Introduction
Ping introduced the Hoofer range of golf bags back in 1993 and the standout feature was that it was one of the first stand bags to feature a built-in retractable leg mechanism. The ‘Hoofer’ name came from the notion of walking the golf course, or ‘hoofing it’, and the initial bag was specifically designed for carry comfort, balance and durability, especially for the increasingly rare breed of golfers that carry their bag.
They’re one of the post popular carry bags in golf but what does the 2026 Hoofer have to offer? Let’s find out…
Keywords
16 Pockets, magnetic range finder pocket, valuables pocket, comfortable carry, durable, rain hood, 5-way top, cart strap, storage
- RELATED: Best Carry Bags 2026
- RELATED: Best Cart Bags 2026
NCG Summary
NCG Summary
A Ping Hoofer to most golfer’s is an absolute classic. It’s a product that you almost don’t want to see change as it already ticks all of the boxes.
This years Ping Hoofer hasn’t changed much visually but it’s new colourway certainly caught my eye.
There are more pockets than ever it seems with 16 different places to store your belongings!
PROS
- Comfortable to carry
- Durable construction
- Reasonable weight at 2.5kg
- Clever rain hood storage
CONS
- I will have to say goodbye to my old Hoofer
- Not fully waterproof
Key Facts
| Top Dividers | 5 |
| Weight (lbs) | 5.5 |
| Pockets | 16 |
| Strap | Padded, convertible |
| Material | Polyester |
| Waterproof | No |
| Cart Strap Tunnel | Yes |
| Waterproof valuables pocket | 2 – one velour lined |
| Water bottle pocket | Yes |
Key benefits and downsides
| Key benefits | Downsides |
|---|---|
| Design – Classic, consistent design that builds on the success of previous years | Not lightweight – there are lighter bags if you are after a lightweight carry |
| Storage – Impressive pocket configuration – 16 pockets! And a total of 22 litres of storage | Waterproofness – not fully waterproof |
| Colour options – you can stay plain or go bold | |
| Rain hood – well designed with attached storage | |
| Nice surprises – eg magnetic rangefinder pocket and fleece lined valuables pocket | |
| Carry or Cart – includes cart strap channel for when you wish to use a cart | |
| 5-way club divider – this helps with club organisation |
First Impressions
A Ping Hoofer golf bag is an absolute classic. With a lot of products you want to see a noticeable change year on year but there’s something comforting about the Hoofer remaining almost identical.
This is a decent size golf bag. It’s not trying to be a lightweight carry bag – that is the job of the Hoofer Lite. The Hoofer weighs a respectable 2.5kg, only 0.25kg heavier than the Lite bag. It comes with a huge 16 pockets, that collective holds 22 litres.
In terms of design, I’m impressed. Navy and beige seems to be a very trendy combination at the moment and I’m very much enjoying that – so this fits perfectly. If this doesn’t float your boat Ping does offer this bag in a few other options including plain white and plain black.
I like that the rain hood isn’t just stuffed in a pocket, it has its own given place in the padded area that would rest on your back. It’s also attached to the bag so you don’t lose it which is great but if you’re looking to shed weight from the bag this might not be idea – although it’s very light.
Advertisement
How I undertook the review
I took it out for a full round at my local golf course, where I’m a member.
I paid close attention to how comfortable the bag was to carry or use on a trolley, how well it held up in terms of durability, and whether it offered enough storage for everything I needed. My goal was to provide an honest account of how the bag stands up during actual play.
Additionally, I’ve included a comparison section further down, where I look at how this bag stacks up against similar models in its class.
What I found
Setting this up to take out on the course was great. So many pockets, so much space. The magnetic range finder pocket that sits at the front is very useful. It’s so quick and easy to get in and great for some one like me who is always forgetting to zip up my pockets – a bad habit I know.
The Hoofer comes with all the standard things you’d expect. Pen and pencil slots on the side, a loop to attach tags/rangefinder holder. The valuables pocket is great, it’s a decent size and fleece lined.
There’s a water bottle pouch where you can slip a bottle in and out of quickly. I found that this was shaped well and that it find any reasonably sized bottle in without it falling out when walking. After visiting the halfway house I acquired a second drink that I was pleased I could squeeze alongside my bottle.
I know that this is a carry bag but I’m forever switching between carrying and using a trolley so it’s nice to see if a bag can handle both. The Hoofer does have a cart strap channel to help keep it stable and secure on a trolley. I used it on my Motocaddy M1 and it worked great – very secure on the trolley.
The Ping Hoofer doesn’t make any claims to be a waterproof golf bag. The material is enough to withstand showers, but a rain cover would be needed in a heavier downpour – or retire to the 19th hole!
NCG Final Say
In summary, this bag is everything that you would expect from Hoofer. It’s solid, durable, it has lots of storage space and it looks great. I can’t wait to keep using this!
How it compares to other bags
The Ping 2026 Hoofer golf bag stands out with its classic design, exceptional storage capacity, and versatile features that suit both carry and trolley use.
It excels in durability and organisation, offering ample apparel pockets and a well thought out layout that many other bags lack.
However, compared to ultra-lightweight models, it is slightly heavier, which could be a drawback for players prioritizing minimal weight.
While it performs reliably in most conditions, it doesn’t offer full waterproofing, unlike some high end bags designed specifically for heavy rain.
Price information
RRP: £220 / $290
Advertisement
Advertisement
