Ram Golf Waterproof Cart Bag Review: a practical, no-nonsense bag for wet rounds

I’ve been using the Ram Golf Waterproof Cart Bag in black/grey/red for a few weeks now, mostly on a push trolley, plus a couple of buggy rounds. I bought it because I was fed up with soggy grips and digging around in a soaked pocket for my phone whenever the weather turned. I wasn’t expecting miracles from a brand like Ram, which is more “value” than “premium”, but I wanted to see if a cheaper waterproof cart bag could actually do the job.

The first thing to know is this: it really is properly waterproof. I’ve had it out in steady rain for 18 holes twice, and a couple of grim, drizzly practice sessions. The clubs, pockets and my valuables all stayed dry. Not just “less wet than usual” – actually dry. For the price range this sits in, that’s the main thing that matters and it does deliver there.

Of course, it’s not perfect. It’s not the lightest bag I’ve ever moved around, some of the zips feel a bit stiff, and the styling is more “functional” than “premium”. You can see where they’ve saved money compared to big brands like Titleist or Callaway – mainly in the finishes and feel of the materials. But on the course, when it’s strapped to a trolley, most of that doesn’t really matter as long as it holds up and keeps stuff dry.

If you’re expecting a super fancy, prestige-looking bag, you’ll probably be a bit underwhelmed. If you just want a solid cart bag that doesn’t soak through, with enough pockets and a proper 14-way top, this one is honestly pretty solid. That’s where I’m at with it after several rounds: functional, decent value, with a few corners cut that you notice mainly off the course rather than during play.

Considering the current price bracket this Ram Waterproof Cart Bag sits in, I’d say the value for money is good. You’re getting a fully waterproof cart bag with 14-way dividers, an external putter well, and 9 pockets, including a cooler pocket. Similar spec bags from bigger brands often cost noticeably more. You don’t get the same premium feel or branding, but in terms of what it actually does on the course, it’s not far off.

Where Ram clearly saves money is in the finishing touches: the zips aren’t as smooth, the materials feel more basic, and the overall look is more “practical” than “high-end”. If those details matter a lot to you, you might be better off spending extra on something from Titleist, Callaway, Ping, etc. But if you mainly care that your kit stays dry and your clubs are organised, this bag gets the job done without you paying mainly for a logo.

The Amazon rating of around 4.4/5 with nearly 200 reviews lines up with my experience. It’s not flawless, but it does its main job well enough that most people seem happy with it. I wouldn’t hype it up as something special, but for the money, I don’t feel short-changed. I get proper waterproofing, a sensible layout, and a bag that feels sturdy enough.

So from a value point of view, I’d sum it up like this: if your budget is moderate and you want a functional, weather-ready cart bag, this is a smart pick. If you’re chasing premium aesthetics and ultra-smooth everything, you’ll probably want to spend more. For regular club golfers who just need a reliable workhorse bag, the price-to-performance ratio here is hard to argue with.

The overall design is clearly focused on people who actually use a trolley or buggy regularly. The 14-way divider runs full length, so each club has its own lane. In practice, that means way less clattering and wrestling with tangled grips. I carry 13 clubs plus a ball retriever, and everything has its place without feeling cramped. The external putter tube is genuinely handy – no more fighting to get the putter past the woods, and it’s easy to grab even when the bag is strapped tight.

On the pocket side, the design is mostly well thought-out. You’ve got:

• One fleece-lined valuables pocket high up – good for phone, keys, watch.
• Insulated cooler pocket that fits a couple of cans or a bottle and a snack bar.
• Ball/tee pockets on the front that are easy to access on a trolley.
• Full-length clothing pockets down both sides for waterproofs, extra layers, etc.

On the course, this layout works. I can grab balls and tees without moving the bag, and the cooler pocket is genuinely useful in summer. The only minor annoyance is that some pockets are quite slim once the big clothing pockets are stuffed, so you need to think a bit about how you pack it to avoid bulging.

Where the design feels cheaper is in small details: the zipper pulls are basic, some zips are a bit stiff when the bag is brand new, and the handle placements are okay but not perfect. There’s a top handle and a couple of side grab points, but when the bag is fully loaded it still feels a bit awkward lifting it into a car boot. It’s not a deal-breaker, but you can tell they prioritised the main functions over the finer touches. Overall, the design does what it needs to: clubs are organised, pockets are usable, and it works well on a cart or trolley, with a few minor quirks you get used to.

This is a cart bag, so you’re not supposed to hike 18 holes with it on your shoulder, and you can feel that straight away. Fully loaded with clubs, balls, drinks and waterproofs, the 3.4 kg base weight adds up quickly. On a trolley or buggy, it’s absolutely fine – the weight isn’t an issue at all. The base sits securely on my push trolley, and the straps hold it nicely without twisting. No wobbling, no feeling like it’s going to slide off, even on sloped fairways.

The bag does have a padded adjustable sling for carrying between car and cart, or from the garage to the car. For that kind of short distance, it’s okay. The padding is decent, and the strap doesn’t dig into your shoulder too much, even when the bag is loaded. I wouldn’t want to carry it for more than a few minutes, but that’s not what it’s built for anyway. The balance when you lift it is acceptable – not perfect, but it doesn’t feel like it’s constantly trying to roll away from you.

Where I noticed some slight annoyance is with the grab handles. There is a handle at the top and some side grips, but when you’re lifting it in and out of a car boot, it can feel a bit bulky and awkward, especially if you’ve got the pockets stuffed. It’s manageable – I can get it in and out of a hatchback without swearing – but it could be a bit more ergonomic. Again, this is one of those things you notice more at home than on the course.

Overall, in terms of comfort, I’d say it’s perfectly fine for its intended use: on a cart or trolley with short carries here and there. If you’re looking for something you can comfortably carry for full rounds, this is not the right type of bag anyway. For a cart bag, the strap and handles do the job, nothing more, nothing less.

The bag is made from polyester with a waterproof coating, and that’s pretty much how it feels: slightly plasticky to the touch, but tough enough. It doesn’t have that soft, premium fabric feel, but if you’re buying a waterproof cart bag, you’re probably more interested in staying dry than in how “nice” the fabric feels. The surface wipes clean easily – mud and wet grass marks came off with a damp cloth after a couple of rainy rounds.

Where the materials really matter is the waterproofing. Ram claims 100% waterproof material, taped seams on the zips, and a waterproof rain hood. In practice, this holds up well. I played 18 holes in steady rain, with the rain hood on, and by the time I got home the outside of the bag was obviously wet, but the inside pockets and the club grips were dry. I checked the valuables pocket specifically – phone, wallet and car key were all bone dry. No damp patches, no musty smell afterwards.

The zips are all sealed-style, with that rubbery waterproof strip over them. They feel a bit stiff at first, especially on the curved pockets, but they do loosen up a bit after a few uses. You can tell they’re not top-of-the-line zippers – they don’t glide effortlessly – but they haven’t snagged or failed on me so far. I just learned to use a slightly firmer pull. The rain hood is made from the same material as the bag, clips on easily, and actually covers the clubs properly without leaving gaps.

If I compare it to more expensive waterproof bags I’ve seen, the main difference is the “feel” of the fabric and the smoothness of the zips. This one feels more utilitarian, less premium. But in terms of the job it’s supposed to do – keep water out – the materials are more than good enough. I’d call it practical and tough rather than fancy, which is fine at this price point. I’d rather have slightly stiff waterproof zips than smooth ones that leak.

After several weeks of regular use – two full wet rounds, a few dry ones, and some range sessions – the bag is holding up better than I honestly expected for the price. The fabric shows no obvious wear, no fraying seams, and no peeling of the waterproof coating so far. I’ve put it down on damp grass, leaned it against fences, and chucked it in and out of the car boot, and it still looks pretty close to new with just a quick wipe-down.

The zips were my main concern initially, because stiff waterproof zips can sometimes start failing or splitting. Up to now, they’re all still intact. They’ve loosened slightly with use, which is good, but they’re not suddenly buttery smooth or anything like that. I just learned not to overstuff the pockets so the zips don’t have to fight against a bulging load. The zipper pulls themselves feel a bit basic and thin, but none have snapped.

The divider system and putter well also seem solid. No loose plastic, no cracking, and the top edge hasn’t scuffed badly from clubs being dragged in and out. The external putter tube feels secure – it doesn’t wobble or feel like it’s going to break off, even with a heavier putter head. The base hasn’t warped and still sits flat on the trolley platform. Those are all good signs that the structure is decent.

I wouldn’t claim this bag will last forever – if you play a lot and are rough with your gear, you’ll probably see cosmetic wear faster than with a high-end brand. But for a mid-priced waterproof cart bag, durability so far is pretty solid. If you look after it even a little bit (don’t drag it around, don’t slam the zips), I don’t see any reason it wouldn’t comfortably last several seasons of regular club golf.

On the course, the bag’s performance is mostly about two things: how easy it is to access what you need, and whether it keeps your gear protected. On both counts, this Ram bag does well. The 14-way divider means I always know exactly where each club is. No more digging for a 7-iron between a couple of wedges. The full-length dividers also cut down on shaft clashing, which I noticed after a few rounds when my graphite shafts didn’t have extra scuff marks.

In bad weather, the bag is clearly in its element. I’ve had it out in light drizzle and in proper steady rain. With the rain hood on, the grips stayed dry, and water beaded and rolled off the fabric instead of soaking in. The taped seams and waterproof zips did their job – pockets with gloves, rangefinder, scorecards and my phone all stayed dry. That’s the big selling point of this bag, and in real conditions it holds up. After one particularly wet round, I opened every pocket half expecting to find at least one damp spot, but there wasn’t any.

In terms of usability on a trolley, it’s pretty smooth. The base sits flat, and the bag doesn’t twist when you’re walking, which I’ve had happen with cheaper bags. Pockets are placed so that you can actually reach them while it’s strapped on, especially the ball pocket and cooler pocket on the sides. I never had to unstrap the bag mid-round just to get something basic – that sounds minor, but over a season it makes a difference to how annoying or convenient your gear feels.

The only real downside performance-wise is that the zips, especially when the pockets are very full, can feel a bit tight or stiff. It’s not that they fail, but you sometimes need two hands to open a pocket cleanly. Also, the bag does feel a bit bulky when everything is loaded, so if you have a very small or basic trolley, check the dimensions. On a standard push trolley or buggy, though, it’s absolutely fine and does its job reliably.

Out of the box, the Ram Waterproof Cart Bag looks like a straightforward, no-nonsense golf bag. The colour scheme (black/grey/red) is fairly standard – it doesn’t scream “cheap”, but it also doesn’t have that premium vibe you get from some of the big brands. The branding is pretty low-key: a few Ram logos, nothing too loud. If you like simple and functional, you’ll probably be fine with the look. If you want something that stands out in the lineup, this probably won’t be it.

In terms of layout, you’ve got the 14-way top plus an oversized external putter well. All the slots are full-length, so the shafts don’t tangle much, which I appreciated straight away when pulling long irons or hybrids. The putter well is on the outside and easily takes a fat grip – I’ve got a chunky SuperStroke on mine and it slides in and out with no drama. That’s something a lot of cheaper bags mess up, so credit where it’s due.

There are supposedly 9 pockets, and in practice they’re laid out logically: one lined valuables pocket near the top, an insulated cooler pocket on the side, a couple of ball/tee pockets, and the long clothing pockets running down the sides. When you first load it up, you do need a minute to figure out what you want where, but once set up, everything is easy to reach when the bag is on a cart or trolley. I never felt like I was fighting the layout to get to my stuff.

First impression overall: it looks and feels like a solid mid-range cart bag that leans more towards function than style. If you’re coming from a very basic stand bag, it feels like a big upgrade in terms of organisation. If you’re used to high-end cart bags, you’ll notice the slightly simpler finishes and less premium feel, but it doesn’t look cheap to the point of being embarrassing on the course. It’s just a practical, straightforward presentation.