Hot list

Golf Digest, April, 2004

EDITOR'S CHOICE

Sun Mountain Lightning ES

Never mind the golf bags that come with pocket watches, first-aid kits and GPS systems. Some of us just want the basic carry bag. Light, but sturdy. Functional, not showy. Innovative without being a Rubik's Cube. Enter the Sun Mountain Lightning ES. Weighing less than five pounds, the Lightning ES is typical of Sun Mountain, the Missoula, Mont., sporting-goods company that pioneered the modern stand bag. This is a bag with practical technology. The "RollerTop" handle on the top of the bag is one of those innovations--like a bag with legs--that causes the user to wonder why we never had these before, and it almost instantly becomes indispensible. But there are hidden benefits that set the Lightning ES apart, including floating ball joints on the legs so they extend and retract easily; rubber on the tips of the legs and the bottom of the bag so it stays put; enough room for a rainsuit and anything else that matters; and a mechanism that keeps the legs from goring your pancreas when you strap the bag to a cart. In summary, it's simple, solid and smart ($160;www.sunmountain.com).

Carry Bags

STACHURA

* Izzo Spirit * Ogio Exo * Ping Hoofer 3 * Sun Mountain Lightning ES * TaylorMade Tour Stand 2.0 * Titleist X47 * Wilson Lizard Plus

JOHNSON

* Mizuno AeroFrame * Nike Air Slingshot * Ogio Exo * Ping Hoofer 3 * Sun Mountain Lightning ES * Titleist X47 * Wilson Lizard Plus

STERNBERG

* Izzo Spirit * Nike Air Slingshot * Ogio Exo * Ping Hoofer 3 * Sun Mountain Lightning ES * Titleist X47 * Wilson Lizard Plus

MURPHY

* Datrek Sport Cross * Izzo Spirit * Nike Air Slingshot * Ping Hoofer 3 * Sun Mountain Lightning ES * Titleist X47 * Wilson Lizard Plus

STREGE

* Callaway DP 3.5 UL * Datrek Sport Cross * Nike Air Slingshot * Ogio Exo * Ping Hoofer 3 * Sun Mountain Lightning ES * Titleist X47

Ping Hoofer 3

The choice of collegians and easy to see why: It's light (5.2 pounds) and easy to carry (strap adapts for dual or single use).

Ogio Exo

External stays are techy, but loads of goodies (internal cell-phone pocket and "Lift Grip" handle) make it as cool as it looks.

Titleist X47

A hip pad eases the burden on the lower back. The bag has more pockets than a pair of cargo pants.

ANOTHER VIEW: Often overlooked in this category is Mizuno. Its AeroFrame bag may change that. The lightweight aluminum-frame construction gives the bag a hip look and provides enough stability to allow the bag to stand without legs. With more than the usual bells and whistles, it looks like a lot of bag for the money at $130. E.M.J.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Ping Hoofer 3        $140
Titleist X47         $130
Ogio Exo             $170

RECOMMENDED

Nike Air Slingshot   $120
Izzo Spirit          $110
Wilson Lizard Plus   $120

Editors' Choice

Ogio Stinger

If there was ever cause to dub a golf bag an instant classic, this is it. Ogio is known for making urban bags for skateboarders, but the company's hip, innovative style also works for golf bags. The Stinger offers more storage space than a two-car garage and a bevy of features, including a zipperless ball pocket, the Woode II club-management system and an integrated trunk handle. But the most unusual thing about this bag is the "Rapid Access Incline Lock"--a hinged arm that attaches to the cart and allows the bag to sit at a 45-degree angle for easy access to clubs and pockets. What will Ogio think of next? ($210;www.ogio.com).

THE HOT LIST--APRIL 2004

1. Titleist Pro V1/V1x balls ($45)

2. Odyssey 2-Ball putter ($170)

3. TaylorMade R500 drivers ($200-$400)

4. Cobra SZ drivers ($300)

5. Aldila NV shaft ($85)

6. Callaway ERC Fusion driver ($500)

7. Titleist 983K driver ($375)

8. Nike Slingshot iron ($700)

9. FootJoy DryJoys shoes ($130)

10. Callaway Big Bertha irons ($600)

(tie) Ping G2 irons ($750)

(NOTE: Street price is determined using an average of actual prices based on indicators such as Golf Datatech price listings and data from Golf World Business' 100 Best Golf Shops and other retailers.)

The Golf Digest Hot List, which debuted in our February issue, is the result of subjective reviews of products by the five equipment editors for The Golf Digest Companies: Mike Stachura, Golf Digest; E. Michael Johnson, Golf World; Stina Sternberg, Golf For Women; Mark S. Murphy, Golf World Business; John Strege, Golf Digest. The judges evaluate products based on four categories: Market Forces (which includes Darrell Survey tour professional and consumer research, Golf Datatech research, surveys of Golf World Business' 100 Best Golf Shops, industry buzz), Technology/Innovation, Performance/Playability and Personal Preference.

Cart Bags

STACHURA

* Burton Mountaineer * Datrek 180IDS * Ogio Stinger * Sun Mountain C-130 * Wilson Python

JOHNSON

* Datrek 180IDS * Izzo Buddha * Ogio Stinger * Sun Mountain C-130 * Wilson Python

STERNBERG

* Burton Mountaineer * Datrek 180IDS * Izzo Buddha * Ogio Stinger * Sun Mountain C-130

MURPHY

* Bennington Quiet Organizer * Datrek 180IDS * Ogio Stinger * Sun Mountain C-130 * Wilson Python

STREGE

* Bennington Country Club Staff * Datrek 180IDS * Izzo Buddha * Ogio Stinger * Sun Mountain C-130