Switching from Hybrid to Carbon Bag

Follow Thread

By Nate B

  • 0 Likes
  • 14 Replies
  1. Nate B

    Nate B

    Hi TT Team,

    I just recently started walking more and have really enjoyed it (feeling more focused while playing), but had an old bag similar to the Hybrid bag, so I just ordered a new carbon bag.

    Question for Carbon owners: what have you noticed you cannot carry with the limited amount of pockets, etc. vs. a normal bag?

    Any recommendations?

    Thanks, Nate

  2. Dale V

    Dale V
    Surprise AZ

    I really have been happy with the Players 4 Carbon. I have had it since the came out last spring. Slightly smaller diameter than my previous Players 4 but identical to the StaDry 4UP i also have. In the San Diego area and don't need to haul around jackets or rain gear so the big pocket stays empty a lot. Did take it to Bandon Dunes and fit rain gear tightly, but no real problem. Usually care 12 clubs but 14 will fit okay. Mesh water bottle pocket is a bit tight for some drink containers. Only other issue was the lack of feet on the legs. Added "Gator Feet" which fit perfectly and work great.
  3. James H

    James H
    Monifieth

    Thanks Dale. I have the Carbon bag too so i appreciate the advice on getting "Gator Feet". Hopefully shipping to the UK isn't too much of a hassle
  4. Don O

    Don O
    Madison, WI

    James H said:

    Thanks Dale. I have the Carbon bag too so i appreciate the advice on getting "Gator Feet". Hopefully shipping to the UK isn't too much of a hassle

    The web site has 2 prices in US $. The $19.95 is for the international deliveries and includes shipping.
    gatorfeet.com/products.html
  5. Nate B

    Nate B

    Thanks Dale!

    Located in the Northern California Bay Area, so wind breaker should be all I need too.

    Will let you know after I get it my thoughts.

    - Nate
  6. Nate B

    Nate B

    Hey TT!

    I got the bag yesterday and happy with it (based of my quick, limited interaction), but the first thing I noticed is that it doesn't stand up well on it's own without the legs out... it keeps falling over.

    Is this me or is this a commonly known thing with the Carbon bag?
  7. Dale V

    Dale V
    Surprise AZ

    Common with any narrow stand bag. I keep mine propped in the corner when not in use. Strapped in a cart is not a problem or leaning in a bag stand by the course is not a problem. I would never set any bag upright in an open area. Even the bigger bags except a staff bag are subject to falling over, especially if a gust of wind hits it or someone bumps into it.
  8. Nate B

    Nate B

    All,

    I have taken the bag out a few times now and love it, but one potential major flaw... I have such a hard time getting my clubs in and out without a lot of effort unless the base is not on the ground (ie. on my shoulder).

    Is this common?

    I am wondering if it is because the bottom of the bag where the grips rest gets "squeezed" when standing on the legs.

    I am using 13 clubs (no alignment sticks, orange whip, etc.) with standard grips and have them organized as below:

    Top: Putter, Driver, U500 3iron
    Left: 4, 5, 6 iron
    Right: 7, 8, 9 iron
    Bottom: 47, 52, 56, 60

    Thanks!
  9. Dale V

    Dale V
    Surprise AZ

    Yep Nate. It's also the same on the other Players 4 bags but not quite as noticeable as they have a slightly larger diameter. You are right about the cause, the old bags used to have a rigid bottom and only the base at the leg brace touched the ground. The newer ones flex so the entire base of the bag stays on the ground so it pushes the lower clubs upward and sometimes binds them a bit if they are crossing each-other in the bag. I have just made it a habit to hold the bag upright when pulling a club or putting one back in before lifting it to put it on my shoulder.
  10. Nate B

    Nate B

    Dale, thanks for the reply... as always you have the answers.

    As an engineer I have to think that even an insert 6" above the base before it gets squeezed would have solved both issues.

    This is a sad, simple (and first) design flaw I have noticed on any Titleist item I have purchased.

    Standing the bag it is from now on lol
  11. BHutto

    BHutto

    Squeezing and tangling the grips together has been a flaw in that style of stand mechanism ever since the original Hoofer bags hit the market a couple decades ago.

    While my Players 4 StaDry is really a likeable bag in most ways, it only works for me because most of my rounds are using a push-cart. If I walked a lot, I'd be forced to get a non-Titleist bag with the old-fashioned rigid floor and external foot.

    When walking, the technique for returning a club to the bag is as Dale V describes. You literally need to use two hands, one to hold the bag upright while the other inserts the club. That gets real old by the end of the round.

    OTOH, when the bag is riding on a push cart the bag is never set on the ground to engage the stand (and tilt the floor). So the clubs don't tangle, they go in and out easily. And of course there's no "foot" sticking out to get in the way on the base of the push-cart. You win some and you lose some, I guess...
  12. John M

    John M
    Aiken, SC Lakewood, NY

    I’ve tried to like the Players 4 series, but the above-mentioned size issue is a major flaw in my opinion. Why would you design a bag that can’t effectively (and easily!) hold the allowed 14 clubs? Increasing the top diameter 1” would add enough space to rectify the issue with minimal weight impact. The water bottle pocket is also poorly designed and configured in my opinion. I find the Linksmaster Members bag to be slightly better, but I still have occasional issues with club tangling and every week or so (I play multiple times per week!), I remove all the clubs and replace them. It’s 5 minutes well spent! I wonder if there is a testing panel that is used to run the bags through their paces before they go into production?
  13. Dale V

    Dale V
    Surprise AZ

    Yes John M, Titleist goes through a pretty detailed testing on all bags. Because of this, the testing to fielding may take some time. I know they are doing testing already on 2022 designs so that means they lock in changes/improvements by early the prior year before they get released.
  14. John M

    John M
    Aiken, SC Lakewood, NY

    Thanks Dale. I figured that Titleist did their testing in preparation for the next year’s release. That said, I remain a little surprised with the Players series size issue. Complaints about club tangle and difficulty fitting 14 clubs - even without oversized grips - have been recurring over the past several years. I understand the trade-off with weight. Bag weight is, in my opinion, a little overblown. The Linksmaster weighs in at 5-ish pounds, but I feel it carries much lighter than that.
  15. Nate B

    Nate B

    John M said:

    I’ve tried to like the Players 4 series, but the above-mentioned size issue is a major flaw in my opinion. Why would you design a bag that can’t effectively (and easily!) hold the allowed 14 clubs? Increasing the top diameter 1” would add enough space to rectify the issue with minimal weight impact. The water bottle pocket is also poorly designed and configured in my opinion. I find the Linksmaster Members bag to be slightly better, but I still have occasional issues with club tangling and every week or so (I play multiple times per week!), I remove all the clubs and replace them. It’s 5 minutes well spent! I wonder if there is a testing panel that is used to run the bags through their paces before they go into production?

    John,

    I don't think the issue is at the top diameter (for me), but the bottom diameter.

    The clubs easily move at the top of the bag (room for alignment stick, orange whip, etc. as well), but it is the grips at the bottom that are constricted from my experience.

    I hope they improve this for others for future bags (as part of the 2022 designs like Dale mentioned), but I am afraid I will be dealing with this for years to come until I replace my bag again.

    It should actually be a small adjustment and a huge quality improvements.

Please login to post a comment.

Sign In

Haven't registered for Team Titleist yet?

Sign Up

Find a golf store near me