Sunday Golf Ryder-S Bag Review: More of the Same, but in Leather

OK, I’ll admit it, I was slightly skeptical about the potential for the Sunday Golf Ryder S-class bag to be something I really liked.

Sunday Golf’s regular Ryder model is certainly nice and functional, and small enough that it works well as a minimalist carry bag. But quality-wise, it’s… fine. Good but not great.

Well, it turns out if you just tweak the material of the bag, it can feel like an entirely new product. 

Specifically, if you keep the understated look of the Ryder but turn the underwhelming, basic nylon into super soft, supple vegan leather, you’ve got something that feels, looks, and works like a quality golf bag.

Let me be clear: The Sunday Golf Ryder S-class bag isn’t a contender for best overall golf bag. It’s not the absolute classiest, or most functional, or lightest, or coolest. There are a lot of premium — and quite expensive — golf bags on the market that probably better serve a top-level player or someone looking for the overall best.

But you know what the Ryder S-class bag is?

Pretty damn nice.

A lot nicer, in fact, than the standard edition. Which is kind of wild when you consider that literally the only difference between the regular Ryder and the S-class is the material and $30 in price.

If you didn’t catch it, we did review the regular-edition Ryder bag. The overall findings were that the bag was solid but maybe not exceptional.

Well, if you like leather, maybe you’ll feel differently about the Sunday Golf Ryder S-class.

Let’s find out.

A Bit About Sunday Golf

Sunday Golf is a brand that’s all about removing the stuffiness that so often plagues golf and makes it unattractive to people who just want to have a good time.

Sunday Golf’s whole brand vibe is about keeping it loose, kickin’ it with friends, and having a blast on the golf course. They love golf but they don’t want to take it so seriously. And everything about their golf bags aligns with that more casual ethos. Their products are meant to work well as legitimate full-functioning bags but also do it with a little bit of fun.

Initially, Sunday Golf was all about “Sunday bags.” They specialized in making the small, less-than-full-set bags meant for a walking round where the stroll with your playing partners was more important than grinding out the very best score.

Their first bag, the 1.95-pound Loma, was exactly that.

Then they came out with the Loma XL, which was still a Sunday bag but just a little bit bigger and with the addition of backpack-style straps.

Then came the El Camino, another stand bag but this time designed to carry 10 clubs.

And, finally, Sunday Golf got away from strictly Sunday bags and introduced the Ryder, their first full-size carry bag.

Also, coming very soon from Sunday Golf, is the Big Rig, their very first cart bag.

So, things have evolved rather quickly at Sunday Golf. They are no longer just about Sunday bags. But they are still all about unpretentious golf fun.

And now, with their leather S-class, they’re expanding their definition of casual good times to include just a little bit more luxury.

Sunday Golf Ryder vs. Ryder S-Class Features

I’ll say it again: The only difference between the normal Ryder bag and the S-class model is that the S-class is leather rather than nylon.

Other than that, they are the same golf bag.

• Same packaging, which includes a little Sharpie and a fun twist with a Sunday Golf car freshener.
• Same insulated “Frosty Pocket” which they say will fit four beverages but in reality only fits three normal 12-ounce cans.
• Same velcro golf glove pad.
• Same cart strap pass-through.
• Same zipper quality.
• Same waterproof, velour-lined valuables pocket, garment pocket, golf ball pocket and other storage pockets.
• Same well-designed adjustable backpack straps.

Lots of the same.

Which means that the shortcomings are the same.

Namely, that the pockets are plentiful but the valuables pockets entrance is way too small, the garment pocket is a bit tight for a full-size carry bag and the carry handle is a bit thin and cheap-feeling.

If you haven’t already, read our full review of the regular Ryder golf bag model.

But that S-class vegan leather is really quite nice. I find myself almost petting my golf bag, which is definitely a bit strange, yet oddly satisfying.

I’m no tannery expert, but to me this leather is nice enough to feel a bit luxurious but also durable enough to make this golf bag an option for whatever weather conditions.

This isn’t the high-end leather of your wife’s most expensive purse, or the quality found on the seats of a luxury sports car.

I mean, it’s not actually real leather. Vegan leather is of course made from polymers and recycled materials rather than animal hides.

But this S-class vegan leather is nice. For a golf bag, it feels good.

Looks-wise, I could see a little bit of debate. There’s something about rocking a leather golf bag that might feel a bit off for some people. Or maybe you’re worried about inviting the ethical scrutiny of being seen with a leather bag and don’t want to have to explain that it’s not “real leather.”

Whatever the case, this isn’t a look for everyone.

But on the subject of looks, one of the coolest things about both the regular Ryder and the S-class Ryder is that the Sunday Golf logo is very discreetly positioned on just a few small points on the bag.

Personally, I love that. It makes the bag very understated and introduces a classiness that’s in direct contrast to the “walking billboard” look for most golf bags that have the manufacturer’s name dominating the bag’s aesthetic.

To me, when you combine the leather with the understated look, you’ve got a pretty cool golf bag and one that you’re not likely to see all around the golf course.

The Ryder S-class comes in eight different color options, which is pretty substantial.

I have the black leather model. One thing that will be interesting to see is how the bag’s color holds after a lot of time in the sun. And I wonder how nice it will look if it gets scuffed or dirty. I’m also curious about how hot the sides of the bag might feel when we get into the middle of summer.

Now, let’s see how the Ryder S-class handles a round of golf.

How Does the Ryder 23 S-Class Golf Bag Perform on the Course?

I found the Ryder S-class to be a really easy carry.

I actually love Sunday Golf’s adjustable double-strap system. I was able to tweak it until I got exactly the feel I wanted for a carry bag. And the padded straps are comfortable. I also like how the bag rides a little higher up your back, rather than slung down low, which drives me crazy with some carry bags.

I haven’t used the Ryder S-class on a cart yet, but it looks like it will work quite well. There’s a nice cart strap pass-through, and the bag has a solid base that allows it to balance when it’s set upright without the kickstand legs.

The bag has seven pockets, but they’re all just a little too small.  I don’t have huge hands, but I found it very challenging to fit my hand comfortably into the valuables pocket, which is definitely an annoyance. The garment pockets are also a little too small for my liking.

The Ryder S-class does include the Sunday Golf hallmarks, a Frosty Pocket for keeping beverages cold and a smell-proof pocket for whatever aromas you don’t want to share.

The bag has a five-way divider for club organization, which is fine for me, though some golfers really love a 14-club divider.

And even with the leather, the bag still comes in at just under 5 pounds.

Overall, I’ve enjoyed carrying the Ryder. It’s not the highest quality bag I’ve tried, but it’s comfortable, and I think the understated look is really pretty cool.

The full price of the Ryder S-class is $289.99, but it looks like it will usually sell for $269.99. If you add our Sunday Golf coupon code “BE15,” you can get another 15 percent off, which would get the price down to about $229.

At that price, I think you’ve got a pretty nice deal on your hands.

Should You Buy the Sunday Golf Ryder S-Class Golf Bag?

I’ll say it again: If you’re looking for the highest-quality or most luxurious golf bag, this isn’t it.

That said, the Ryder 23 S-class is the most luxurious golf bag I’ve yet seen from Sunday Golf. So, if you’re looking for something that has a little bit of class but that doesn’t quite jump into the super-expensive category, this is a really nice option.

I think it’s also a great fit for those golfers who want a bag that’s a little more discreet. With the Ryder S-class, especially in black, you’ve really got to search to even find the brand name. I think that understated classiness is going to appeal to a lot of golfers.

It’s also a great bag for people who maybe want something a little different than what their playing partners have. Sunday Golf is rising in popularity, no question, but it’s still a boutique brand relative to the big names in the sport.

So if any of those types of scenarios describe you and your situation and if you’re in the market for a carry bag, give the Ryder S-class bag a look.

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Other Sunday Golf Reviews to Check Out

• Sunday Golf Loma Bag Review – The lightweight Loma Sunday bag is the littlest of the littles.
• Sunday Golf El Camino Review – Bigger than the Loma but still a Sunday bag, the El Camino might be the perfect in-between option.
• Sunday Golf Ryder Bag Review – Read what we had to say about the standard edition Ryder bag.

Best Golf Bags for Early 2024 – Find a great option no matter what sized bag you’re looking for.

A great upgrade from the Original Ryder Bag

8.5 Solid

While the Sunday Golf Ryder-S isn't going to blow you away with high quality finishings, this faux-leather bag is a fantastic upgrade from the original Ryder series. We love how understated it is, and despite small pocket sizes, it's lightweight and easy to carry. And with the 15% off you get using BE15, it represents a fantastic option in the sub $250 bag market.

The Good

1. Love the minimal branding of the bag
2. The synthetic leather is a great upgrade, and still comes in at under 5 pounds
3. After discounts, the price is really competitive for what you get

The Bad

1. Build quality isn't on the same level as some competing bags
2. Pockets are on the small side

• Presentation 9
• Performance 8
• Price 9
• Personal Affinity 8