Ping Hoofer/Hoofer Lite vs Sun Mountain 3.5/4.5 14 Way

[golfnut215]

I'm presently using a Titlelist 14-way bag and am ready for a replacement. I have formerly had Sun Mountain 4.5 14 way bags and have a 3.5 now at a home in Naples. I have also had a Ping Hoofer 14 way, which I hated because of the club tangling. I hated the bag so much that I only used it for maybe a month and went back to an old bag. It's sitting in my garage empty and has been for a while. I consider the Ping Hoofer 14 way to be worthless and wouldn't take one if it were given to me. FWIW, I have mostly Ping clubs at my home in Nashville and in Naples.

As for replacements, I am only considering the Ping Hoofer and Hoofer Lite (no 14 way) and the Sun Mountain 4.5 14 way and 3.5. I would have already gotten one of the Pings, but I'm concerned about club tangling. I'm assuming that Ping doesn't even try for full-length dividers because of the leg system they use. I am having trouble going the route of the Sun Mountain because I really don't like their "floppy" construction, as compared to the sleeker look of the Pings. I do like the lighter weight of the SMs though and the relative lack of club tangling.

So, the question I have is,for anyone with either the Ping Hoofer or Hoofer Lite, how bad is the club tangling? For anyone that has had both the Hoofer/Lite and the Sun Mountains, please tell me why you prefer one over the other? Thanks in advance for your input!

 

[golfnut215]

Noone can provide any help?

[hdgolf44]

I currently use a Hoofer lite (2018 model I believe - Grey/Navy/Lime) and really haven't had much more or less club tangling on a relative basis with other Hoofers I had previously owned.

Also used a SM 3.5 (before this past Hoofer Lite) in between my Hoofers, and while it was a fine bag (and lighter), I've always hated the balance of those bags. I typically tried to keep a minimalist set-up in terms of non-club stuff in the bag, an as soon as I threw in a rain jacket or a couple extra balls it just threw the balance off and I;d have to readjust. Whereas with the current Hoofer Lite I can load it up or take it out and I never have worried about balance and it feels the same and consistent.

Straps-wise, I slighlty preferred the SM straps over the current PING ones, because the SM were a bit thicker and "plushier", but honestly IMO, the strap comfort thing is moot when your bag is nicely balanced on your shoulders.

Durability-wise, its no contest. My old SM 3.5 showed enough wear and you could tell the stand mechanism wasn't as responsive. I'm not sure if it is due to the lighter nylon material used, but you could tell where the wear points were. My brother-in-law has had a 3.5 as well and you can see the same things.

With regards to club tangling, IMO its a matter of the function of the bag. Even though SM's design is superior, even if you throw 6 clubs into that middle section, you're still gonna fight some tangling just by that aspect alone, unless you're supremely OCD about how you deposit them into the bag initially. That being said, PING's are frustrating, especially the bottom compartment which deals with the "Hoof", making wedges the main culprit.

All in all, I just feel that the Hoofer Lite's durability wins out for me

 

 

[golfnut215]

Thank you for your response. Very helpful!

[leftycoast]

As a lefty, I've only owned the SM 3.5 (repeatedly) because it is the only bag made in left handed. Pretty easy choice when its literally the only option that has ever been made!