Bag Drop: Making A List

Gxgolfer · October 3, 2005

By Donald MacKenzie via TheSandTrap.com

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When the weather gets too cold and wet to play, many of us like to haunt golf shops and look for new additions to our collections. Here's what I have my eye on this year.

Turning another page on the calendar makes me think about how the golf season is quickly slipping away from those of us in northern climes. For PGA Tour types, this means the Silly Season is upon us. But for those of us who are about to lose our golfing privileges for the next five months or so, we're entering the Shopping Season.

That's put me in the mood to start making a list for Santa Claus, since old Saint Nick and his helpers always want to know what golf goodies I'd like to see under the tree. Here's what's on my list so far this year; what's on yours?

First on my list is the biggest-ticket item: a new 3-wood, or a hybrid equivalent. I'm torn between wanting a large titanium-headed 3-wood to function as a de facto backup driver on short or tight driving holes, and wanting a small-headed hybrid with a shorter shaft for more control.

I have two 3-woods that I like - my old reliable Callaway Steelhead Plus Strong 4-wood, which has 15 degrees of loft like a 3-wood, and the Titleist 904F that I acquired earlier this year. Both clubs are good off the deck and the tee, but I find that I hardly ever reach for either of them anymore. I think I have a disconnect between the huge 460cc Fusion FT-3 driver I use and my current 3-wood options, which are less than 200cc.

On the one hand, I'd like to get a large, deep-faced titanium 3-wood that will be a little closer to driver size. The new Big Bertha Titanium fairway woods are among the largest I've seen, with very deep faces. 10 years ago, these would have been large drivers.

On the other hand, I've really enjoyed using the Sonartec Md hybrid that replaced my 7-wood/3-iron this year. It is very versatile, and reliable for 215 yards off the tee. I'm thinking that I would like adding a 15- or 17-degree hybrid to my bag and dropping the 3-wood. I would probably lose a bit of yardage when I hit it off the tee, but I might find more use for it off the fairway on par-5s or to hit punch shots out of the rough.

The other thing I have on my wish list this year is a new stand bag. The Callaway Ion bag (made by Ogio, which also sells the bag as the Exo) has been a good performer for me for the last three seasons, but it is starting to break down a bit. And it isn't the lightest of carry bags. I'd like to get an ultra-light carry bag in the neighborhood of 3 pounds for walking rounds. I see Ogio's Vaporlite is under 4 pounds and still has the "Woode" top divider system I like. The Sun Mountain Superlight 2.5 is also a nice-looking contender, clocking in at (you guessed it) 2.5 pounds.

Any recommendations? Leave your suggestions in the comments below, and I'll pass on your thoughts to Santa. Of course, chances are I'll just get more gag golf gift this year. Not that I wouldn't mind another box of naked lady tees, of course.

How about you? What golf goodies are going to be on your holiday wish list this year?

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duff76 · October 3, 2005

Well, the only thing that I really wanted was a white steel 2 ball putter but much to my suprise my sweetie gave me one for my birthday last friday. Next on my list would be a hybrid for in between my 3 wood and 3 iron. I guess I will have to be a good boy and I'd better get my wish list written up.

SwingMan · October 6, 2005

For a stand bag, I've enjoyed the Nike Extreme Light in Black - it's 4.2 lbs, but I've felt better with it after 18 holes in the heat than the 3.5 lb bags I've used previously -- it must be the air straps, support bar and suspension system.

The internal stand mechanism is nice and it has enough pockets. The aluminum bar makes it sturdy and acts as a handle. Zippers are hidden - rainhood works. Looks well made, straps are sturdy.

The only downside? Prone to club clumping at the bottom and the legs seem to be an inch too short.

In a strong wind, it stayed up while my son's Oggio went down.

Not perfect, but a good carry.

Big Al · October 6, 2005

Hmmmmm Irons - Combo set - Titleist 735 or Procombo tours!! or 3 wood/ 16degree hybrid, im not sure at this point but would love also a flight out to states for the spring, also its my 21st on december the 27th so double wammy!! get in

TigerFrank · October 6, 2005

I'll be upgrading my driver. Either an SQ or FT3. And a winter wouldn't be complete without me trying to find a 3 wood. Putter change has already happened...NC Milled #1

swing981 · October 6, 2005

sonartec is a very nice hybrid...for an easy to get up in the air hybrid with great lofts avail to you the player..a hybrid for every 1.5 degrees is the nickent hybrids..they are getting lots and lots of positive feedback...the sonartec is nice and i like them..however for a 15 or 17 degree go nickent!!!