The Quick Verdict
Get the Jones if you're carrying a full set. The PING Moonlite is purpose-built for 7 to 9 clubs — it's genuinely not designed to hold 14 — so if your bag typically has a driver, 3-wood, hybrid, irons, wedges, and a putter in it, the Jones is the bag that actually fits your game. The Moonlite is the pick for a par-3 course, a casual 9-hole loop, or any round where you deliberately trim down to a short set and want the lightest load possible. At $75 more at list, the Jones costs more for doing a different job.
What They Have in Common
Both are single-strap carry bags with 3 pockets. Neither is sold as waterproof, and neither manufacturer publishes whether stand legs are included. They're in the same category targeting the walking golfer who wants something minimal — they just disagree sharply on what "minimal" means.
Where They Differ
Capacity — and this one's non-negotiable
The Jones holds 14 clubs in a 3-way top. The Moonlite holds 7 to 9 clubs in a 2-way top. That gap isn't a matter of preference: if you carry a full set, the Moonlite isn't an option. The 3-way divider on the Jones means your clubs are loosely organized — putter, woods, irons. Two dividers on the Moonlite serves a bag where you've already left half your set at home.
Weight
The Moonlite publishes a weight: 2 lbs. The Jones is 2.9 lbs by Jones's own comparison chart. That's 0.9 lbs more on your shoulder, for a bag that holds a full set instead of a short one.
Storage and pockets
Both bags have 3 pockets, but only PING says what they're for. The Moonlite has a dedicated rangefinder pocket and an insulated water-bottle pocket — two slots you'd otherwise improvise. The Jones's 3 pockets aren't broken down by the brand, so you get what you get. The Moonlite also publishes a total pocket volume of 7 liters, which is compact but intentional for a bag this size. The Jones gives you no volume figure to work with.
Price
The Jones lists at $185. The Moonlite lists at $110. That's a $75 gap at list — meaningful for a carry bag, less meaningful if the Jones is the only one that fits your clubs.
Material
The Jones is water-resistant nylon. PING doesn't name a material for the Moonlite. Neither bag is sold as waterproof.
Who Should Buy Which
Get the Jones Original Jones Bag if:
- You carry all 14 clubs and don't want to think about which ones to leave behind.
- You're a walking golfer who wants a full set in a bag with a retro, unstructured feel.
- The $75 premium over the Moonlite is acceptable for a bag that actually does the job.
Get the PING Moonlite if:
- You're playing a par-3 course or a casual 9 where 7 to 9 clubs covers everything you need.
- Two pounds matters to you and you're deliberately traveling light.
- You want a dedicated rangefinder pocket and an insulated water-bottle pocket built in, and you're willing to curate your club selection to get them.
The Bottom Line
These bags are not really competing with each other — they're designed for different rounds. The Jones is for the golfer who walks 18 with a full set; the Moonlite is for the golfer who walks 9 with a short set. A 14-club bag can't be trimmed down to a 7-club experience, and a 7-to-9-club bag won't swallow a full set no matter how you angle the irons. Pick based on how many clubs you actually carry, and the decision mostly makes itself. The $110 vs $185 spread matters, but capacity matters more.