Stand Bag vs Cart Bag: Which One is Right For You?
Right off the bat, let’s just get this out of the way – there is no right answer to the Stand Bag vs. Cart Bag question. When it comes to choosing the right golf bag, what works well for one golfer might not fit the playing style of another. You’ll want to focus on your own style of play and find a bag that really works with how you like to approach the golf course. Here’s our quick guide to golf bags:
Cart Golf Bag Overview
When you think of a golf bag, the image of a traditional cart bag is probably what comes to mind. This type of bag was designed to be used on a riding or push cart and would probably make for a challenging round if you tried to walk the course with it. At its core, a cart bag is a bag with a hard bottom, club dividers, pockets and single strap, but there is a huge range of options when it comes to the little extras that can really put your bag over the top.
Cart Bag Highlights:
- Storage-Friendly – Cart bags typically come with a lot of pockets that offer ample space to store your golf gear. You’ll have no problem finding a place for rain suits, umbrellas, sunblock, refreshments or really anything else that you might want to access on the course.
- Option-Friendly – There are so many options and extras that you can get with a cart bag. Cooler pockets, umbrella straps, full-length 14-way dividers, rangefinder clips and valuable pockets are just a few of the many options you can get on a typical cart bag.
- Easy Access – Because these bags were designed to be used on a cart, pockets were placed with access in mind. A good cart bag should allow you to easily access all of the pockets while the bag is strapped onto the cart.
- Cart-Friendly – Of course, by definition, these solid bags are designed to be used on a cart.
The Bottom Line: If you don’t enjoy walking on the golf course or prefer to always use a push or pull cart, a cart bag is probably for you. Cart bags are also great for individuals who like the organization and storage options that lighter-weight stand bags don’t generally provide.
Stand Golf Bag Overview
Stand bags or carry bags are unique in the fact that they feature two retractable legs which allow you to stand the bag up securely while on the golf course. They generally feature a comfortable double-strap or backpack style strap, which helps even the load and distribute the weight of the golf bag evenly across the shoulders.
Stand Bag Highlights:
- Lightweight – A golf bag that is designed to be carried can be anywhere from 2 to 6 pounds lighter than comparable cart bags.
- Simpler Design – The lightweight design generally means that the golf bag design will be simpler, feature fewer pockets and while some stand bags do include 14-way dividers, most will have fewer club dividers. Most stand bags will generally offer fewer of the “bells and whistles” that many cart bags feature.
- Comfortable Design – Stand bags were made to be carried and most manufacturers have taken care to design straps and padding that will make your round as enjoyable as possible.
- Cart-Friendly – Even though stand golf bags were designed to be carried, all stand bags are both push and riding cart-friendly, meaning you get the best of both worlds.
The Bottom Line: If you think that there is a chance that you may want to walk the golf course at all, a stand bag is probably your best bet. There is a wide range of stand bags on the market from extremely lightweight and streamlined to more robust, tricked out bags, there is most assuredly a stand bag out there to suit your game.
Other Golf Bag Options
We should also mention here that there are some other options when it comes to choosing a golf bag. Staff Bags like the ones seen on professional golf tours can really make a statement. Staff bags are generally very high quality, are very large and are generally much heavier than other types of golf bags. The weight isn’t really an issue for PGA Pros who have caddies to carry the load, but for a recreational golfer, a more compact, lightweight option is probably the way to go.
Carry Bags or “Sunday Bags” are another option for golfers who just want a simple, lightweight bag to walk the course with. Averaging just 2 pounds of weight, these are by far the lightest type of golf bag on the market. Bag designers were able to eliminate weight from the bag by removing some of the structural touches, the stand and by using lighter-weight materials. If you like to walk, don’t need a lot of pockets and don’t really need a stand, then a carry bag could be a great option for you.
Hopefully now that you know a bit more about the different types of golf bags on the market, you can make an educated decision about which bag will be right for your game. At Austad’s, we carry a full range of golf bags with a variety of styles and options from the top brands in golf.
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