Hip Bag Designs Have Become Golf’s New Status Symbol

Fans at the LIV Golf Hong Kong tournament earlier this season certainly noticed something very different about what they were seeing on the course before a single shot was even hit. New, colorful golf bags by Cleeks GC certainly stood out looking more like art pieces than the traditional gear we are all accustomed to seeing. The golfers are loving it, too.

These eye-catching bags created through a collaboration between Cleeks GC, Icelandic Glacial, and Icelandic artist Saga Sig, featured custom artwork into the structure of the bags themselves that certainly were visual statements in what is becoming a broader shift happening across professional golf.

Cleeks Team Captain Martin Kaymer carries a custom golf bag by designer Timothy Goodman as part of the team’s Art of Golf program at LIV Golf Adelaide on January 14, 2026. | Photo Courtesy of Cleeks Golf Club

Historically in the sport, bags have widely remained the same over the decades with function in mind but not self expression. That’s certainly changing as competition for younger audiences and cultural relevance are at the forefront. Fashion, hospitality experiences, and social-first branding are all top of mind in a sport that is steeped in tradition.

LIV Golf’s Cleeks GC have blended fashion, music, and contemporary art with their “Art of Golf” platform. Gear is now a reflection of the players themselves.

"A golf bag has always been one of the most visible pieces of equipment in the sport, but historically it has been treated purely as something practical,” says Jonas Mårtensson, General Manager of Cleeks GC. “For us, turning it into something expressive is about showing that golf can still respect tradition while embracing individuality and creativity."

Icelandic Glacial commissioned world-renowned Icelandic artist Saga Sig to design a golf bag exclusively for the Cleeks team as part of Cleeks’ Art of Golf program. | Photo Courtesy of Icelandic Glacial

The younger audiences are discovering golf in non-traditional ways like a fashion collab, or a social media clip, or an entertainment-driven event instead of your standard broadcast.

"Golf cannot only speak to people who already understand and love the traditions of the game," Mårtensson says. “If we want the sport to continue growing, it has to become more culturally relevant and more accessible to people who may come to it from different entry points.”

The players are taking notice, too. Two-time major champion and captain of Cleeks GC Martin Kaymer talked about it’s impacting how players feel on the course.

"Golf is a very mental game, and confidence often comes from small details—how prepared you feel, how comfortable you are, and how connected you feel to your environment,” Kaymer says. “Having something visually distinct creates a sense of ownership and identity.”

This shift in style is already being felt in the NFL, NBA, and Formula 1. Golf is trying bring in this new crowd while also honoring all the tradition of the sport.

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