Callaway Hyperlite Zero reviews?

[eric61]

My Sun Mountain 2.5 is looking pretty rough, so I'm in the market for a new carry bag. I have some CallawayGolf.com credit that I'd like to use. I haven't seen much chatter here about the Callaway Hyperlite Zero. It looks like it's in my wheelhouse -- super-lightweight carry bag with just enough pockets. 

 

Anybody tried it? Any reviews or observations or comparisons you can share? 

[ApostateDrive]

I like it except for the club tangle. Though, I'm sensitive enough to club tangle that I went to 14 way full length dividers. I will say that the HyperLite has full length 4 way dividers which work great if stood straight up, but when the bag is on its legs, the dividers sag a bit and cause a bit of cramping of space. I'm super picky though.

 

I also don't know that I'll ever go back to a bag without a dedicated putter well, but I'm not carrying either.

 

The legs are very snappy and tight and will not sag, which is something that annoys me with a lot of stand bags.

Edited October 18, 2023 by ApostateDrive

[eric61]

4 minutes ago, ApostateDrive said:

I like it except for the club tangle. Though, I'm sensitive enough to club tangle that I went to 14 way full length dividers. I will say that the HyperLite has full length 4 way dividers which work great if stood straight up, but when the bag is on its legs, the dividers sag a bit and cause a bit of cramping of space. I'm super picky though.

 

I also don't know that I'll ever go back to a bag without a dedicated putter well, but I'm not carrying either.

 

The legs are very snappy and tight and will not sag, which is something that annoys me with a lot of stand bags.

This is all great info, thanks very much, @ApostateDrive. Exactly the kind of review I was hoping someone could share. The club tangle would definitely be a concern -- I'm picky about that too. 

[ApostateDrive]

2 hours ago, eric61 said:

This is all great info, thanks very much, @ApostateDrive. Exactly the kind of review I was hoping someone could share. The club tangle would definitely be a concern -- I'm picky about that too. 

 

Yeah, might be worth looking for something else. The biggest issue is when the two middle compartments are loaded with 3 irons each, putting a wedge back in the bottom compartment ends up with having to really shove the grip against the other grips because the divider layer in the two middle compartments sags under the weight of the clubs. If that makes sense. 

[Jeff58]

Callaway’s bags have a reputation for wearing out quickly. I don’t know that their lightest bag would buck that trend.
 

Consider a 2023 eco-lite. It’s basically a 2.5+ layout with the EZ lite strap system and Repreve fabric. The Repreve has far greater abrasion resistance than the standard 2.5+ material.

 

The 2023 model is priced less than the current 2.5+ on SM’s website.

[eric61]

10 hours ago, Jeff58 said:

Callaway’s bags have a reputation for wearing out quickly. I don’t know that their lightest bag would buck that trend.
 

Consider a 2023 eco-lite. It’s basically a 2.5+ layout with the EZ lite strap system and Repreve fabric. The Repreve has far greater abrasion resistance than the standard 2.5+ material.

 

The 2023 model is priced less than the current 2.5+ on SM’s website.

Oh cool, this Eco-Lite looks really good. Sounds like it might last longer than my last 2.5+ too. Thank you for the recommendation! 

[ShortGolfer]

I put a Hyperlight Zero in my Ti Lite push cart for a very light combination.  The carry strap is easily removed to save weight, unlike the Sun Mountain 2.5+.  I use undersized grips; no issues with fitting clubs in the bag.

It has a large pocket that I recently used for storing my jacket.  It has another pocket I use for storing my water.

 

Sun Mountain has a sale on 2022 models of the 2.5+  $100 off most models and $110 off a blue ladies model.  At $140 I decided that it may be a very nice carry bag for a half set of clubs.

Edited October 20, 2023 by ShortGolfer

[drn92]

My son (who is not super in to golf) has a Hyperlite Zero.  He uses it for a half set when he plays.  We've had it for a few years, and so far it has been very durable, with everything he needs and nothing he wants.  Loaded with 8 clubs it feels lighter than my work backpack.

 

drn92

[Freeze]

I got a 2023 Hyperlite Zero about a month or so ago. Thoughts so far:

-it's really light and fits all 14 clubs (plus one or two extra) pretty easily

-stand mechanism is great (no leg droop)

-the strap system is a pain to get the bag to hang properly while walking (still haven't been able to get it right)

-the valuables pocket is ridiculously deep and difficult to get stuff out of once it's in there

-the plastic top section dividers leave marks on the shafts of all the clubs in the bag. They're not terribly difficult to remove, but it's annoying nonetheless

 

If I had to do it over again, I'd probably just go with the a Ping Hoofer Lite, which is heavier. I have a regular Ping Hoofer which I like everything about, except the weight.

Edited October 25, 2023 by Freeze

[ApostateDrive]

@Freeze brought up some points that I forgot to. The stand legs are definitely top-tier in how tight they fit to the bag. They make the legs on my C130-S bag feel like loose garbage. I too was never able to get the straps to feel 100% comfortable, but it wasn't terribly egregious. 

[Spinozist]

I have the newest hyperlite, and it's replaced my sun mountain 2.5+. I liked the sun mountain, but I prefer the hyperlite for 3 main reasons: a) the balance of the hyperlite, at least for me, is a little bit more toward the bottom, which keeps it less horizontal than the 2.5+. b) the opening for clubs is a bit bigger, making it a bit easier to get clubs in and out. c) when set down with legs out, it stands a little bit more vertical, which works better for me. I also slightly prefer the straps on the hyperlite.

[goalie]

I have one that I've used a lot walking over the last year.  I usually use it for early AM 9's, and bring 8 clubs max when walking with it.  I've really liked the pocket setup, weight, and it's held up great, but I can't speak to the club tangle issue, as I've only played a few cart golf rounds using it with all my clubs.  

 

I really like the strap system after taking the time to get it tweaked perfectly for me.  It booted my Sunday Golf Loma bag from the rotation at my lake place.