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WRX Spotlight: Stitch SL2 bag

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Founded in 2011, Stitch Golf has been making some of the highest quality and most popular accessories in the game. From head covers to personal travel bags, the company philosophy of “it’s all in the details” shines through with all of the products.

The latest creation is the all-new SL2 carry bag — Stitch is calling it “the perfect walking bag.” After taking the SL2 out for a few spins around the course, it’s hard to argue with them. What you also notice right away is the styling screams Stitch.

When I spoke with CEO Brad King, we talked about how much focus they put into every detail beyond just the functionality.

“The SL2 is modeled to look just like our tour bag, except a lot lighter and obviously easier to carry for the weekend golfing warrior,” King said. “Also, like a lot of our product,s it takes color cues from racing, which is why Stitch blue, orange, and navy are prominent.”

Brad used the term “golfing warrior” a few times in our discussion, and he said it epitomizes the idea of someone who takes their golf seriously, walks, maybe even plays 36 a day, and wants functionality from their golf bag — while also looking extremely sharp.

You can tell this is a Stitch bag from across the range, or a few holes over on the course, which means from a styling perspective “mission accomplished.”

So, about that functionality…

As a walker, there are certain key features I want in a bag to even consider it, but those features can vary depending on how and when I plan to use the bag (having a couple of golf bags is a luxury, I know). If it’s a small Sunday bag, then a limited space, single strap design with a few small yet functional pockets, is all I really need. If we’re talking a full-blown tournament or travel option, extra space for rain gear, gloves, range finder and all the other goodies including a double strap is almost a must…plus it has to fit easily on both a pushcart and riding cart.

The Stitch SL2 skews right in the middle and here’s why: It’s just about perfect

  • Comes in right a 4lbs
  • Minimal yet well designed pockets hold more than enough gear for 18 holes or more.
  • It’s almost completely water resistant thanks to Stitch’s Touring Fabric, a proprietary product used in all their bags that has the strength of leather, but is more durable & wear resistant. It also feels extremely sturdy.
  • Large, well-padded top easily holds 14 clubs and doesn’t “mush” you putter cover up (HUGE pet peeve of mine)
  • Straps that can be configured for both single or double use. It comes with both options stock and is easily interchangeable thanks to the pinch clips.

Ball Pocket and Zippered Water Bottle pouch

Velvet lined pocket to hold a watch or valuables

Base sits almost flush and is very stable – never noticed clubs getting tangled

I told you the top was BIG

Now I realize you don’t come to GolfWRX for fluff pieces, you come for honesty, and I wouldn’t be doing my job without pointing out a few things that could be improved on, as nitpicky as they might be.

  • The bag sits a little upright. If you have to place it on a side hill you just have to take an extra moment to make sure it’s balanced before letting it go (not a huge deal).
  • The rain hood (which is AWESOME and matches the bag) is bulky, and if you do cram it into the large side pouch it doesn’t leave much room for anything else. It means really planning ahead if you think you’ll be playing in wet weather. BUT on the other hand, I think I’ve used a rain hood twice in the last 5 years (I don’t normally carry one anyway), so this is in NO way a deal breaker.
  • Limited padding where the bag rests against your back. Personally, I don’t find this a big deal since most bags in the minimalist category have very little padding if any, but in the spirit of a full breakdown its just part of making sure I point out everything I noticed while testing it. The fabric used is so thick it still made it comfortable to carry for 18 holes.

Overall the Stitch SL2 really is a wonderful bag. The styling is top notch, the fabrics and build quality are premium, and every touchpoint screams high-end and built-to-last. The best way to sum up the SL2 is to compare it to a sporty coup roadster: stylish, light, fun, fast, functional, and something others will notice. The trunk isn’t enormous, but it’s not meant to be. It holds everything you really need, plus a couple of extras,  and considering how much fun you have making corners in this car (or making birdies carrying the bag), at the end of the day, you’re going to enjoy the heck out of it.

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Ryan Barath is a club-fitter & master club builder with more than 17 years of experience working with golfers of all skill levels, including PGA Tour players. He is the former Build Shop Manager & Social Media Coordinator for Modern Golf. He now works independently from his home shop and is a member of advisory panels to a select number of golf equipment manufacturers. You can find Ryan on Twitter and Instagram where he's always willing to chat golf, and share his passion for club building, course architecture and wedge grinding.

12 Comments

12 Comments

  1. Jordan

    Jun 28, 2019 at 8:54 am

    Nice ferrules. Where can I make my MP18s look like that? Any custom ferrule companies better than others?

  2. RJ

    Jun 27, 2019 at 11:24 am

    Love the style of the SL1 bag, but the GIANT branding on the SL2 makes it an easy pass for me. I understand they want people to know it’s their bag, but what made the SL1 great was the clean, simple style. That’s been lost with the aggressive branding.

  3. Cdub

    Jun 26, 2019 at 9:21 pm

    They are out of their minds with their pricing. It’s really unfortunate as they make great stuff.

  4. Kevin shiel

    Jun 26, 2019 at 8:26 pm

    Get rid of the massive logo and white, pale colour doesnt last on the course.

    • Turbo Ned

      Jun 27, 2019 at 8:36 pm

      You can get one without the logo from a grassroots shop. My club has them with the club logo instead or can order without anything as well.

  5. Karl

    Jun 26, 2019 at 7:37 pm

    Wish they were cleaner (less branding) like the SL1.

  6. Mark

    Jun 26, 2019 at 5:04 pm

    @ $368 no thanks

    • JP

      Jun 26, 2019 at 5:53 pm

      Nice simple bag. Looks to be great quality. But I agree. $368 is way too much. There are too many other options for that much or quite a bit less. If this was priced around $250, I’d order one right now.

      • The dude

        Jun 26, 2019 at 6:44 pm

        Really…~$100 is keeping you from buying something you want?

        • pdq

          Jun 26, 2019 at 7:42 pm

          Not 100% its more like ~ 40% more expensive. In what market is 380 for a bag even cheap?

        • JP

          Jun 26, 2019 at 7:44 pm

          Not “keeping” me from buying, just makes me want to spend it elsewhere. Like a Ping Hoofer for less. I just don’t see enough value to justify $368. I may want it, but not that much.

        • brian

          Jun 28, 2019 at 10:43 am

          You could play 2 rounds or 1 round at a really nice course for that $100.

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Equipment

Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/18/24): Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made

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At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made.

From the seller: (@DLong72): “Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made. ?: $1150. ?? 100% milled collectors item from the limited releases commemorating when Ping putters won every major in 1988 (88 putters made). This was the model Seve Ballesteros used to win the 1988 Open Championship. Condition is brand new, never gamed, everything is in the original packaging as it came. Putter features the iconic sound slot.

Specs/ Additional Details

-100% Milled, Aluminum/Bronze Alloy (310g)

-Original Anser Design

-PING PP58 Grip

-Putter is built to standard specs.”

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made

This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules

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Inside Collin Morikawa’s recent golf ball, driver, 3-wood, and “Proto” iron changes

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As you probably know by now, Collin Morikawa switched putters after the first round of The Masters, and he ultimately went on to finish T3.

The putter was far from the only change he made last week, however, and his bag is continuing to change this week at the 2024 RBC Heritage.

On the range of The Masters, Morikawa worked closely with Adrian Reitveld, TaylorMade’s Senior Manager of Tour at TaylorMade, to find the perfect driver and 3-wood setups.

Morikawa started off 2024 by switching into TaylorMade’s Qi10 Max driver, but since went back to his faithful TaylorMade SIM – yes, the original SIM from 2020. Somehow, some way, it seems Morikawa always ends up back in that driver, which he used to win the 2020 PGA Championship, and the 2021 Open Championship.

At The Masters, however, Rietveld said the duo found the driver head that allowed “zero compromise” on Morikawa’s preferred fade flight and spin. To match his preferences, they landed on a TaylorMade Qi10 LS 9-degree head, and the lie angle is a touch flatter than his former SIM.

“It’s faster than his gamer, and I think what we found is it fits his desired shot shape, with zero compromise” Rietveld told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday at the RBC Heritage.

Then, to replace his former SIM rocket 3-wood, Morikawa decided to switch into the TaylorMade Qi10 core model 13.5-degree rocket head, with an adjustable hosel.

“He likes the spin characteristics of that head,” Rietveld said. “Now he’s interesting because with Collin, you can turn up at a tournament, and you look at his 3-wood, and he’s changed the setting. One day there’s more loft on it, one day there’s less loft on it. He’s that type of guy. He’s not scared to use the adjustability of the club.

“And I think he felt our titanium head didn’t spin as low as his original SIM. So we did some work with the other head, just because he liked the feel of it. It was a little high launching, so we fit him into something with less loft. It’s a naughty little piece of equipment.” 

In addition to the driver and fairway wood changes, Morikawa also debuted his new “MySymbol” jersey No. 5 TP5x golf ball at The Masters. Morikawa’s choice of symbols is likely tied to his love of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.

Not enough changes for you? There’s one more.

On Wednesday at the 2024 RBC Heritage, Morikawa was spotted with a new TaylorMade “Proto” 4-iron in the bag. If you recall, it’s the same model that Rory McIlroy debuted at the 2024 Valero Texas Open.

According to Morikawa, the new Proto 4-iron will replace his old P-770 hollow-bodied 4-iron.

“I used to hit my P-770 on a string, but sometimes the distance would be a little unpredictable,” Morikawa told GolfWRX.com. “This one launches a touch higher, and I feel I can predict the distance better. I know Rory replaced his P-760 with it. I’m liking it so far.” 

See Morikawa’s full WITB from the 2024 RBC Heritage here. 

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Why Rory McIlroy will likely use the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper at the RBC Heritage

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Although we spotted Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper last week during practice rounds at the Masters, he ultimately didn’t decide to use the club in competition.

It seems that will change this week at the 2024 RBC Heritage, played at the short-and-tight Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head.

When asked on Wednesday following his morning Pro-Am if he’d be using the new, nostalgic BRNR Copper this week, McIlroy said, “I think so.”

“I like it,” McIlroy told GolfWRX.com on Tuesday regarding the BRNR. “This would be a good week for it.”

 

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According to Adrian Rietveld, the Senior Manager of Tour at TaylorMade, the BRNR Mini Driver can help McIlroy position himself properly off the tee at the tight layout.

Here’s what Rietveld told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday:

“For someone like Rory, who’s that long at the top end of the bag, and then you put him on a course like Harbour Town, it’s tough off the tee. It’s tight into the greens, and you have to put yourself in position off the tee to have a shot into the green. It kind of reminds me of Valderrama in Spain, where you can be in the fairway and have no shot into the green.

“I’m caddying for Tommy [Fleetwood] this week, so I was walking the course last night and looking at a few things. There’s just such a small margin for error. You can be standing in the fairway at 300 yards and have a shot, but at 320 you don’t. So if you don’t hit a perfect shot, you could be stuck behind a tree. And then if you’re back at 280, it might be a really tough shot into the small greens.

“So for Rory [with the BRNR], it’s a nice course-specific golf club for him. He’s got both shots with it; he can move it right-to-left or left-to-right. And the main thing about this club has been the accuracy and the dispersion with it. I mean, it’s been amazing for Tommy.

“This was the first event Tommy used a BRNR last year, and I remember talking to him about it, and he said he couldn’t wait to play it at Augusta next year. And he just never took it out of the bag because he’s so comfortable with it, and hitting it off the deck.

“So you look at Rory, and you want to have the tools working to your advantage out here, and the driver could hand-cuff him a bit with all of the shots you’d have to manufacture.”

So, although McIlroy might not be making a permanent switch into the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper, he’s likely to switch into it this week.

His version is lofted at 13.5 degrees, and equipped with a Fujikura Ventus Black 7X shaft.

See more photos of Rory testing the BRNR Mini here

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