Bag of (Very Few) Tricks

The classic Jones carry bag is simplicity perfected, and the company’s new Utility Series is likewise beautifully unassuming.

Bag of (Very Few) Tricks

The Jones carry bag is a golf gear classic that deserves a place in the equipment hall of fame alongside the Vardon Flyer, Dunlop 65, Titleist Bullseye, Ping Eye 2, Callaway Big Bertha and a handful of other products that genuinely changed the game. Yes, it had that big an impact but, if you’re not of a certain age, there’s a good chance you have no idea what it is.

The Jones bag was designed and made by a Portland, OR taxi-driver named George Jones who crafted his bags in his spare time then sold them out of the trunk of his cab. It was 1971, and the world was full of opportunity for eager, independent entrepreneurs before Callaway, Titleist, TaylorMade and the rest of them pushed the little guy out.

The rubber base, twisted handles, and wonderfully simple design were a massive hit, the bag becoming almost universally-adopted by high school kids and college golfers. Over a million units were sold and Jones employed a team of 75 before he eventually sold the company to the Portland-based Yoshida Group.

Four years ago, after a decade of dwindling sales, Yoshida sold the brand to Dean Lemman who had retired as President of his family’s electrical distribution firm, North Coast Electric, in 2010.

Jones Carry Golf Bags

After successfully clearing up an untimely legal dispute with another bag manufacturer who claimed he owned the rights to the brand, Lemman made his sons Tim and Matt partners in the new Jones Sports Co. Chris Carnahan, a professional golfer and former clubmaker – his very elegant Vintage Wedge Series was sold only at green-grass facilities – was taken on as Business and Creative Director.

On July 4th 2012, Jones Sports Co. (re)introduced the ‘Original Jones Golf Bag’ which immediately aroused a great deal of attention. “At the PGA Show in 2013 we had countless people come up and say they had used a Jones bag during high school or college,” says Matt Lemman. “We’ve exhibited at every show since and we still get the same response.”

The Original carry bag now comes in 18 different styles and colors, and there are 18 stand-bag designs and six cart bags. The company also makes headgear, shoe bags, shagbags and T-shirts.

An exciting new line for Jones is its Utility Series, launched at the PGA Show in January and which begins shipping at the end of this week. The line consists of four duffel bags, two backpacks, a weekend bag, and a beach bag. “The Utility Series has a definite Pacific Northwest feel,” says Lemman. “It’s all about golf weekends with your buddies.”

Jones Utility Bags 2016 Review

Jones golf bags were, and are again, incredibly popular with the more mature golfers in your family. But a new generation of players is discovering just how classy these bags are. And the Utility Series adds another layer of cool.

Original – $140 – $270.
Utility Series Duffle – $80, Weekender Bag – $130, Beach Bag – $50, Backpack – $55.
jonesgolfbags.com

Jones Weekender Utility Bags 2016 Review

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