2020 Ping Hoofer Lite Vs Sun Mountain 3.5

[brew4eagle]

5 minutes ago, Nixhex524 said:

Yeah, IDK... I had a 4 series, which was great, then a 2018 (?) HL.  The 2020 is better than both for me.  Granted, I carry 13, but I did when I had those other bags, too.  I can see how 14 MIGHT be an issue.  

I only carry 11 or 12 clubs and always have.  The 2016-2017 4 Series and the 2018-2020 Hoofer Lite bags have all had the EXACT same base, dividers and top sections, so the tangle issue is exactly the same across those bags.  It's manageable when you know how to take clubs in and out, but so others know what to expect there simply has been zero changes to the bags in this particular aspect.  If you had tangle issues with a 2018 HL, you'll have the same experience with the new bag.

[userwasx]

After months with the hoofer lite the club tangle is getting to me.  Has anyone tried the sun mountain 2.5 14 way?  Looks like a good solution. 

[brew4eagle]

10 minutes ago, userwasx said:

After months with the hoofer lite the club tangle is getting to me.  Has anyone tried the sun mountain 2.5 14 way?  Looks like a good solution. 

I have not tried the 2.5 14-way, but I have used the 4-way a lot.  It's very lightweight and has 0 tangle.  Doesn't carry as nice as the Hoofer Lite (which is why I've stuck with the Hoofer), but if tangle is getting to you I'd recommend the 2.5+ 4-way.

[userwasx]

2 minutes ago, brew4eagle said:

I have not tried the 2.5 14-way, but I have used the 4-way a lot.  It's very lightweight and has 0 tangle.  Doesn't carry as nice as the Hoofer Lite (which is why I've stuck with the Hoofer), but if tangle is getting to you I'd recommend the 2.5+ 4-way.

is the sm a lot lighter or not noticeably? 

[brew4eagle]

18 minutes ago, userwasx said:

is the sm a lot lighter or not noticeably? 

It's very noticeable when you pick it up one handed.  It's also noticeably lighter on the shoulders, however it shimmies around when walking while the Hoofer Lite locks in and carries so balanced.  It's kind of a push I guess.  I don't get to walk as much as I'd like with the courses I play most often, and the Hoofer is better on the cart so I've stayed with the Hoofer.  Might pick up a 2.5+ again if I find one cheap.

[userwasx]

I am going to try a 14 way.  i like hoofer, but the club tangle even when on cart is beyond annoying. 

[brew4eagle]

4 minutes ago, userwasx said:

I am going to try a 14 way.  i like hoofer, but the club tangle even when on cart is beyond annoying. 

Tangle doesn't bother me with the Hoofer, but I only carry 12 (sometimes 11) clubs which is one of the reasons I don't consider a 14 way bag.

[Nixhex524]

I had a HL for a bit and recently acquired a SM 3.5 4 way.  The HL construction feels way more durable but overall, the SM will be MUCH better for tangle.  I carried only 13 with my HL and still had some grabbing going on, but I play 14 with my SM and it is totally fine.  The SM feels a lot lighter as well.  I don't understand why Ping mad the "lite" only a half pound lighter than the regular Hoofer... May as well just go with the non lite IMO.  Another thing I really like about the SM is that with a blade putter, you can easily put it in the top or bottom divider, the HL bottom divider was difficult with a blade putter for me...  I didn't love that.  Overall, they are both OK, nod to the SM.  I will not be carrying anymore so I am looking to see what the new Jones Troupers are all about but the SM wins for being much more user friendly IMO.

[Howie]

On 3/6/2021 at 7:01 PM, Nixhex524 said:

I had a HL for a bit and recently acquired a SM 3.5 4 way.  The HL construction feels way more durable but overall, the SM will be MUCH better for tangle.  I carried only 13 with my HL and still had some grabbing going on, but I play 14 with my SM and it is totally fine.  The SM feels a lot lighter as well.  I don't understand why Ping mad the "lite" only a half pound lighter than the regular Hoofer... May as well just go with the non lite IMO.  Another thing I really like about the SM is that with a blade putter, you can easily put it in the top or bottom divider, the HL bottom divider was difficult with a blade putter for me...  I didn't love that.  Overall, they are both OK, nod to the SM.  I will not be carrying anymore so I am looking to see what the new Jones Troupers are all about but the SM wins for being much more user friendly IMO.

 

Is the strap system on the SM 3.5 any better than the straps on the SM 2.5? I find the SM 2.5 nice and lightweight but the straps can be difficult to orient- it seems the one which goes onto one's left shoulder (as a righty) often times gets trapped/stuck when picking the bag up and transferring to carry mode.

 

I'm guessing the HL is great in this regard (strap system- getting on and off)?

[Nixhex524]

3 hours ago, Howie said:

 

Is the strap system on the SM 3.5 any better than the straps on the SM 2.5? I find the SM 2.5 nice and lightweight but the straps can be difficult to orient- it seems the one which goes onto one's left shoulder (as a righty) often times gets trapped/stuck when picking the bag up and transferring to carry mode.

 

I'm guessing the HL is great in this regard (strap system- getting on and off)?

I thought the strap system on the SM 3.5 is more comfortable than the HL, but the way the straps go on while carrying the HL was better.  I have not used a 2.5 so I can not speak to that.  I don't carry anymore due to back issues so I don't focus on that stuff that much, but the HL is a great carry if you are a walker, but the dividers suck IMO.

[brew4eagle]

3 hours ago, Howie said:

 

Is the strap system on the SM 3.5 any better than the straps on the SM 2.5? I find the SM 2.5 nice and lightweight but the straps can be difficult to orient- it seems the one which goes onto one's left shoulder (as a righty) often times gets trapped/stuck when picking the bag up and transferring to carry mode.

 

I'm guessing the HL is great in this regard (strap system- getting on and off)?

3.5 and 2.5 have the exact same straps for 2021 bags.  Hoofer Lite definitely carries better, Sun Mtn gives a bit more room to slide into, but it does some times get stuck behind like you're describing 

Edited March 9, 2021 by brew4eagle

[rorykoepka]

Does the Hoofer Lite carry better than the Hoofer? It seems to only be a half pound difference between the two.

[brew4eagle]

9 minutes ago, rorykoepka said:

Does the Hoofer Lite carry better than the Hoofer? It seems to only be a half pound difference between the two.

Never tried the Hoofer, but I'd think it would be similar as long as you don't take advantage of the extra pocket space by packing more stuff