Sun Mountain Matchplay Ballistic Golf Bag Review

The materials used in golf equipment have changed massively over the last few years. Brands are looking to develop and use previously unused materials to not only make clubs but also other golf equipment. One case in point is Sun Mountain’s Matchplay Ballistic bag I got to test here.

It is constructed with a ballistic nylon which is a material originally engineered for military use, and as such it immediately became apparent to me how durable and sturdy this bag is. It has a textured, seemingly rough feel to it on the hands but the strength of the fabric means it can deal with abrasions and general wear and tear easily, whilst it also has a DWR finish (durable water repellent) coating so it can deal with changing weather conditions nicely as well. I must admit though it isn’t fully waterproof, but water-resistant so that is something to keep in mind. (Check our best waterproof golf bags guide to see the top models in terms of protection.)

The overall construction of this bag was something I was very impressed with. Not only did this ballistic nylon fabric feel high-quality and well put together, but a number of other elements really elevated the design. For example the leather strips covering the two large zip pockets is a nice feature, and the lovely soft cushioned material that makes up the dividers and on the section that sits against your back is outstanding and really gives off a premium feel. The zips themselves feel heavy duty and strong as well. In short this is one of the best golf bags I’ve tested from a construction and durability point of view.

I found the dual strap system comfortable and easy to adjust. It isn’t made from the softest materials or padding around but it does the job. Whereas I was very happy with the stand design. One of my pet hates with stand bags are stands that don’t go out far or wide enough, or too far which therefore creates an unbalanced platform. But here I thought the stand was ideal - good length and width, and the angle of the bag was ideal. No more notes needed and it is one of the best stand bags I've tested of late.

Clearly Sun Mountain has really thought about every element in the design of this bag, not only nailing the larger factors as mentioned above, but also all the smaller elements which add up to make a high-quality bag. It comes in both four-way and 14-way configurations (I tested the former), and one of the best design features was the internal compression bottom which helped keep clubs separated, and therefore easy to access. It sounds like such a small thing but there is nothing more annoying when clubs get snagged up in the bag. Elsewhere it comes with eight pockets which are all reasonably sized and easy to access. My personal favorite was the snow-fur lined rangefinder pocket as it feels lovely and the magnetic closure is well designed.

From a looks perspective I was initially worried about the ballistic nylon giving it a rugged look, but I think Sun Mountain has managed to design a bag that really gives off a premium aesthetic. It comes in five nice colors and importantly Sun Mountain hasn’t put a load of text or their logo all over the bag like other brands do. Instead there are just subtle nods with the ‘SM’ featuring alongside a triangle and circle on a couple of areas on the bag. They’ve even written the name of the bag in very small text by the valuables pocket, which shows a level of restraint and confidence I wish other brands would show.

Finally, the two cons I should mention are thus. The price is at the top end of the spectrum, but as my testing showed, the money is arguably worth it here. When you feel the quality of the fabrics and materials used, along with the durability and how many years of use you will get out of this bag, the cost becomes easier to rationalize.

Additionally I should note this is a heavier model compared to others on the stand bag market. When empty it weighs 5.4lbs, but then again this is the trade-off you make for a highly durable bag with premium materials used throughout the design. As such this is not a deal-breaker for me and yet it does mean it comes oh so close to getting the full five stars, but not quite.