We sometimes use affiliate links to products and services on retailer sites for which we can receive compensation if you click on those links or make purchases through them.
A curious beast! Jonathan Taylor brings you the low down on the new Ping Reserve stand bag
Introduction
In this review, I’ll take a closer look at the novel Ping Reserve golf stand bag, which offers classic looks and premium construction, with features like a choice of single or double straps and a removable apparel pocket.
In contrast to previous Ping bags that I have reviewed and used, the charm of the Ping Reserve is not immediately apparent. However I have had nothing but admiring comments regarding its appearance when I’ve been testing this bag .
Let’s see how it performs on the course and whether it lives up to its promises in my full Ping Reserve golf stand bag review…
This is a very handsome and well-constructed bag with options around carrying straps and pockets. However it is heavy, particularly when fully loaded, although it does offer a comfortable carry.
Carry comfort – The padded, adjustable twin straps offer a balanced fit, ensuring the bag sits securely across your back. There is also a single strap option.
Weight: The Reserve weighs 6.6lb, which is pretty heavy.
Premium construction – This new model looks and feels first-class
Pocket design– normally such a strong point in Ping bags, but misses the mark for this reviewer.
Flexible pocket design – This bag offers the option to remove the apparel and valuables pocket if you want to travel light.
First Impressions
This is a brand new bag from Ping. I understand it is based on the Hoofer Lite which was my bag of choice through the long hot Summer of 2025. So I was excited to put the Reserve to the test.
First impressions are strong. It’s constructed from soft PU leather. My test model came in Navy which is one of two colour options available. I liked the look of the Navy. There is a textured finish which does make it look very leather-like. I think it might be even better if there was a colour option of tan/brown. The bag looks well put together (as Ping bags always do) with nicely padded carry straps. It offers a compact and clean look with minimal branding.
Four way top
The 4-way top (7 x 7 inches) with just two full length dividers is only marginally smaller than my Hoofer Lite, but seems to offer noticeably less space. It seems to me that the Reserve would be happier with 11 or 12 clubs than a full set.
Pockets
Ping tells us that this bag has 7 pockets. Well it does if you count the apparel pocket as two pockets because there is an inner sleeve compartment. I like the Ping standard key clip in the apparel pocket and don’t know why all bags don’t offer this.
Advertisement
Although the apparel pocket is not full-length, I was able to fit a set of waterproofs and an extra layer in, so it’s a bit roomier than it looks There is a pretty spacious velour lined valuables pocket at the top of the apparel pocket. This has just a single compartment. I would have preferred two but that’s perhaps a bit picky.
Ping Reserve stand bag pocket | Source: NCG
These two pockets are connected to the body of the bag by a zip, a strip of velcro and three clips, so can relatively easily be removed. This reduces the weight of the bag by 3/4 lb (making it still over 5.5 lbs) at the expense of significant loss of storage space. So, although I like the flexibility on offer, it doesn’t seem to work.
Ping Reserve stand bag detachable pocket | Source: NCG
There is a nicely sized central ball pocket, which opens with a magnetic closure. This is accessible on the move which is a good thing. The front flap is removable to allow for customization.
Ping Reserve stand bag front pocket | Source: NCG
There is a small zip closure pocket just above the ball pocket which Ping states is for a rangefinder, but I used it for tees, pencils, ball markers etc. The pocket on the other side from the apparel pocket is quite large and is where you might want to put a drinks bottle as there is no separate drinks holder.
Ping Reserve stand bag pocket | Source: NCG
Finally, there is a fiddly pocket just to the right of the central ball pocket which Ping designates as a glove pocket. It won’t fit a rangefinder or a drinks bottle – it would have been more useful if it did.
Ping Reserve stand bag glove pocket | Source: NCG
So as you can read, I was somewhat bemused by the overall pocket configuration in the Reserve, particularly as Ping is normally so strong in this department. However I was able to fit everything I needed to fit in, so perhaps it’s just a question of getting used to it.
There are two pen holders and a ring to attach towel or rangefinder (I didn’t use the rangefinder pocket).
How I undertook the review
To assess the performance and usability of the bag, I conducted testing across several rounds at my local golf course, where I am a member. Typical for the UK weather, conditions were variable with some light showers but no heavy rain.
During the review period I assessed the bag’s comfort, durability, and usability to help inform the reader looking for their next bag.
There is also a ‘how it compares’ section (scroll down) versus similar types of bags.
What I found
Moving it about
It’s easy to get in and out of the back of my car, courtesy of well-placed grab handles. It will take a full set of clubs…just. The pockets are mostly of a decent size, apart from the glove pocket, which I failed to see the use for.
Rain Hood
The rain hood is part PU leather and part polyester, presumably to save weight and make the hood more compact when stowed away. The Hoofer series from Ping has a pocket within the hip pad, to stow away the rain hood and leave the apparel pocket for apparel. The Reserve does not offer this solution, with the rain hood taking up space in the apparel pocket. What I tended to do was leave the hood in my car if I was confident of dry weather. If rain was forecast, I’d attach the rain hood which is easy enough to do but detracts slightly from the handsome profile of the bag.
Advertisement
And although this is not designated as a waterproof bag (no seam-sealed zips), it coped just fine in occasional showers with no apparent water ingress.
Carry Straps
The carry straps are padded, comfortable and fit well, in line with previous Ping experience. I always used the double strap option in testing, but it’s simple enough to switch to a retro single strap if you wish, courtesy of helpful colour coded clips at the top of the bag.
The adjustability of the straps made it simple to achieve a balanced and comfortable carry, with the body of the bag sitting across the small of my back. The Reserve weighs 3kg which is heavier than your average carry bag.
The legs
The legs work properly – they deploy easily and retract securely as I stride down the middle of the fairway.
Ping Reserve stand bag legs | Source: NCG
NCG Final Say
So, to summarise, the Ping Reserve is a curious beast. It’s a decent size and offers a comfortable and balanced carry. It looks tremendous and offers some flexibility in that the apparel and valuables pocket is detachable.
However it is definitely on the heavy side, a bit cramped for a full set of clubs and does have an unusual pocket configuration.
As long as you are aware of these aspects, you may well be seduced by the handsome looks and this also does seem to be a bag that is robustly constructed and will give years of useful service.
How it compares to other bags
One of my missions in life has been to find the perfect golf carry bag.
The use of PU leather in golf bag construction has developed in recent years. They strike a balance between luxury appearance and practical usability. And I reckon that the Ping Reserve sits in the top tier of PU leather carry bags.
Advertisement
Competition comes in the shape of Vessel, which is probably the pre-eminent player in synthetic leather bag market. Vessel offer a range of stand bags. The Players V stand bag is larger with a stronger pocket configuration than the Ping Reserve, is marginally heavier but costs over £100 more than the Reserve.
The LinksLegend Members carry bag from Titleist offers better storage than the Reserve, is a bit lighter, comes in a big range of colours, perhaps doesn’t look quite as good as the Reserve and is a bit more expensive.
Essentially you have a lot to go at in this area of the golf bag market. And your choice will depend on whether your priorities are practicality, weight or looks. If it’s looks, then, for me, nothing beats the Ping Reserve.
Jonathan also known as JT, is one of the biggest golf nuts on the NCG team.
He has quickly become a go-to for expertise on golf shoes and technical apparel. In fact he may have a different pair of shoes and a new waterproof jacket for every club medal he plays in.
He previously worked as a GP, which means he likes to get into the details of things, such as weighing golf shoes with his kitchen scales.
Jonathan is a member at Alwoodley Golf Club and regularly gets out on the golf course to maintain his handicap of five.
