Do you remember the days when a premium golf bag was $100?

Unfortunately, this is no longer the case. Along with most other things in the sport, golf bags are getting more expensive. A lot of this comes down to the type of golf bag you choose, the brand, and the features you are looking for.

We have put together a guide to help you understand how much to pay for a golf bag and a few of our favorite picks for the best golf bags on the market.

How Much Does a New Golf Bag Cost?

A new golf bag can cost anywhere from around $50 to well over $500. The average golf bags are in the $150 to $300 range. One of the biggest indicators of golf bag pricing is the details of what you are looking for in the bag.

Value Bag

A value-priced golf bags are those in the $50-$100 range. The things you will quickly notice about these golf bags are that they are not feature-rich, and they are typically smaller.

Many Sunday golf bags fall into this category. They are low in price but won’t even have enough storage for all 14 of your golf clubs.

You can expect that with a value bag, the color will probably fade, and there will be issues with fabric and zippers at some point that cause you to need a replacement. However, for those on a budget or golfers looking for an extra bag, this is a good choice.

The value bag is also smart for beginners that are not sure they plan to stick with the game.

Average Bag

The average golf bag ranges from around $100 to $200. At the higher end of this range, you may see some premium bags that are a year or two old, and their pricing is starting to drop.

In this price range, you will notice that the cart bags are more expensive than the stand bags. Most cart bags are bigger and have some extra features that the stand bags don’t have. This makes them a bit more expensive.

Although this is not a cheap price range for bags, it is where most golfers will end up when they decide on something to purchase.

Premium Golf Bag

Premium golf bags are for golfers that are not willing to sacrifice features and functionality. If you want magnetic pockets, a place to store all of your valuables, and a removable ball pocket that can be customized, this is the category you will end up in.

Premium golf bags are known to last for a long time and often have fabric that does not fade or rip.

These golf bags are made by some of the best manufacturers in the game, and they often come with warranties. Expect the costs here to be over the $200 mark, with most getting closer to $300.

Luxury

A luxury golf bag will have many of the same features as a premium golf bag, except the fabric will typically be a bit more advanced. Many of these bags are leather or hand sewn and are ordered more as specialty items.

Although we consider this category to be in the $400-$500 range, there are some bags that can go into the $1000 range.

With luxury golf bags, you typically get something that is more of a one-of-a-kind piece. You will

also notice that many tour-style golf bags can be considered more of a luxury item.

The 2 Main Types of Golf Bags

There are two main types of golf bags a stand bag and a cart bag. Although you can use a stand bag for various purposes, using a cart bag for anything other than riding on a cart can be a bit of a nuisance.

Stand Bag

A stand bag is meant for walking the golf course. Most of these will come with a strap on the back that allows you to carry the golf bag almost like a backpack. The stand bag is typically sleek looking and a bit more lightweight than a cart bag.

One of the best things about stand bags is that if you choose not to walk the course and you want to ride for one round, the stand bag can work for you.

Most of the time, stand bags are a bit lower in price than cart bags.

Cart Bag

A cart bag is a golf bag designed specifically for a golf cart. When you put the golf cart bag into the cart, it straps in tightly and won’t move much as you play. Cart bags are great for protecting your golf clubs as well as allowing you to store all of your golf gear.

One thing that you have to watch out for with cart bags is that they are a bit heavier, and they can also be more money.

If you are a player that does not have much gear and doesn’t want much gear, you may not need a cart bag.

What You Should Expect to Pay for a Golf Bag (Based on Skill Level)

Another factor that comes into play when looking for a golf bag is how your skill level will impact the bag you choose. Of course, it’s fine for any player to choose a bag that they love; there are some things here to keep in mind.

Remember also that regardless of your handicap, you must consider whether you like to walk or ride the golf course. Walking the course with a big heavy cart bag is not fun at all!

Beginner/High Handicap

Beginners and high handicappers should look for golf bags that are lightweight and cheap. If golf ends up being a sport that you don’t stick with, there is no sense in owning a $400 golf bag. Stay in the $75 to $150 range.

If you go for a stand bag, walking becomes an option, and that can save some money as well.

Mid Handicap

The mid handicapper makes up the majority of the golfing population. This is the group of players that typically spend between $100 and $250 on a golf bag. If you play golf on a cart, most of the time, tour cart bags are a great solution; tour bags are not necessary at all.

With mid handicappers, make sure to have full-length apparel pockets to be able to fit golf in all year long and have the proper equipment with you.

Low Handicap

Low handicap players tend to look for golf bags that have a few extra features. Things like a cooler pocket, full length dividers to protect golf gear, premium shoulder strap, and easy lift handles. Low handicap players are often the most particular of golfers and spend $250 and up on new golf bags.

The type of golf bag that works best for low-handicap players will vary depending on whether you prefer to walk or ride the course.

Our Top 3 Golf Bags to Consider

Here are some of the best golf bags on the market in various price ranges. New bags come to the market every year, and they offer technology that you may not have even known about.

Things like swivel tops and magnetic pockets have been some of the more recent additions to golf bags in the last few years.

Best Overall for Beginners/High Handicappers: Snake Eyes Golf Ultra Premium Cart Bag

Pros

• Velour lined valuables pocket
• Rangefinder pocket
• 2 Full length garment pockets
• 14 Way top

Cons

• Not the best choice for the beginner that likes to walk the course
• Limited color selection

For a beginner golfer who is new to the game but wants to feel well-equipped to spend some time out on the golf course, the Snake Eyes Golf Ultra Premium Cart Bag is a great option to consider.

This 10” top has 14 full-length dividers making sure that all of your clubs are adequately protected as you ride around the course. This bag also works well on a push cart for those that want to walk and push their clubs.

There are a total of 9 pockets to accommodate a wide variety of your gear. In addition, an insulated hydration pocket makes sure you are always feeling hydrated before you swing.

Best for Golfers on a Budget (Izzo Ultralight Stand Bag)

Pros

• Customizable ball pocket
• Dual strap carry system
• 3.2 pounds total weight

Cons

• The bag will fade over time
• Full-length dividers are not all that durable; not very many of them

With 6 different colors to choose from and some of the more lightweight technology on the market, this is a great budget golf bag. With budget golf bags, players have to be willing to give up a feature or two, and with the Ultra Lite Stand Bag, you won’t have to sacrifice much.

The bag is made of high-strength polyester, and it only weighs 2.3 pounds. The dual carry strap works well to balance the weight between your two shoulders. If you are walking the course, the Izzo Ultralight Stand Bag has enough room to accommodate everything you need.

Best Premium Golf Bag: Sun Mountain C-130 Cart Bag

Pros

• One water-resistant pocket
• Ventilated cooler pocket
• Separate putter compartment
• More than 8 colors to choose from
• Fourteen individual club dividers

Cons

• Sun Mountain has always made some of the higher-priced golf bags on the market

Sun Mountain makes some of the most premium golf bag choices on the market. With the Sun Mountain C-130, expect fourteen individual club dividers, a dedicated putter compartment, and velour-lined valuables pockets for all of your belongings.

The Sun Mountain brand always seems to tap into exactly what players are looking for. They break down the things that matter most for golfers, like organization and ease of use, and build premium quality golf bags that touch on all of these points.

There are a total of 13 pockets in this golf bag, making it incredibly easy to put all of your gear where it belongs. In addition, players of all levels love the dedicated putter compartment that holds your most used golf club.

Brittany Olizarowicz

Britt O has been playing golf since the age of 7. Almost 30 years later, she still loves the game, has played competitively on every level, and spent a good portion of her life as a Class A PGA Professional. Britt currently resides in Savannah, GA, with her husband and two young children.

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Compared to team sports such as basketball or soccer, a round of golf is an expensive endeavor. However, an astute purchasing strategy can help you find a suitable set of golf clubs in your price range. In this post, I explain how much you can expect to pay for a good set of clubs.

Your skill level and personal preference are factors that guide your decisions. However, it ultimately comes down to your budget. I have laid out a guide that gives you an idea of how much you can expect to pay for a set of clubs, depending on your needs.

How Much Does a Good Set of Golf Clubs Cost?

Beginners (New vs Used)

As a beginner, you need to fill your bag from scratch. The easiest approach is to acquire a complete set. This saves you the hassle of individually sourcing each individual club, but it has its downsides. Complete golf club sets contain stock shafts and lofts, which may not suit your swing.

In addition, full sets contain a limited selection of golf clubs. A titanium driver typically heads up the bag, followed by 3-wood. Some packages also include a 5-wood, but it is more common to see a 4 and 5-hybrid.

An entire golf club set ranges in price. It depends on the composition of the bag, and the brand. For example, a new Callaway Strata 12-piece set fetches $370, while the 16-piece edition runs for $580.

Conversely, a second-hand golf club set can run between $250 to $600. It depends on the condition of the golf clubs, their brand, and the number of pieces in the set.

Mid Handicapper (New vs Used)

Intermediate golfers should possess a complete club set at this stage. Therefore, if you change equipment, you may do so at various stages. For example, you may start with a new set of irons. Then wedges, woods, and a putter.

Purchasing clubs individually may lead to a higher overall cost. However, it gives you the freedom to acquire the optimal specs for your golf swing.

Let me break down the cost of a new set of clubs before diving into pre-owned options. A new golf driver.

A brand new driver for mid-handicap golfers costs between $350 to $600, while a fairway wood fetches $180 to $280 per unit. Furthermore, a hybrid is priced between $150 to $300 an item, while a set of irons is between $380 to $1000.

A pitching, sand, or lob wedge, sets beginners back $80 to $230, depending on the brand and quality. Finally, a new putter runs anywhere from $100 to $250. Therefore, an average set will cost an intermediate golfer between $1300 and $2000.

Conversely, the table below highlights the breakdown of costs for each type of club. Contrary to a new set, a pre-owned collection runs between $680 and $1500

Advanced (New vs Used)

The price of a hybrid club, driver, and fairway wood is the same as the intermediate equivalent. Where the prices change is with the irons. Superior golfers typically prefer the forged design and soft feel of blades. These irons promote maximum workability and spin for control on approach.

Blades are also known as muscle back irons as they do not contain a cavity. Therefore, they provide less forgiveness than game improvement irons due to a reduced sweet spot. These irons are forged from a single piece of steel, requiring precise workmanship.

Moreover, forged irons are more expensive compared to the technology-packed game improvement clubs. Therefore, you can expect to fork out between $1300 to $2000 for a set of irons, which include a gap and pitching wedge.

Based on our chart below, a new set of clubs for low handicaps total between $2500 and $3500. On the contrary, you can prepare to spend $1400 to $2700 for a set of pre-owned golf clubs.

Breakdown by Club and Skill Level

Driver

Beginner

The Callaway Big Bertha B21 is a suitable driver for high handicap golfers searching for forgiveness and consistency off the tee. The engineers placed the center of gravity (CG) low and forward to reduce backspin rpm and prompt a high launching ball.

Furthermore, the B21 driver features a draw bias profile built to limit left-to-right side spin for right-handers. As a result, your driver combats slices and promotes a straight flying golf ball.

Finally, an A. I designed Flash Face works to accelerate ball speed across the driver face. This helps you promote optimal velocity on all shots for added yardage off the tee.

Callaway lists the Big Bertha B21 driver at $350, making it a mid-priced driver.

Mid-Handicapper

A Cobra Speedzone Extreme driver contains a CNC Milled Infinity Face. It expands the active zone that produces rapid ball speed by 95%. This feature enhances your coefficient of restitution (C.O.R), which leads to faster ball velocity and farther distance off the tee.

In addition, an Aero-Zone Speedback shape promotes maximum clubhead speed, while low CG prompts high launching shots. Finally, a T-bar Steel structure increases stability for consistent ball speed and improves the moment of inertia (M.O.I). Ultimately this driver produces distance without sacrificing forgiveness.

Low-Handicapper

The new Callaway Rogue ST Max LS is built for superior golfers looking to work their shots and restrict backspin on tee shots. Despite a high MOI, that increases forgiveness, Callaway managed to ensure adequate workability.

Moreover, the A.I designed Jailbreak Speed Frame bolsters stability across the clubface to maximize ball speed throughout. Therefore you produce optimal distance and consistency on all shots. Lastly, an adjustable hosel enables you to alter the loft and lie of the clubface, leading to your desired launch.

Fairway Woods

Beginner

The TaylorMade SIM 2 Max produces maximum forgiveness, a high launch, and a mid-low spin off the clubface. This makes them an ideal companion for high handicappers desperate for consistency.

Multi-material construction pushes the CG low to encourage high launching shots. In addition, a Thru-Slot Speed Pocket accelerates ball speed.

Moreover, a C300 Twist Face restricts side spin to deliver straighter shots. Finally, these fairway woods are available in 15, 16.5, 18, and 24 degrees of loft.

Mid-Handicapper

The Cobra RADSPEED is an affordable fairway wood designed to maximize ball speed and forgiveness. Therefore, it suits mid-handicap golfers seeking additional yards without sacrificing forgiveness.

A CNC Milled Infinity Face enlarges the sweet spot of the fairway wood to maintain ball speed and reduce spin on all strikes. This leads to straight golf shots and ample distance.

Low-Handicapper

Callaway crafted the Epic Max to push the legal limits of ball speed. This is made possible by A.I Velocity Blades in conjunction with high strength maraging steel. Advanced players will appreciate the additional yards the Epic Max offers their long game.

An adjustable weight system enables you to alter the setup of the clubface. You can add extra weight to the back of the fairway wood for optimal forgiveness. Conversely, additional weight forward lowers your launch and spin for a piercing trajectory.

Hybrids

Beginner

The F9 Speedback possesses low CG and baffler technology. This partnership promotes a high launch, while baffler technology improves turf interaction. Superior turf interaction helps the sole glide swiftly across the turf to strike the ball cleanly from any lie.

In addition, this hybrid carries an enlarged clubhead which boosts MOI. That means it resists twisting during your swing to keep the clubface square at impact. This produces straight shots for improved accuracy.

In a nutshell, it launches high and straight and forgives you on mishits. Precisely the qualities beginners need from their hybrids.

Mid-Handicapper

The Taylormade SIM Max range makes another appearance on our list. This time it is the explosive, forgiving hybrid range.

Their regular flex custom graphite shafts are created for golfers with an average swing speed. Many mid-handicap golfers fall into this bracket.

The SIM Max V Steel Sole optimizes turf interaction to prevent the club from digging into the ground on the downswing. In addition, the C300 steel clubface encourages maximum ball speed, while Twist Face technology promotes straighter shots.

Low-Handicapper

PXG designed the 0211 Hybrid to work for golfers of all skill levels. However, the stiff shaft suits lower handicap golfers seeking a lower launch.

In addition, the HT1770 stainless steel clubface generates rapid ball speed across a larger area on the face for consistent yards.

A Railed Sole Geometry lowers the CG and increases MOI. Their partnership provides a high trajectory and a square clubface at impact for straight, long shots. Lastly, the Honeycomb TPE Insert ensures a smooth feeling by dampening vibrations.

Irons

Beginner

Hybrids are not every golfer’s cup of tea, but they offer exceptional forgiveness, which beginners need. My pick is the affordable, straight, and forgiving Powerbilt EX-550 irons.

My best buddy used Powerbilt irons growing up and became a scratch golfer. My point is that there is nothing wrong with this lesser-mentioned brand.

The EX-550 set consists of hybrids from your 4-iron to your pitching wedge. A sand wedge is included in the package, but it features a standard wedge construction. Their hollow-body design produces high MOI for straight, accurate shots.

Mid-Handicapper

The 0211 irons by PXG produce an exceptional coefficient of restitution, ensuring consistent ball speed on all strikes. This helps the average golfer maintain yardage, despite catching the ball in the heel or the toe.

In addition, an Angled Top Rail construction sets the CG near the center of the face to boost MOI. As a result, your irons work to square up through contact for straighter approach shots.

Low-Handicapper

Collin Morikawa and Tiger Woods are two names associated with the Taylormade P770 range. TaylorMade constructed these players’ irons to feature the traditional muscle-back look with a twist.

The engineers packed these irons with game improvement technology to optimize ball speed and enhance the feel. Plus, they offer superior golfers an element of forgiveness without hampering your ability to shape shots.

Wedges

Beginner

Wilson Harmonized wedges offer a simple, affordable design to improve the short game of high handicappers.

A versatile sole grind helps you open the clubface to get under the ball and launch it high. This trajectory enables you to stop the ball rapidly on the green and get up and down.

Moreover, a durable anti-glare finish increases your comfort and reduces distractions at address. Finally, the Harmonized collection contains a 52-degree gap wedge, a 56-degree sand wedge, and a 60-degree lob.

Mid-Handicapper

Mack Daddy 5 Jaws wedges present a remarkable balance of forgiveness, spin, and control. 5-sole grind options cater to every condition and angle of attack in golf. Plus, the head of each wedge is shaped to deliver a seamless transition from your 9-iron and pitching wedge to your gap, sand, and lob.

The engineers employed Groove-In-Groove Technology to create sharp edges for superior levels of spin. This promotes increased control around the green for improved chip and pitch results.

The Mack Daddy 5 Jaws wedges are constructed with 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, and 60 degrees of loft.

Low-Handicapper

The Vokey SM8 Tour Chrome wedges are an attractive range of clubs that generate exceptional spin and high MOI. Their design produces optimal feel and control for a superior greenside experience.

Spin Milled grooves steal the show and maximize backspin rpm to help you stop the ball rapidly near the cup. Plus, the presence of forward CG increases MOI to keep the clubhead square and stable through impact.

Putters

Beginner

Wilson manufactured the Harmonized M5 Jumbo to give beginners immediate forward roll, high MOI, and enlarged alignment aid. The combination of these features helps high handicappers produce consistent speed control and accuracy on all putts.

Mid-Handicapper

The famed Odyssey White Hot OG 2 Ball putter is a quality construction designed to deliver consistent topspin and forward roll on all strikes. In addition, the two-ball feature provides a robust alignment aid to keep you on target.

Low-Handicapper

Scotty Cameron created the Select Newport putter to produce exceptional feel, control, and forward roll for superior golfers. Plus, the blade construction provides a clean, classic look that traditionalists will appreciate.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years.

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