Pocket that snaps back into place, perfect for a small wallet, keys, or anything else you want to be able to access quickly. This bag, which Ogio says is inspired by the aerodynamic lines of a luxury sports car, is well-balanced and looks great.