 PRODUCT REVIEWBy Patrick Jones, Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) have become the rage in the auto industry and on the roadways in recent years because of their versatility. You can haul lumber from Home Depot in the morning and drive in style to the opera in the evening. There's no need to have both a sedan and a pickup truck to transport your diverse lifestyles. That same multi-purpose concept has found its way into the golf bag business.  Product Review: EOS Sports Bags "We have not only created a brand new bag with the SUG, but a brand new (utility) category that's been missing in the business," said Xavier Anguiano, X-Sport's owner and president, and an industry veteran. "A lot of players own two bags, one to carry and take to the range, and another to use when riding in a cart. The Sport Utility Golf bag is the first golf bag that's designed to be used both ways." The SUG weighs in at just under a very lightweight five pounds, making it ideal for hoofing it with your clubs on your shoulders for 7,000-plus yards. But it also offers the same functionality of most larger and heavier cart bags, including enough storage pockets that you can bring along every golf accessory you own (and a picnic lunch if you're so inclined).
"Reverse stitch is what makes the bag so light," said Anguiano. "It makes the tensile strength 10 times higher than normal nylon but usually about 35 percent lighter weight than any other nylon or polyester material." The bag features a seven-way top, a putter well, full-length dividers, 13 pockets including a microfiber-lined valuables pocket, full-length clothing pockets and a beverage holder. A rubberized "Gripper" bottom features a quick-release stand to keep the bag stable at any angle.
For most of the company's existence, it worked behind the scenes as a bag supplier to the industry under other brand names. Anguiano saw too many manufacturers looking at golf bags not as performance items, but as "billboards to put their names on." That spurred him to emphasize developing performance bags under the X-Sports name because of the "void" of high quality golf bags in the marketplace. "A golf bag is an integral part of your equipment," said Anguiano. "If it carries easy, if it is functional, your mind is going to be where it needs to be - on your game. That's what X-Sports bags are designed to do." The SUG was developed with the feedback of several Canadian Tour players. Elisabeth Esterl, who kept her mind on her game and off her bag well enough to finish second on the Ladies European Tour money list in 2003, is a representative for X-Sports' bags.
The SUG comes in four color themes: black/champagne/burgundy, black/burgundy/silver, black/burnt orange/silver, and black/sonic blue/ silver. The suggested retail price of the SUG is $169.95. The bag was pre-released in the fourth quarter of 2003. Its official debut will come at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando in February 2004. Bags can be purchased on the X-Sports Web site, at local country club pro shops, and at golf specialty shops, including Edwin Watts, Golf Galaxy and Roger Dunn's. X-Sports also carries a full line of stand bags, carry bags, cart bags, junior bags and travel covers. X-Sports Inc. Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans. |
The SUG bag is made of reverse square-stitched 1200 Denier Nylon. What that means to non textile engineers is that the golf bag is made of a high quality, high weave fabric that is going to resist moisture, resist fading and is easy to clean if it gets soiled. 
X-Sports is far from a newcomer to the golf bag business. The six-year-old company annually manufactures and delivers approximately 165,000 bags into North American golf markets - numbers that push its golf bag production above the one million mark. 
For those who can't decide between a stand bag and a cart bag, X-Sports offers golfers the best of both worlds with its new SUG utility concept. Unlike the SUV, four-wheel drive is not an option. 
FAQs
How many woods do I need in my golf bag? ›
The average golfer will need two fairway woods. These fairway woods are typically the 3 wood and the 5 wood. Having both a 3 wood and a 5 wood can really help golfers in a variety of situations. Many players will use the 3 wood on a shorter par 4 or when there is trouble off the tee.
Do I need a 5 wood if I have a 3 hybrid? ›Even with the same loft, a 5-wood will go further than a 3-hybrid. The way a 5-wood is built and designed allows for greater ball speed, lower spin and therefore more distance. This is not to say a 3-hybrid distance is a lot shorter but for most golfers their 5-wood distance will be greater.
Where do you put everything in a golf bag? ›- Woods on top. ...
- Follow your woods with your long irons (hybrid can be included here was well) and place them in order of longest to shortest (4,5,6).
- Next up are your mid-irons. ...
- Finally, your wedges (longest to shortest) and your putter.
But, having golf balls in the big lower pocket makes the most sense not only because it's the easiest place to reach for them, it's also the best spot to balance out your bag. We know that most golfers want to carry a bag that's as light as possible, but it's a real drag to carry a bag that's top heavy.
What's in Jack Nicklaus bag? ›Inside his current bag, Nicklaus has a Callaway GBB Epic driver (9 degrees), with a bunch of lead tape added to the toe portion of the sole, and a Graphite Design Tour AD-MJ 5S shaft.
What does Scottie Scheffler use? ›What clubs does Scottie Scheffler use? WITB UPDATE: 10/03/2024: Scottie switches to a Qi10 fairway wood and TaylorMade Spider Tour X putter. WITB UPDATE: 08/02/2024: Scottie switched his Driver to Qi-10. WITB UPDATE: 30/11/2023: Scottie switched his putter to Logan Olson Prototype.
What clubs does Scottie Scheffler have in his bag? ›Scottie Scheffler WITB: Full Specs
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (8 degrees loft) with Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X shaft. Three wood: TaylorMade Qi10, 15° loft with a Fujikara Ventus Black 8 X shaft.
Tiger Woods won 14-of-his-15 major championships using a custom Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS (German Stainless Steel) putter, which he first put in play in 1999. After all these years, he still had it in the bag this week at the 2023 Genesis Invitational.
What putter is Jordan Spieth using? ›Jordan Spieth uses the Titleist Scotty Cameron Circle T 009 putter.
What putter does Tiger Woods use? ›Tiger Woods uses a Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS Prototype putter. Although he has occasionally toyed with other models – even using a mallet at one point – Tiger's famous old Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS putter has been in the bag for the majority of his career.
Should you carry a 3 or 5 wood? ›
More from Golf Digest
“I routinely see the 5-wood carrying longer with almost all types of players. It's just easier to get in the air, plus it's more forgiving. The more loft, the less curve to the shot. The slightly shorter shaft is easier to control as well.
It makes the most sense to carry clubs that vary by about 4° or 5° so that each club flies a different distance, which means a 3-wood, 5-wood and 7-wood will be a suitable combination for you.
Do I need a 5 and 7 wood? ›For low handicappers, I would say pick one or the other whichever is best for your bag. For mid handicappers, get both the 5 and 7 wood. For high handicappers, start with the 7 wood, and add the 5 wood if you find you like the 7 wood. If you do not like the 7 wood, you can try a 5 wood or replace them with hybrids.