2023 SUNDAY GOLF BAG BUYER’S GUIDE
You don’t know it yet but you probably need a Sunday golf bag. Not just for Sunday but for every day of the week.
Do you spend every afternoon counting down the seconds until you can escape for a little golfing “me” time? Do you enjoy the occasional twilight nine under the setting sun? Do you love a quick round at a par-3 course? If so, you need a Sunday golf bag.
So what’s a “Sunday” golf bag and how is it different than what you’ve got now?
The parameters that define a Sunday golf bag have shifted drastically over the last decade. What was once a bare-bones, ultra-lightweight golf bag for a quick weekend nine has swiftly turned into a slimmed-down carry bag, although some have nearly as much storage and functionality as their heavyweight siblings. It is important to note, however, that not every Sunday bag is a stand bag, but that the addition of a stand has become more standard as of late in the Sunday golf bag category.
Even so, the DNA of a good Sunday bag hasn’t changed. The best Sunday golf bags of 2023 feature lightweight construction, comfortable carry straps and enough storage for the essentials.
Truth be told, finding a well-executed Sunday bag can be a tall task. The flood of new players in the Sunday bag game has created a myriad of options that can be hard to sift through without the right information so we’ve done all of the heavy lifting for you. We tested 12 Sunday golf bags and have determined the best fit for your game. You’re welcome.
It’s time to crown a champion. Here are this year’s best Sunday golf bags.
WINNER – COBRA Ultralight Sunday Golf Bag
Who Is It For?
- The Weekend Warrior or Par-3 Professional
- Golfers who want a comfortable carry experience
- Someone who values a lightweight bag without sacrificing storage or functionality
Sunday Golf Bag Features That Matter
STORAGE
While the purpose of a Sunday golf bag is to minimize what you’re bringing to the course, it’s still important to have enough storage for the essentials. The best Sunday golf bags feature storage that maximizes space and function.
At a minimum, your Sunday golf bag should hold some balls, tees and a water bottle. The best Sunday golf bags for storage feature plenty of space for the above plus room for things like snacks or valuables. Of the 12 bags we tested, the Vessel Sunday, Sunday Golf El Camino and Mizuno BR-D2 featured the most useable storage.
Dividers
Due to the nature of a Sunday bag and its goal to minimize weight, dividers serve as a bit of an afterthought in this category of golf bags. More often than not, a golfer who utilizes only a Sunday bag needs to carry a few clubs, never a full 14. That’s why most Sunday golf bags feature two- or three-way dividers. A good Sunday golf bag does just enough to keep your clubs separated without adding unnecessary weight.
Both the Sunday Golf El Camino and COBRA Ultralight Sunday Golf Bag provide good club organization with their spacious three-way dividers.
Best Value Sunday Golf Bag
Look familiar? Not only did the Cobra Ultralight Sunday win the Best Sunday Golf Bag of 2023, it also takes the crown as the best value. Performance doesn’t have to cost a pretty penny; the $129 retail price of the Cobra Ultralight Sunday provides the ultimate bang for your buck!
Comfort
Above all, a Sunday golf bag must be comfortable. Comfort starts with the straps but also considers the overall build of the bag. Do any of the straps or hardware dig into your back? Is the bag balanced when filled with clubs or does it feel like it’s prone to tip over with every step?
A relaxing weekend nine can quickly become a sore-shoulder catastrophe if you’re not careful. That’s why it’s important to choose a Sunday golf bag that doesn’t sacrifice comfort for the sake of weight because “lighter” doesn’t necessarily equate to “comfortable.” The best Sunday golf bag for a comfortable walking experience is the COBRA Ultralight Sunday Golf Bag. The straps are perfectly contoured to rest naturally on your shoulders without restriction and the balance point of the bag makes walking a very smooth experience.
Weight
Weight plays a pivotal role in the comfort of a Sunday golf bag but isn’t the sole factor taken into account when calculating walkability. That said, the lighter the bag, the easier it will be to carry without feeling fatigued. Any change to your current setup to alleviate weight can be a game changer if you tend to get tired towards the end of your round.
The lightest bag in our test was the Stitch SL Sunday. The golfer looking for an ultra-lightweight option that still has some of the bells and whistles of a stand bag should opt for the Titleist Premium Carry bag.
Best Pencil Golf Bag – PING Moonlite
Sunday golf bags with stands are all the craze right now, but that hasn’t stopped Ping from keeping it old school with the pencil-style Moonlite bag. This ultra-light bag is everything you’re looking for in a Sunday bag sans the stand. The two-strap carrying system and large side pocket make this simple pencil bag more than meets the eye!
INDUSTRY TREND – Standing Out & Fitting In
Sunday golf bags are in a constant state of evolution as detailed by the variety of bags included in our test. The Sunday bag category was once flooded with simple pencil bags. Now, the space is ripe with larger, more robust Sunday golf bags that feature stand systems.
This year, eight of the 12 bags tested featured a stand. As the category continues to evolve, so will our testing. With stands on Sunday golf bags becoming an industry standard, our testing will start to account for, and award points to bags with functional stand systems.
Sunday Golf Bag Tips and Tricks
- A Sunday golf bag is not designed to hold your entire set of clubs so you won’t find any 14-way dividers. If you’re looking for a bigger carry bag with more functionality and enough room to bring all 14 clubs to the course, check out our Best Golf Stand Bags of 2023.
- Pay attention to the little things: the best Sunday golf bags nail the small details. Tight pockets and sticky zippers are two of many small annoyances that can add up over the lifetime of your bag. Don’t settle for anything less than a fully functioning, well-made Sunday golf bag to ensure your golf experience is as enjoyable as it should be.
- Before you buy, consider how often you’ll use a Sunday bag and its primary function. Are you looking for something small and lightweight or are you just looking to downsize your current carry bag without sacrificing function? Both ends of the spectrum exist in the Sunday golf bag category.
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How We Test
We’re here to help you find the perfect Sunday bag to fit your needs.
To do that, we employ a thorough and fully independent testing process that leaves no feature unexplored, no detail unchecked and no stone unturned.
Our Metrics
Sunday bags are tested head to head using rigorous protocols.
The metrics we consider when rating Sunday Bag include Storage, Dividers, Weight, Walkability and Features.
THE BEST SUNDAY BAGS OF 2022 – FAQ
Q: What is a Sunday golf bag?
A: The definition of a Sunday bag has shifted drastically over the last few years. Despite the Sunday bags of today being fairly large and more versatile, most are still minimalists at heart. The new age of Sunday bags features plentiful pockets, stand systems and dual-carry straps while maintaining their lightweight profile.
Q: How do I know what type of Sunday bag to buy?
A: The Sunday bag category is ever expanding so it can be difficult to recommend a certain type over one another. In order to find the bag that’s best for you, it’s important to prioritize your preferences. Determine what’s important to you, then find something that fits the bill. Use this guide as a course map and you’re well on your way to a new Sunday bag!
Q: What is a pencil bag?
A: A pencil bag is about as bare-bones a golf bag as you’ll find. Pencil bags have almost no structure, minimal storage and generally a single strap. Designed to hold a few clubs and nothing more, a true pencil bag is harder to come by in the day and age of feature-filled Sunday bags.
Q: How much does the strap system matter?
A: If you’re going to carry regularly, finding a strap system that works for you is critical. The seemingly smallest details matter. Look for straps with ample padding. Curved designs are generally more comfortable. When possible, test the strap system with the bag fully loaded to see if it’s a good fit for your body.
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