Golf Bag Types Explained: Carry, Stand, Cart and Buggy

Stand bag, cart bag, pencil bag, buggy. Which type suits a junior, and why bag weight matters more than any feature on the list.

A golf bag is the least glamorous purchase in junior golf and one of the most consequential. A child who cannot comfortably carry their own clubs will stop wanting to play eighteen holes, and no amount of coaching fixes that.

The main types

• Pencil bag: the lightest option, a narrow sleeve with a single strap and minimal storage. Ideal for a junior playing nine holes with a half set
• Stand bag: has two retractable legs that swing out when the bag is set down, plus a dual shoulder strap. The most popular all-round choice, and the standard for juniors who walk
• Cart bag: designed to sit on a buggy or motorised cart. Heavier, with more pockets and a base built to strap in rather than to be carried. Not suitable for carrying any distance
• Tour or staff bag: the oversized bags seen on television, carried by professional caddies. They are heavy, expensive, and entirely wrong for a child

Weight is the number that matters

Bag specifications list dividers, pockets and rain hoods. For a junior, weight is the specification that determines whether the bag gets used. A light bag with a half set inside is a manageable load for a primary-school-aged child; a full set in a heavy bag is not.

A useful rule of thumb when trialling: have the child carry the loaded bag the length of a driving range and back. If their posture changes or they swap shoulders repeatedly, it is too heavy - either the bag or the number of clubs in it.

Buggies: the Australian term that confuses visitors

In Australia a 'buggy' usually means a pull or push trolley that the player walks behind, while a motorised cart is called a cart. A push buggy is an excellent middle path for a junior who wants to carry a full set but cannot manage the weight, and it is far cheaper than a motorised cart.

Some clubs restrict buggy use in wet conditions or on certain paths, so check locally before assuming one can be used. Note also that a stand bag will sit on most push buggies, so buying a stand bag first keeps both options open.

Push buggy options are listed in the push buggies section of the equipment directory.

Dividers, straps and the features worth paying for

• Dual shoulder straps: essential for carrying. A single strap loads one shoulder and encourages a child to lean
• Divider count: four to six is plenty for a junior set. Fourteen-way dividers add weight for clubs a child does not own
• A dry pocket or rain hood: worth having for winter golf and early-morning dew
• Water bottle holder: more useful in an Australian summer than any premium feature on the list

How to look after the bag and its contents between rounds is covered in golf club storage and transport.

Bags currently available to Australian buyers are listed in the bags section of the equipment directory.