When it comes to golf bags, you’d be unwise to not include Wilson in the conversation. So, when I had the opportunity to test out its new Talus 14 carry bag, it was hard to say no. Looks wise, you can’t dislike anything about its design. Its clean yet premium look makes it easy on the eye whilst its functionality mirrors this, showcasing the high quality of the product. And if you’re a bit picky on color, there are five different options to choose from. I was able to test the red and white version, and for someone who doesn’t typically own a lot of this color combination, I was surprised by how quickly it grew on me.
Aesthetics are not the main reason you buy a golf bag though. It's about performance, and this didn’t let me down. The Wilson Talus 14 is one of the best executions we've seen of the hybrid golf bag design, seamlessly catering to both walkers and cart users. Weighing in at 2.6kg, it couldn't be classed as one of the best lightweight golf bags, although it wasn’t too heavy to lift in and out of the car or carry around the course either. This weight also adds to its robustness and versatility.
Amongst the features I enjoyed the most were the vast amount of storage, durable alloy legs for long-lasting performance, and its extremely comfortable pass-through strap channel, which was easily adjustable.
There are nine external pockets (including one open pocket) meaning you will never struggle to find space for all of your golf essentials. When I trialled the bag, I took out both a gilet and overtop with me and placed them in the full-length zipper pocket and I still had space for other items, which is not the case for all of the best stand bags. There is a rangefinder pocket featuring a magnetic opening and fleece lining which was also impressive. This offers golfers a different and safer alternative to placing your rangefinder, instead of maybe attaching it to a ring on the bag.
My favorite pocket though was the large hip pad side pocket for immediate access. The only negative was that it didn't have a zip, so if it did rain this pocket would not be the most functional. However, with the light rain I encountered during my testing, the bag's materials, zip, and rain hood did an excellent job in repelling poor weather plus there is a fully waterproof valuables pocket if you want to store items like your phone more securely.
The best golf bags on the market all try to be as functional as possible and Wilson’s self-activating stand, which uses long alloy legs, is no different. It creates the perfect stable base when perched on mounds or hills on the course and whilst testing the bag, I found no issues with the bag falling over at an angle or collapsing when activated to stand up. A convenient towel ring which I used for my towel and club brush, and the use of premium YKK zippers were perfect for easy access and reliability and were eye-catching features.
Another thing I found very useful was its 14-way divider design. For someone like me who is a little bit OCD and likes an organized bag, this was perfect. I was easily able to find the club I wanted to use because each club had its own identifiable space. If you have a tendency for leaving a club around the green on the previous hole, it's clearly noticeable when something is missing from your bag, hopefully meaning you're less likely to leave a club behind.
An overriding thought I had throughout my time using this bag was value for money. Retailing at £209, this is certainly not one of the most expensive golf bags on the market. However, its quality is not lacking, and I think this is a bargain when you consider all of what the Talus 14 has to offer. Finding a bag that looks good but also provides reliable quality is hard to come by. But I think Wilson has nailed it here and you should definitely not overlook this bag if you are thinking of freshening up your look for 2025.
