Everything you need to know about pencil golf bags
By: Jack Whittaker | Edited: Wed 24 Dec 2025
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Pencil bags are back in fashion, and an increasing number of golfers are getting their hands on one in preparation for another taxing winter season.
With buggies and trollies outlawed at most local courses during the heights of British winter, these bags offer the perfect solution to ease the physical load on golfers and courses.
Here’s why a switching to pencil bag this winter may be the best option for you.
Pencil bags vs standard and cart bags: weight and design
Pencil bags are named after their narrow structure, typically weighing between one and two-kilos, they are perfect for walking golfers playing shorter rounds.
The weight varies by design due to materials used, extra pocket space and stand mechanisms, but your average pencil bag will weigh in a kilo lighter than a regular stand bag and up to two kilos lighter than a cart bag.
While this does not seem such a huge difference, pencil bags only cater for golfing essentials, so when fully loaded this weight disparity is accentuated.
An average pencil bag comfortably stores seven to nine clubs, meaning golfers tend to leave larger but consistent gapping when curating their bag. This along with storage for only essential equipment, such as balls, tees, rangefinders and waterproofs, means that a fully loaded pencil bag can be up to five-kilos lighter than a regular stand bag, and up to seven-kilos lighter than a cart bag.
The narrow pencil design adds to the ease of carrying by making them less cumbersome and easily manoeuvrable with handles on either the side or top of the bag.
These bags come in a variety of designs, some being standless while others are supported by mini-stands or full-size stands.
Why are they worth it?
Demand for these bags soars over the winter period as many courses ban carts and even trollies to protect the ground, with golfers turning to the most suitable temporary option.
Shorter days over the winter mean time is as the essence, so a lightweight and easily manoeuvrable bag can make the difference when fitting a round of golf into your schedule.
It can also be refreshing to strip down to the bare essentials. The reduced club selection can help simplify the game and make you a more versatile player in the process, moreover, the competitive ‘off-season’ is a useful time to prioritise staying consistent and working on fundamentals, rather than chasing scores.
Pencil bags provide a solution for winter golf where convenience is the focus. Courses are walkable, the game is simplified, and you have fewer clubs to clean after your round!
Here is a breakdown of some of the best pencil bags on the market, to help you battle through the winter.
FLUSHD Rangr
FLUSHD is a new golf brand launched in 2025, focused on boldly designed premium gear, and the Rangr is their take on the modern pencil (Sunday) bag.
Weighing 2.5lbs, it stays truly lightweight while offering practical storage with four pockets enough space for balls, essentials and even a set of waterproofs. The three-way, graphite-friendly divider is compact but usable, and it’ll take around six clubs including a driver and a mallet putter, making it ideal for practice sessions, range work or short rounds.
The Rangr includes a stand plus a handy grab handle, keeping it off damp ground. A double strap helps spread the load comfortably across your back. Additionally, the range is available in ten colourways and includes a built-in phone holder for filming your swing.
PING Moonlite 244 Golf Carry bag
PING are stalwarts of the pencil bag market, and the Moonlite has had multiple iterations dating back to 2012. The Moonlite 244 was relaunched in April 2025 as part of PING’s lightweight carry bag line up, offering an affordable option from a premium golf brand.
Weighing in at a mere 2lbs it’s even more lightweight than previous Moonlite designs. Coming with three pockets including a dedicated rangefinder pocket and an insulated water bottle, while also featuring a Velcro glove patch, making it great for organising equipment.
Its one-strap design and two-way divider offering room for 7-9 clubs and making it a great option for shorter rounds.
Its standless design is a drawback for golfers that prefer not to lay their bag in between shots, but the water-resistant design hinders absorption from the damp ground.
The one strap design may also put off golfers who prefer not to have the load of their clubs on one shoulder, however, being one of the lightest bags on the market helps lessen the burden.
Three colourways are on offer, with more basic black and heather grey options, and a signature Mr PING design for the staunch PING fans.
Vessel Golf Pencil Stand Bag
The Vessel Pencil bag is a sleek build with three pockets, including a magnetic rangefinder pocket, with microfiber lining for scratch-free protection.
It features a single padded one strap design which clips on and off for both left or right-hand carry and includes a sturdy full-length carbon-fibre stand for easy club access.
In Vessel you are paying for ingenuity, and amongst its cleverly designed features, it not only functions as a standalone bag for winter, but can hook onto your main bag while strapped to a cart, making it a versatile option for ‘cart path only days’.
Its water-resistant synthetic leather design makes it easy to clean and gives it a premium and minimalistic look which will suit the eye of many golfers.
Mizuno BR-D2 Golf Carry Bag
The best on the list for storage, with a whopping nine pockets including a detachable pouch for extra storage, and a four-way club divider.
The extra space makes it the perfect option for golfers after a lightweight bag that is a viable option for full rounds of golf over winter.
It features a double strap for stability, a sturdy handle for manoeuvrability and a mini stand to keep your bag off the boggy fairways.
Mizuno are known for their signature bright blue products but this time they have opted for a more understated blue and black combination, with a contrasting red and black design also on offer.
Level4 Lightweight Sunday Bag
This simply designed pencil bag is the cheapest option on the list, featuring a four-way club divider, two straps, and four pockets providing ample room for waterproofs, snacks and all essential equipment.
The Level4 also offers customisation, with the option to have your club badge embroidered on the large front pocket, a great touch for those playing in club competitions or those who want to add a personal detail to their golf bag.
Callaway Par 3
This waterproof micro-stand pencil bag features a three-way shaft shield and rubberised dividers for enhanced club protection.
It features three zip pockets and a drawstring on the front of the bag which is a great easy access pocket for waterproofs and snacks.
The Par 3 is lightweight but built with stability in mind, with a sturdy handle and mini-stand, making it a strong option for both nine or 18 holes.
It also comes with the signature Callaway anamatic strap system ensuring the bag self-adjusts to sit perfectly on your shoulders without the need to constantly fiddle after every shot.
The blue palms design feels more suited to a golf holiday in Mauritius than a winter golf round in the UK, but it looks great all the same.
Titleist LINKSLEGEND Golf Carry Bag
If you are after a classic and timelessly stylish pencil bag, unsurprisingly, Titleist has you covered.
The LINKSLEGEND is sleek and simplistic, with two large pockets for the bare essentials, a single strap and two-way divider, suited for short rounds.
Coming in navy blue and black colourways, the synthetic leather build allows for easy cleaning, with quilted detailing adding to the classically aesthetic look.
It is however, a standless design, and sitting at the premium end of pricing you may spend a chunk of time cleaning post-round to maintain that aesthetic finish.
Winter is not a time to stow away the clubs, but an important time to capitalise and get a head start on all your golf buddies.
There is a plethora of Sunday bag options available to help make winter golf more accessible, so be sure to research and find the perfect one for you.
About the author
Jack Whittaker is a sports journalism graduate based in London and a member at Ealing Golf Club. A close follower of the game at every level, he has a particular interest in the rich history of golf and the personalities who shape it. Jack enjoys hopping on the Tube to uncover lesser-known courses across suburban London and is eager to broaden his golfing horizons with trips to destinations further afield. His perspective combines the enthusiasm of an improving club golfer with a keen eye for the stories that unfold both inside and outside the ropes.
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