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.
Jonathan Taylor brings you the low down on the Wilson Talus Hybrid stand bag – a 2 in 1 bag that you can carry or put on a cart.
One of the more recent golf bag themes has been the introduction of the ‘hybrid’ bag, a bag that can be carried, put on a trolley, taken to the range or put on a buggy.
As someone who generally prefers to carry, but will occasionally use a trolley if, for example, if I’m playing 36 holes in a day, I was keen to test such a bag. And along came the Wilson Talus stand bag for me to put through its paces.
This is an interesting concept and is well designed. It certainly is just about all the bag you’ll ever need – if you just require 1 bag that you can carry and put on a trolley then this is a fantastic option
The Wilson Talus bag arrived in a classy black colour with some subtle grey logo stuff. It’s one of five colour options, and it certainly looked very smart.
Immediately apparent was the 14-way top, but I was somewhat relieved to read that there were just 3 full-length dividers, which meant that the total weight of 6.3 lbs (including straps and rain hood) is just about on a par with a number of premium names designated as ‘carry’ bags. And the Talus Hybrid certainly has a range of pockets more in keeping with a cart/trolley bag than a carry bag.
Features include;
A total of 9 pockets.
Waterproof valuables pocket.
Roomy 9.5 x 8 inch top.
14-way top.
Adjustable shoulder straps.
A lightweight rain hood.
Let’s have a look at the pocket configuration.
There is the usual full length apparel pocket and adjacent velour-lined valuables pocket which is what you would expect to see in a carry bag. The apparel pocket is particularly spacious and can easily hold a waterproof jacket, waterproof trousers, and an extra layer. This pocket also contains the rain hood which is lightweight and takes up little space.
The valuables pocket is on the small side with quite a tight access, but will fit a wallet and phone easily enough. There’s a further 3/4 length pocket overlying the full-length apparel pocket. This is the sort of pocket typically seen on cart bags, and is ideal to house a snack or another layer.
Advertisement
The central ball pocket is nicely sized and has two zips for ease of access. This is particularly useful, especially when on the move and I think it is a really important design feature but often ignored, even in some premium bag brands. Just above this pocket is a magnetic opening velour lined pocket which Wilson designates as your rangefinder pocket. I’d probably also keep ball markers, spare battery, marker pen and pencils in this pocket. Above this, just beneath the top of the bag, is another double zipped pocket with an internal mesh separator. Again, this is a pocket more often seen in trolley/cart bags.
I keep tees , ‘ used ‘ balls and gloves in the final pocket on the other side from the full length apparel pocket. This pocket is huge, perhaps too big in fact! The zip is angled so access is really simple. There is an open cooler pocket overlying this which is, again, extremely roomy. Finally there is a small vertical pocket just to the right of the central ball pocket. I’ve not yet decided what I’ll use that for but I’m sure I’ll find a use for it.
So this is a bag that certainly has the storage capacity of a cart bag, and I can see the challenge will be not be to overfill it when carrying.
The fabric of the bag looks and feels pretty robust. It is not designated as waterproof but it feels well put together and the zips all feel to be of good quality.
So, how did the bag perform on the golf course?
Wilson Talus stand bag review: On the course
The 14-way top allows good separation of a full set of clubs and each ‘slot’ was big enough to fit my putter with oversized grip. The superb range of pockets allowed me to put everything where I wanted it to be, with space to spare.
Advertisement
Although this bag is heavier than my normal carry bag, I have to say that the two adjustable shoulder straps are nicely padded and I managed to achieve a balanced, comfortable carrying experience.
All the lower pockets are easily accessible when on the move. This is a feature that I think all bags should have but plenty don’t. It’s made easier by the presence of two zippers on the main ball pocket.
The robust nature allow legs to fold away tightly with no flopping around when marching down the middle of the fairway, and offered strong stability when deployed.
Because of course conditions, I haven’t used the Talus with a trolley on the course but I can say that it fits a trolley easily with a pass through strap channel underneath the top central pocket, enabling a secure fitting.
To summarize, if you are in the market for a single bag to use all year round , and at the driving range, then this may well be the ideal bag for you. It certainly offers flexible use and has a great pocket configuration.
For me, as someone who carries for the vast majority of my golf, it’s just a little on the heavy side, particularly with all those roomy pockets that just need filling with stuff!
You’ve probably spent a small fortune to get the set up that’s right for your game, so don’t forget to get specialist insurance from Golf Care to protect your clubs from theft, loss, and accidental damage. Plus, they even cover GPS watches, trolleys, and other golf equipment. With 30% off annual insurance starting from just £26.59, and a free golf gift bundle worth up to £365 including 12 free Srixon balls, it’s a no brainer. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP.
