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Jonathan Taylor provides an in-depth look at the new Titleist Players S4 stand bag and compares it to the impressive S4 StaDry model
Introduction
In this review, I’ll take a closer look at the Titleist Players S4 golf carry bag, which Titleist claims to be their most advanced stand bag, boasting a number of novel features, offering a new generation of lightweight performance. It’s built for golfers who want ease of use, accessibility and durability. Let’s see how it performs on the course and whether it lives up to its promises in my full Titleist Players S4 stand bag 2026 review…
Carry comfort – The padded, adjustable straps offer a comfortable, balanced fit, ensuring the bag sits securely across your back.
Rangefinder storage: I’d prefer 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, easy access pockets, including a discreet valuables pocket, a large ball pocket, and accessible on the move pockets for essentials.
First Impressions
This new bag from Titleist came in the classic Titleist Black with red detailing and white lettering (It’s called Black/Red/White). It’s one of no less than nine colour options in the UK (thirteen in the US!) so you are sure to find something that suits. A criticism of previous Titleist carry bags has been around quality of construction, but everything here from zips, zipper pulls, bag straps, club dividers and grab handles looks reassuringly robust.
Four way top
The redesigned 4-way top (8 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, as is customary, velour lined and has two compartments which, for example, could allow separation of keys from phone.
Titleist Players S4 Stand Bag 2026 small pocket | Source: NCG
There is a nicely sized central ball pocket, which opens widely with a double zipper. This is accessible on the move which is a good thing.
Titleist Players S4 Stand Bag 2026 double zip front pocket | Source: NCG
There is a useful accessories pocket just above the ball pocket where I tend to keep ball markers, replacement rangefinder battery and pencils.This has a magnetic closure and has a wide opening. Again this pocket has a separate inner elasticated compartment which allows organization.
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Titleist Players S4 Stand Bag 2026 magnetic pocket | Source: NCG
I keep tees, ‘used’ balls and perhaps a midlayer in the final pocket on the other side from the full length apparel pocket.
Titleist Players S4 Stand Bag 2026 bottle sleeve | Source: NCG
All in all, you’ve got plenty of storage space for waterproofs, snacks etc. All pockets are generally wide opening with decent zippers, all of which ran smoothly. 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 (who uses 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. I generally played in fine weather, although, of course, there was an occasional shower.
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 Players S4 weighs 2.2kg 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 strode down the middle of the fairway. I quite liked the red legs but if you prefer a plainer look there are plenty of other colour options.
Titleist Players S4 Stand Bag 2026 legs | Source: NCG
Waterproof qualities
This bag is not waterproof, but, as with most bags, will handle an occasional shower.
NCG Final Say
So, to summarise, the Players S4 delivers on just about 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 ball pocket but that is a minor point.
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.
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 stand bag, but over time, I tired of its marginally large size. I’m picky when it comes to golf bags
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Prior to testing the Players S4, I got my hands on the Players S4 StaDry stand bag, which I took up to Scotland for a few days of golf on some wonderful courses. We played 18 holes on each of four consecutive days, so I employed a trolley for a couple of days and carried for the other two. We experienced a couple of extremely heavy but thankfully brief downpours and the handsome Players S4 StaDry came through with flying colours.
The StaDry S4 is almost identical to the standard S4, in terms of size, weight and pocket setup. It costs £70 more for its strong waterproof features. I think that is probably a price worth paying if you play most of your golf in the UK. However if you are a fine weather golfer and/or live in Florida, then the standard Players S4 may be a better option, partly due to cost saving and also because the pockets are a little more accessible.
In that case, other bags worth considering include the Ping Hoofer Lite, my 2025 gamer, which also offers excellent pocket configuration, robust construction and a comfortable carry. I have not yet had the opportunity to review the Titleist Players Carbon which is over 1kg lighter than the S4, so offers a truly lightweight carry. The Sun Mountain range is always upto date, and a slightly less obvious option would be the Wilson 1914 carry bag.
I must say that the latest S4 model looks and feels like an upgrade on previous Titleist 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 smart and durable piece of kit, and I think it also offers good value for money.
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.
