OGIO Flight SS Golf Bag

- For many golfers, the most important piece of equipment after golf clubs and balls is the golf bag. Between carrying the bag during a round (as well as to and from your car), sliding clubs in and out repeatedly, and using it to hold gloves, balls, tees, etc, the golf bag is a crucial piece of equipment that is involved in almost all golf related activities. Comfort, durability, and accessibility are essential components to look for when considering which bag to buy.

With these standards in mind, I recently set out to test the new line of OGIO stand bags which feature the Shling carrying system. OGIO is known for creating bags that combine edgy, trendy designs and colors with new wave technology. The new Flight SS bag is no exception.

From the outside, the Flight SS was pleasing to the eye; made of a durable nylon, the bag was a strong silver color, with red highlights and black lines emphasizing its sleek style. Pockets were abundant and varied. There were nine in all, including smaller ones for the cell phone, tees and balls, as well as larger ones for a golf jacket or shoes. The water bottle holster, scorecard and pencil pocket were all strategically placed so I could reach them as I walked the course without taking off the bag. Accessibility to the clubs was simple due to the WoodēLite top. The full length 7-way club dividers and putter slot made it easy for me to keep my clubs organized and get to any of them at anytime.

At 4.8 pounds, the bag added little weight to the clubs, and the "Lift Grip" handle at the bottom of the bag made it easy to take in and out of the trunk. When it came to carrying the bag on the course, OGIO created "Shling" technology for this all important aspect of the bag. The highlight of their new bag line, "The Shling is the world's first personal Universal Carrying System," according to their website. "The ergonomic design instantly balances loads and distributes weight across the shoulders with little effort."

Essentially, the Shling shoulder straps are attached to the bag by a single strap, with the shoulder pads resting on top of your shoulder, similar to the shoulder pads of a football player. Putting it on takes some getting used to, as you do not throw it over one shoulder and then the other, but rather pick it up at the base of the straps and put it on both shoulders at the same time. Once on, the feeling was a bit awkward, as the weight was sitting on a different part of my shoulders than my old bag. However, after a few holes, it became quite comfortable.

More importantly, the Shling system minimized the fatigue I usually feel in my back and shoulders towards the end of a round when carrying my old bag. This fatigue often means poor golf down the stretch and the ruin of a potentially good round. The technology of the OGIO bag helped me finish strong and post a good number for a hacker like myself.