Jones Trouper Anyone?

[Shankster]

I am looking to pull the trigger on the home for the new sticks.  Anyone have any user info on the Jones Trouper?

[RollingGreens]

Can’t say I’ve used the bag but I know as a brand Jones makes phenomenal products that guys at my golf club stand by. 

[BIG STU]

I do not walk anymore but I rotate out a old Jones Classic when the mood hits me. Mine is over 20 years old ( non stand) and I have had it some 5 years now and it still holds up well strictly riding now. No real wear except at the top from some clubs. Even though I do not walk rounds now it makes things easy for me from the car to the bag drop or even the range. The old bag is sturdy and light made of canvas. Has plenty of room for me because I do not carry a lot of stuff. In fact I rotated it back front line this week--- It is old and faded black and red but I love the old thing

[TBS]

I've heard good things. I'm not a huge fan of the cooler pocket but I know that's appealing to others. I just checked their website and thought the troupers were cheaper than $280. I thought they were closer to $200. For the same price, you can checkout Ping Hoofers or Titleist Players 4. 

I don't think you can go wrong. I'm also always a fan having a bag that is different from the major OEMs.

 

[Shankster]

5 hours ago, TBS said:

I've heard good things. I'm not a huge fan of the cooler pocket but I know that's appealing to others. I just checked their website and thought the troupers were cheaper than $280. I thought they were closer to $200. For the same price, you can checkout Ping Hoofers or Titleist Players 4. 

I don't think you can go wrong. I'm also always a fan having a bag that is different from the major OEMs.

 

Same.  I drink water or some sort of sports drink on the course, and usually only one.  I don’t need to bring a 30 rack of Keystone Light out there.  

[Msnarr84]

I just picked up the "new" trouper R bag that came out somewhat recently; compared to prior versions it says online there's some minor functional updates to address issues users had before; the reason it really caught my eye this time around was all of the new colorways. I went with the Sienna.

I've used it for a few rounds now, but have pretty much encountered everything you would with a bag except for riding in a cart. For reference I'm coming from a Taylormade Flextech crossover which I'll make some comparisons to.

Dividers: 5 way divider; one on bottom for wedges, two in middle for irons, one above that for woods, and one putter well.

I came from 14-way dividers which I really didn't like anyways, 5-way is pretty much perfect for dividing up everything. The putter well is nice and wide so that you aren't having to mash your headcover in each time. The handle is pretty much standard issue, but feels solidly made like it will last.

Pockets: 

- Large side pocket: comfortably holds rain cover, rain jacket, and extra pullover. Also includes the secret zipper to the bottom of the bag for when you drop stuff into the top.

- valuables pockets: has two soft lined pockets on the same side; I really like these because I can stash my rangefinder in one and my wallet/keys/etc in the other.

- side pocket 1: I use this pocket for golf balls, it actually encompasses a pretty large area around/outside the cooler pocket as well, so no shortage of room

- side pocket 2: I use this pocket as my main water bottle holder; it has a small mesh stretchy piece at the bottom meant to keep things from sliding out. It's not an open spot in the bag which I liked about my old one, but very easy to zip open/close for easy access to water while walking.

-Medium side pocket: this is the classic catch all for extra gloves, sunscreen, practice item, etc. Should fit all you need in a stand bag.

- Cooler pocket: insulation lined pocket, I use this pretty much every time I play for various snacks/drinks that I want with me. So I'll usually have a water bottle in pocket #2 permanently, and then throw granola bars, gatorade and what not in this one. Nice to keep those items from melting on a hot day. You could easily put other things in here if you really didn't want to use it as a cooler pocket. 

The only thing I felt I was missing on these in comparison to my old bag was an obvious spot for tees; I always just had them dumped into a smaller pocket. I easily resolved this by putting them in a little grab bag inside the medium side pocket. there's also the option of having another small bag clipped on externally where there are plenty of spaces to do so.

Carry Straps: These are a bit unique to Jones; the left strap is the same as every other carry strap in design, while the right one is a little bit different shape so that it can be used as either a one strap carry or backpack style, I use it as backpack style. I hated the straps in my taylormade bag as they were always getting twisted up and weren't particularly padded. These straps are significantly padded and while they may lose a slight edge on comfort with the dual function strap being a bit thicker; they're still more comfortable than my last bag or my Ping 4series from eons ago. They were easy to adjust and once I was actually playing, I never thought about them, which is about all you can ask for.

Other features:

Has a built in carabiner, perfect for a range finder; I actually just use the old school buckles to hang my towel and brush. Legs are solid, snap in/out easily. Contains umbrella slide in. Other handles are well placed.

Overall: very happy with the bag thus far; it's pretty comparable in price to other newly released offerings; I also liked that they gave me a 10% off coupon for subscribing. The new "R" bags are also made with recycled material which made it an easier sell. As far as looks, this bag checks all of the boxes for me in that is has a variety of awesome colors and little to no branding. I really like the idea of getting my bag from a golf bag company, in that I find it to be a little better thought out and hopefully of higher quality. Plenty of things with the TM bag that left me wondering what they were thinking when they designed it.

 

 

 

[Shankster]

Wow, thanks @Msnarr84 that was very insightful.  Much appreciated! 

[Msnarr84]

15 minutes ago, Shankster said:

Wow, thanks @Msnarr84 that was very insightful.  Much appreciated! 

Absolutely, I felt like there were hardly any reviews out there for Jones when I was trying to decide...figure I could color it in for the next guy/gal.

[Sesh]

I bought my wife this bag 2 years ago during their 40% off sale around Christmas and every time we played golf I loved it , it was light , great pockets and the cooler is great even if you think you won’t use it . Long story short after jealously longing for hers they had another sale and I picked one for my self . It’s the perfect bag for walking or riding and replaced my linksmaster which is great looking but not much else