I tried it: why this walker’s dream bag was the best thing I used in 2025

Wwelcome to I Tried It, a GOLF.com series about golf gear – apparel, equipment, accessories, etc. – that we recently tried out. We’re here to give our honest, no-nonsense take on the latest and greatest golf or golf-related items. So scroll down to read what we like about golf’s latest (or new to us) products.

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I’m almost always looking for my next golf bag. When I saw that Sun Mountain was releasing a smaller, streamlined version of their Matchplay stand bag, I knew I had to try it out.

Lo and behold, the Sun Mountain Matchplay Swift Sunday bag was my favorite thing I used in 2025.

You can read my full review of the small stand bag below, but since I wrote about it it has become my favorite travel bag (as seen in many of my gear testing articles) thanks to its small size and sturdy stand mechanism.

Everywhere I took it I got compliments and many people were surprised to hear it was a Sun Mountain bag. I have been using Sun Mountain bags for many years and now, but it seems like the company is really trying to launch itself into the premium bag space and is doing very well at it.

Continue reading below for my full review of the Sun Mountain Matchplay Swift stand bag.

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In the pre-COVID days, I was concerned about one golf bag trend: they were getting unnecessarily bigger. And I don’t just mean cart bags; even the lightest carrier bags on the market were getting bigger and bigger.

Seriously, what are people planning to put into these things? A change of clothes plus lunch before your turn?

I don’t understand. To me, the only things a golf bag should contain are half a dozen golf balls, tees, ball markers, a Sharpie marker, a glove, a towel, a raincoat and of course 14 clubs. That’s it.

Fortunately, since the golf pandemic, we’ve seen more people running again, which in my opinion is the best way to play the game, and bag makers have followed the trends with smaller, lighter designs.

Some of my recent favorites have also opted for a minimalist aesthetic, with a shape-shifting feature.

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT: Wave system, Amazon

With the Sun Mountain Matchplay Swift Sunday we have a premium and sleek looking bag that is also every hiker’s dream.

The basics

The Matchplay Swift Sunday is a smaller version of the new Matchplay stand bag from Sun Mountain. It’s the company’s latest entrant into the premium bag space, which has been populated for a number of years by the likes of Titleist, Vessel and Stitch. Many golf bags in this style have appeared on the market recently, using vinyl materials that make the bag durable, but also very clean.

The downside is that these bags can be on the heavier side.

With the Matchplay Swift Sunday, Sun Mountain went very compact and consistent with the design, reducing the top to just 5.25 inches, over two inches smaller than the standard version of a 3-way top. The result is a bag that weighs 4.75 kg, instead of the 5.4 kg of the larger version.

Despite its small size, the bag still has six compartments: a full-length garment pocket, a smaller pocket for valuables on the side, a ball pocket, a rangefinder holder, a drink tube and a saddle bag.

Basically, this bag is like if you took a lightweight Sunday bag, attached a stand to it and switched to vinyl material.

What we liked

Let’s get the first concern out of the way: even with a top of only 5.25 inches, the Matchplay Swift Sunday fits in 14 clubs without any problems. Throw one in more clubs and it will be inconvenient, but you will have no problem carrying a legal full set.

The styling of this bag is also very clean and very modest. There are currently only four colorways available: black, navy, sand-almond, and green-white. This contrasts with Sun Mountain’s last line of luxury bags, the mid-stripe collection, which was also very good but featured many different color-block styles. There’s nothing wrong with either; they just went in a different direction and did well again.

The polished Sun Mountain badge on the garment bag is something new and very understated. It’s smaller details like that and the stitching patterns on the garment bag and hip pads that give this bag a premium look.

Of course, carrying the bag is easy considering its size, and it is also well balanced. With the included single strap attachment, this bag should be a caddy’s dream, and I plan to take it anywhere I expect to need a caddy. Like the Mid-Stripe bags, the Matchplay bags have clips that allow you to interchange the double and single strap attachments.

Another highlight for me are the very sturdy metal legs. Sometimes companies with smaller stand bags will skimp on the stand legs, but I think this is where Sun Mountain bags stood out: I never saw a single bend. On my old Sun Mountain 2.5, the legs were made of carbon fiber; now they seem to have gone to a heavier metal. I’d love to try and see American Airlines flex these legs!

What could improve

We’re being a bit nitpicky here, but I would like to see the valuables pocket on the right side be a little longer. It’s just big enough for my iPhone, but that means it’s hard to get in and out of when there’s other stuff in there too.

I have absolutely no problem with the two dividers, but with one section on top and two on the bottom I think this is an area that could be alleviated. Perhaps just two sections are all that is needed with such a small sheet. I used the bag once on a cart; that was the only time I had trouble getting clubs in and out. Typically, however, this bag is not designed with a rider in mind.

Finally, while I get the appeal of a small bag with one strap, if you were going to put fourteen clubs in this bag you would be better off offering it with a double strap.

In short

If you’re looking for a premium looking lightweight bag, look no further than the Sun Mountain Matchplay Swift Sunday.

The company is now doing some really cool things in golf bags with their recently released Eclipse series and their new partnership with Joel Dahmen so he can use a Sun Mountain X Marucci collab stand bag on the PGA Tour.

But with the new Matchplay series they really have an option for anyone who wants a premium bag. And for a walker like me, the Matchplay Swift Sunday is a godsend.

Sun Mountain Matchplay Swift Sunday

Improve your game with The Matchplay Swift Sunday, designed for the golfer who values ​​simplicity and efficiency. Featuring a 5.25-inch 3-way top, this bag offers a minimalist approach to club organization, perfect for those who prefer to keep their gear light. The single strap system ensures easy and comfortable operation throughout the round. With six well-appointed pockets, including an adjustable zip-off ball pocket, this bag provides just the right amount of storage for your essentials, while allowing for personal adjustments. Embrace a sleek, lightweight design that doesn’t compromise on style or functionality with the Matchplay Swift Sunday.

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT: Wave system, Amazon

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