Best Kids Golf Bags

Buying a golf bag for a kid usually goes one of two ways. You either buy a cheap plastic tube that falls apart in three weeks, or you hand down an old adult bag that weighs half as much as the kid carrying it. I see eight-year-olds dragging 40-inch cart bags across the fairway all the time. It ruins their posture, it slows down the round, and it makes them hate walking the course.

I wanted to find out what happens when you actually buy a bag built for the person carrying it. I’ve tested 90 golf bags over the last few years, and for this list I looked at the junior stand bags, the lightest Sunday bags, and the premium options that cost as much as a new driver.

What I found is that you don’t need to spend $300 to get a good bag, but you do need to buy the right size. If the bag is too long, the clubs sink to the bottom. If the straps are too wide, it slides off their shoulders. My pick for most junior golfers is the Vessel Junior Air Stand. Here’s how the rest break down, and exactly which one makes sense for how your kid plays.

Best Kids Bag: Vessel Junior Air Stand – $259

Paul’s score: 4.6/5

Most junior golf bags are just scaled-down adult bags with cheaper materials. The manufacturers assume kids will outgrow them in a year, so they use flimsy nylon and wobbly plastic legs that snap the first time they get tossed in the trunk. It makes carrying clubs frustrating for the kid and expensive for the parents who have to replace the bag every season.

Vessel didn’t do that. The Junior Air is the newest, lightest and cheapest bag in Vessel’s junior line. It’s $259, and the body weighs 3.55 pounds. Ready to play, with the strap and rain hood on, it’s about 4.15 pounds. That’s over a pound lighter than Vessel’s leather Junior Stand, and on a kid who’s under five feet tall, a pound is a lot.

It’s built from CORDURA Naturalle, the same lightweight, tough nylon family Vessel uses on the Player Air and the Player Air Carbon. And it gets something the more expensive junior bags don’t: waterproof zippers instead of water-resistant ones. Kids drop their bags in wet grass. That matters.

Up top it’s a 3-way, 8 by 6.25 inches, with two full-length dividers sized for a full set of junior clubs. The legs are carbon fiber, and they’re housed so they don’t scratch up on a cart or push cart. You get the self-adjusting Equilibrium double strap, four outside pockets, an inside valuables pocket, an insulated drink pocket, a magnetic accessories pocket lined with antimicrobial microfiber, and a genuine leather top handle. It comes in grey and navy.

Who’s it for? Junior golfers five feet and under who want a bag that looks and feels like the real thing. If your kid wants the leather look of the adult Vessel bags, the Junior Stand is $269. That’s the one I called the ultimate junior stand when I tested 16 Vessel bags. It’s just about a pound heavier.

And if your kid is old enough to carry a few clubs to the range on their own, or you want a second bag for cart-path-only days, that’s the Vessel Pencil Stand Bag.

Best Pencil Bag: Vessel Pencil Stand Bag – $259

Paul’s score: 4.6/5

Most pencil bags feel cheap. They’re flimsy nylon sleeves that flop over when you set them down, the clubs tangle instantly, and they look like gym bags.

The Vessel Pencil bag is made from the same tour-grade synthetic leather you’ll see on high-end staff bags. It’s treated to resist water, dirt and UV, and the stitching is reinforced at every stress point. It comes in a little under 3 pounds, so honestly, you kind of don’t notice it on your shoulder. The padded single strap clips on either side, so it works for lefties and righties, and you can switch shoulders during a round.

This is probably my favorite feature. It has a patented built-in metal hook that lets you hang the pencil bag right off your main golf bag. So on a cart-path-only day, you get to your ball on the other side of the fairway, unclip the pencil bag, drop in your putter, a wedge and an iron, and walk over. No more guessing which clubs to grab and carrying them across the fairway in your hands.

You only get three pockets, but they’re well placed. A ball pocket big enough for a dozen balls that comes off for embroidery, a water-resistant accessories pocket with a reverse-taped zipper, and the magnetic rangefinder pocket lined with antimicrobial microfiber, with a divider inside so your phone and rangefinder don’t scratch each other. Once you use a magnetic pocket, you wonder why every golf bag doesn’t have one. The top is a 4-inch 2-way with a slot for your putter or driver.

Here’s the catch. At $259, it’s over $100 more than most pencil bags. There’s no water bottle sleeve. And while it’s rated for six clubs, it really holds about four or five comfortably, especially with midsize grips.

Who’s it for? The golfer who already has a main bag and wants a premium lightweight bag for the range, par 3 courses and cart-path-only days. Who’s it not for? Anybody looking for one bag to do everything.

Now, if your kid is younger and needs a bag built from scratch for their size, that’s the Sunday Golf Recess.

Best for Younger Kids: Sunday Golf Recess Kids Golf Bag – $149.99

Paul’s score: 4.2/5

The Sunday Golf Recess is what happens when somebody designs a golf bag for a kid from scratch. It’s about 150 bucks.

The Recess comes in two sizes. There is a 27-inch version for kids aged five to eight, and a 31-inch version for nine to twelve-year-olds. What that actually means is the bag fits their body right now. The dual padded straps are adjustable, so the weight sits evenly across their shoulders instead of dragging them down on one side.

The stand system is what really separates this from the cheap starter bags. Sunday Golf used a pedal base stand scaled down from their premium adult bags. When you set it down, the legs deploy wide and the base stays flat. If a kid drops it on an uneven lie in the rough, it stays upright. It also has a custom four-way top with full-length dividers, which stops the grips from tangling at the bottom of the bag.

They also included a three-can insulated cooler pocket and a large apparel pocket. That is enough room for a rain jacket and cold water, which is basically all a kid needs for nine holes. The whole thing weighs 3.6 pounds for the small size and 4.3 pounds for the large.

The catch is the capacity. It only holds eight clubs. That is perfect for a beginner, but an older junior who is starting to build a full fourteen-club set is going to run out of room. It also does not have an umbrella holder.

This is for parents who want a durable, properly fitted bag that makes walking the course easy for a young player. If your kid is already carrying ten or more clubs, you need something bigger.

But what if your kid only plays par-3 courses and only needs a handful of clubs? That is where the Sunday Golf Loma Golf Bag comes in.

Best Sunday Bag: Sunday Golf Loma Golf Bag – $129

Paul’s score: 4.5/5

Carrying a structured stand bag to a pitch-and-putt course is overkill. You are lugging around a frame built for fourteen clubs when you only need a wedge and a putter. It is wasted weight, and for a kid, that extra bulk makes a quick evening round feel like a chore.

At $129, this is the cheapest bag Sunday Golf makes, so the real question is what you are actually giving up for that price.

The first thing I noticed when I picked up the Loma is that it feels like it weighs nothing. It is 1.95 pounds empty. You can lift it with one finger. It is 31.5 inches tall and only seven inches wide. What that actually means is a kid can carry this for eighteen holes and barely notice it is there. Compare that to a standard adult stand bag at five or six pounds empty, and you understand why the Loma exists.

It uses a simple two-way top with a full-length divider that holds four to six clubs. The full-length divider is important because it keeps club shafts from rubbing against each other inside the bag. Despite the tiny footprint, it still has a dual-flex stand system. You don’t have to lay it in the wet grass while you putt. The legs deploy smoothly and hold the bag upright on most surfaces. It also has an insulated two-can cooler pocket, which is a real feature for a bag this size. Most bags at this price point skip the insulation entirely. There is also a velour-lined valuables pocket for a phone or keys, a velcro glove holder, a dedicated rangefinder pocket, a ball pocket, and a mesh pocket for tees and accessories.

Sunday Golf backs this bag with a free lifetime warranty, which is unusual at this price. If a zipper fails or a seam splits, they will fix it. The zippers are high-tech water-resistant throughout, which protects the contents from light rain or morning dew.

The catch is the strap. It only has a single padded shoulder strap. Because the bag is so light, a single strap is fine for a quick nine, but it is not as comfortable as a double strap for long walks on a hilly course. It also maxes out at six clubs, so it is strictly a practice or par-3 bag. If you are playing a full course and want to carry a driver, a couple of irons, a wedge, and a putter, you will be right at the limit.

This is for kids who spend all their time at the driving range or the short course and only need a few clubs. If they are playing full courses and need a driver, woods, and a full set of irons, this will not work.

But what if you want a lightweight Sunday bag that still has a double strap? That is where the Sunday Golf Loma XL Golf Bag comes in.

Best Mid-Size Sunday Bag: Sunday Golf Loma XL Golf Bag – $169

Paul’s score: 4.4/5

The problem with most ultra-light Sunday bags is that they force you to use a single strap. A single strap is fine for three holes, but by hole seven, it starts digging into your shoulder. You end up constantly shifting the bag from side to side.

So when a bag claims to fix that while staying under three and a half pounds, the question is whether the balance actually holds up.

The Loma XL weighs 3.4 pounds and includes a fully padded double strap system. What that means is you get the weight distribution of a full-size stand bag with the footprint of a Sunday bag. It completely changes how the bag feels over eighteen holes. The straps pull evenly across both shoulders, and the bag sits snug against your back instead of swinging out to one side.

It holds up to eight clubs in a three-way top with full-length dividers. That is enough room for a driver, a hybrid, a few irons, a wedge, and a putter. The full-length dividers keep the shafts separated all the way to the bottom of the bag, which prevents the grip tangling that happens in bags with partial dividers. The bag is 32.5 inches tall and seven inches wide, which is slightly larger than the Loma but still compact enough to feel like a carry bag rather than a stand bag.

It has the same dual-flex stand system as the smaller Loma. The legs deploy quickly and hold the bag upright on most surfaces. The insulated two-can cooler pocket keeps drinks cold through a full round. There is also a velour-lined valuables pocket, a glove holder, a tee and pencil holder, a ball pocket, and a mesh pocket. The zippers are high-tech water-resistant throughout. The bag also comes with a carry handle at the top for easy lifting.

The Loma XL sits at $169, which is $40 more than the Loma. What you are paying for is the double strap, the three-way top instead of two-way, and the extra club capacity. If you walk the course regularly and carry seven or eight clubs, that is a worthwhile upgrade.

The catch is that it is still a compromise bag. It does not hold fourteen clubs, and the three-way divider is not as organized as a four-way top. If you try to jam ten clubs in here, the grips will tangle. The MSRP is $189.99, but it is frequently available at $169.

This is for golfers who want to walk the course with a half-set of clubs and demand the comfort of a double strap. If you want to carry your entire set, you need to step up to a bigger frame.

But what if you want a bag that holds all fourteen clubs for under $100? That is where the IZZO Ultra Light Carry Golf Bag comes in.

Best Budget Bag: IZZO Ultra Light Carry Golf Bag – $93

Paul’s score: 4.4/5

Lightweight bags that hold a full set of clubs are usually expensive. When you try to find a full-capacity bag under $100, you usually end up with heavy, cheap canvas and plastic legs that bend in the wind.

At $93 this is the cheapest bag on the list, so the real question is what you are actually giving up for that price, and the answer is less obvious than you’d expect.

The IZZO Ultra Light weighs 3.2 pounds and holds all fourteen clubs. That is the combination that is hard to find at this price. Most bags under $100 that hold a full set weigh five or six pounds. Most bags that weigh three pounds only hold six or eight clubs. The IZZO manages both by using high-strength 4200 denier polyester as the primary material. The high denier count means a dense weave, which resists abrasion and tearing better than the thin nylon you find on cheaper bags.

The four-way top divider keeps all fourteen clubs separated, which is more organization than you get from the two-way and three-way tops on the Sunday bags. The dual strap carry system distributes the weight evenly across both shoulders. The integrated SmartGRIP handle at the top makes it easy to pull out of a car trunk or lift off a cart without awkwardly grabbing the frame.

It includes a waterproof valuables pocket with a sealed zipper and water-resistant lining, which is a meaningful feature at this price. Your phone and wallet stay dry even if you get caught in a shower. It also comes with a rain hood and an umbrella holder, which are both practical additions that a lot of budget bags skip. The ball pocket is customizable, meaning you can add embroidery or patches to personalize it.

The catch is the storage. It only has two main pockets. There is no cooler pocket, no magnetic rangefinder pocket, and no large apparel pocket. If you want to carry a rain jacket, extra gloves, snacks, and a rangefinder, you will be stacking everything into two compartments. It is a pure carry bag designed to hold clubs and balls, and nothing else. The construction is also functional rather than premium. There are no leather accents, no velour lining, and no magnetic closures.

This is for budget-conscious golfers who want the lightest possible bag that still holds a full set of clubs. If you like to carry extra layers, drinks, and training aids, you will not have anywhere to put them.

But what if you want a mid-size bag with premium storage that is still built for walking? That is where the Sunday Golf El Camino Golf Bag comes in.

Best Walking Bag: Sunday Golf El Camino Golf Bag – $199

Paul’s score: 4.4/5

Most full-size stand bags are too heavy to walk with, and most Sunday bags do not hold enough clubs. If you want to carry ten or twelve clubs, you are usually forced to choose between a cramped Sunday bag or a bulky cart bag.

When a bag costs $199 and claims to bridge that gap, the question is whether it actually does both jobs well.

The El Camino holds ten to twelve clubs in a four-way top with full-length dividers. What I found interesting here is the base. It uses a flat, cart-friendly base combined with a dual-flex stand system. What that actually means is it sits perfectly square on the back of a golf cart, but the legs deploy smoothly when you decide to walk. Most bags built for walking have a rounded base that rocks on a cart. Most bags built for a cart have a base too wide to carry comfortably. The El Camino solves both by keeping the base flat and narrow.

It weighs 3.9 pounds and measures 34 inches tall by 8 inches wide. That extra height compared to the Sunday bags is what gives it the ten-to-twelve club capacity without blowing up the footprint. The four-way top opening is 7 inches by 6.5 inches, large enough to drop clubs in and pull them out without fighting the dividers. The premium double-strap system distributes the weight evenly across both shoulders, and the bag sits flush against your back rather than swinging out on one side. The insulated Frosty Pocket keeps drinks cold through a full round. There is also a velour-lined valuables pocket for your phone and keys, and the zippers are high-tech water-resistant throughout. A rain hood is included, which is something the Loma and Loma XL do not include.

The El Camino also comes with a carry handle at the top, which makes it easy to pull out of a car trunk or lift off a cart without grabbing the frame. The water-resistant zippers run throughout the bag, so you are not just protecting one pocket in a rain shower. The overall construction is noticeably more substantial than the Sunday bags, and it shows in the way the bag holds its shape when it is empty.

The catch is that it still does not comfortably hold fourteen clubs. If you try to force a full set into the four-way top, the clubs will bind at the bottom. It is also the heaviest bag on this list at 3.9 pounds, which is noticeable compared to the Loma at 1.95 pounds.

This is for the golfer who carries ten to twelve clubs and splits their time between walking and riding. If you refuse to take any clubs out of your bag, look for a true fourteen-way stand bag.

Frequently Asked Questions

So Which One Should You Actually Buy?

If you’re buying for a junior golfer five feet and under, get the Vessel Junior Air Stand. It’s the lightest bag Vessel makes for kids, it has waterproof zippers, and it looks and feels like the real thing. If your kid wants the leather look, Vessel’s Junior Stand is $269. And if you have a five to eight-year-old who’s just getting started, the Sunday Golf Recess comes in a smaller 27-inch size.

If you want a premium second bag for the range or cart-path-only days, get the Vessel Pencil Stand Bag. The bag hook alone makes it worth it if you already own a cart bag. If you mostly play par-3 courses or the driving range and want to spend less, the Sunday Golf Loma is the easiest carry on this list at 1.95 pounds, and the Loma XL adds a double strap and room for eight clubs.

If you need a bag that holds all fourteen clubs and you do not want to spend more than $100, the IZZO Ultra Light is the only option on this list that checks both boxes. It is not a luxury bag, but it does the job. If you want something that holds ten to twelve clubs and works equally well on a cart or on foot, the El Camino is the right call.

What do you guys think? Let me know in the comments. And if you want to see more honest gear reviews where I cut through the marketing BS, make sure you subscribe. I will see you out on the course.

About the author

Paul Liberatore

Paul Liberatore is the founder of Golfers Authority and a former four-year golf gear contributor to Sports Illustrated. He tests golf equipment hands-on to help golfers make better buying decisions.

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