[jswanson]

We recently reviewed and compared some of the hottest new golf bags (stand/carry bags) for 2008. These included the Callaway Warbird XTT Xtra Lite, Nike Xtreme Light II, Sun Mountain Super Light 3.5, TaylorMade Monza, Titleist X87 and the Wilson Staff Tour bag.

Any of these bags would make a great carry bag for use on the golf course, but we had to choose one of them, and it wasn't easy. We judged each bag on price, size of the top, number of dividers, the strap, features, weight and the number of colors offered.

The results somewhat surprised us as we ranked the Sun Mountain Bag #1, and the new Wilson Staff Tour Carry bag #2. Dead last was the Titleist bag (even though this bag is made by Sun Mountain!).

We really liked the Sun Mountain bag because at 3.5 lbs, it is the lightest of the bunch, yet it has a 9.5 inch top and 6 full-length dividers... and it comes in nine different color combinations to choose from.

The Wilson Staff Tour Carry Bag scored high marks as well, because at $119.95, it is simply the best deal of the bunch... plus it also has a 9.5 inch top and 6 full-length dividers. The downside is that it weighs a full 2 lbs more than the Sun Mountain bag.

Our rankings:

#1 - Sun Mountain Super Light 3.5

#2 - Wilson Staff Tour Carry

#3 - Callaway Warbird XTT Xtra Lite

#4 - Nike Extreme Light II

#5 - TaylorMade Monza

#6 - Titleist X87

Listed below are brief reviews of each bag:

#1 - SunMountain Super Light 3.5 Stand/Carry Bag-2008

Re-designed for 2008, the 3.5 bag features a new TPR handle and hip pad designed to allow airflow along the golfers back.

Design Changes for 2008:




New TPR Handle



New hip pad designed to allow airflow along the golfer's back



Ball liner



New, wider thicker cary straps for more comfort

Features:




9.5" oval 6-way top w/patented integrated handle for picking up the bag



Carry strap attaches to the top of the bag, moving the center of gravity of the bag resulting in a better balanced bag and and easier carry



New TPR integrated top handle (for easy on/off)



7 pockets including: (Beverage pocket, Velour-lined valuables pocket, Full-length clothing pocket, Ball pocket, Multiple accessory pockets)



X-Strap dual strap system with new wider, thick straps for more comfort



Ball liner



Top mounted leg mechanism adds stability



Lightweight, high tensile aluminum legs w/triangular non-slip foot pads



Patented roller bottom leg mechanism



Full-length box dividers



Lumbar support hip pad



Graphite shaft protection



Pen holder & pencil holder



Umbrella holder



Towel holder



Matching rainhood

#2 - Wilson Staff Tour Carry Bag-2008

New for 2008, the Wilson Staff Tour Carry bag features a 5-way divider system and mesh-wrapped shaft protection.

Features:




Ultimate combination of lightweight performance, durability and convenience



5-way divider with mesh-wrapped shaft protection



Simple-to-operate, durable, spring-action stand



6 pockets including waterproof, No-H20 pocket, full-length clothing pocket



Weighs just 5.5 lbs



Available in: White, Orange, Red, Navy and Black

#3 - Callaway Warbird XTT Xtra-Lite Stand Bag

The all new Xtra-lite is very light (3.9 lbs) and features the new XTT Flex Foot stand activation system.

Very light (3.9 lbs) and featuring the new XTT Flex Foot stand activation system, which keeps the base of the bag in contact with the ground during activation to provide XTRA traction and superior stability. Also offers the new 1 or 2 Strap-ology, the most functional convertible single/dual strap option on the market.

Features:




8 inch oval top with 6-way, full-length divider system



6 pockets including a hidden valuables pocket



Lightweight multi-material (nylon/polyester) with durable 3-Stay frame construction



Matching travel/rain hood, glove holder, umbrella holder



XTT Flex Foot stand activation system for superior stability



1 or 2 Strap-ology - single or dual strap option

#4 - Nike Xtreme Light II Carry Bag-2008

The Xtreme Light II bag features superior cushioning, stability and is ultra, ultra-light at just 3.9 lbs.

Features:




Individual, 14-way, full-length divider system



Versatile golf bag for walking or riding



Nike Woven Air technology in the revolving double strap



10 strategically placed pockets (including water bottle pocket and cooler pocket)



New dual-durometer, wide bag base



Waterproof valuables pocket



Golf ball Quick Access Sleeve



Integrated tee holder



Logo cresting compatible

#5 - TaylorMade Monza Stand Bag-2008

The Monza Stand bag features a 7-way, full-length divider top.

Features:




Satin finished polyester with 420 propex accents



Dual color 7 way fused nylon top with full length dividers



Velour lined valuables pocket



Integrated stand system



Satin finished metal TaylorMade icon zipper pulls



Insulated water bottle pocket



EVA molded backside paneling



6 pockets



Rainhood



Weighs 6.2 lbs



Available in single or double strap

#6 - Titleist X87 Stand Bag-2008

Fully featured with all the bells and whistles for the avid walker who also enjoys an occasional round in a cart. Color coordinated in fashionable polyester fabrics for the premium quality and durability demanded of the Titleist script.

Features:




Material: Polyester



Weight: 6.2 lbs.



Colors Available: Six

Mark Talkington established http://www.bestbuygolfballs.com to provide the logo golf ball customer an easy, convenient and secure site to buy logo golf balls and other products on the internet at the lowest prices possible... with THE BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE ANYWHERE!

It all started at Red Run Golf Course in Michigan in 1948 when our Dad got his first Head Professional Job. He knew that in order to sell, you had to have the best selection, offer outstanding service and price your products fair.

Our dad taught us that customer service is paramount and because of this, you will only deal with one Customer Service Specialist throughout your order. Our goal is to make sure you are MORE than satisfied with your experience at http://www.bestbuygolfballs.com

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles...Mark_Talkington

[Konakid67]

I have the callaway XTT lite and have been very happy with it. You can pick one up off the bay for under 100 bones.
Kevin

[Brock]

i have always preferred Ogio stand bags...I like their harness as it is very comfortable...and the EDGE and GROM models have everything you could want. I especially love the zipperless golf ball pouch and the quick release ball mount near handle...and the Woode club alignment system.

Only other on your list I have tried were Sun Mountain but preferred Ogio over it.

[Minarets]

hmm, this pretty much sums up my desire for the Wilson staff in white....

i really like the Sunmountain 3.5 and have been looking for one in my favority color choice, but i want a white bag and they dont make those....the white Wilson one i saw the other day looks fantastic. this makes me want this bad boy now

[Bob Dole]

No love for the Ping Freestlye?

[Charlie_Foxtrot]

I used to worship my Ogio Vaporlite because of the club management system ("Woode") and despite the crappy legs.

But recently, I'm having massive club tangle problems. I've shined a flashlight down the bag numerous times, but I can't figure out what is causing it. However, I did discover that the dividers are only 3/4 length, which annoyed the hell out of me.

I'm thinking of going to the Nike SQ Pro or Pro Combo. I would go with the Callaway Warbird Hot, but I don't like the straps. Arggh! Why can't someone make the perfect bag?!?!

[SheriffBooth]

Minarets, on Feb 26 2008, 02:02 PM, said:

hmm, this pretty much sums up my desire for the Wilson staff in white....

i really like the Sunmountain 3.5 and have been looking for one in my favority color choice, but i want a white bag and they dont make those....the white Wilson one i saw the other day looks fantastic. this makes me want this bad boy now

They've got H2NO in all white this year. It's pretty much an SL 3.5 that's waterproof and the white is a great colorway.

[Minarets]

SheriffBooth, on Mar 10 2008, 01:32 PM, said:

Minarets, on Feb 26 2008, 02:02 PM, said:

hmm, this pretty much sums up my desire for the Wilson staff in white....

i really like the Sunmountain 3.5 and have been looking for one in my favority color choice, but i want a white bag and they dont make those....the white Wilson one i saw the other day looks fantastic. this makes me want this bad boy now

They've got H2NO in all white this year. It's pretty much an SL 3.5 that's waterproof and the white is a great colorway.

yup, i saw that one on their website and its now right there with the Wilson ProStaff white bag for me...

i think its not released until May...

[Minarets]

soooooooo nice

[ahklimchuk]

i agree with Minarets.

my school gives us these golf bags custom with our Wildcat symbol and it is such a great bag. i had the ping hoofer 3 and the hoofer extreme and both werent very durable from my point of view but this bag, sun mountain SL, is soooo durable and its also very light.

SUN MOUNTAIN/TITLEIST (one owns the other?=almost the exact same type of bag) over any other bag on the market today.

[The Ultimate Spin]

Bob Dole, on Mar 10 2008, 10:31 AM, said:

No love for the Ping Freestlye?

i second that

[WRXJIM]

That Sun Mntn bag is sweet!!!!

On a side note..

Their description of the NIke bag is wrong??? Did they "really" test these bags? Hmmm

The extreme lite carry II is only a 6 way divider, with only 6 pockets, and no ball sleeve... sounds like they are describing the SQ tour/Pro Combo...

Just thought I would throw that in there... I think basic errors like that detract from the integrity of the test... Because they would surely have seen the bag they "tested" didnt have a 14 way divider???

So..... Buy what ever bag you like, and base it off opinions from people who have tried one you are interested in...

[crkline2]

I tried the Sun Mountain, but my clubs did not go or come out easily. That could have been because of my mid-size grips - perhaps all the grips are smooshed together at the bottom of the bag. I really liked the bag otherwise, but returned it and bought a Ping Vantage. Walking with the Ping for the first time tonight. We'll see how it goes.

[finalist]

Minarets, on Mar 10 2008, 06:01 PM, said:

soooooooo nice

Yep! I play the Titleist version. 4.2 lbs. The Sun Mountain version is the same bag, but some how it's lighter?!?! Durable and easy to carry when walking

[tjy355]

A WHITE bag, are you guys kidding?

Certainly a case of form over function.

[ELVISsf]

i use a sun mountain mini. but that sun mountain sl looks really nice. in black though.

[eaglecabport]

After 5 years on a Ping Hoofer bag then eventually went "Bambi" on me, I consulted on this site and went with Titleist.

I did not get their ligthest one as I wanted one with more pockets for all the crap I have...not heavy just lots.

I bought this bag last year. Living in Houston, almost always on carts (stupid weather here to danged hot to carry). Went to Sctoland for a while and played a dozen rounds walking/carrying each time. Great to finally get back to real golf in that sense - forgot how much I missed doing that.

However, with the bag less than one year old, it is already going Bambi on me, too!! Even with their so-called slip resistant triangular rubber feet.

I was sooooooo excited when I got this as I heard so much about Sun Mtn/Titelist bags.

Now, I have no idea what bag to buy to replace my $165 (or thereabouts) waste of money.