Hybrid golf bags offer options for all
By Chuck Stogel
GolfWeb Equipment Correspondent
There is a golf bag for everyone nowadays.
For the most part, the industry has settled into two primary segments for the regular golfer, cart bags and carrying standbags, with variations within those categories. To a degree, like clubs, we’re now getting a third type of bag: a hybrid that’s meant to equally serve those who ride and those who carry.
Most equipment companies offer bags and other accessories as part of their regular portfolios. A few companies — like Ogio, Sun Mountain and others — make just bags and other items, but not clubs and balls.
The state of the art has progressed to the point where high-tech, lightweight and sturdy materials are standard, bright colors are an option and all sorts of convenient pockets and holders — say, for water bottles or, woe is us while putting, cell phones — are offered in a wide variety of styles. Among innovations, many bags now offer top and bottom lift handles, ergonomic trunk handles, back- and shoulder-friendly strap systems, and beverage pouches.
“Golf has become one of the biggest components of our business,” said Mike Pratt, founder and CEO of Ogio, which also makes functional, durable bags for outdoor sports, travel and business. “Ogio’s golf bags are designed for the modern golfer who craves powerful aesthetic and detail as much as they do performance.”
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Here’s a roundup of selected golf bags, running the gamut from lightweights to bigtime heavyweights, that were rated “must consider” by a panel of Golfweb amateur golfers.
SUN MOUNTAIN
The new MPB bag by Sun Mountain, which stands for multi-purpose bag, combines features of both a cart bag and a standbag. It’s primarily targeted for the golfer who usually rides but occasionally may carry or use a caddy.
Having just begun shipping to pro shops and retail stores last week, MPB features a 14-way individual club dividing top, external putter well and eight pockets including an insulated beverage pouch. High-tensile aluminum legs retract into zippered compartments for storage during cart use or travel.
Outfitted with the company’s Dual X-Strap, the MPB bag comes in five color schemes, including all black or black with either silver, red, orange or cobalt. Suggested retail price is $175.
OGIO
This pioneering company offers bags in all weight categories, including two noted introductions this season: the ultra lightweight Vaporlite and the fully-loaded Stinger II cart bag.
Relatively new to the golf business, Ogio has quickly earned a reputation for numerous innovations, and its commitment to functionality and durability.
Ogio’s Vaporlite bag weighs a mere 3.75 pounds. (Provided to GolfWeb)
The Stinger II cart bag features four significant advancements: a 10-inch Woode top that combines stadium-style seating for irons, separate dividers for woods along the bag’s side and a separate, elevated putter port; a spring-loaded, non-zippered rain cover, called the Hoode; a Zipperless Ball Pocket; and the unique RAIL system, which stands for Rapid Access Incline Lock that, when attached to a driving cart’s bag bar, optionally deploys the cart bag away from the cart at an angle similar to a standbag for easier access to clubs.
Offered in silver and black, or all black, suggested retail price is $299.99.
On the lighter end of the spectrum, Ogio’s Vaporlite bag checks in at just 3.75 pounds. It features a modified version of the Woode top, a zippered rain hood, four storage pockets, an internal cell phone pocket, external hydration pouch and a “sinkhole” ball pocket that runs seven inches down the length of the bag.
Suggested retail price is $149.
Earlier this year, Ogio drew considerable publicity when it introduced its Shling simplified carrying system available on its Trick SS standbag. But distribution has been limited while the company continues to improve the mechanism for a future, wider release.
PING
A pacesetter in carry bags, Ping next week introduces two bags which take the popular Hoofer standbag series technologically forward: Hoofer Extreme and Hoofer Lite.
The Hoofer extreme features a comprehensive makeover, including a standing strap that makes lifting and securing the bag easier, with a left-shoulder strap that can be adjusted while walking. There’s a new eight-way top with full-length dividers, five pockets including a velour-lined valuables pouch, access to the bag interior through the apparel pocket, improved towel clip and eight color options.
Suggested retail price is $165.
The nylon Hoofer Lite weighs just four pounds and features four storage pockets, an eight-way top, lightweight dual/single strap, trunk handle, towel clip, rain hood and nine color options.
Suggested retail price is $100.
DUNLOP
The LoCo bag, in blue and yellow, is loaded with thoughtful features, along with looking and feeling great.
This bag from Dunlop features include a six-way, nine-inch kidney shaped top with integrated putter and wedge well, a new comfort vest twin-belt strap with four swivel buckles, an insulated beverage pocket, fur-lined valuables pocket, mesh water bottle pocket, D-ring with Velcro glove grabber and Rip-Stop nylon construction.
In the category of a lightweight, all-terrain standbag, suggested retail price is $150.
COBRA
Deluxe Lightweight and Lightweight are the two primary standbags in the Cobra catalog.
The differences include six pockets and a six-way top on the Deluxe model, while the regular Lightweight has five pockets and a four-way top. The Deluxe bag also has a handy collar strap and ergonomic rubber handle. Both bags have a dual padded shoulder strap and come in four color schemes.
Suggested retail prices are $139 for the Deluxe Lightweight bag and $109 for the Lightweight.
TOUR EDGE
The company’s value-priced philosophy for its clubs carries over to its four basic styles of golf bags.
For cart riders, Tour Edge offers a Deluxe Cart Lite bag and a Cart Lite 4 bag, with suggested retail prices of $129.99 and $99.99, respectively. The Deluxe model has eight full-length dividers and nine pockets while the Cart Lite 4 bag has six dividers and seven pockets.
For carrying your clubs and accessories, Tour Edge makes a JMAX Deluxe standbag with a suggested retail price of $99.99, but the best value may be the HP 3 standbag at $49.99.
The HP 3 bag has seven pockets, five full-length dividers, a double shoulder strap, hidden valuables pocket and padded lumbar support. Two color schemes are offered.
All Tour Edge bags come with a one-year limited warranty.
Editor’s note: Chuck Stogel writes about golf equipment. Look for his columns each week on GolfWeb and PGATOUR.COM.
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