Golf bag guide · cart, stand & waterproof bags
Which golf bag do you need
Cart bag or stand bag, waterproof or not? It comes down to how you get round the course and how often you play in the rain. Here is how to choose, with the bags our customers buy most.
By the Express Golf shop team · Updated October 2026
The short answer
Cart bag or stand bag?
Buy a cart bag if you play with a trolley, push or electric. Buy a stand bag if you carry your clubs. If you play through the winter, make it a waterproof one.
1
Trolley golfers
A cart bag sits flat on a trolley, has more pockets and keeps every pocket reachable.
2
Golfers who carry
A stand bag is lighter, has double shoulder straps and legs so it stands up on its own.
3
Both
A hybrid stand bag carries well and has a base that sits on a trolley.
4
Winter golfers
A waterproof bag has sealed seams and waterproof zips, so clubs and kit stay dry.
5
Travelling
For flights, you need a travel cover as well. A normal bag won't protect your clubs in the hold.
Side by side
Cart bag vs stand bag vs hybrid
The main differences at a glance.
| Cart bag | Stand bag | Hybrid stand bag | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Trolley golfers | Golfers who carry | Golfers who do both |
| How you get round | Push or electric trolley | On your back, with legs to stand it up | Carry or trolley |
| Weight | Heavier, with more structure | Lighter | In between |
| Straps | Single strap for lifting | Double shoulder straps | Double straps |
| Base and legs | Flat base that grips the trolley | Legs that flick out | Legs plus a trolley-friendly base |
| Pockets | The most, all reachable on a trolley | Fewer, to save weight | Most of a cart bag's |
| Dividers | Usually 14-way, full length | Usually 4 to 14-way | Usually 14-way |
| Popular price at Express Golf | £119 to £249 | £159 to £269 | £179 to £269 |
Price ranges are for the bags our customers bought most over the last 12 months. Prices checked October 2026.
Waterproof golf bags
Do you need a waterproof golf bag?
If you play through autumn and winter, yes. A waterproof bag keeps your clubs, grips, gloves and phone dry, and stops the bag getting heavy with water. It's why more than a third of the golf bags we sold in the last year were waterproof, and five of our six best-selling cart bags are waterproof models.
What makes a bag waterproof
- Waterproof fabric, such as Titleist StaDry, TaylorMade StormDry or Powakaddy Dri Tech
- Seams that are welded or taped so water can't get through the stitching
- Waterproof zips on the pockets
- A rain hood that fits over the top of the clubs
Water-resistant is not the same
Some bags are described as "water-resistant". They shrug off a light shower, but in steady rain water gets in through the seams and zips. If you play through a Yorkshire winter, look for "waterproof" and sealed seams rather than "water-resistant".
Check a bag's product page for the fabric and seam details before you buy.
What golfers buy
Our best-selling golf bags
The bags our customers bought most over the last 12 months, by type.
Waterproof cart bags
Most popularFor trolley golfers who play all year round.
Motocaddy ProtektaOur best-selling bag of the year
£239
Cart bags
Best valueNot waterproof, but lighter on the wallet.
Waterproof stand and hybrid bags
Carry in the rain, or use with a trolley.
Titleist Hybrid 14 StaDryHybrid: carry or trolley
£269
TaylorMade Flextech CrossoverHybrid, not waterproof
£179
Ranked by units sold at Express Golf, November 2025 to October 2026. Prices checked October 2026; see each product for today's price and stock. View all golf bags.
Before you buy
What to look for in a golf bag
For a cart bag
- A 14-way, full-length divider so grips don't tangle
- A top that faces the right way on a trolley, so you can see your clubs
- A non-slip base that locks into your trolley
- Pockets on the front, so none are blocked by the trolley
- A strap pass-through so the trolley strap doesn't cover a pocket
- An umbrella holder and a lined valuables pocket
For a stand bag
- Double straps that adjust easily and sit comfortably
- Legs that open and close smoothly without catching
- Enough dividers for your set, 4-way to 14-way
- A drink pocket and somewhere for waterproofs
- A low weight if you carry 18 holes
- A hybrid base if you sometimes use a trolley
Questions
Golf bag questions
Should I buy a cart bag or a stand bag?
Buy a cart bag if you use a push or electric trolley, and a stand bag if you carry your clubs. If you do both, a hybrid stand bag has double straps and legs for carrying plus a base that sits securely on a trolley.
Can you use a stand bag on a trolley?
Yes, but a standard stand bag can wobble and the legs can catch. A hybrid stand bag, such as the Titleist Hybrid 14 StaDry, is designed to sit on a trolley as well as be carried.
Are waterproof golf bags really waterproof?
A genuinely waterproof bag uses waterproof fabric, sealed or welded seams and waterproof zips, and keeps your kit dry in steady rain. Bags described as water-resistant only cope with light showers.
What is the best waterproof golf bag?
Our best-selling waterproof bags over the last year were the Motocaddy Protekta and Titleist 14 StaDry cart bags. For carrying, the most popular was the Titleist Players S4 StaDry stand bag.
How much should I spend on a golf bag?
The bags our customers buy most cost between about £120 and £270. Expect to pay more for waterproofing: for example, the Titleist Players S4 stand bag is £179 and the waterproof Players S4 StaDry is £229.
What does 14-way divider mean?
The top of the bag is split into 14 sections, one for each club you are allowed to carry. It stops grips tangling and makes it easy to see when a club is missing. Full-length dividers run the length of the bag to protect shafts too.
Ready to choose
Find your next bag
Shop online with free next-day delivery, or come and see them in our Bradford shop at The Fairways, BD9 6BR. Call 01274 491 945.
