Now The Masters is out of the way, we’re entering the main golf season and for many, it’s time to get into the garage, blow the dust off the clubs and get out on the course.
It is around this time of year I’d treat myself to a golf-related kit update, be that a new pair of golf shoes, buying that club I was eyeing up the previous year and didn’t pull the trigger on or deciding to upgrade to a new golf bag. Titleist makes some of the best golf bags on the market and has unveiled its latest addition to the notable StaDry franchise for the 2026 season.
I scratched my golf itch by testing the bag over multiple rounds to see how it performed for those flirting with the idea of an upgrade for their golf bag - unsurprisingly, it didn’t disappoint.
Where to start? To quote our friends at Titleist directly, the Players S4 StaDry bag is built for “the golfer who prioritizes ease of use, accessibility, and doesn’t mind playing in wet conditions” - meaning I’m the perfect man to test it out.
First impressions were great. I opted for the khaki green colorway and think it looks brilliant. Previous StaDry bags have had a shiny finish to them which I have thought makes them look a bit cheap and flimsy - there are no such feelings with the 2026 model.
The new 4-way top divider is perfect and I’ll die on the hill that this is the best divider setup any bag could have - a wide section for your driver, woods and putter up top, two smaller dividers for your irons (I put 4-6 iron in one and 7-9 iron in the other) and a wider bottom divider for your wedges. Across multiple rounds, I didn’t have my clubs tangle once.
In the storage department, Titleist gets another big green tick. The external water bottle pocket means grabbing your drink while walking is easy, whilst the valuables pocket has a well designed canopy that helps keep the zip and components dry for when the rain comes. The main side pocket provides plenty of space, as do the main accessories pocket on the front and the ball pocket just above it.
I tested this bag on both the Championship Links and Annesley Course at Royal County Down and given the trends of Irish weather, it wasn’t long before I was battling against the rain. I wouldn’t be doing my job properly if I didn’t brave the elements to test the waterproofing, which was superb.
However, the biggest green tick goes to the all-new stand system. I use the Titleist Linksmaster as my day-to-day golf bag, but the quality and stability of this stand system has led me to toy with the idea of keeping the StaDry as my ‘gamer’ bag. The moment you set your bag down on the fairway, the legs kick out effortlessly. The legs are sturdy and the bag sits at a lovely height once they are in place.
I’m a dedicated walker, so comfort levels when carrying are probably the most important thing I look for in a golf bag. I haven’t carried many bags more comfortable than this one - padding around the hips as well as the shoulders makes it a pleasant walking experience. For those who use trolleys or carts, the main carry handle on the bag doubles up as a cart strap tunnel to keep your bag secure while riding or pushing.
It’s a great bag, but it isn’t perfect. The $340 price tag means it is one of the most expensive golf bags on the market, but I can tell after a month of usage that this bag will last you many years to come - a common theme for the best Titleist golf bags.
If I were to be ultra fussy, there are a few quality of life changes I would love to see in future models. Another zip on the main front pouch would have been a great addition, as would a magnetic zipper on the ball pouch above that I’ve seen on a number of bags.
To conclude, this bag does just about everything you could want from your golf stand bag, the only thing being you’ll have to pay a premium price for it. Is it worth it? Honestly, I think so - especially in the long run.
