Carrying a few extra lbs.......noticeable? Vessel Vs. Titleist

[Sportsman16]

Been several years since I carried as I have been pushing a cart bag on a clic cart.  I want to purchase a carry bag for caddy use at annual trip to Bandon and also to try carrying again from time to time myself.  Was set to buy a Titleist Players 4 plus sta dry until I stumbled upon the Vessel bags and the Vessel player 3 stand bag.  Three things keeping me from purchasing the Vessel.  1.  Looks pretty "hip" for a middle age, overweight guy like myself.  Maybe more suited for a white belt stud?  2.  Vessel is two lbs heavier than the Titleist. 3.  Probably not as waterproof as sta-dry?  

 

For those that carry, is two lbs really noticeable?  At 6'1/250 in "middle age/big gut/shape" will I really notice a difference huffing and puffing while carrying a vessel vs titleist up the hill?  The vessel may draw more attention as the sweat pours off my head and steam rises out my hat.  Might be good or bad depending on how I'm playing.

 

Do you notice a few extra lbs carrying?

 

Thoughts?

 

[4x4GGG]

I have yet to try either. I tend to walk a lot and have been sporting a Ping J. Just ordered the new Sub 70 bag. I feel a little guilty since there's nothing wrong with the Jbag, but since it's $140 I couldn't pass up the offer. Sorry not related, I'm just stoked. 

[brew4eagle]

Yes, 2 lbs is quite noticeable with the caveat that the bags you're comparing balance similarly on the shoulders  

[shankz]

2 lbs is prob around 2 clubs, for over 4 hours of walking. I def notice a lighter load and easier strides even after finishing 2 water bottles when i walk and carry.

[Florida Gator]

I don’t notice the extra weight of the Vessel Players III or the Titleist Linksmaster bags when I carry, they are well balanced and hang well off of my shoulders.  Both of the bags I mentioned are relatively water resistant, I’d say the Linksmaster a little more than the Vessel.  
 

I considered a sta-dry player 4 plus for push cart use but went with the Vessel, no regrets.  

[goheels11]

I walk almost all of my rounds and there is a tremendous difference in a few pounds.   
 

Many places like Pebble and Bandon have caddie bags by the way to reduce weight.  They will put your gear in a light weight bag VS carrying a heavier one.  

[MPAndreassi]

The Titleist Plus4 StaDry is a great bag. I have one. I carry it 90%, push it probably 9% and ride the rest. It’s been great so far in every instance and the waterproofing is great. Got caught in the rain last week and it worked like a charm. I haven’t tried the Vessel bags, but 2 lbs would be pretty noticeable. I had a Sun Mountain I didn’t like to carry because it was on the heavier side. I read in another thread, unsure if it’s true or not, that the Titleist bags are actually made by Vessel. Just using the materials of choice by Titleist. 

[Sportsman16]

Thanks for the replies.  I went ahead and ordered the Vessel Players 3.  Hoping it is not too large/heavy as i intend to use it as a carry bag.  Excited for its arrival as it sure looks sweet online.

 

 

[Abh159]

On 4/1/2021 at 11:09 AM, Sportsman16 said:

Do you notice a few extra lbs carrying?

 

Thoughts?

 

 

The short answer is yes it's noticeable. If you're going from a light to a heavy bag or vice versa you'll feel the difference. However, if you're used to a heavier bag or if you haven't walked in 10+ years then you probably won't notice it. Ignorance is bliss as they say. 

 

Looks like you just placed your order so this might be a moot point now...

[Samanthacoll]

It is hard to explain for me in pounds so that I will convert lbs to kg. Two years ago, I had 98 kg, which is too much for me because I have only 175 cm. I was worried about this and always thinking about losing weight, and I wasn't doing anything for this. One day O got upset and started to use different methods of how to lose some additional kilograms. I understood that only a responsible person could really lose weight in a short time. In four months, I lost ten kilograms. I was having the right alimentation and regularly going to the gym.

[Carolina Golfer 2]

On 4/4/2021 at 8:05 AM, goheels11 said:

I walk almost all of my rounds and there is a tremendous difference in a few pounds.   
 

Many places like Pebble and Bandon have caddie bags by the way to reduce weight.  They will put your gear in a light weight bag VS carrying a heavier one.  

What he said!  Well I don’t walk all the time or even most of time….well a few times 😬 But it is very noticiable. 

[Hougz79]

It’s alarmingly noticeable IMO.  I dunno…. I drank the coolaid and got a Vessel….. I’m honestly extremely underwhelmed.  Going back to my Ping.  

[tleader]

Oddly noticeable. Recently switched to a SM 3.5 which is about 2 lbs lighter and walking felt like a breeze 🤷🏼‍♂️

[Z1ggy16]

2lb is about 2 clubs give or take. If you have a bag now... Fill it up with all your stuff, walk around. Now take out two clubs, repeat. That's about how's much of a feel difference you might notice.

 

I think the players 3 bag weighs what... 6lb? That's going to be a hell of a carry if you're the one huffing. I'll only carry my ultra light bag which is 2.5lb. if I walk with my full bag, I push. 

 

If I were to have a caddie though, I think the players 3 is fine for that task, and also riding.

[2bGood]

Yes the 2lbs feel a lot different. I use a summer bag that is 2lbs lighter than my waterproof winter bag and I can really feel it.

 

If you want get sense of the weight difference try playing with two lest clubs for nine holes

[Hougz79]

I’ve generally always had Hoofers or Sun Mountain/ Titleist bags.  Usually in the 4.5-5 pound range.

 

I picked up a SM 2.5+ this spring for walking rounds and I was shocked at how much lighter it was.  That 2 pounds really made a difference.  IMO it’s the best pure walking bag, it has an alarming amount of storage to carry everything you need on a round, with plenty of room to spare.

 

I’d personally never carry my Vessel Players 3.  Those that say the straps are so good you can’t tell the weight are selling you snake oil. Weight is weight.  The straps are comfortable, and the weight balances pretty well, but it’s still a 6.5 pound bag.  After 18 holes you’ll feel it.

[fundustrial]

I had a Titleist 4 Staydry and using a Linksmaster members bag at the moment. I’m  fine carrying it but the extra weight is certainly noticeable…

[beazy33]

I think a couple pounds definitely do make a difference when playing a long 18. My back feels it when I choose my heavier bag on a long round.

 

If I want the extra storage of a bigger bag, I’ll just push a cart now. The lighter bag has made walking much more enjoyable.

[j.b.newton]

On 4/4/2021 at 7:22 AM, MPAndreassi said:

The Titleist Plus4 StaDry is a great bag. I have one. I carry it 90%, push it probably 9% and ride the rest. It’s been great so far in every instance and the waterproofing is great. Got caught in the rain last week and it worked like a charm. I haven’t tried the Vessel bags, but 2 lbs would be pretty noticeable. I had a Sun Mountain I didn’t like to carry because it was on the heavier side. I read in another thread, unsure if it’s true or not, that the Titleist bags are actually made by Vessel. Just using the materials of choice by Titleist. 

ive always been told that Sun Mountain makes Titleist, Bettinardi and some Callaway bags....

[brew4eagle]

22 minutes ago, j.b.newton said:

ive always been told that Sun Mountain makes Titleist, Bettinardi and some Callaway bags....

Sun Mountain made Titleist awhile ago, but no longer.  Sun Mountain did make the recent Bettinardi bags I've seen.  Ogio makes Callaway bags (Callaway owns Ogio iirc).

Edited June 18, 2021 by brew4eagle

[rorykoepka]

On 4/5/2021 at 8:29 AM, Sportsman16 said:

Thanks for the replies.  I went ahead and ordered the Vessel Players 3.  Hoping it is not too large/heavy as i intend to use it as a carry bag.  Excited for its arrival as it sure looks sweet online.

 

 

It definitely isn't too heavy.  With the recommendation of members here I've tried the Hoofer Lite, and Hoofer before returning them both and getting the Player 3 bag.  It looks 100x better than the others, noticeably feels heavier than the Hoofers but absolutely not too heavy.  I am loving mine. Just for the looks alone it is worth it as it actually looks like a premium bag. Also balances better than the Hoofer on the shoulders even if its slightly heavier. I will say though if you have very broad shoulders the Player 3 wont be the best fit.

[Sportsman16]

For what it's worth........I have been carrying the new Vessel Players 3 for a few weeks now.  I am really enjoying carrying vs. push cart.  Not only does the bag look great, it is an easy carry.  It may in fact be heavier than a "lightweight" bag but is certainly not causing me any concerns.  Maybe ignorance is bliss..........I will say the straps are pretty much extended tot he max to get around the shoulders of this xxl dude.  Not much more room if I were to wear too many layers.  Overall very pleased.