Long-term Review: Vessel Player III / IV vs 2023 Ping Hoofer
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.ย. 2024
- Not Sponsored! Here are my honest thoughts on the Vessel Player bag and 2023 Ping Hoofer bag.
YT: @golfwithjames
IG: / golfwjames
My favorite golf bag accessories:
Groove Tube: amzn.to/3rOFREd
JBL Clip 4: amzn.to/405o204
Note: I earn a small commission when you purchase products through the affiliate links.
Coming out of a 6 year old Hoofer and seriously considering a Vessel so really appreciate the overview.
The latest Hoofer feels like the quality has dropped off a little and meanwhile the likes of Vessel have taken it up a notch or two.
I would have been worried about the durability of that faux leather material so that’s good to know. And usefully the Player III now discounted to just £100 more than the Hoofer here in UK.
The Player III is a phenomenal bag. I agree, the more I use my 2023 Hoofer, the less I like it. The main pros are its weight and the number of pockets. If the Player III had 2 more smaller pockets so I can keep my keys/phone separate from my divot tools, etc, it would be the perfect bag.
Good review! Love the in depth there covering a lot of real situations.
Thanks man!!
Excellent review James. Ping does appear to have a drop off in quality in a lot of arears lately not just bags (the G430 10K head cover is so poor and the so called Viktor Hovland putter has very little in common with the one he uses) . I am looking at the Titleist links legend bag ok more expensive than the Ping but the quality just shines through.
Nice review. Well done. The other issue, heat. I carry mostly. Vessel although very nice, it gets hot against your back compared to Ping Hoofer.
Agreed, the Ping does have better ventilation. Since tee times are packed nowadays I don't notice it as much because there's a decent time to wait in between shots 🥲
There are always other bags that I prefer their looks but nothing carries like a Hoofer. If you arry all the time they are very hard to beat.
Agreed, the Hoofer just seems to get it right when it comes to weight and how it sits on the shoulders/lower back. I'm just a sucker for the Vessel Player III's look and don't mind the extra weight/workout for those carrying days.
I like the Vessel design on the top for the clubs, but bag and pocket design by ping. the divider on the player 3 needs to be bigger. I reviewed the vesslel player 3 on my channel. The player 4 pro is supposed to have a bigger 14 way divider system. I haven't got my hands on one yet.
I must admit that as far as Bags and Headcovers go I am a bit of a Magpie.
As far as Bags go I have too many...2020 Ping Hoofer Camo, 2024 Ping Hoofer Lite in the G430 color way, Sun Mountain White Midstripe, Vessel Stand Air Force Bag made for Veterans Golf Association Members, as well as my Black Sun Mountain C130 Cart Bag.
I have to say that it is a toss up between the Sun Mountain Midstripe and my Vessel Air Force Bag quality wise, while I really like my Vessel, I will say that the Sun Mountain Midstripe has more internal club space and I can remove and replace any club in the Sun Mountain bag with the legs extended ( while sitting on the ground) with NO club or grip jamming what so ever, and the same cannot be said for my Vessel bag.
As far as Headcovers go:
Air Force themed Head Covers from Rose and Fire (8) for Driver, Fairway and Hybrid.
Air Force themed Driver cover, Folds of Honor Driver cover, and USA themed Hybrid and Putter covers from CMC.
And various non Military themed Driver, Fairway and Hybrid covers from Robert Mark Golf.
Ha, magpie is a perfect word for all of us who probably keep one too many club/bag/headcover!
Is there any club jam in the Vessel bag like there is in the Ping Hoofer because the dividers don’t go all the way down?
I have midsize grips and put about 3 clubs per slot and have had little to no club jam with the Vessel. The only time I get some jam is when I'm walking away from the bag as I'm pulling the club out (so pulling the club out at an angle).
yea i have jam with the ping hoofer, it is what it is, still love the bag
do you use a cart strap with the vessel / would you recommend one? do you figure it would start to show bad wear around the handle if you dont use one?
I've used without cart strap plenty of times and don't notice any bad wear on the bag. If you drive aggressively over bumps, likely a higher chance of getting wear on the bag, but as long as you're driving the cart like a normal person you probably don't have anything to worry about!
@@golfwithjames thanks!
I use an elastic to hold the ping legs together
Yeah, I wish they had just built something into the bag.
Good review, thx
Im shocked of your comment around comfort carrying the bag. the ergonomic thing with vessel would make you think it'd be more comfortable. did you not find that to be the case?
I also despise that ping's legs are just a nub and dont have actual feet. does it not penetrate the ground on softer days?
I'd say the Vessel is comfortable, but the bag overall just feels heavier, and no matter how comfortable you make the wear experience, the weight is always going to impact it to some degree. That said, if you're buying the Players bag, weight is likely not your #1 priority (the VLS and VLX are better options if weight is your highest priority).
Regarding the Ping legs, even in conditions right after rain, I haven't noticed the legs sinking much into the ground.
Hakushu 12, best option!
😂 good eye. Love the Hakushu, was hoping to find an 18yr when I was in Japan but no luck.