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Is this the ultimate carry bag? Jonathan Taylor brings you the low down on the new Titleist Players S4 StaDry stand bag
Introduction
In this review, I’ll take a closer look at the Titleist Players S4 StaDry golf carry bag, which aims to combine lightweight design with reliable waterproof performance. With features like seam-sealed zippers, a redesigned stand system, and easy-access pockets, it’s built for golfers who want convenience and durability in dry and damp conditions. Let’s see how it performs on the course and whether it lives up to its promises in my full Titleist Players S4 StaDry stand bag review…
This is a real upgrade from Titleist. The Players S4 StaDry is a handsome and well-designed waterproof carry bag that does it all in style and comfort, guaranteed to protect your golf equipment in the toughest conditions.
PROS
Superb carrying comfort and balance.
Premium construction.
Excellent pocket setup.
Huge choice of colours
CONS
A minor quibble but I would like to see a rangefinder pocket somewhere near the front pocket
Carry comfort – The padded, adjustable straps offer a comfortable, balanced fit, ensuring the bag sits securely across your back.
Rangefinder storage: I’d want a rangefinder pocket next to the central ball pocket.
Premium construction – The latest model looks and feels like an upgrade due to its premium double straps, a redesigned stand, full-length dividers and durable construction.
Excellent pocket design – Plenty of storage with 8 wide opening, seam sealed pockets, including a discreet valuables pocket, a large ball pocket, and accessible on the move pockets for essentials.
First Impressions
This new bag from the StaDry stable came in a handsome Cypress colour with black detailing (It’s called Cypress/Black/Black) and I thought it looked really smart. It’s one of no less than nine colour options so you are sure to find something that suits. A criticism of previous StaDry bags has been around quality of construction, but everything here from zips, zipper pulls, bag straps and grab handles looks reassuringly robust.
Four way top
The redesigned 4-way top (9 inches x 6.5 inches) with full length dividers offers easy club access with plenty of space for all fourteen clubs, and a couple of alignment sticks.
Pockets
Titleist tells us that this bag has 8 pockets. There is the usual full-length apparel pocket and adjacent valuables pocket which is pretty standard on all Titleist bags. The valuables pocket is concealed by a flap embossed with a silver StaDry logo, which is the only clue to the waterproof nature of this bag. The valuables pocket is, as is customary, velour lined. It also has two compartments which, for example, could allow separation of keys from phone.
There is a nicely sized central ball pocket, which opens widely with a single zipper. This is accessible on the move which is a good thing.
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There is a useful accessories pocket just above the ball pocket where I tend to keep ball markers and pencils. Again this pocket has an inner elasticated compartment but I’m not sure whether that is of any functional benefit. I keep tees, ‘used’ balls and perhaps a midlayer in the final pocket on the other side from the full length apparel pocket.
All in all, you’ve got plenty of storage space for waterproofs, snacks etc. All pockets are generally wide opening with seam sealed zippers. All zippers ran smoothly, which isn’t always the case with seam sealed zippers. Finally there is a drinks holder just to the left of the central ball pocket, which folds down flat with a magnetic closure when not in use.
There’s the usual pen holder, velcro glove holder (does anyone use those?) and ring for towel/rangefinder etc.
What I particularly liked was the easy pocket access on the move for all pockets that need to be accessed on the move. This reflects the thoughtful design of the Players S4.
How I undertook the review
To assess the performance and usability of the bag, I conducted hands-on testing across four different rounds at my local golf course, where I am a member. Typical for the UK weather, each round had differing weather conditions to handle – from wind to (light) rain, to sun and damp.
During each round, I evaluated the bag’s comfort, durability, and storage capacity in order to, hopefully, inform the reader of how good the bag is.
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 comfortably take a full set of clubs. The pockets are all a decent size – not too big and not too small.
Rain Hood
There’s also a brilliant rain hood which is lightweight and easy to fit. It also has a velcro closure and wide opening which makes it a joy to use…in the rain.
Another plus is that it is easy to stow away and takes up hardly any space in the apparel pocket when not in use.
Carry Straps
The updated carry straps are padded, comfortable and fit well. I’m not sure if it’s my anatomy or poor design but with so many bags (including previous Titleist models), the left strap seems to wander off my (left) shoulder. 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 S4 StaDry weighs 2.3kg which is pretty much par for this quality and type of bag.
The legs
The legs work properly – they deploy easily and retract with no rattling around as I stride down the middle of the fairway.
Waterproof qualities
Since I have had this bag, the weather has been pretty good in my part of the world. There has been an occasional shower but no heavy, incessant rain. So, I haven’t been able to test the waterproof qualities of the bag in a heavy down pour.
I have never had any issues with previous StaDry models regarding waterproofness, but will report back if I have any concerns.
NCG Final Say
So, to summarise, the Players S4 StaDry delivers on all fronts. It’s an ideal size with a strong pocket configuration and offers a comfortable and balanced carry. If I was being picky I would have liked a rangefinder pocket to the right of the central bull pocket but that is a minor point. So, it is almost my perfect golf bag.
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Because I almost always carry my bag, even though I’m quite old, I forgot to mention another feature which is an integrated cart strap tunnel. This will ensure that your bag remains securely positioned on the back of a golf cart if, for example, you’re playing one of those courses that requires a cart.
I expect this handsome bag to give years of useful service in all weather and it’s certainly the bag I will be taking with me on my upcoming trip to Scotland.
How it compares to other bags
One of my missions in life has been to find the perfect golf carry bag. I think I got pretty close to finding it back in 2023 in the shape of the Players 5 StaDry bag, but over time, I tired of its marginally large size. I’m picky when it comes to golf bags
My 2025 gamer has been the Ping Hoofer Lite, which, for me, is just about the perfect size, with a strong pocket configuration. However it is not waterproof, and so is not an ideal bag to take on UK trips where the weather is not guaranteed. And with an upcoming trip to Scotland for a few days next month, I was starting to consider my options.
So I was excited to get the opportunity to review the latest iteration of the Titleist waterproof range, the Players S4 StaDry.
Now the StaDry technology, comprising waterproof fabrics and seam sealed zippers, has been around since the early 2010’s with the main waterproof competition coming from Sun Mountain’s H2NO line of bags, and they have both proved to be very popular, even at premium prices. A criticism of both brands is that their waterproof bags have a tendency to look a little plasticky, with function being (quite reasonably) prioritised over appearance.
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The Players S4 StaDry, and the slightly larger S5 StaDry, look just like the non-waterproof versions, which is a good thing. And everywhere you look, the latest model looks and feels like an upgrade on the previous bags. The smart polyester construction of the bag, the updated premium double straps, the redesigned stand system, the new 4-way top cuff with full-length dividers, all conspire to make this look like a serious and durable piece of kit.
