Bag Compromises

[lsfird13]

Ogio Grom vs Sun Mountain 3.5

Thought I'd give a quick review and vent alittle at the same time. Just purchased SM 3.5 after owning the Grom for the last five years. I walk every chance I get so the reduced weight was the main reason for the change.

The Grom is obviously very well made. The only negatives for the grom were the extra weight (I believe the 05' version weighed around 6.5 - 7 lbs), the legs (wouldn't retract very quickly when picked up so you could catch the edge of your shorts/pants) and had one of the side zippers break on me. Other than that the bag was great. Hey - it lasted 5 years playing apprx 30 times a year.

SM 3.5 - Love the light weight and the legs mechanism is better than the grom. My biggest complaint (still relatively minor) is the padding on the strap system is not as nice, acceptable but the grom is much more comfortable. I'll also miss the score card holder and the positioning of the water bottle holder.

Frankly I am amazed, after searching thread after thread here and else where, that there is not a bag that combines the best features of the two. How hard would it be put more comfortable straps, a score card pocket and to position the bottle holder at a better angle so you could remove and return it (!!) when it is on your back to the SM 3.5. This is not rocket science.

That being said, I don't have any problems fitting 14 clubs into the 3.5 and although the woode system was nice on the grom it wasn't that big a deal for me. I plan on keeping both and going back to the grom when I know I have to play cart golf. For the rest of the time, the 4 lbs weight savings really does make a difference near the end of a round.

[hughfree]

[quote name='lsfird13' date='12 July 2010 - 04:32 PM' timestamp='1278966763' post='2571156']
Thought I'd give a quick review and vent alittle at the same time. Just purchased SM 3.5 after owning the Grom for the last five years. I walk every chance I get so the reduced weight was the main reason for the change.

The Grom is obviously very well made. The only negatives for the grom were the extra weight (I believe the 05' version weighed around 6.5 - 7 lbs), the legs (wouldn't retract very quickly when picked up so you could catch the edge of your shorts/pants) and had one of the side zippers break on me. Other than that the bag was great. Hey - it lasted 5 years playing apprx 30 times a year.

SM 3.5 - Love the light weight and the legs mechanism is better than the grom. My biggest complaint (still relatively minor) is the padding on the strap system is not as nice, acceptable but the grom is much more comfortable. I'll also miss the score card holder and the positioning of the water bottle holder.

Frankly I am amazed, after searching thread after thread here and else where, that there is not a bag that combines the best features of the two. How hard would it be put more comfortable straps, a score card pocket and to position the bottle holder at a better angle so you could remove [b]and return it (!!) [/b][u]when it is on your back to the SM 3.5. This is not rocket science.

That being said, I don't have any problems fitting 14 clubs into the 3.5 and although the woode system was nice on the grom it wasn't that big a deal for me. I plan on keeping both and going back to the grom when I know I have to play cart golf. For the rest of the time, the 4 lbs weight savings really does make a difference near the end of a round.
[/quote]

I agree with the your comments regarding the SM 3.5. Sun Mountain took a step backwards on the strap system / padding with the new model. I also agree with your findings regarding the Grom. I love the bag's features. I truly wanted to by the bag for the way that the bag was engineered. But I, like you, walk and carry most of the time (playing about 50 rounds a year). The extra weight does make a difference at the end of a round.

[DoubleCup]

I agree. I am in stand bag he11 right now. Sun mountains/titleists don't fit on a cart. Ogio legs stink and the Ozone I just got is going back tomorrow because the strap system can't adjust to balance the bag correctly (too horizontal, clubs feel like they're gonna fall out). Like the TM Purelite, probably the best leg mechanism out there, but I hate the club organization...the spacing isn't right so irons are too "on top" of each other...Ugh!! Seriously, how difficult is it to design a carry bag that doesn't have a major design flaw?!?!?

[hogan64]

Just picked up a Sun Mountain 3.5. I've walked roughly 10 rounds since. I have to agree that the strap is a bit on the thin side as far as padding goes, I think I'll put my trusty old original Izzo strap on it. My only other complaint is that the zippers should open from right to left instead of left to right, that way the contents of the compartments will not be spilling into the fairway while walking and it's just easier access while the bag is hanging on your back. Aside from those minor issues I really like the bag.