Guys, I need to buy a new bag this week before going on a trip. I have weighed the attributes of both the Freestyle and the 3.5. I like the pockets and setup of the 3.5 but it sits very tall. The Freestyle is very similar to my old Ping hoofer but has a better leg design, sits lower to the ground which I like and has enough cargo space. The drawback on the Ping is the 4-way top design and I'm not totally sold on the retractable strap. The drawback on the 3.5 is the less-than-sturdy legs and the fact that it sits very tall and is subject to blowing over in the wind.

both can be had for roughly $100 shipped so pricing is not a factor.

Any thoughts/suggestions are greatly appreciated. Please don't provide input into any other bags, I am only interested in these two. thanks

3.5. more durable. ping freestyle still has some flaws. i prefer my zero g over my old ping freestyle.

If you are a single strap guy, the Ping will sit better.
If the retractable strap is the problem...just cut it off if you don't like it.
It's only a piece of elastic...easily accessed in this bag.

I've been looking as well, and think I've settled on the Ping...cut.
Top is not an issue to me.

I have no real world experience with either bag you mentioned.

yeah, I would keep two straps and from what I've read, the retractable strap on the Ping can be annoying.

if the Sun Mountain had the same leg system as the Ping, I would have gotten the Sun Mt long ago. the legs is really what's dividing me at this point because I hate when my bag falls over.

Sorry, I wasn't clear in my original reply.

The retractable strap is just a regular strap, that instead of being *mounted* to the
top of the bag, is attached to the bottom of the bag....with a length of cord-type elastic.

If you cut (or untie, I think) the elastic...the strap will be like any other non-retractable strap.
The only thing you may have to do, is secure it at the top of the bag, just so it doesn't
keep falling in.

This will all make more sense if you can find a way to look at one in person...easy to
see...IF you are looking for it.

Unfortunately, or not-if you find a bag you love, I doubt I'll get mine, and modify it, before
next week at the earliest. So I can't give exact details, and more importantly...results.
It is just a theory that this will be the answer to the annoying retractable strap.

Rich

I ended up going with the SM 3.5 becuase I felt that at the price point, the 3.5 had more to offer than the Ping. hopefully with clubs in it, the bag sits a bit lower to the ground.

Guys what is the difference between the Sun Mountain 3.5 2009 and the Titleist 2009 Light Weight Stand bag ? I know SM makes the bag for Titleist is it just the Logo ? Someone said there is a strap to hold the legs in when not in use on the Titleist but not the SM ...ANY feed back would be great. ALSO if anyone has a picture of the SUN MOUNTAIN 3.5 White/Baltic blue I would reallly appreciate it. I'd like to order a new back ASAP.

Thanks

Mike

Guys PLEASE HELP ME ON THIS SO I CAN PUT THE ORDER IN...... what is the difference between the Sun Mountain 3.5 2009 and the Titleist 2009 Light Weight Stand bag ? I know SM makes the bag for Titleist is it just the Logo ? Someone said there is a strap to hold the legs in when not in use on the Titleist but not the SM ...ANY feed back would be great. ALSO if anyone has a picture of the SUN MOUNTAIN 3.5 White/Baltic blue I would reallly appreciate it. Thanks

Mike

Yes, they are essentially the same bag. The Titleist is listed as weighing almost 1lb heavier. It does have a strap, but it is not necessary. Get the one that looks the best to you.

i found the titleist bags to have huge pockets (the cargo pocket) where as the SM does not. you can see a pic of the blue baltic here (this is also the one I got)

http://www.sunmountain.com/default.php?cPath=3469_3474_3398