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Golf Bag Hot List: Bags With Swag

By Ashley Mayo
Photos by Jim Herity

Golf Bag Hot List: Bags With Swag

April 18, 2011

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CALLAWAY HYPER-LITE 4.0
PRICE: $160TECH TALK: This lightweight (4.7 pounds) carry bag features a base that stays flat on the ground when the legs are activated for added stability. The carry straps intersect to distribute weight across the shoulders, and handles near the top and bottom of the bag make it easy to place in your car's trunk. The 11 pockets include a hidden valuables pouch.callawaygolf.comGolf Digest Rewards: Buy it now
CALLAWAY ORG. 14X
PRICE: $200TECH TALK: Three handles on the top of this cart bag allow for trouble-free lifting. There are 10 pockets, including a large, insulated beverage pouch that can hold as many drinks as you could possibly want during a round. A cart-strap tunnel and the molded rubber dividers in the 14-way stadium top minimize club rattle and shaft wear.callawaygolf.comGolf Digest Rewards: Buy it now
OGIO ULTRALITE VELOCITY
PRICE: $170TECH TALK: The 4.4-pound carry bag is among the lightest in Ogio's history. The bag's suspension strap system is intended to make it seem even lighter than it is, and the thin, ventilated air straps are designed to increase comfort by allowing body heat to escape and cooler air to flow in. A molded handle on top of the golf bag conveniently separates woods from irons.ogio.comGolf Digest Rewards: Buy it now
PING HOOFER C-1
PRICE: $200TECH TALK: The Hoofer's iconic base stays flush to the ground when the stand is in use to improve stability. Two retractable straps help make the 4.4-pound carry bag easy to adjust while walking. There are six accessible pockets, and the rubber pads on the base of the bag and its double-bend legs are designed to ensure a more tripod-like stature.ping.comGolf Digest Rewards: Buy it now
PING TRAVERSE
PRICE: $170TECH TALK: The configuration of the nine pockets on this 5.7-pound cart bag is genius--they're all easily accessible when the bag is strapped to a cart. The insulated cooler pouch is located higher than normal, so you don't have to bend down to grab your beverage. The 14-way top features an injection-molded putter tube for easy access and protection.ping.comGolf Digest Rewards: Buy it now
SUN MOUNTAIN C-130
PRICE: $209TECH TALK: Every feature on this cart bag is practical and in the right place. Three rubber handles make lifting the bag easy, and the 14-way top slants neatly from back to front, making all clubs easily accessible. A cart-strap channel holds this 7.3-pound bag in place and ensures access to all nine pockets, including two for clothes, three for valuables and one that's insulated.sunmountain.comGolf Digest Rewards: Buy it now
SUN MOUNTAIN SUPERLIGHT 3.5
PRICE: $180TECH TALK: The latest chapter from a company with a history of smart carry bags focuses on the details. This 4.7-pound model is light enough to make 36-hole days manageable. The bag is also designed to stay put on a golf cart: A cart-strap slot runs through the right side of the bag to prevent it from twisting, while allowing access to all seven pockets.sunmountain.comGolf Digest Rewards: Buy it now
TAYLORMADE PURE-LITE 2.0
PRICE: $160TECH TALK: You don't actually see the webbing system in this bag's carry straps, but it distributes weight to make the bag seem lighter than its 5.2 pounds. Details make a big difference: All seven pockets remain unobstructed even when the bag is strapped to a cart; a stand limiter prevents the legs from opening too wide; and high-strength stitching improves durability.taylormadegolf.comGolf Digest Rewards: Buy it now
CALLAWAY WARBIRD XTREME
PRICE: $130TECH TALK: The base on this carry bag stays flat when the stand is activated, making it sturdy on all surfaces. However, because the base adds weight, this 5.5-pound bag is ideal for golfers who walk and ride. The U-shape hip pad offers support and ventilation, and the three-point strap system is designed to distribute weight evenly across the shoulders.callawaygolf.comGolf Digest Rewards: Buy it now
DATREL ASSAULT
PRICE: $180TECH TALK: The nine pockets on this nearly 10-pound cart bag let you easily organize all your essentials. Two of those pockets are crush-resistant, and the highest one is positioned on a cart-strap tunnel, ensuring the zipper remains unobstructed when the bag is strapped to a cart. The ball pouch, which is positioned on the top half of the bag, has magnetic closures for easy access.datrek.comGolf Digest Rewards: Buy it now
EXOTICS XTREME
PRICE: $100TECH TALK: The large, molded top handle on this 5.1-pound carry bag is the sturdiest and most comfortable we've seen, and six well-placed pockets will organize all your essentials. The four-point webbing system that joins the two padded straps helps to evenly distribute weight across the shoulders. The rubber foot pads on the legs are designed to reduce slipping.touredgegolf.comGolf Digest Rewards: Buy it now
MIZUNO AEROLITE IV
PRICE: $150TECH TALK: This 4.6-pound carry bag was built with the avid walker in mind. The Velcro patch near the bottom is a convenient spot to stick your glove, and the two straps have three layers of padding for comfort. The golf-ball pocket opens wide to accommodate more than you'll need during a round, and the top is designed to minimize excess movement and banging.mizunousa.comGolf Digest Rewards: Buy it now
NIKE COLLEGIATE
PRICE: $150TECH TALK: To design this five-pound carry bag, Nike consulted with those who carry their own bags the most: college golfers. The bag uses fiberglass legs to save weight, and the double-strap system can be quickly converted to a single-strap setup. The straps are woven with air pockets for comfort, and the top is divided five ways with three full-length dividers.nikegolf.comGolf Digest Rewards: Buy it now
OGIO SULTAN
PRICE: $200TECH TALK: Several minor details on this cart bag make a major impact. The two highest pockets on this 7.4-pounder, for example, flip up so the cart strap doesn't interfere with access to its zippers. The ball pocket has a magnetic closure for hassle-free access, and a ball silo above that pocket ensures quick access. Two handles in the top design make for easy lifting.ogio.comGolf Digest Rewards: Buy it now
PING 4 UNDER
PRICE: $140TECH TALK: Made of lightweight nylon, this 3.7-pounder is Ping's lightest stand bag. Its two sliding straps adjust easily, and the four-way club dividers feature ample room for golfers to easily place their clubs in the bag and take them out. The base is designed to stay flat on the ground for stability, and four pockets, including a large apparel pouch, organize all essentials.ping.comGolf Digest Rewards: Buy it now
SUN MOUNTAIN SWIFT X
PRICE: $140TECH TALK: This minimalist carry bag weighs just 3.2 pounds and features a large top to easily hold 14 clubs. We were able to successfully fit a rainsuit in the large apparel compartment and a dozen golf balls in the ball pocket. The rubber handle on the top helps you grab the bag as you place it on the ground, and the rubber feet are designed to stabilize the bag.sunmountain.comGolf Digest Rewards: Buy it now
TAYLORMADE CATALINA 2.0
PRICE: $180TECH TALK: All nine pockets on this 6.3-pound cart bag face forward for quick and easy access. The 14-way top (there are four full-length dividers) reduces unnecessary club banging during bumpy cart rides. An external putter well ensures easy access to your most-used club, and a thermoplastic pad at the strap line is designed to prevent the bag from twisting in the cart.taylormadegolf.comGolf Digest Rewards: Buy it now
TAYLORMADE MICRO-LITE 2.0
PRICE: $140TECH TALK: Don't let this small, 4.5-pound carry bag fool you; it has seven pockets. The rubber handle incorporated into the design of the top helps you hold onto the bag as you lift it and place it on the ground. The webbed strap system is designed to distribute weight evenly across the shoulders, decreasing the golfer's sense of how much the bag weighs.taylormadegolf.comGolf Digest Rewards: Buy it now
TITLEIST LIGHTWEIGHT STAND
PRICE: $165TECH TALK: The hip pad on this 4.6-pound carry bag has a divider that runs down the middle to provide support and keep air flowing behind your back. The base and legs have rubber pads for stability on all surfaces. The top has a rubber handle that helps you hold the bag as you remove it from your trunk and place it on the ground. A large pouch holds a full rainsuit.titleist.comGolf Digest Rewards: Buy it now
WILSON STAFF FEATHER
PRICE: $135TECH TALK: Weighing 4.3 pounds, this small carry bag has seven pockets, including a large clothing compartment. The hip pad has negative ions in the material to help reduce muscle fatigue. The straps join at a four-way swivel to make it easier to slide the bag on and off your shoulders. The rubber tripod feet are designed to prevent slipping.wilsongolf.comGolf Digest Rewards: Buy it now
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