Welcome to the forum! I have a few Players 4 bags and I don't experience any defects like the tearing you describe. As for the color fastness, I do agree there is some fading that occurs over time, and it seems to be more apparent with darker colored bags. I have a Linksmaster Member bag and the color fastness of the material is much better IMO.

Have you addressed with the shop where you purchased the bag? There is a one year warranty on Titleist bags. The color red on any golf bag, any brand is not a good color. This is from years of experience. I live in the South, hot humid and that lucky old sun will definitely fade those red bags. For that reason, I will not purchase a red golf bag. I would take the bag back to where you purchased it and have them contact Titleist. They may ask for your receipt or proof of purchase. Also, have you contacted Titleist customer service?

The tearing I cannot speak to, so I would definitely contact Titleist customer service at 800-742-7609 regarding that part of the issue.

As far as the red fading, I do have some experience with that, not only in golf related items, but in the marine industry as well. Red is the worst color when it comes to warding off the UV rays from the sun. Especially with any type of fabric. Even Sunbrella, one of the primary canvas-type fabrics used throughout the boating industry, will fade to a pinkish color over time. Admittedly, Sunbrella will hold its color longer than many other fabrics. Have you ever heard of the color Nantucket red? It's popular in boating-wear. It's named for the color most red fabric becomes after months in the sun.

Red bags are a sharp looking color for the guy who plays 10 or 15 rounds of golf a year in a northern climate. But if you play in Florida, Arizona or any other area that sits south of Latitude 34 (in the Northern Hemisphere), more than once or twice a week, every week, and practice many other days in-between, most any red fabric, even simply red trim on another color bag, will fade quickly to a nice "Nantucket" red. That's just nature at work. In many sailing communities, it's almost a badge of honor.

Nope, no tearing but I have had some black bags get slightly sun faded in the past. Some users have noted that the white bags will yellow over time. Black, navy, and red are probably the most susceptible to sun fading, especially if you play a lot in a warm, sunny climate like I do in San Diego. Just like my outdoor lawn furniture, they have not found a material yet that can stay bright for long periods of time. As for the tear, that is unusual and possibly unique to using the handle more often that just the strap. I almost always pick my bag up by the strap, rarely ever use the actual handle. If it is less than a year old (Christmas last year), take it back to the retailer as Titleist will still have it under warranty. If they are uncooperative (which is very unlikely) just contact Customer Service, info at the bottom of this website.

Thanks for the input everyone. He chose the red because that is his high school colors and he really liked the bag. In the future he will pick another color. I spoke with the the pro shop over the weekend but I was looking for additional input from others that may use the bag.

If you stick with red, maybe use a spray fabric treatment like Scotchgard Sun & Water Shield or ForceField UV Sunblock. It might help prolong the inevitable.