The Best Golf Travel Bags for 2023: Reviews and Buying Guide

  • Reviewed by: Tyler Moyer
  • Updated on May 26, 2023
Best Golf Travel Bags

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If you have ever wondered how much difference there could be between golf travel bags, you may be in for a surprise. We recently tested some of the top travel cover options on the market. I tried everything from a cheap soft case to a premium hard case and compared the differences throughout the entire testing process. There are some features found in these golf travel covers that stand out as being necessary when you make your purchase. So whether you have a cart bag or a stand bag, come look at the best golf travel bags of 2022.

Best Golf Travel Bags of the Year

The Best Golf Travel Bags at a Glance

The Sun Mountain Club Glider took the top spot this year, although there was some healthy competition and some tough discussions when deciding who takes the cake.  Between the Ping Rolling Travel bag and dare I say, the Amazon Basics bag(?!), there are a few others to consider depending on what your needs and budget are. Here’s a look at our complete list of golf travel bags and which ones stood out.

SunMountain Club Glider Meridian

For those searching for an all-around great travel bag for a golf trip, the SunMountain Club Glider Meridian is a great option to consider. With impressive foam padding, easy storage, and the ability to pack the bag while it is up off the floor, this is one of the top selling travel bags on the market. Of all the bags we tried, the maneuverability of the Club Glider Meridian was by far the best. If you want peace of mind that your air travel experience will be considerably easier to manage, the Club Glider Meridian can help do the trick.

Features

  • 360-degree maneuverability
  • Retracting leg mechanism
  • Internal compression strap
  • Has received Golf Digest Editors’ Choice

Pros

  • Very easy to pull
  • Low weight considering all the features
  • Retracting wheel design
  • Driver easily fits

Cons

  • Single zip opening is not as convenient as other travel bags
  • The basic handle is not very ergonomic
  • Not much exterior storage
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Specs

  • Size: 52” x 14” x 14”
  • Weight: 11.3 Pounds
  • Material: Ballistic Grade Nylon
  • Wheel type: Swivel

Bottom Line: When pulling the Sun Mountain Club Glider Meridian around the airport, it will feel almost as if it is weight free. The bag is easy to walk with, it looks great, and the bottom line is that it kept my club heads protected. Many times combining this with a stiff arm makes for the perfect travel solution, very similar to the Club Glove Last Bag.

Click here to read our full review

Ping Rolling Travel Bag

The Ping Rolling Travel bag has excellent padding, is easy to fold down, and has storage on the inside and outside. The inline skate wheels help improve maneuverability. In addition, this is a higher quality golf travel bag that does not droop and sag as you are making your way around the airport. There are four total wheels so expect that you can also push this bag as it stands upright, a nice feature that many soft sided travel bags don’t have.

Features

  • 360 degree padding
  • Solid plastic base
  • Storage on the outside of the bag

Pros

  • Large external and internal dimensions
  • It will fold up compact and comes with a cover
  • 6 handles for easy maneuverability and lifting
  • Can stand upright on its own

Cons

  • Not the cheapest option on the market
  • Two of the four wheels are stationary
  • Plenty of handles, but no single full carry handle
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Specs

  • Size: 53” L x 17” W x 14.5” D
  • Weight: 9 Pounds
  • Material: 400D Nylon Material
  • Wheel type: 4 total, 2 stationary, 2 that swivel    

Bottom Line: Any golfer will benefit from the Ping Rolling Travel cover. I preferred this particular model to others as it was made of high-quality materials but still folded up and stored away so much easier than a hard shell travel cover. In addition, the maneuverability was just effortless, and my golf gear had no trouble fitting into the bag, with enough room for my shoes and a few golf balls.

Click here to read our full review

Amazon Soft Sided Travel Bag

If you are on a budget and looking for something that has decent cushioning and enough quality to get you through a few trips a year then the Amazon Soft Sided Travel bag could be a good fit. We can tell you from the start that this soft sided travel bag won’t have the extra protection you see from other brands, but it is fair in price. In addition, the in-line skate wheels are not a thing with this bag, so get ready to embrace the shoulder strap. If you think you are going to have a hard time with maneuverability and carrying this bag on your own, it’s not the best choice.

Features

  • Soft sided design
  • Folds up small
  • Extra storage space inside the travel bag
  • Compression straps inside
  • One year warranty

Pros

  • Room for golf shoes too
  • Very low pricing
  • Large exterior pockets
  • In line skate wheels roll smooth
  • Multiple zippered compartments
  • The heavily padded top section

Cons

  • Spinner wheels would make maneuverability easier
  • Not as much protection as a hard top
  • Wheel system is not as effective as others on the market
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Specs

  • Size: 50x13x15
  • Weight: 8.65 Pounds
  • Material: Nylon Fabric
  • Wheel type: Swivel

Bottom Line: This is a bag for a golfer on a budget. I can’t tell you that the features are surprisingly amazing, or I had full confidence that the top of the bag would completely protect my golf clubs. If you need a golf club travel bag a few times a year, or you want to take a last-minute golf vacation and need a quick solution, this is a great option.

Samsonite Hard Sided Travel Bag

It can be hard to compare a soft sided travel bag with a hard sided because of the protection that the hard sided bag has to offer. The Samsonite is an excellent golf travel cover. Even the angriest of baggage handlers will struggle to do much damage to your golf clubs when they are inside the Samsonite. Of course, there are downsides to a hard sided travel case, they won’t fold up, and you can’t squeeze in extra golf accessories, but from a protection standpoint, the Samsonite has a lot to offer.

Features

  • 6 wheels for impressive maneuverability
  • Hard sided material
  • Premium internal fabric
  • Long replacement warranty

Pros

  • A premium liner on the inside of the travel bag
  • Plenty of room
  • Strong brand reputation
  • Extra foam cushioning in the upper part of the bag

Cons

  • Not much room once the bag is in place
  • On the heavier side
  • Large footprint / doesn’t break down

 

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Specs

  • Size: 54″ H x 12″ W x 16″
  • Weight: 15 Pounds
  • Material: Durable Plastic
  • Wheel type: 6 Total Wheels

Bottom Line: The Samsonite hard covered golf travel case is one of the most durable you will find. Whether you are looking for club protection or just great luggage, this company has a strong brand reputation that is well respected in the travel world.

Click here to read our full review

Bag Boy T-750 Travel Bag

The Bag Boy T 750 was my favorite travel bag for golfers who like accessories. If you are someone that also wants to have matching shoe bag and more, then the Bag Boy is a brand you will love. Unlike some other companies like Callaway and Ping, which may only make one travel bag and very few accessories, Bag Boy has a lot to offer. This bag is made with a high quality fabric, is easy to maneuver, and will help you make your way to some of the best golf courses in the world.

Features

  • 4 sided padded top
  • Oversized shoe pocket
  • Dual zipper
  • ID Tag
  • In line skate wheels

Pros

  • Upgraded handles
  • Strong at the top
  • Two wheels
  • Lots of padding
  • Outside pocket
  • Accessories available to purchase

Cons

  • Heavy drag feel when pulling
  • Zippers can be a little difficult to operate
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Specs

  • Size: 56″ L x 13.5″ W
  • Weight: 8.9 Pounds
  • Material: Polyester Fabric
  • Wheel type: 2 In Line Skate Wheels

Bottom Line: The Bag Boy T-750 has enough storage and plenty of protection for your golf clubs. We struggled a bit with packing on this one and the overall maneuverability. This bag feels considerably heavier than other bags because of the way it maneuvers, not its total weight. However, from a club protection and value standpoint, it’s a good selection.

CaddyDaddy Golf Constrictor 2 Travel Bag

One of the things golfers will quickly notice about golf travel bags is that as the price increases, so does the quality and durability. However, you will find with the CaddyDaddy Golf Constrictor 2 that the quality is good, and the pricing stays in check. This bag is easy to load, doesn’t have a ton of extra room, but has really heavy-duty curb rails. Deterioration of this golf bag certainly happens at a slower pace.

Features

  • Rubber handles
  • 1800D polyester
  • In Line Skate wheels
  • Will fit cart and stand bags

Pros

  • Very durable for the price 
  • Two outside storage pockets
  • Extra compression straps for securing the golf bag
  • Two skate wheel for smooth rolling
  • Lockable zippers

Cons

  • More dated, not as modern look
  • It feels a bit droopy
  • Inside storage is minimal
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Specs

  • Size: 51 x 13 x 15 inches
  • Weight: 9 Pounds
  • Material: 1800D Polyester Fabric
  • Wheel type: 2 In Line Skate Wheels

Bottom Line: If you are like me and don’t want to purchase a new travel bag each time I go on a trip, the CaddyDaddy Constrictor 2 is the way to go. This golf travel cover does a tremendous job of protecting your gear and ensuring the material on the outside of the bag does not fray after just a few uses. Even some of the more high-end options are made with 900D polyester, so this 1800D is impressive.

SKB ATA Deluxe Travel Bag

If you are still stuck on the concept that a hard case is the only option for your golf clubs, the SKB ATA Deluxe is another model we tested this year. One thing to note about this particular travel case is that it is undoubtedly made for stand bags. You will not be able to get a cart bag or staff bag in this, so move right along if that’s your goal. Overall I was impressed with the outer material of the SKB and the smoothness in the way it rolled. For a heavy hardcover, the travel case is not hard to work with.

Features

  • TSA Approved Lock
  • Hard material for improved protection of clubs
  • Tight space around the clubs
  • Internal compression straps
  • No exterior pockets

Pros

  • Front wheel can turn 360 degrees
  • Sturdy design 
  • It weighs about 16 pounds  
  • Will accommodate a larger golf bag

Cons

  • It takes some time to get used to locking and unlocking the front swivel
  • The three step folding process can take a little while to perfect
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Specs

  • Size: 48.75 x 11.25 x 14.25
  • Weight: 18 Pounds
  • Material: Durable Polyethylene
  • Wheel type: 2 In Line Skate Wheels

Bottom Line: If you have a small golf bag but want to travel with plenty of protection, this is the bag to consider. Golfers will be impressed with the durability of this golf travel case, but it’s easy to be disappointed by the amount of space it offers.

Click here to read our full review

Himal Soft Sided Travel Bag

The Himal Soft-Sided Travel Bag is the best value cheap golf travel bag you will find. It is big enough to fit a larger stand bag, incredibly lightweight, and has 2 in line skate wheels to help with maneuverability. This won’t be anything you see the tour pros using as they travel, but it’s also not poor enough quality to pass it over. If you are on a budget and want a good amount of protection, this will work.

Features

  • 100% polyester
  • High quality materials
  • Velcro handle
  • Multiple zippered compartments
  • Satisfaction Guarantee

Pros

  • Fair price
  • Compat
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Have to take longer clubs out of bag to fit
  • Less padding than others
  • Fabric not as high quality as others
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Specs

  • Size: 15 x 13 x 50 inches
  • Weight: 5 Pounds
  • Material: 600D Heavy Duty Polyester
  • Wheel type: 2 In-Line Skate Wheels

Bottom Line: As you search for a new golf travel bag, the Himal will likely come up quite often. It’s a cheap golf travel bag, but it has adequate padding and protection. If you don’t want to spend much but also don’t want to miss out on travel, this could be the bag for you.

Ogio Alpha Travel Bag

The Ogio Alpha Travel Cover was my favorite choice for a lightweight golf bag. This bag has plenty of room to store all of your gear. If you are one of those players that need three pairs of shoes and twelve golf pullovers for your trip, this is the travel cover you need. In addition, with a total weight of just 6.3 pounds, expect that you will have plenty of extra weight capacity to bring all of your gear.

Features

  • Compression straps
  • Easy to load
  • Roomy and wide
  • A lightweight feel for easy maneuverability
  • Foam padding

Pros

  • Storage net and console
  • Folds easily 
  • Plenty of accessory tabs for cart customization
  • It comes with cup holder and umbrella mount 
  • Several color options are available

Cons

  • Priced a little higher than other carts on the market in this category 
  • 21 pounds, compared to other similar carts in the 15-18 pound range
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Specs

  • Size: 51 x 12 x 14 inches
  • Weight: 6..3 Pounds
  • Material: 900D Heavy Duty Polyester
  • Wheel type: 2 In-Line Skate Wheels

Bottom Line: These travel bags can get heavy and difficult to maneuver. However, with the Ogio Alpha, you can pack plenty of gear and still have all sorts of room for your belongings. Travel bags are cumbersome, and this one helps make things a bit easier on you as you pack up for your next trip.

Click here to read our full review

Buyers Guide: What To Look For In A Golf Travel Bag

There are a few things to be aware of before you decide on the best possible travel bag for your golf game. Here are a few of the most important.

Construction 

Golf travel bags are made to either be soft-covered or hard covered. The hard covered bags are made with durable plastic, and the soft covered are more of a nylon or polyester material. The hard covered bags offer much more protection, but they are heavier and don’t store nearly as easily.

Durability 

The more expensive golf travel bags tend to have a longer warranty and last several years longer than the cheaper travel bags. Durability is mostly a concern for the golfer that travels quite a bit. If you take one or two trips per year, durability won’t be the biggest concern.

Wheels

The wheels on a golf travel bag are essential to help with maneuvering. Most will have two wheels that are like in line skates; these wheels help you move through the airport in a straight line. Golf bags with four or six wheels can usually stand upright and be pushed around the airport or pulled.

Storage

Most golfers expect to put their golf club in their travel bag, but they also want their shoes and some other gear to fit. Be very careful with hard-sided golf travel bags as there is genuinely not much room for the bags to expand and accommodate more of your gear.

Storage pockets on the outside of the bag are great for last minute packing, but your gear won’t be entirely secure.

Maneuverability

Some golf travel bags are heavy, but because of their smart design and overall construction, they are considerably easier to maneuver. Having a set of two swivel type wheels will make a big difference when it comes to maneuverability as you travel. Regarding maneuverability, try to consider the fact that, at times you will need to lift the bag into your car.

Pricing

Most golf travel bags range from around $40 to more than $300. The key to finding something within your budget is to consider how often you travel. If you travel quite a bit, it’s essential to spend the extra money. Not only will your clubs be better protected, but you won’t have to purchase a golf cart travel bag nearly as often.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions about the best golf travel bags on the market. Be smart about the bag you buy, and you may not have to buy one for a long time.

What travel bag do golf pros use?

Most golf professionals will use a hard case, and some will even use one that fits more than one golf bag. Many professionals go to a tournament with some backup clubs and gear, and they need a large case to bring all of their things.

Is a golf travel bag worth it?

A golf travel bag is your only choice if you want to travel and bring your clubs. I’ve seen a few people put a rain cover on their golf clubs and call it a day, but this is really not going to be enough to protect your equipment, and the airlines won’t help if something happens.

Do I need a travel bag for golf clubs?

If you want your golf clubs to be protected from damage than you will need a travel bag. The travel bags keep things from breaking and from wear and tear happening not just to your clubs but to your golf bag.

What are the best golf travel bags on the market?

The best golf travel bags on the market are the Ping Rolling Travel Cover and the Sun Mountain Club Glider. There are also good options from Ogio and Bag Boy for those who want to spend a little less.

What size golf travel bag should I get?

If you have a cart bag, you will need to be very careful about the dimensions of the golf bag that you choose. Cart bags don’t fit in every golf travel bag, so you may need a stand bag to help you when you travel.

Final Thoughts

We hope you now feel a bit more confident in your ability to choose the best golf travel bags. I spent a lot of time testing and traveling to determine which of these is truly the best and the Ping stands out as the best. From what we know about other Ping golf bags we have tested and worked with, this is no surprise.

Brittany Olizarowicz

Brittany Olizarowicz

Britt has close to 30 years of experience in the game of golf. She has played college golf, turned professional and worked as a Class A PGA teaching professional, and has years of writing experience. Her passion is for sharing what she knows about the game and helping others succeed. If Britt is not writing catch her on the golf course as she still loves to play golf several days a week.

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Launched in the spring of 2009 to shed light on the confusing world of golf equipment.

Our testing staff includes players ranging from low to high handicappers to provide perspectives relevant to all golfers, regardless of ability level. Each product is tested by all staff members to give you the best insight possible.
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