Long-term Review: Vessel Player III / IV vs 2023 Ping Hoofer

Not Sponsored! Here are my honest thoughts on the Vessel Player bag and 2023 Ping Hoofer bag.

YT: @golfwithjames

My favorite golf bag accessories:

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[scratchpar]

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.

[majen]

Good review! Love the in depth there covering a lot of real situations.

[SmokeyRobbo]

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.

[aarontooley]

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?

[no_gimme_golf]

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.

[HockeyCan]

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?

[edwinlambley]

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.

[TheMCAids]

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.

[Jakezillagfw]

8:09 I am the opposite. I love seeing my gear with wear tear on it. If it looks bear up its been used an alot of effort has gone into my golf game.

[johnrobinson]

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.

[tamirshemesh]

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?

[Sheisintomalakasdino]

I use an elastic to hold the ping legs together