Vessel is known for its premium, visually-striking golf bags out of Southern California and so it when it offers up the opportunity to review a new model, there’s always a scrum for the sample. Thankfully I got the nod and in my humble view, you’d be hard pressed to find a better looking golf bag. The Player V screams luxury and style by combining soft but robust leather with chrome detailing and a clean, unfussy design. Everything is proportioned correctly and there are even five colors to choose from - I received the grey, which looks superb - as well as the option of a 6-way (my preference) or 14-way divider top.
But this bag is by no mean style with no substance - it’s incredibly practical too. Where it sometimes feels like innovation has plateaued among the best golf bags, the feature list of the Player V is almost endless - certainly too lengthy to list in full here but some personal favourites of mine during testing over at least five rounds has to be the magnetic rangefinder pocket, the self balancing straps and the rotator stand system.
Hanging a golf rangefinder off the side of a bag can look untidy but on the Player V you can slide it in the dedicated magnetic pocket, which is also split in two so you can store other associated items like a spare battery inside. I struggled a little to get my chunky Bushnell Pro X3+ in there comfortably, but most models will slot in easily.
The Equilibrium 2.0 Double Strap system is undoubtedly a highlight, not only because of how thick the padding is but also because it requires minimal adjustment once you’ve decided on the height that’s comfortable for you. Over the five rounds I’ve used this bag, at no point did the straps get twisted or did the clubs fall out because they weren’t being carried at the right angle. This was important because coming in at around 6.2 pounds in weight or 2.8 kg, it isn’t the most lightweight stand bag, but you don’t feel it as much as you might expect.
Finally the Rotator Stand system basically allows the base of the bag to sit flush to the ground when the carbon fiber legs are deployed, whereas most of the best stand bags rest on one edge which doesn’t make much sense given a stand bag spends most of it’s time on the ground leaning at an angle. This feature may seem a little unnecessary but it means the bag is far more secure and stable when stationary, something that came in handy when playing in the wind.
There are 10 external pockets on this bag (if you include the Sharpie holder) so you’ll never have a problem finding a home for the kit you want to take out on the course with you. The apparel pocket is sizeable and inside you’ll find a matching rain hood and cart strap with clip on/off attachment should you plan to use this bag on a cart. There’s also a retaining strap for the legs to keep them in place in this situation too. I enjoyed the super soft antimicrobial velour lined valuables pocket down the side for my phone as well as the mix of zipped and magnetic pockets too, the latter providing quicker and easier access to tees. It does mean that the Player V isn’t classed as 100 per cent waterproof but the material and zips have done a good job at keeping light showers at bay during my testing.
Attention to detail is a phrase I go back to when describing this bag. I keep finding new features I missed on first inspection, like the bottle opener/towel ring combo and the combination lock included for storing your valuables securely! I’m not sure if I’ve found them all yet, but I’m excited to keep trying.
A price tag of £429/$429 may seem a lot for a golf bag but you’d do well to not only find another that looks as good but also has as many practice features that genuinely enhance the user experience. It’s built with the needs of the golfer in mind and to last multiple seasons, such is the quality of the materials used.
