Ping Carry Bags: Which One is Right for You?
Editor’s Note: 2018 Review
Ping has earned itself a large army of vocal and loyal followers. If you spend time reading reviews in the golf forums or listening to customers, it is easy to find stories of “serial” Ping owners who have owned their Ping carry bags for 8 – 10 years.
Given this following of Ping admirers, we compared Ping’s three full-featured stand bags side-by-side to give newbies and veterans a clear picture of their similarities and differences.
| Hoofer Lite | Hoofer | Hoofer 14 |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
The three carry bags range from the simplest in the Hoofer Lite to the mid-point Hoofer to the most highly developed and specialized Hoofer 14. This same sequence exists in their weight, number of pockets, number of club openings at the top, and price tags.
Before diving into the differences that distinguish each model, let’s walk through the similarities.
Ping Carry Bags: Similarities
Quality: All three bags are manufactured to Ping’s historically high-quality standards. Whether looking at the top construction, the stand mechanism, the strap systems, or bag material, the Ping bags are of high quality.
The Stand Mechanism and Bottom of the Bag: All three bags have the same bag stand mechanism featuring a 24-inch wide leg span, providing stability on all surfaces.
Each bag also comes with a full-contact base, which helps the bag sit flush with the ground when the legs are deployed.
Carrying the Bag: The strap system is identical in the three models. There is a four-way central hub with connecting straps that attach to the bag. The top straps have front-adjusting shoulder pads to optimize fit. The lower straps can also be adjusted in terms of length.
The shoulder pads are outfitted with “Sensor Cool Technology” to wick moisture away during the hottest rounds. The bag can quickly be adjusted for a single strap or backpack style.
Rain hood: The Hoofer, Hoofer Lite, and Hoofer 14 bags have a unique deployable rain hood that stays attached to the bag hidden within the hip pad when not used.
Ping Carry Bags: Differences
With the stand, bottom, and strap systems all the same, the three models have a similar look, with the variations coming through in the top configuration and the number and specialization of pockets.
As the number of openings and pockets increases, so does the individual bags’ weight and price. The chart below gives a side-by-side perspective on these differences in features.
| Hoofer Lite | Hoofer | Hoofer 14 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top Opening | Four way top with two full-length dividers | Five way top with two full-length dividers | Fourteen way top with four full-length dividers |
| Pockets | 7 (6 zip, 1 slip) • A full length apparel pocket including a key clip • A padded valuables pocket • There is a slip pouch inside the padded valuables pocket along with a key clip • Accessories storage for items like wrenches, divot tools and ball markers • An insulated water-bottle pocket located for easy access while walking • Umbrella holder, towel loop | 12 (8 zip, 4 slip) • Apparel pocket extends length of bag • Welded, water-resistant valuables pocket with divider pouch • Additional pockets for range finder, golf balls, folio-style tools pocket, accessories and extra apparel. • The water-bottle pocket is strategically located on the lower part of the bag so it's easy to reach your beverage when you're on the move • Umbrella holder, towel loop | 12 (8 zip, 4 slip) • Apparel pocket extends length of bag • Welded, water-resistant valuables pocket with divider pouch • Additional pockets for range finder, golf balls, folio-style tools pocket, accessories and extra apparel. • The water-bottle pocket is strategically located on the lower part of the bag so it's easy to reach your beverage when you're on the move • Umbrella holder, towel loop |
| Colors | Six Colors | Five Colors | Five Colors |
| Cart Strap Channel | No | Yes | Yes |
| Rainhood | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 4.5 lbs | 5.5 lbs | 5.5 lbs |
| Price (MSRP | $190 | $220 | $240 |
| Amazon Price and Reviews | Click Now | Click Now | Click Now |
A Quick Summary
You cannot go wrong with owning a Ping carry bag. These three full-feature bags are designed to fit the needs of individual tastes.
- The Hoofer Lite is the smallest and simplest of the bags. It boasts the lowest weight and price, with a four-opening top and seven pockets.
- The Hoofer is one of our highest-recommended bags for 2018. Please read our full Hoofer review here. A five-way top offers good club separation at a reasonable weight. The big step up over the Hoofer Lite is the increase in the number and specialization of pockets. The Hoofer has twelve pockets vs. 7 in the Hoofer Lite.
- The Hoofer 14 has all the features of the Hoofer with the bonus of a fourteen-way top and four full-length dividers to ensure even greater organization and separation of clubs.
As said earlier, you cannot go wrong buying one of the Ping Carry Bags! You should check out Amazon’s pricing, where these bags are frequently marked down from Ping’s MSRP!
If you like The Best Golf Carry Bags, check out our sister sites:
- The Best Golf Training Aids for golfers looking to improve their on-course performance.
- The Aggressive Fade if you are looking for the perfect golf-related gift.
