If you love to play golf, then you know how important it is to have a good quality, lightweight golf bag.
One of the problems with walking around a 9 or 18 hole golf course is lugging a golf bag around with you.
If you are lucky enough to have a golf cart or pull cart, then it becomes much easier to carry the bag around.
Golf bags can vary in size and weight and once you put a set of clubs and a few other items in it, the bag can become too heavy for many people to carry around the course.
Being able to find a lightweight golf bag will make walking with your clubs easier and more enjoyable.
Let’s look at how much the average golf bag weighs.
How much does an empty golf bag weigh?
Golf bags are getting lighter all the time and the lightweight and ultra-lightweight bags are in high demand.
Depending on the size and design of the bag, an empty golf bag will weigh around 7 – 11 pounds. Lightweight and ultra-lightweight bags can weigh as little as 3 -4 pounds. Most golf bags have a stand attached to them, which is included in the weight.
Of course, some bags will weigh more and some will weigh less, they are not all the same. But this is the average weight of a standard-size golf bag.
How much does a golf bag full of clubs weigh?
With the addition of clubs to the bag, the overall weight of the bag will increase. If you have a full set of clubs including the driver, putter, and other irons, a golf bag will weigh around 25 – 30 pounds.
This weight can change if you have more or fewer clubs in the bag. Also, keep in mind that not all golf clubs weigh the same. Depending on the types of clubs you are carrying, it could change the weight of the full bag.
Examples of golf bag weights
| Golf Bag | Empty weight | Size | Material |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cobra Golf 2020 | 4.5 lbs | 36 x 13 x 10 inches | Polyester |
| Cleveland Golf | 7.0 lbs | 36 x 13 x 10 inches | Polyester |
| Callaway Golf 2020 | 7.1 lbs | 36.5 x 12 x 11 inches | Nylon |
| Tour X SS | 3.8 lbs | 36 x 12 x 8.5 inches | Synthetic |
| TaylorMade Flextech | 5.4 lbs | 33 x 13.6 x 10.4 inches | Polyester |
Also read: Golf cart size and weight
Other items that add to the weight of a golf bag include:
- Golf balls
- Tees
- Gloves
- Ball retriever
- Umbrella
- Rain gear
- Water bottle
- Bag cover
- Rangefinder
As you can see, the weight of a golf bag can really add up once you start adding things into it. This weight can be reduced by simply not bringing items with you that you don’t use.
A common weight contributor is having too many spare golf balls. Some people will bring a dozen extra balls but others will bring 2 or 3 dozen which just adds extra weight for no reason. Unless you lose so many balls during play that you need them.
Also having a nice rangefinder is great but if you don’t need it or never use it, don’t bring it with you as it just adds weight to your golf bag.
Golf bag 20% weight carrying rule
A simple guideline to follow which will help you decide on the proper golf bag weight for you is to keep the weight of the bag less than 20% of your body weight.
This will prevent you from carrying a bag that is too heavy for you which can lead to injury and poor performance.
For example, if you weigh 180 pounds, your golf bag should weigh no more than 36 pounds.
There are many things that go into determining if a golf bag is too heavy for you, but it’s important to not carry a bag that is oversized and overweight.
The 20% rule is just a general guide and rule of thumb that can follow.
More information on the 20% weight rule can be found here.
How much does a golf ball weigh?
As mentioned, the weight of golf balls can add to the overall weight of your golf bag. A single golf ball or a handful of spares won’t be a problem but when you start carrying a few extra dozen, it can make a big difference.
The maximum golf ball weight that can be used by professional players is 45.93 grams or 1.62 ounces.
A dozen golf balls will weigh 551.16 grams or 19.44 ounces.
2 dozen golf balls weigh 1102.32 grams or 38.88 ounces. This is equal to 2.43 pounds.
How much does a PGA tour bag weigh?
PGA tour golf bags will generally weigh more than your average bag that we would use. On average these bags will weigh between 35 and 40 pounds.
Carrying a bag of this weight can be very difficult over the course of 18 holes. Take into consideration the distance and terrain of a long course and it can be a huge task for PGA tour caddies.