Living in Portland, I’ve learned a few things about golf in the rain. Believe me.
And one thing I know is that even in bad weather, if you’ve got the right gear, you can still have a good time on the course.
On the other hand, with the wrong gear, well, playing in the rain can really suck.
Everyone knows about rain gear. Umbrellas. Rain gloves. Waterproof golf shoes.
And all of those things can be important, for sure.
But let me tell you as someone who’s played more than their share of golf in the rain, a waterproof golf bag is the most underrated but seriously amazing piece of equipment that can exponentially increase your enjoyment of playing golf in the elements.
But which bags are waterproof? And which of those is actually worth owning?
That’s what we’re covering today. I’m honestly surprised we don’t see more waterproof golf bag options. But of what we do have, these are the best ones.
And the good news is that each pick here can also work perfectly well even when the sun’s shining.
My Top Pick: Sunday Golf Storm Ryder
Sunday Golf keeps getting better. While their first products didn’t necessarily impress me, I gotta say, I’ve found myself recommending their bags more and more.
And this Storm Ryder waterproof, all-black design just might be my overall favorite.
The waterproof materials feel great and pretty high-end, and I really like the overall look of this bag.
The Storm Ryder features taped zippers, which is exactly what you’d hope to see. Although I was surprised that the main ball pocket in the front wasn’t taped. Seems like an odd omission, but in testing, it still performed well in the rain.
A nice side benefit of a bag like this is that, because of the waterproof material used, this bag is actually more durable than a standard nylon bag.
And not only does this bag keep your gear dry, which it did for me completely, but aesthetically, it might be Sunday Golf’s best work yet. I love the blacked-out look, and I actually got two random compliments on this bag the very first time I took it out on the course.
The listed retail price of $329.99 feels steep, but you should routinely find it for $299. Better yet, use this Breaking Eighty link and take another 15% off, bringing it down to $255. At that price, this is an excellent value.
Looking for a waterproof bag that looks good and has plenty of features? Look no further, the Storm Ryder is here. Click the link and you'll get a custom 15% discount pop-up on the site.
Runner-Up: Sun Mountain H2NO Litespeed
No surprise. Sun Mountain has always been pioneers in combining golf bag performance with reasonable price points. And their H2NO Litespeed is one of those examples.
They basically invented the waterproof stand bag, and they’ve been refining it ever since.
The Litespeed weighs only 5 pounds. And it delivers pretty much what you’d expect from the people who’ve been doing this the longest. You get waterproof fabric throughout. Sealed seams. Water-resistant zippers.
The rain hood fits properly and actually seals. The pockets are designed to shed water instead of collecting it.
You’ve got a 14-way divider, which isn’t always my preference, but you do get full-length separators.
This bag also features Sun Mountain’s E-Z Lite dual strap system, which definitely makes it a great option for carrying.
The catch if there is one might be the price. You’re looking at $330 for this bag. But if you play in the rain frequently or even semi-occasionally, the investment makes sense.
Sun Mountain knows how to make rugged, high-performing golf gear. So no shock that they're the ones that first came up with a waterproof bag. They've been making it better every since.
Best Budget Option: Big Max Dri Lite Hybrid Plus
If you want waterproof protection without spending beyond the $300 mark, I’d take a hard look at the Big Max Dri Lite Hybrid Plus.
First of all, Big Max is a brand that’s well-known and very reputable in Europe but not generally as familiar to American golfers. But there’s a lot to like with this brand, and the blend of quality and affordability might be the best part.
Their Dri Lite line is marketed as “water resistant,” but in practical terms, it’s pretty damn waterproof.
The Hybrid part means it works as both a carry bag and a cart bag. At 4.4 to 5.5 pounds, depending on the model, it’s light enough for walking but stable enough for carts.
You can find these for $250 and sometimes even less. For the money, it’s tough to beat. The materials don’t feel quite as premium as Sunday Golf or Sun Mountain. But they certainly work very well all the same.
While this bag might not have the full waterproof performance of some more expensive options, it does a very good job if the conditions don't get out of control. And the price is reasonable.
Best Lightweight Option: Titleist Players 4 StaDry
At just under 4 pounds, this is one of the lightest waterproof options out there.
And, Titleist being Titleist, you know that they’re going to deliver something that can hold up to mainstream use. This is a totally solid workhorse that has the very nice added benefit of being a really easy carry.
The StaDry tech includes seam-sealed zippers and waterproof construction.
The 4-way top is lower profile than most, which people may either love or hate.
The materials here feel high quality, and the details like the lined valuables pocket and premium double strap design show the kind of thoughtfulness you want from a major brand.
Pricing typically runs $295 to $315, putting the Players 4 StaDry kind of in that middle to higher-end zone. If you want a waterproof bag from a name you know and trust, this delivers.
If you want to go with a big brand you know and trust, this bag has a lot going for it. Premium waterproof materials and a very comfortable carry make it worth the price.
Best Waterproof Cart Bag: Motocaddy Dry-Series
If you primarily use a cart or push cart and want legitimate waterproof protection at a reasonable price, the Motocaddy Dry-Series is where it’s at.
This bag is super-lightweight and waterproof thanks to durable TPU Nylon fabric, thermo-sealed zippers, and heat-welded seams.
It also includes nine pockets, 14 full-length dividers, and easy-open Japanese YKK zips for smooth openings.
To round it out, you’ve got an anti-twist EASILOCK base so that it seats well in whatever cart or push cart.
And the best part is that it’s currently on sale for $279 (normally priced $329).
Yes, Motocaddy is a brand best known for push carts, especially electric caddies, but they’ve dabbled in bags for a while. And given their main cart pursuit, I think buying a cart bag from this brand makes the most sense. This one’s a great option if you’re looking for waterproof.
From a brand known best for carts, why not consider a cart bag? This one really delivers if you're looking for waterproof.
What Actually Makes a Bag Waterproof?
Since we’re talking about dropping hundreds of dollars on a bag, it’s worth knowing what you’re paying for.
Water-Resistant vs. Waterproof
These aren’t the same thing. Generally speaking, water-resistant means it’ll handle like a mist or some very light precipitation. Waterproof means you can basically leave it out in a downpour and have all your stuff stay dry.
You want to look for something more than just treated nylon. Look for TPU-coated fabric, ideally.
Sealed Zippers and Seams Matter – A Lot!
Regular zippers are basically like water highways. Water always finds its way there and it always gets in. Same thing with seams.
The good waterproof bags use taped or welded zippers, usually YKK brand, that actually seal out the moisture. And the best bags use heat-welded or thermo-sealed seams.
Rain Hood Quality
This goes for any golf bag, even if it isn’t rated as waterproof. You’ve got to have a quality rain hood. If nothing else, this part of the bag should definitely be waterproof, not some thin nylon that soaks through immediately.
Don’t Forget Your Other Gear
Like I said, I think golf bags get the least attention when it comes to waterproofing. Most people think about taking care of their body and comfort, which of course is also huge. But the waterproof golf bag move can pay off bigger than you might realize.
Regarding the other stuff, you obviously need to take care of things like dry feet with the right socks and right golf shoes.
And rain gear that isn’t restrictive and that also doesn’t have you feeling like you’re in a clammy steam room is critical.
But don’t overlook warmth. Rain and chilly generally go hand-in-hand, especially at certain times of the year. We’ve got some favorite winter golf gear recommendations to share that have a lot of parallels with gearing up for the rain.
Final Thoughts
A waterproof golf bag is literally the epitome of a piece of gear you didn’t realize you needed until you had it when it mattered most.
When you’ve got the right golf rain gear, you can play in some pretty wild conditions and actually still have a great time.
Don’t get me wrong. As I get older, I’m not exactly racing to play golf in the rain. I’ve been the guy who reschedules plenty of times.
But, inevitably with where I live and what I do, I’m going to play my fair share of wet rounds. And when I discovered that there was such a thing as a waterproof golf bag, it was game over for me.
If you play enough rain rounds, this is an easy necessity.
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