I have had the newest version (2017) of the mid-staff bag, but this question applies to those that have the earlier 2016 model as well as the 2017 model. Maybe even prior models too, not sure. First though, I need to say I love the bag. My only complaint is that it easily gets beaten up on a golf cart from chafing on the cart and strap-in belt. I make sure not to pull the belt tight anymore and just usually put a towel between these vulnerable areas and the cart, which helps to lessen the damage over time. But, I'm getting off topic.
On both models, the two side pockets on either side of the bag, near the top are very thin and quite small. Maybe large enough to get an old tiny flip phone in, but not much else. My question is, what do you use these two pockets for? I wonder if they were designed for something specific, because there isn't a whole lot that fits in them. I keep extra score cards from my club (which are smaller than most score cards) in one pocket, as well as a few extra pencils. The other pocket holds my very small credit card wallet and keys. That's about all that will fit. I don't smoke (yuck), but for someone who does, I'm not even sure if a pack of cigarettes would fit in there without squishing it. Some cash in a money clip might fit, I suppose, but I never carry much cash. Or tees and a ball mark repair tool. What else do you put in those pockets?