PING Hoofer Carry Stand Golf Bag Review

Last Updated on December 1, 2023 by Daniel

The Ping Hoofer carry stand golf bag is a golf bag that actually stands out with a little bit of class.

You might well be looking for the best golf bag since you got the last one in about 2010. With a new season upon us and lockdown over, you could be looking for the best golf bag out there. But what do you need? With our handy guide, we will help you figure out what kind is best for you, what type of bag to use, and what you will need from your bag if you carry your clubs around.

The bag should be comfortable and easy to carry. Although carrying your bag instead of using a trolley is admirable and has numerous health benefits, if you do not have the appropriate bag, at the very least you will lose focus during your round (and at worst, it can lead to back problems that limit your use of the course).

The PING Hoofer series is a great choice for those that carry their clubs, and it is made from the finest materials.

The latest Hoofer Lite bag is stuffed full of cool little features that make it stand out from other bags in its price range. Hoofer bags have been industry leaders for many years.

OVERVIEW OF THE PING HOOFER CARRY STAND GOLF BAG

It’s that time of year when many golfers decide to upgrade their equipment. No matter what you’re looking for, whether it’s golf balls, drivers, or golf shoes, now is the right time to make those purchases. Try it. Is the Ping Hoofer Lite worth considering?

In terms of aesthetics, this bag ticks a lot of boxes. The design appears streamlined, is well constructed, and it’s pleasing to the eye. In my opinion, PING bags have always looked great. It always seemed to me that PING’s huge and stylish bags looked better than any of the competition on the PGA Tour. The branding is cool for some reason. I don’t know what it is.

Hoofer bags follow the same principle. I’ve reviewed the Hoofer Lite here, but the standard Hoofer is also gorgeous and you should check it out. Several color schemes are available, so you can find something that suits your tastes.

Lightweight and durable, the Hoofer Lite uses high-denier polyester fabric, and it has a lift assist handle for easy transport. To keep the clubs well separated in the bottom of the bag, the four-way top is slightly wider than usual at 9.5″.

Although the bag is lightweight, the zips are of very good quality, and the bag feels sturdy. Even though it isn’t the lightest bag on the market at 5 pounds (2.2 kilos), half a pound makes no difference when you’re carrying all your clubs.

In comparison to many other bags, the Hoofer Lite has a nice sleeve that can hold the umbrella, rather than just a little nylon loop. Additionally, you’ll find a little pouch with a pen for marking your scorecard.

A bag like this has lots of these little details which make a huge difference. For example, you can customize the detachable ball pocket with your company logo or name to go with the stylish ‘Hoofer’ branding on the legs. You probably won’t take advantage of this option, but it is nice to have the option.

Despite its name, the Hoofer Lite is not completely waterproof. You may consider the PING Hoofer Monsoon, the Callaway Hyper Dry C that I reviewed recently, or the PING Hoofer Monsoon for a fully waterproof bag. However, fully waterproof bags are more expensive.

STORAGE FOR PING HOOFER CARRY STAND GOLF BAG

Hoofer Lite has a lot of storage space. Overall, it features seven pockets. Clothing pockets are a good size and, in addition to some internal storage space, have added zippered pockets.

Another decent-sized pocket is located on the other side. This pocket could be used to carry things such as snacks, extra drinks, or jumpers that may not fit in the apparel pocket. It comes with a good-sized ball pocket with little pockets for tees, pitch mark repairers, ball markers, etc. You can also detach it from the bag if you choose.

My favorite part of the ball pocket is the Range Finder pocket directly above it. With its protective casing on, it fits my Garmin Z82 perfectly. Despite the fact that many golfers prefer to hang their rangefinder from their towel rings, this is the better option since it provides more protection, as the device won’t be damaged as the bag rolls.

It isn’t the largest pocket and is designed to fit only a 16oz water bottle. There is enough room in either of the large side pockets for a spare bottle if you tend to drink more than that during a round.

It is not always the case that all bags have a zip in the drinks pocket, which is unusual. Today, the open pouch is most common on stand bags, but PING offers a zip option to provide versatility. If you’re drinking from a bottle, you can leave the pocket open, but if you’d like your beer to stay cold until you’re ready to drink it, seal the pocket.

It concerned me that the main valuables pocket was lined with velour. You can slide your smartphone right in, but it faces downwards when carried, so if you accidentally leave the zip open, your phone will likely fall out with the motion of the bag moving along the fairway.

My wallet went in this, and I kept the zip closed throughout the round and my phone in a side pocket.

There is a rain hood inside the seventh pocket. I will elaborate shortly.

FUNCTIONALITY OF THE PING HOOFER CARRY STAND GOLF BAG

With this bag, carrying is a breeze. Although the adjustable shoulder straps are very high quality (they feature SensorCool technology), they felt shorter than usual. The bag ended up sitting higher than I’m used to, but it felt very comfortable as it remained very stable on my back without moving around all that much, almost like an awkward backpack.

The shape of the bag may also account for this snug fit. It is more box-like than round, which spreads the weight of the bag over a wider area than concentrating it on a single point, as is the most common design.

As an alternative, you can also use a sliding strap connector if that is more convenient for you. Golfers generally prefer to use a backpack with two straps rather than a single strap. It’s easy to change. In addition to the hip pad, there is a pocket that houses the rain hood. It’s a very clever idea since the rain hood further adds cushioning. Little things make a big difference, don’t they? Because the design is so ‘golf-friendly, you can see how much thought went into it.

The Hoofer Lite also features a sleeve that slides behind the main pocket so that a cart strap can be attached (see above photo). It’s a cool feature and should definitely be a part of any stand bag. Not only does it add versatility, but even when not in use, it’s hard to notice. Most people don’t even notice it when it’s there.

The Hoofer Lite and the TaylorMade FlexTech Waterproof are both stand bags with cart straps that pass through. If you often use a cart or a buggy, then a stand bag is the best choice.

When using a stand bag, you can easily push it behind your trolley rather than carry it with you. Take this into consideration.

However, despite the bag’s overall performance, there are a few concerns to note.

First of all, the Hoofer Lite can no longer stand upright by itself when filled with clubs. The legs must be extended or the unit will fall over. In fact, this is a common problem for stand bags without legs as well.

There are lots of golfers who won’t even care because it’s not a function they need their bags to perform. However, I like to leave my bag upright when not playing simply because it occupies less space. You will have to rest the bag against a wall or something to do that.

The second issue was club tangling. Buying this bag would not put me off, but some golfers will be bothered by this issue. However, this is something that many stand bags have.

Let me elaborate a bit on that. When I tried to put the clubs back in after taking a shot, the grips of the clubs in the two center compartments seemed to get stuck quite a bit.

The Hoofer bags are ironically known for their base and legs, which are there because they are the biggest strength of the bag. If the legs are extended, the base of the bag folds up as a whole, so the bottom is square and stable. In addition to being practical, this bag looks very cool.

Due to the decreased space of the flattened bases, the clubs within them become closer together as a result of the flattening. The clubs go back into the bag when you pick it up and the base returns to normal, but the clubs are likely tangled.

In order to avoid this issue, you should remove your desired club while the bag is upright, and then stand the bag upright after you take your shot before putting the club back in. You may need to do a bit of tangling now and then if you do not want to do that (as many won’t).

Considering the hidden gem under the handle on the front of the bag, a bit of tangling is a small price to pay. The first thing that attracted me to this bag was the velcro glove holder! There seems to be a decline in their population presently, so let’s applaud PING for not abandoning the glove holder as everyone else has.

Pros	Cons
As a bag, it obviously functions well.	The product is not waterproof.
It is easy to use and extremely comfortable.
Extra features you won’t want to miss

KEY SPECS FOR THE PING HOOFER CARRY STAND BAG

• 2.2 kilos in weight
• The number of pockets is seven.
• Range Finder Pocket, Single or Double Strap Carry Option, and Cart Strap Sleeve are all included.

The Verdict

An excellent backpack with many useful features, this bag is well worth the money. It isn’t perfect, and the slight tangling issue may be off-putting to some, but this bag excels in so many other areas that it makes up for that minor flaw.

In the bag market, the Hoofer Lite definitely stands out since it has so many good features. If you can find something more comfortable to carry for 18 holes at a similar price, then you’ll be doing well.

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