Titleist are one of the biggest names in the golfing world, known for their traditional metals, iconic Vokey wedges and, of course, the Pro V1 ball.
Stop and take notice next time you're at the golf course though, and you'll also see huge numbers of golfers using Titleist bags, from the practical carry bag all the way to the feature-packed cart bags.
Titleist offer a massive range of different bags packed with different technologies, and today we are looking at the Players 4 Plus StaDry, which the brand says focuses on waterproof functionality.
Who Is It Aimed At?
At £270, these bags certainly don't come cheap so I'd suggest that you need to be playing golf regularly to justify the cost. The Plus model means that it is a little more roomier than the standard stand bag from Titleist, whilst StaDry technology provides waterproof protection.
If you play golf in the rain, this bag could be a very useful addition to your setup as it should help to keep your gear dry.
The Tech
Talking through the technology that goes into a stand bag might not sound like the most glamorous few paragraphs that you are going to read, but the Titleist team do work hard to introduce or fine-tune certain features which are designed to make your life that little bit easier out on the course.
When it comes to testing golf gear I often think that you notice the bad products more than you do the good ones, as the sign of a good product can often be that it allows you to just get on with the golf.
The Players 4 Plus StaDry is the top of the range performance model for the Players line, and features a waterproof construction with seam-sealed zippers to keep out moisture.
It has a tour-inspired, low-profile top cuff, four-full length dividers and a premium double strap for enhanced comfort and easy adjustment while carrying.
The bag has eight pockets, including an expandable full-length apparel pocket.
The full list of features and benefits are:
- StaDry waterproof construction with seam-sealed zippers
- New expandable full-length apparel pocket
- Redesigned, larger beverage pockets with functional improvement in a player-preferred location
- New premium double strap features a padded back hub with a new foam package for comfort
- Quick-access accessories pocket with magnetic closure
- New tee pocket
- High-grade lightweight aluminium legs and advanced hinged bottom for best-in-class stability and durability
- Lightweight, low profile top cuff with four full-length dividers.
Titleist Players 4 Plus StaDry Bag Review
Looks
Titleist bags are among the best looking on the market for me. The iconic Titleist logo pairs with pretty classical styling and sensible, smart colourways which give them a wide appeal across all different types of golfers.
This bag looks exactly as you would expect from a Titleist bag - right down to their usual red colour detailing on the zips and stitching.
The bag itself is a nice size, not too big but not too small, and the flat base means that it sits a little lower to the ground than you might be used to with some other manufacturers. To me this gives the bag a bit more of a sleeker look when left by the side of a tee or green, although I did notice that it meant my towel (attached to the towel clip) was left dragging on the ground. A small detail I know, but something which could end up being an annoyance to some (especially when playing in the wet).
As a StaDry bag you do get the benefits of waterproof protection and so the bag itself feels like more of a plastic shell-like feel than fabric, which is reassuring if you play lots of golf in the rain.
One of the best things about Titleist bags is that they always come with a great choice of colourways. The Charcoal/White/Red that I tested looked great, especially when the sun shone on it, but if you're concerned about keeping the white section clean or this is just not to your taste, there are always a number of other options for you to choose from.
Functionality
Titleist's 4 Plus stand bags are designed to offer all of the practicality that you usually expect from a stand bag, but they are a little bit roomier to allow you space to carry everything you need during a round of golf.
I also find that it makes it a little easier to use this bag on a trolley compared to a normal stand bag, which can sometimes feel a little small on the trolley and are prone to twisting or sliding out of place.
The bag had all of the space and features that I would ever need from a stand bag, and I found that the top divider design meant that 14 clubs could fit easily in the bag while remaining easy to get them in and out.
There's a couple of nice features this time around too, including the easily-accessible bottle pockets, lined valuables pocket and the extendable apparel pocket, which is a useful addition if you're wanting to pack extra waterproofs.
The legs felt sturdy and were very responsive when you put the bag down which makes the bag feel easy to use, although they did have a tendency to come away from the base of the bag whilst walking, which was a irritating.
Shoulder straps are always the thing that let Titleist bags down in my opinion - they're just not as padded or as comfortable as a lot of the other brands which means it's not quite as pleasant an experience to carry. On the plus side, the new shoulder strap design is much easier to use than in previous years.
I've used this bag on a few occasions over the past few weeks and have been really impressed by the waterproof protection it offers. The seam-sealed zips work great and the whole bag itself stops any moisture from getting in, which is very reassuring for golfers who like to play in all weather conditions.
This type of material does mean that the outside of the bag remains pretty wet though as it tends to sit on the bag, so make sure you're wearing waterproofs when carrying it against your body or you'll end up getting soaked.
Titleist Players 4 Plus StaDry Bag Verdict
This is another decent stand bag from Titleist which lives up to the billing. There's loads of pockets, it's easy to use, looks smart and stylish and provides that all-important waterproof protection during the wet days on the course.
In all honesty, I would probably look at the likes of Ping, TaylorMade and Sun Mountain first however if it comes to pure performance for a stand bag, but the Players 4 Plus is still a solid all-round performer if you're a Titleist fan.
At an RRP of £270 this bag isn't cheap, but if it keeps your valuables dry when you next get caught up in a downpour then it may well be worth the money.
Would I Use It?
I would use it if I wanted a waterproof bag and felt like I needed the extra space compared to a normal stand bag, although I'm not sure whether it truly justifies the £270 price tag.
Titleist Players 4 Plus StaDry Bag Pros & Cons
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