Shopping for a golf bag can be a bit daunting.  Sure, some guys will just grab the first bag they find with their favorite logo on it, but guys like me, we agonize over the decision.  Do we want a stand bag or a cart bag?  Can we justify both?  How many pockets to we need?  How many dividers?  What other bells, and whistles can we get for our $150+?  I suppose there’s a chance I’m the only one who puts that much thought into a golf bag, but I suspect I’m not alone.  I love golf bags (especially big cart bags), and 2009 is great, because just like any other year,  there are a ton of great bags to choose from.

A quick not for those (like my buddy Clint) who won’t consider a bag unless it’s got a big time club manufacturers name on it, let me first say, you’re missing out.  Beyond that, yup, those guys all make bags, and some of them make a really nice bag (I’m particularly fond of Mizuno’s bag lineup, but I also have lots of nice things to say about Callaway, Ping, and Nike bags too).  That said, however, this section (with the exception of a single TaylorMade bag) is all about the names you won’t find on any golf club.

On to the bags…

Ogio Ozone CC (Country Club) Stand Bag

It wouldn’t be a Qwowi Gear Guide without OGIO.  No other company has as many bags to choose from, and I must admit I found it more than a little difficult to pick only 2 to cover here.  I’ve already reviewed the Nexos in detail, so I thought this time around I’d show some love for OGIO’s 2009 Ozone CC Stand bag.

The Ozone features many of the standard OGIO accouterments (breakin’ out the big words) like the a Ball silo, full length club dividers, velco strip for your glove or putter cover, pen sleeve, walking-accessible water bottle holder, and a  fleece-lined valuables pocket; one of 9 pockets you’ll find on the Ozone.

The Ozone CC also sports the 4th generation of 9″ OGIO’s patented 8-way Woode top, and features a 2 to 1 strap which easily converts from a caddy-style carry strap to a dual-shoulder crossbow system (this transformer thing is huge for OGIO in 2009).  The bag also has a large embroidery area, making it an ideal choice for country clubs, and corporate events.

If all of that wasn’t enough, for 2009, OGIO has added the Arc Lite stand system which debuted last year on their Nexos bag.  In addition to being the sturdiest stand system I’ve seen, the legs of the Arc Lite system are designed to snap up quickly (in an arcing motion) to avoid snagging your legs as you lift it off the ground.

The OGIO Ozone CC is available in Navy, Hunter Green, Red, and Black.  It’s available for an MSRP of $180.

OGIO Anomaly Cart Bag

While I was tempted to talk about the brand new 3 in 1 Devolover (preview here), or the latest incarnation of the Atlas (the greatest OGIO cart bag ever), what really has my attention this year is the brand new Anomaly cart bag.  In many respects the Anomaly is the culmination of all the innovative work the OGIO design team has done over the last few years.  It’s nothing less than an all-star team of OGIO’s best features all crammed into one amazingly robust cart bag.

What OGIO did first (I don’t necessarily know that it was first – I basically make this up as I go) was borrow the lightweight exo skeleton design of the Exo (which has since became the Nexos).  Next they added the dual flip pockets (the top-most side pockets flip up and over the cart strap) of last year’s Kingpin.  Finally, they built in the general awesomeness that is the Atlas.  While it sounds a bit like Frankenbag, what’s come out of the OGIO lab is a stunning, 9.6 lbs marvel of golf bag engineering.  I’m almost inclined not to bother telling you about the rest of the features, as quite frankly, it all seems a bit superfluous (another big one!), but this is a golf guide, and that’s what we do.

The exo skeleton, and the flip up pockets speak for themselves, so let’s cover a bit of the awesome OGIO borrowed from the Atlas.  The Anomaly features a 15-way (full length), 10″ Uniter top, divot tool and pen sleeves, full length umbrella pocket, a Zipperless Ball Pouch, and a custom 3-point ergonomic handle.  Its got an astounding 13 pockets; all of them front-facing.  They include 2 insulated hydration pockets, and isolation chamber (for wet clothes), a fleece-lined valuables pocket with a cell phone pouch, and plenty of other miscellaneous storage for all your gear.  If you can’t fit everything in an Anomaly your only other option is to hire a caddy.

The OGIO Anomaly is available in Black/Red and Charcoal.  MSRP is $340, but actual street price should be under $300.

Bag Boy Clip-Lok Stand Bag

Even without the Clip-Lok system, this offering from Bag Boy would compare favorably to a healthy chunk of the stand bags on the market today.  Apart from generally being a nice looking bag, it features a 9″ 7-way Clip-Lok top (more on that in a bit), a stable flex bottom (which allows the bag to sit flat in any position), 11 pockets, a water bottle pouch, teen & pen holders, and a 4-point cushioned strap.  Impressively, all of those features are packed into a bag that weighs only 5.5 lbs.

What really makes the Clip-Lok bag standout, however, is the Clip-Loktop (so that’s where the name comes from).  Just about every other bag on the market today, no matter how nice, fails to address what can range from an annoyance to a serious problem.  Call it club jingle, clanging, or what have you, even bags with individual club dividers don’t prevent your clubs from smacking and banging into each other.  At best, it makes for a cacophony of noise that has no place on  a golf, at worse, the banging can lead to shaft or clubhead damage, which totally sucks.

The Clip-Lok system however, allows for each individual club to be snapped down, preventing your clubs from jostling about, but without limiting your ability to reach into the bag and easily pull whatever club it is you happen to need.  Clip-Lok is a great feature, and for under $140 it comes at a bargain price.

I would encourage you to check out Tony Korologos’ full review at www.hookedongolfblog.com/2008/06/19/bagboy-clip-lok/#more-1943.

Bag Boy Revolver Pro Cart Bag

Like the Clip-Lok stand bag, the Revolver Pro’s Shaft-Lok technology also keeps your clubs firmly in place.  Also like the Clip-Lok it has a ton of pockets (including a fur-lined valuables pocket).  Its other features include a 14-way 10″ top, an easy access tee holder, and a neoprene ball sleeve.  Granted, that’s all pretty standard stuff, but to keep things a bit more interesting, Bag Boy has added a twist.

The top (the opening itself) rotates, allowing each and every club to spin to the front of the bag for easy access when attached to a golf cart.  If that wasn’t enough, the Revolver Pro adds two external putter clips so your putter (and another favorite club – unless you actually carry two putters), is easily accessible at all times (no spinning required).  Finally, the Revolver Pro features an oversized, removable cooler pocket with magnetic closure.

Bag Boy has packed a ton of features into the 9.5 lbs. Revolver Pro cart bag.  With a retail price of around $200, it warrants consideration from those looking for a higher-end cart bag.

More information on both the Clip-Lok stand bag, and the Revolver Pro cart bag can be found at www.bagboyllc.com.

Golfoholic Carry Bag

A new name on the scene for 2009 is Golfoholic.  The California-based company is a subsidiary of ORGAHEAD Consulting & Trading out of Hamburg Germany.  And while you may not be familiar with the brand, I suspect it’s only a matter of time before you’re familiar with their bags.

In many respects, the Golfoholic Carry Bag is no different than any other carry bag.  It has a 9″ top, 8 pockets (including an expandable clothing pocket, collar, waterproof valuables pocket, snack pocket, and ball pocket), and an IZZO carry strap.  Additional features include a patented stand system, glove bar, and lightweight tubeless construction.  What’s somewhat unique about the Golfoholic Carry bag is that it’s also Teflon coated to help keep dirt and moisture from soiling your otherwise beautiful bag.

Golfoholic Stand Bag

The Gofloholic Cart Bag should appeal to the more fashion forward golfer.  The design features sleek lines and a refined European style seldom seen on the golf course – at least not this side of the pond.  Features include a 9.5″ top, 15 full length dividers, 10 pockets (including expandable clothing pocket, cooler, snack pocket and waterproof valuables pocket). The cart bag also offers a putter tube, cart loop, and of course, the Teflon coating.   Weighing in at only 7 lbs, it’s one of the lighter full-featured cart bags you’ll find.

What’s most intriguing to a techie like me is that the GolfoholicCart Bag can be fitted with an accessory solar charger.  The charger is fitted with a 1 watt solar panel and connects to most cell phones, MP3 players, BlackBerry, and iPod/iPhone devices.  As an iPhone user, the on course charger could open up a world of possibilities for iPhone-based Golf GPS applications.  As it stands now, the iPhone simply doesn’t have the juice to power a full blown golf GPS app over a full 18 holes.  Yes, accessory battery packs are available, but doesn’t solar sound way cooler?

The Golfoholic lineup also includes rain gear, performance polos, caps, and accessory bags.  More information is available at www.golfoholic.info.

TaylorMade San Marino Cart Bag

I said at the beginning of the guide that I was going to shy away from the big equipment manufacturers in my various accessory sections.  For the most part I’ve been able to do that (there are so many great companies manufacturing so much great gear), but I really wanted to include TaylorMade’s San Marino Cart bag, because, in my opinion anyway, has one really amazing feature.

TaylorMade’s San Marino cart bag is in many respects ordinary.  It’s made from 420 Denier nylon, and has a 14-way top with full length dividers.  It has 7 pockets, including an insulated cooler pocket and lined valuables pocket.  So far it’s pretty basic stuff right?

The San Marino features what TaylorMade calls Internal Crushproof construction, which allows the bag to retain its shape “even under the most extreme duress”.  Sure, that’s cool (although I wouldn’t recommend driving over the bag just to prove a point).  What’s truly remarkable about the San Marino is that it weighs on 4.8 pounds; less than many smaller stand bags.  How did TaylorMade do that?  Beats me, but that’s one of the many beauties of golf equipment, you don’t have to an engineer or a scientist to enjoy it.

The TaylorMade San Marino Cart Bag retails for $199.99.  More information is available from www.taylormadegolf.com.

Bennington Quiet Organizer 12

I love a big beautiful cart bag, which is why as soon as I saw the 12″ Bennington Quiet Organizer, I knew I had to find room for it in this year’s Golf Guide.    I had never heard of Bennington bags before I stumbled across them quite by accident.  The company line is that they make top of the line quality bags with ergonomic comfort, innovative features, and superior design.  While I can’t speak to how the bag performs in the real world, I’m very impressed with what I’m seeing in pictures and descriptions.

Constructed of molded EVA, PU leather, nylon, and polyester, QO-12 features a 15-way top with full length dividers.  12 of those slots are designed to individually store pretty much everything but your woods (those go in the middle).  The unique organizer is has a shaft-friendly waterproof foam insert.  The Quiet Organizer top works somewhat similarly to Bag Boy’s Clik-Lok system insomuch as it prevents the clubs from clanging around (they don’t actually lock in place, however).  The full-length dividers keep the shafts from getting tangled, while the top keeps clubs organized; both contributing to faster play.  I like that.

The QO-12 has 10 pockets including a fleece-lined valuables pocket and an insulated drink pocket.  It’s got a couple of well-placed handles for easy loading and unloading, and a very simple metal ring for dangling all of your various accessories off of.  It also features a removable embroidery pocket for that custom touch.

The Bennington Quiet Organizer 12 cart bag retails for around $260.  Smaller 10″ and 8″ tops are also available, as are several other cart bag offerings.  It’s available in a very sweet looking plaid, as well as navy, red, and black.  As much as I’m digging the plaid, the black has a really cool Darth Vadar thing going on that I’m really into.

Bennington Lite Quiet Organizer

For those looking for a stand bag, Bennington offers the Lite Quite Organizer.  It shares several features with the QO-12, including a fleece lined valuables pocket, drink pocket (uninsulated) removable embroidery panel, putter scabbard, shaft-friendly foam insert, and full length club dividers.  Like the bigger cart bag, the top is designed to put an end to banging club heads.  It has 7 individual compartments for irons, 2 more designed to carry hybrids, and a larger center section for your woods.

Additional features include an automatic bag stand system with dual straps and a stand guard to prevent the legs from deploying while on cart.  The only knock on the Lite Quite is that at 8.0 lbs., it’s a bit heavier than most stand bags.

I’ve found the Lite Quite Organizer for as low as $130, which makes it among the best deals you’ll find for a top of the line stand bag.

More information about the very impressive Bennington collection of golf bags can be found at www.benningtongolf.com.

NX-G Golf Bags

Not satisfied with off-the-shelf golf bags?  Let NX-G build you the perfect golf bag.  With a choice of 6 fabrics and over 30 colors and patterns NX-G gives you more options – way more – than any other bag company.  They can also embroider your name, initials, title, and company logo on up to 11 individual embroidery locations (options vary by bag).  You can pretty much guarantee that no 2 NX-G golf bags will be the same (unless you order more than one, of course).

NX-G has 11 distinct styles to choose from including stand, cart, and carry bags (some styles require a minimum number of 8 units).  NX-G can also customize duffels, shoe bags, and my personal favorite, a den caddy.

I don’t have pricing information yet, but my best guess is $not_cheap.  More information is available from www.nxggolf.com.