Light Golf Bags

[delav]

I'm currently lugging around a very old Ping Hoofer bag. This thing has served 12 seasons of use, and I'm still pretty happy with it. However, after a 2 week business trip, I found an old banana in the sucker and it's just enough motivation to try something new.

I walk all rounds, and I've never given much thought to a "light" golf bag. Anyone know how heavy these old ping bags are? Could I really drop 2-3 lbs off of my load? I'd like to try a good lightweight bag and simplify my setup a bit.

Anyone using the Ping 4 - under, or another ~4 lb bag they like? Big difference in energy/fatigue late in the round?

[shades9323]

When my hoofer was ready for retirement(13 years), I picked up a Titleist x86 stand bag. It is noticeably lighter than the hoofer. I am very happy with the bag. I think it is 4.5lbs.

[delav]

  shades9323 said:

When my hoofer was ready for retirement(13 years), I picked up a Titleist x86 stand bag. It is noticeably lighter than the hoofer. I am very happy with the bag. I think it is 4.5lbs.

Man, those old pings are the volvo 240 of golf bags... They just keep on going. Lot's of people seem to like the titleists, although I don't know if I love the riveted bottom and stand mechanism. How does it pick up/set down compared to ping? Think you'll get 10+ years out of the titleist?

[shades9323]

  delav said:

Man, those old pings are the volvo 240 of golf bags... They just keep on going. Lot's of people seem to like the titleists, although I don't know if I love the riveted bottom and stand mechanism. How does it pick up/set down compared to ping? Think you'll get 10+ years out of the titleist?

I actually like the stand mechanism better than the way the hoofer does it. It sets down nice and picks up nice. I didn't like how the hoofers system was tied to the straps. I rarely walk, but the X86 is better on a cart. The hoofers were horrible on carts. Couldn't tell on longevity, but after a year of use it still looks brand new. From early May-September I play at least 9 per week.

[delav]

  shades9323 said:

I actually like the stand mechanism better than the way the hoofer does it. It sets down nice and picks up nice. I didn't like how the hoofers system was tied to the straps. I rarely walk, but the X86 is better on a cart. The hoofers were horrible on carts. Couldn't tell on longevity, but after a year of use it still looks brand new. From early May-September I play at least 9 per week.

Thanks for the input. I'll check out a Titleist bag as well!

[dagolfer]

I believe Sun Mountain makes Titliest bags. I have a Sun Mountain superlight slx i believe and i love it! They also have a 3.5 lb bag too. I liked the Sun Mountain diveder set up better than the titleist. I'd def check out Sun Mountain.

[sean_miller]

  delav said:

I'm currently lugging around a very old Ping Hoofer bag. This thing has served 12 seasons of use, and I'm still pretty happy with it. However, after a 2 week business trip, I found an old banana in the sucker and it's just enough motivation to try something new.

My old Sun Mountain was showing some serious signs of age (fading and fabric wear around the top - I've only had the thing for 13 years - total POS!!). I looked at everything. You have to see them in person - and put a loaded bag on your back to see how it fits. The Clevelands were interesting, some PINGs seemed like good value, and the OGIOs are class all the way. But . . . the only one that spoke to me wrt to divider setup was another Sun Mountain. So far I'm loving my Four5. Overall I'm still not a fan of 14-way dividers, but this one had the best setup for me.

Honestly though, if most of the OGIO bags didn't have such flimsy looking legs and small feet (sink into soft turf) I'd have gone that route - they're less expensive.

[Dave40]

I've got a Wilson Staff Feather stand bag that I sometimes use. It's listed as 3.0 lbs and is by far the lightest bag I've tried. It probably won't win any awards for long term durability, but the Sun Mountain 3.5 won't either.
The strap system is very comfortable and the bag lists for under $100. It's not a sunday bag either...9.5 x 7.5 inch top and holds 14 clubs without too much tangling.

If you carry your clubs around the course, you will like this one.

[s4gobabygo]

this probably isn't the type of answer you were looking for, but i'm a big weight weenie, and will normally carry anywhere from 1 to 8 clubs when walking, which is about 90% of my rounds. (no bag at all if playing only one club, of course). i pretty much only use the full set when i'm on a cart.

that said, i still haven't found a bag other than the hoofer that i really like. i've had a few of them through the years, and the small weight penalty is totally worth it in ease of use and durability if you ask me! i focus more on keeping a minimum amount of stuff in the bag. only the clubs i need for the particular course plus like 4 balls, 2 gloves, and a couple tees. i'm much happier to leave a club at home than carry a bag i don't like, or that i'll be fiddling with all round.