The Quick Verdict
Get the PING Hoofer. It weighs 0.7 lbs more than the Players S4, lists at $20 more, and has a 5-way top versus a 4-way — none of which are reasons to skip it. What you get in return is 16 pockets to the S4's 8, a magnetic rangefinder pocket, and convertible shoulder straps that swap between double and single carry. The S4 is worth considering if you walk almost exclusively and want to shave weight. Check price at TGW →
What They Have in Common
Both are stand bags with double shoulder straps, stand legs, and a cart strap passthrough. Neither maker makes a waterproof claim, and neither publishes a top size. They're playing in the same space — walking-friendly stand bags that can also ride — and both list under $300.
Where They Differ
Weight and the divider trade-off
The S4 comes in at 4.8 lbs with full-length dividers, which is the spec that makes it interesting. Full-length dividers mean shafts don't tangle at the bottom of the bag, and they keep a 4-way top from becoming a frustrating knot of grips. The Hoofer runs 5.5 lbs with a 5-way top and no published divider depth.
The 0.7 lb gap is real over 18 holes on a hilly course. It's also a non-issue if your bag ever touches a cart. Know which you are before you weight this heavily.
Storage
This is where the comparison isn't close. The Hoofer carries 16 pockets with 22 liters of published pocket volume. That includes a velour-lined valuables pocket, a magnetic rangefinder pocket, a zip-off ball pocket panel, and a dedicated pocket for a rain hood (though PING's page doesn't confirm a hood is actually included). The Players S4 has 8 pockets, including a magnetic tee pocket and an external water bottle pocket — both useful, but half the pocket count.
If you play with a rangefinder, the Hoofer gives it a dedicated magnetic pocket. The S4's magnetic pocket is for tees, which is a smaller job.
Cart strap passthrough
Both bags have one. The Hoofer calls it a cart strap channel; the S4 calls it a cart strap tunnel. Same idea — the strap routes through the bag so you can still reach your pockets after the bag is strapped down. If you've ever threaded a cart strap across a pocket zipper and had to undo it every hole for a ball, you know why this matters.
Price
The Hoofer lists at $290; the S4 at $270. A $20 gap at list, which is almost nothing against what you're getting.
Who Should Buy Which
Get the PING Hoofer if:
- You use a rangefinder every round and want a dedicated magnetic pocket for it
- You carry snacks, an extra glove, a spare sleeve of balls, and a jacket — and you want somewhere to put all of it
- You ride some rounds and walk others, and the bag needs to work both ways without rethinking your system
- The $20 list price difference doesn't change your day
Get the Titleist Players S4 if:
- You walk almost every round and count ounces on the back nine in summer
- You carry light — essentials only — and 8 pockets covers what you need
- Full-length dividers matter to you and you want them in a 4.8 lb bag
The Bottom Line
The S4 is a walking bag with a genuinely useful feature in its full-length dividers, and 4.8 lbs is doing real work if you log miles. But 8 pockets is half the Hoofer's 16, and the 0.7 lb difference is easy to oversell. The Hoofer gives you more pockets, a magnetic rangefinder pocket, and it lists for $20 more — not a real argument against it. If you're walking every round on hilly terrain and you carry nothing extra, the S4 earns its spot. Otherwise, the Hoofer does more.