Ogio Exo Stand Bag

For the past ten years, I’ve used a Titleist stand bag I purchased with my winnings in a golf tournament when I was 17. The Titleist worked well – and worked particularly well after I replaced its single strap with a dual strap from Izzo.

Unfortunately, in the past few years, the full-length (cloth material) dividers have torn up a bit. Putting a club away became an adventure in jiggling the bag and trying to find a slot into which the grip could fit. Otherwise, well, clubs were sticking out an extra six or ten inches all over the place. It had become just plain silly.

I like Titleist equipment, but their bags are simply overpriced. I’ve checked out the quality of the recent series of bags, and it’s just not there. Rebranded Sun Mountain bags at a premium price didn’t set well with me, so I looked elsewhere. And I found what may be one of the best stand bags around: the Ogio Exo stand bag.

The Exo is not the lightest stand bag around, weighing in at 5.75 lbs (2.6 kg). The average stand bag weights between 3.5 and 4.5 lbs. Though you may not think an extra pound or two matters much, I assure you it can over the course of eighteen holes (pun intended). The extra weight is the only thing I didn’t like about this bag, and it more than makes up for those sixteen ounces with its ample storage, solid construction, and ease-of-use.

The bag has some standard features: a dual adjustable strap, a zippered rain hood included (with some nice, heavy-duty snaps), and a solid, sturdy handle. At 36.5″ in height, it’s pretty standard sized. The stand is are rugged and durable and the legs doesn’t flop around like some of the looser bags (your momma warned you about those loose bags, after all!), letting you walk in peace. Like other bags made in the past few years, the Exo can stand up without poking its legs out, allowing for smooth use those few times you choose to (or are forced to) ride a cart. The Exo also fits nicely on most pull- and push-carts.

The Woode™ system works great for separating metals, irons, and your putter.

The most unique aspect of the Exo and many of the other Ogio bags is the patented Woode™ top (see above). The Woode™ system easily separates your putter in a top compartment, your metals (driver, 3W, utility irons) in a series of four compartments on the side, and your irons in three spacious, divided slots in the middle. Every slot protects graphite shafts from abrasions and the iron slots feature little EVA molded dividers that separate shafts from one another, limiting the clink-clank your irons make as you walk down the fairway.

I’ve got my putter in the top slot and my driver, 3W, 2I, and lob wedge down the side. I’ve filled the three slots with my 3I/4I/5I, 6I/7I/8I, 9I/PW/SW. Perfect! Clubs slide in and out easily and carry quietly. The full-length dividers don’t seem to “catch” the grips as you shove clubs into the bag whether the bag is on your shoulder or standing. The Woode™ system is one of the best I’ve seen short of individual tubes for managing the mishmash of shafts and grips in the belly of the bag.

I mentioned before that the Ogio is a bit heavier, and one of the causes is what gives the “Exo” its name: two sturdy rods (see image at right) extend from the top of the club down to the base. These rods provide incredible stability. I’ve thrown more than a few things on top of my Exo in the trunk of my car and never felt that my clubs were in danger. If you travel frequently, the “exoskeleton” on the Exo may provide a little piece of mind when you check your bag in at the airline counter.

The Exo also has an incredible amount of storage space. For awhile, it seemed as though I found a new pocket every time I played a round of golf. The Exo has a fleece-lined valuables pocket and an internal cell phone pocket. It boasts nine pockets total, ranging from six zippered pockets (balls, extra socks and a sweater, your watch and car keys, etc.) and three unzippered pockets (one of which is handy for storing your scorecard). The walking-accessible insulated water bottle holster is a favorite of mine – it’s easily reached while walking and can hold a 36 oz. bottle comfortably.

Other “holders” are included as well. You can tie a towel on in a number of places, the “Ball Silo™” holds three balls comfortably below the handle, and there are a few places to stick some tees (the black ones that came with my black bag blend in, so I’ve never remembered to use them). There’s even a place for you to hold onto the bag: the “Lift Grip™” on the bottom of the Exo makes it a snap to lift the bag into and out of the trunk of your car.

The Exo carries well on one or both shoulders. It’s padded where it rests against your back, and the adjustable straps are simple to put on. The bag feels a bit top-heavy with a full set of clubs, but a water bottle (or perhaps I should carry more than two golf balls) balances it out.

If the Exo doesn’t suit you, Ogio’s got quite a few other stand bags available, including lighter models. However, I like the Exo just fine, thank you very much, and you’d be hard pressed to show me a bag I’d like any better.