Vessel Lux Stand Golf Bag Review: Ridiculously good, but with one small catch

Most golf bags are just… well, bags. Vessel, however, have built a reputation on making bags that you instantly spot from across the car park and think, “Yep, that’s a bit of me.”

The brand's biggest new release for 2025, the Lux Stand Bag, is no exception. It’s smart, stylish, rock-solid on the course and packed with genuinely useful features. If you like walking the course with a bag that looks the business and performs even better, this one is very hard to beat – although in typical Vessel fashion, you'll pay a premium price tag for this distinctly premium bit of kit.

Is it worth it? £399 is a lot to spend on any piece of golf kit, but we think so. Read on to find out why we think this is one of the best-looking and best-built golf stand bags you can buy right now, and just how it slots in to Vessel's wider range.

Looks and features

Vessel's golf bag range is a little bit confusing at first glance, with a lot of their products appearing ostensibly to be much of a muchness.

Effectively, the Lux Stand sits smack bang in the middle of the range, offering more space than the more compact Lux Looper and Lux Air models, but offering a sleeker, lighter and slightly more affordable package than the flagship Player V stand bag.

Looking strikingly similar to the Player V at first glance, the Lux Stand is sleek, tidy, and incredibly well-finished, with a choice of sleek synthetic leather finishes (we opted for the newly-released Croc-style leather).

If you prefer to save weight and want a more utilitarian look, the DXR, made from Diamond X-Pattern Reinforced nylon, is also available for the same price, while the Lux Carbon, which has an extra exterior pocket and a carbon fibre spine for extra rigidity, will set you back an extra £60.

All Lux Stand models come with proper leather finishings that make them feel premium without shouting about it, and everything from the zips to the seams looks and feels top drawer. If you take pride in your setup, this bag absolutely plays the part.

You get two straps in the box: the Equilibrium 2.0 double strap, which balances itself and feels fantastic over 18 holes, and a padded single strap for quick trips or practice sessions.

Some golf stand bags give you pockets for the sake of it. The Lux Stand gives you pockets you’ll actually use, with eight exterior pockets and 6 interior pockets combining to make a total of 14 (two less than the Player V). These include:

• A magnetic rangefinder pocket
• A valuables pocket with antimicrobial lining
• A massive garment pocket with its own lock
• Two cooler-lined bottle sleeves (magnetic closure)
• A proper insulated cooler pocket with drainage
• A ball pocket that’s actually organised inside
• A glove patch
• A bottle opener / towel ring combo (genius)
• Umbrella holder
• Matching rain hood
• Cart strap tunnel + matching cart strap sleeve

Translation: tons of space, zero faff. Whether you’re packing half your house for a winter round or keeping things light in the summer, you’ll find a pocket for everything.

Performance

The Lux Stand might look luxurious, but as we've surprisingly light at 5.7 lbs, and carrying it is an absolute breeze.

The Lux Stand weighs in at around a pound lighter than the Player V and sacrifices two exterior pockets to present a more compact package. It also has a four-way club divider compared to the Player V's choice of either six or 14, however with Vessel's bag often tipping the scales at the heavier end of the market, we don't think these are necessarily bad things given the amount of storage the Lux still offers.

On the shoulder, it’s one of the comfiest stand bags we’ve tested all season. No digging, no awkward weight shifts—just smooth, easy carrying as we've become accustomed to with.

The stand system deserves its own shoutout. Vessel’s Rotator Stand System and wide, low-profile base keep the bag planted even in wind or on uneven ground. The carbon fibre legs are light but strong, and the whole thing feels built to be bashed about without wobbling or collapsing.

We threw it on fairway slopes, rough, mats, wet patches—you name it—and it never once threatened to topple.

Another one of the joys of this bag is just how easy the clubs go in and out. The 4-way top is velour-lined and properly spacious, with three full-length dividers and an internal base divider to stop the usual tug-of-war with your wedges. It’s smooth, organised and genuinely better than most bags at this price.

All this being said, there's one small catch with the Lux Stand Bag that, in fairness, applies to all Vessel bags. The materials are listed as weather-resistant, however the Vessel Lux Stand is not fully waterproof. The synthetic leather handles light showers, damp grass and morning dew with ease, of course, but in heavy rain you’ll likely want a fully waterproof bag instead.

For most UK golfers who aren’t trudging out in sideways rain, it’ll be fine. But we have to be honest—the premium price might have you wishing it went the extra mile.

Should you buy the Vessel Lux Stand Bag?

Vessel Lux Golf Stand Bagfrom £399.00 at Scottsdale Golf

Despite that one small gripe, the Vessel Lux Stand Bag is an absolute gem. It looks class, it’s built to last, it carries beautifully, it’s loaded with smart storage, and it’s got all the little touches golfers actually care about.

At £399, it’s definitely on the premium end, but it feels every bit the part. It’s a bag you’ll proudly use for years, not one you’ll replace next season.

If it were fully waterproof, it would be close to unbeatable. But even so, as it stands, it’s still one of the best stand bags on the market—and one of our outright favourites.

Shop now: $399 from Vessel Golf