I’ve tested more golf bags than I care to count, and the putter well is almost always the first thing I check. A bad putter well means snagging, frustration, and a club that never sits where it should. The best design for you depends on two things: the size of your putter grip and whether you ride a cart or carry your bag.
There is no single “best” putter well. The winner is the one that fits your gear and your game. After years of using different setups, I’ve settled on two dominant architectures that solve the real-world problems most golfers face. Here’s what you need to know.
The Two Types of Putter Well Designs
Most bags fall into one of two categories when it comes to putter storage. Understanding the difference will save you money and headaches.
Top Collar Slot
This is the most common design on modern cart bags. The top of the bag has a dedicated opening that is wider than the other club slots. It’s essentially a jumbo-sized hole in the 14-way or 4-way divider system. Bags like the Motocaddy Dry-Series use this approach. The advantage is easy access—you can pull the putter straight up without wrestling with a tube. The downside is that your putter head can still bump into neighboring clubs, especially if the dividers don’t run full-length. For jumbo and oversized putter grips, a well-designed top collar slot with at least a 2.5-inch opening is ideal.
Dedicated Side Tube
Some high-end bags, like those from Vessel and Sun Mountain, use a full-length putter tube sewn into the side of the bag. This tube completely isolates the putter from the rest of your clubs. The putter head sits in a padded pocket at the bottom, and the shaft slides into the tube. This design offers maximum protection and prevents club chatter. It also works well for putters with larger grips because the tube diameter can be generous. The trade-off is that removing and replacing the putter takes an extra second—you have to slide it in and out rather than just dropping it into a slot. For carry bags, this is often the better choice because it keeps the putter secure when the bag is strapped to a cart.
Why Putter Grip Size Determines Compatibility
Most golfers don’t realize how much grip diameter matters until they buy a bag and can’t get their putter out. I’ve seen it happen dozens of times.
Standard putter grips are about 0.58 inches in diameter. SuperStroke grips, which are incredibly popular, range from 0.60 to over 0.70 inches for models like the Fatso 2.0. A jumbo putter well in a typical cart bag may have an opening that is 2.0 to 2.2 inches wide. That sounds big, but the internal dividers and the shape of the slot can create pinch points.
Here is my rule of thumb: Measure the widest part of your putter grip with a simple ruler. Add 1 centimeter (roughly 0.4 inches). That is the minimum slot width you need. If the bag’s putter well opening is smaller than that number, you will fight every round.
I recommend you bring your putter to the store if possible. Slide it into the well at an angle, as you would during a normal round. If it catches even once, move on. Bags from Motocaddy and Sun Mountain tend to have the most generous openings for oversized grips.
Matching the Design to Your Walk or Ride
How you move your bag around the course matters as much as the well itself.
For Cart Users (push cart or riding cart)
If you never carry your bag, go with a bag that has a large, unobstructed top collar putter well. The Motocaddy Dry-Series is my top pick here. Its jumbo putter well is wide and designed specifically for oversize grips. Because the bag sits upright on a cart, you don’t worry about the putter falling out. The easy in-and-out access is a huge time saver. Other excellent options include the Ping Pioneer and the Sun Mountain C-130, both of which have dedicated putter slots with generous dimensions.
For Carry and Stand Bag Users
When you carry your bag or use a stand, the putter well needs to be designed to keep the club in place. Side tube systems are superior here. The Vessel Player IV bag has a full-length putter tube that zips away into a pocket. The putter never rattles, never snags, and never falls out when you set the bag down. The McKenzie bag also uses a similar system with a soft tube.
For traditional top collar designs on stand bags, look for models with high-walled dividers that create a deep pocket. The TaylorMade FlexTech series does this well. The putter slot has extra height at the sides to prevent the club from tipping over.
How to Test a Putter Well in the Store
Don’t trust the marketing copy. Do these three checks before you buy.
Step 1: Simulate a fast pull
Stand the bag upright. Grasp your putter by the grip and pull it straight up as fast as you would on the course. If it catches or drags, the well is too narrow.
Step 2: Check the lower divider
Many 14-way bags have a plastic insert at the bottom of the bag where the club heads sit. This insert can have smaller openings that snag your putter head. Reach into the bag and feel the bottom of the putter well. It should be smooth and wide enough for your putter head.
Step 3: Tilt the bag to 15 degrees
When your bag is on a push cart, it leans slightly. Put the bag on its side at an angle and try to remove the putter. This simulates real-world use. If the grip hangs up, the bag will annoy you every time you play.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard size of a jumbo putter well opening?
Most jumbo putter wells on cart bags have openings between 2.0 and 2.5 inches wide. The Motocaddy Dry-Series is on the larger end, around 2.4 inches. For comparison, a SuperStroke 3.0 grip is about 0.75 inches wide, so 2.4 inches gives plenty of clearance.
Can I retrofit a putter tube into a standard golf bag?
Yes, but it’s not always clean. You can buy aftermarket putter tubes that attach to the outside of the bag with clips or straps. These work best on bags with a flat side panel. But I’ve found they never feel as integrated as a built-in solution. If you need a tube, buy a bag that already has one.
Do 14-way divider tops protect putters better than 4-way tops?
Not necessarily. The number of dividers matters less than the shape of the putter slot. A 14-way top with a dedicated jumbo putter slot is excellent. A 4-way top with a large open area can also work well if the bag has full-length dividers. The key is that the putter slot is isolated and wide.
Will a putter with a long grip (like a claw grip) fit in a side tube?
It depends on the length of the tube. Most side tubes are about 18 to 20 inches long. A standard putter grip is about 10 to 12 inches. Long grips that extend halfway down the shaft may be too long to slide into a tube completely. For these grips, a top collar slot is a safer bet.
Why do some high-end bags have a separate putter pocket instead of a well?
That pocket is usually part of the side tube system. The tube itself is sewn into the bag, and the bottom of the tube has a padded pocket where the putter head sits. This protects the putter from moisture and impact. It’s a premium feature, but you trade quick access for protection. If you walk and use a headcover on your putter, this is a great choice.