If you are a backpacking golfer, The ship there’s a new bag you need to see. Vessel describes their new Player Air Carbon bag as “their most ambitious bag to date”.
When a company known for amazing golf bags makes a statement like this, it’s worth checking out.
I carried a Vessel Player IV Stand bag for most of last season. Just last weekend, I went all in a nice purple Vessel Player V Stand bag in the Monarch color scheme.
While the new bag is my favorite bag to date, I wouldn’t mind if it was a little lighter on the back.
Now I’m wondering if this new Player Carbon Air bag will decrease the lifespan of my Monarch?
Weight reduction is essential for carrier bags
Weight reduction is the main story for any carry-on bag. When the bag is on your back, any extra weight results in increased fatigue and potentially higher scores.
Vessel Player Carbon Air is 20 percent lighter than their current Player V Stand bag. Somehow, the overall design elements, like pockets and belts, are still very similar.
Many of the features of the Player Carbon Air listed below are also found in the Player V Stand bag.
- Patented Rotator Stand System for a stable and grounded stand
- Equilibrium 2.0 Double belt with self-adjusting balance
- Carbon fiber legs for maximum strength-to-weight efficiency
- Internal base divider to reduce club jamming
- Magnetic rangefinder pocket with antimicrobial velor lining
- Double cooler lined bottle sleeves with expandable magnetic closure
With so many of the same features, how did Vessel Player make the Carbon Air 20 percent lighter?
Lighter materials = lighter bag
To reduce the weight of the Player Carbon Air golf bag, Vessel used lighter materials. The exterior of the bag is now made of CORDURA® Naturalle fabric. This fabric is lighter than synthetic leather material V Player Stand Bag.
The ship reports that CORDURA® Natural fabric “Featuring the softness of high abrasion resistant cotton, lightweight, breathable and built to last.” They also report that the CORDURA® Naturalle fabric is water resistant.
Additionally, Vessel saved weight by using carbon fiber in the bag’s frame. Hence the “Carbon” in the name.
Joining with Carbitexa carbon fiber manufacturer, Vessel was able to design a lightweight carbon fiber structure for the bag. Carbon fiber provides strength and stability while eliminating some of the traditional weight.
The use of these materials allowed the ship to reduce the carbon weight of the six-way upper airframe to 5.2 pounds. For reference, the Player V Stand’s six-way case weighs 6.6 pounds.
For both bags, use with the 14-way top adds about half a pound.
Dropping over a pound is huge
If you’re a riding or putting golfer, you may not realize how important a 1.4-pound drop is when the bag is on your back.
Most people who carry try to pack as light as possible. You limit the number of balls you carry and often leave the 13th and 14th clubs at home.
Weight reduction is essential. Packing light may not be as critical when hiking 18 holes as it is when backpacking, but it’s still critical.
Will I be switching from my fancy purple Monarch Player V Stand to the new Player Carbon Air? This is the question I will be working on for the next few months.
Very soon I will draw them head to head. My eyes are hoping the purple Player V Stand is the winner, but I think my back is rooting for the lighter Player Carbon Air.
I will keep you posted.
Vessel Player Carbon Air will be available for purchase on May 2nd.
