Sun Mountain Sync Push Cart Bag Review
We Tried It

Sun Mountain Sync Push Cart Bag Review

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Sun Mountain Sync Push Cart Bag Review

There is a lot of cool gear in the golf equipment world that doesn’t always fit neatly into Most Wanted Tests or Buyer’s Guides. You still want to know how it performs. In our We Tried It series, we put gear to the test and let you know if it works as advertised.

What We Tried

The Sun Mountain Sync golf bag. This new golf bag was “purpose-built” to be used on push carts.

Product Expert

Dave Wolfe – Though most of you know me from the putter corral, I am also a dedicated push cart user, preferring to walk with a cart whenever possible.

The Need For the Sync

The new Sun Mountain Sync golf bag was designed to meet the needs of the walking golfer who uses a push cart. Historically, the push cart user either needed to strap a carry or cart bag to the push cart. Neither of those bags was designed to be pushed and, as such, neither is perfect when latched to the push cart. Traditional cart bags tend to be too large and carry bags are often too small.

What Makes It For Push Carts?

The Sun Mountain Sync has many of the desired features in both carry and cart bags, though it leans more toward the typical cart bag design. The 14-way top, separate putter well, full-length dividers, single shoulder strap, nine forward facing pockets and approximately six pounds of weight are features the Sun Mountain Sync shares with Sun Mountain cart bags. This makes sense as these are features the pushing golfer would want as well.

So what makes the Sun Mountain Sync uniquely suited for pushing?

It really comes down to a few small but clever elements. First, the top design of the Sync is different from its cart bag kin. Second, the base has an oval shape compared to the more traditional round cart bag bottom. Third, the strap pass-through was redesigned to work better with a push cart.

Can these three additions make the Sun Mountain Sync a standout?

Putting the Sun Mountain Sync to the Test

Obviously, the only way to see if these design elements make a difference was to strap the Sun Mountain Sync to a Pathfinder 3 push cart and head out to the course. Here is what I discovered.

General Usage Observations

Overall, the Sun Mountain Sync is a golfer-friendly bag. The pockets all face forward for easy access and the storage is ample. The insulated cooler pocket is quite large, taking up half of one of the side compartments. There is a tradeoff here as the cooler pocket location means that the Sync will only have one full-length pocket for storage.

The Sun Mountain Sync’s strap design could be better. Like a traditional cart bag, the Sync’s carry strap lives on the underside of the bag. What I don’t like about this design is that when you carry the bag with the strap, it puts the bag and your clubs in the opposite orientation compared to how it sits in the push cart. This means all of the pockets point down, as do your clubs. This usually means that your irons are now clanking against each other as well as with your wood shafts and putter. Putting the strap on the pocket side like Sun Mountain does with its C-130S seems like a better way to go. I’d actually welcome the legs of the C-130S as well.

Strap critique aside, the Sun Mountain Sync was great on the course (on the cart).

Let’s take a look at those unique features that Sun Mountain included to improve the pushing experience.

14-Way Top Design

The top design of the Sun Mountain Sync is unique. The iron-containing edge compartments all slant down. The putter has its own well and the woods reside down the center of the bag, between the irons.

The irons surrounding the woods seemed like a bad idea when I was loading the bag but once on the course, I could see that my fears were unfounded.

Though the irons all end up resting on each other, they really don’t move when you are on the course. The slanted design of the outer pockets does keep your irons away from your wood shafts as well. The top design also works really well for club access.

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Unfortunately, I need to mention the shoulder strap position again. As well as this top works on the push cart, as soon as you carry this from the shoulder strap, all of the clubs slide toward the center of the bag. Attach the shoulder strap to the other side and everything would stay in this secure arrangement on the push cart or on your shoulder.

Oval Base

Making the base more oval-shaped seems like a simple thing but it represents a huge improvement for pushing. Traditional round cart bag bottoms are prone to turning on a push cart. “Sideways Bag Syndrome” is a real issue for many push cart users.

Sun Mountain Sync bottom bracket

The oval base of the Sun Mountain Sync promotes a more secure fit at the bottom of the cart. The Sync also features plastic bumpers on the underside of the upper body that help that end of the bag to remain secure as well. These two design elements allow the Sun Mountain Sync to stay secured to the cart better than a traditional cart or carry bag.

For those of you who also ride sometimes, the base of the Sync still fits just fine in the back of a power cart.

Flip-Up Strap Pass-Through

Designing the top pocket to flip up may not seem innovative but it may be the best example of how the Sun Mountain engineers developed the Sync with a push-focused mentality. Most cart bags these days have a pass-through for the lashing strap on the power cart. The problem with that design on a push cart is that the attachment point for the upper straps is in the middle of the bag rather than on the edge as it is in a power cart. This means you would need to attach your straps under the pocket on the cart bag. That’s not easy to do. Designing the rangefinder pocket to flip up eliminates this strap issue with the Sync. Flip up the pocket, secure the straps, flip down the pocket. Easy-peasy.

Overall Impression of the Sun Mountain Sync

The Sun Mountain Sync is an excellent bag for the push cart user. Hopefully, this bag is just the first in a new category of push cart bags that Sun Mountain and other companies will continue to develop. With the massive numbers of push carts sold this year, the golf market is primed for this new category.

Find out more about the Sync at sunmountain.com.

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For You

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Dave Wolfe

Dave Wolfe

Dave Wolfe

A putter-obsessed recreational golfer, constantly striving to improve his game while not getting too hung up about it. Golf should be fun, always.

Dave Wolfe

Dave Wolfe

Dave Wolfe

Dave Wolfe

Dave Wolfe

Dave Wolfe





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      Mike R

      3 years ago

      While this is a great segment of the market as more and more golfers join the push cart crowd, there are few companies that are getting it just right. This bag has a lot of nice features, like the top/divider design and the new strap pass through, but like most of their competitors, Sun Mountain makes the critical error of placing the putter well at the top of the bag as it rides on the push cart. For most golfers, the putter is the shortest club with a relatively large head (and head cover) and placing it in that location means that head will constantly be bumping into the clubs just below (usually driver) and occluding their openings when the clubs are in use.. Two of the most used clubs shouldn’t interfere with each other in the bag. I’m all for the re-emergence of the external putter tube, and the only current push cart bag I’ve seen with one is the MotoCaddy Pro Series, but I’m not sure yet if it’s worth the extra cash. I just wish companies like Sun Mountain would realize the error for this segment.

      Reply

      "Mr. 72"

      4 years ago

      I wood like to know how the bag fits on a non Sun Mountain cart, specifically Rovic.

      I have an original SCB (Speed Cart Bag) from Sum Mountain. It has the pocket in the back ro store the strap, BUT it attaches on the front on the bag. I rarely ever use the strap because the bag goes from my suv right on the cart, so the new position would not be a deal breaker. I don’t know why they changed the placement though.

      Also, the SCB just made the top of the bag like a stand bag (opposite of a cart bag), so the irons don’t bang into the graphite shafts of the woods – wood on top, irons on bottom. I don’t see the need for the new design with the woods down the middle.

      They seem to be changes for changes sake.

      Reply

      Mark M

      4 years ago

      Seems like a weird segment to get into but they are a bag company and I guess someone will bite.
      I use a lightweight Titleist stand bag with my push cart and have no trouble with it whatsoever. The 14 way top on the Sync seems unnecessary and the 6 lbs too heavy for my liking. Good luck with that one

      Reply

      Mark M

      4 years ago

      fyi – I do use a Sun Mountain Speed cart, love it!

      Reply

      Mike

      4 years ago

      I look at a differently, I really like the 14-way top and that 6 lb weight that’s still on the light side. I tend to carry a lot when I walk, especially in the summer, where I’m carrying 5 or 6 water bottles (no ice-water coolers at my course anymore). I’ve had standbags and since I’m not carrying on the course, the legs are useless & they don’t let the bag sit well in any cart I’ve had. Also, they’re usually too small pocket-wise to carry everything I need.

      Reply

      cksurfdude

      4 years ago

      Not bad, but… Suggest interested readers also look at the Datrek Hybrid GoLite with Top Lok – the nubs at the top of the stand legs integrate with the moulding if the top bracket of Bag Boy (and not sure what other) carts – so the bag slides in securely and you don’t need the top strap at all.

      Also a bit lighter and apparently better for carry vs the Sun Mt (imo).

      Reply

      Jimmy T

      4 years ago

      I walk with a pushcart 95% of the time, and use a riding cart the rest of the time. I have used two different C-130’s over the past four years, one of which was replaced kindly under warranty by Sun Mountain. Loved the indestructable bag and the company did take care of me, but design on a walking cart made it tough sometimes pull clubs out, particularly my putter. Upon MGS recommendations I am giving a Ping Pioneer a try next.

      Reply

      Steven Johnson

      4 years ago

      I purchased a Walker Trolley push cart.. Problem solved. My golf bag sits snuggly on the cart with no problems with movement.

      Reply

      Andrew

      4 years ago

      I own a Sync. My current one is actually my second Sync. I preferred the original Sync better. You did not mention the biggest flaw with the Sync. There is no handle to grab onto the front. I end up sticking my hand in the putter slot to lift the bag out of my trunk. The original had a handle. The new Syncs do not.

      Reply

      Garett

      4 years ago

      I used the Sync for all of the 2020 season and this is probably my only complaint. It’s a little weird when trying to load/unload the bag. Other than that it’s been great.

      Paul Callahan

      3 years ago

      I concur 100% about the need for a front handle where the tee holders (?) are. Anyone using a cart has their tees elsewhere. Not having that front strap is beyond annoying. If I had thought it through better, I would have purchased a different bag.

      Jim L

      4 years ago

      I recently got the Sun Mountain Phantom which looks identical other than the pattern of the 14 slots (actually 14 PLUS the putter pit).. One thing I learned was that for the upper cart strap you want to make sure you slide it up to the top of the gap under the flip up pouch. There is a hard surface there so that the strap won’t indent into the bag (which is happening in the right hand picture under the title “Flip-Up Strap Pass-Through”

      Reply

      Nick Blady

      4 years ago

      I bought one of the original SYNC bags in 2007(?) to use with my SM V2 cart as they were designed to work together. Life was great. eventually I had to replace the bag and bought the SYNC 2020 directly from the SM website, sight unseen. I was disappointed to see the “v” notch in the base was gone, but the deal breaker for me is that the rain hood fits VERY POORLY. Rain pours into the putter well and in the back near the shoulder strap. The hood does not overlap enough when it is snapped on. I wrote to SM and they responded that their cart has changed so the base on SYNC had to change. Fair. In response to the rain hood and the photos I sent, they sent me a “universal” rain hood, which means the hood universally fits no bag….Now that nearly new SYNC bag is holding my backup set, and I have enjoyed my new OGIO cart bag.

      Reply

      Mike

      4 years ago

      Just curious. Why aren’t you using an umbrella in the rain. I have an older Sun Mountain cart and the umbrella holder is the best idea going. I use a 68-72″ gustbuster type and it keeps the clubs and me dry. The only downside is a strong wind but at that point it becomes more work than fun.

      Reply

      alex

      4 years ago

      I have a Big Max Blade Quatro push cart, and I find that my stand bag may, on occasion, cause it to tip over. (The food pouch/water bottle is on top., and if I don’t weigh it down, it becomes an issue).

      1. I assume, with the ball pockets set up, this is not an issue.

      2. How is the weatherproofing (for those of us in the pacific NW)?

      Reply

      Steven Johnson

      4 years ago

      I purchased a Walker Trolley push cart.. Problem solved. My golf bag sits snuggly on the cart with no problems with movement.

      Reply

      Jack B.

      4 years ago

      Having this new category of bag is a great idea. I suffer from the sideways bag syndrome which, IMHO, results from a mismatch of the shape of the small push cart platform with the feet on the bottom of the golf bag. Some sort of adapter could fix the problem.
      About the risk of club damage from irons swaying to and fro, it looks like the five-wood shaft is likely to get nicked up quickly with this bag. This would be easy to rectify by raising its opening toward the top.
      I like the author’s idea of putting the even number iron clubs on one side and the odds on the other.

      Reply

      Mike

      4 years ago

      Really comprehensive review, I will definitely look to purchase this as I really like the way the irons are laid out along the sides. The strap thing is irrelevant to me, where am my carrying it to? Don’t understand the “legs” comment either; why would you need that on a push cart bag?

      I’ve used nothing but Sun mountain carts since I started playing golf 18 years ago, and since I walk 98% of the time, I’m always looking for that perfect cart / bag combo.

      Many thanks for bringing this bag to my attention, I may have just found my Christmas present to myself!

      Reply

      Brad G.

      4 years ago

      Best bag/push cart setup out there IMHO. I have the 2018 version of the Sync. It matches perfectly with my Speed Cart. I especially appreciate the molded bottom of the bag that is designed to fit perfectly to the Speed Cart. Prior to this I had the OG Speed Cart and Access bag that was the predecessor to the Sync. Sun Mountain just does it right.

      Reply

      P.J.

      4 years ago

      Yes!! Finally bag manufacturer’s are considering a bag specifically for a push cart. Great start, they certainly need more colors than black, lime green and camo.
      This article is about a week late for me personally. I just bought the BagBoy Revolver XP trying to address these very issues.

      Reply

      peter rose

      4 years ago

      I think it comes in 6 colors. At least shows them on Sun Mountain website.

      Reply

      Randy

      4 years ago

      Great review.

      Question:
      If you put a usual amount of junk in the bag, does it collapse to the center making pulling the clubs, particularly the putter, almost impossible? That the problem I have with every bag I have tried on my CG 3.5 cart.. Fill the front pockets maybe 3/4 and it’s almost impossible to get my putter out.

      Also, if you tighten the top strap for the pushcart, does it collapse into the center and bind the ability to pull the clubs in and out easily?

      Side note I went away from Sun Mountain bags when they went to the new material. I realize it’s extremely durable and such, it just looks the same as a $50 bag. If Im dropping $225+ on a bag, I want it to be more than parachute material.

      Reply

      Garett

      4 years ago

      I tend to carry lots of stuff in my bag and never had any issues with getting clubs in or out. Most of the large pockets are on the side, so I never saw any collapsing towards the center. The separate putter well also eliminates any issues with the putter.

      The top strap of my Bag Boy Nitron push cart never caused an issue (it never needs to be that tight). If you are using this bag on a power cart, you can overtighten the strap and start to pinch the bag, so just a little bit of caution is needed.

      Reply

      EasyPutter

      4 years ago

      Thank you for a really good presentation and discussion of the Sync bag. I found I was doing a great deal of comparison to my 2018 Sun Mountain C130 Supercharged bag and the features sound remarkably similar except for to main points: the divider arrangement and the absence of the Smart Strap system on the C130.

      The dividers stacked and aligned on the outboard sides of the Sync look ideal. I recently discovered the vertical arrangement of irons, hybrids and woods as the ideal setup for my C130 quite independently of your doing this and I am glad to see it in print for more people to try out, they do stay quiet without covers.

      The Smart Straps on the C130 eliminate 100% the tendency of a bag to twist on any cart, riding, pushing or pulling. That alone should become a standard feature of all Sun Mountain bags (and anyone else should patent issues allow).

      With a push cart I find it easier to take along a small cooler for keeping a bottle or can of water and bag of trail mix or granola bar cool. Interesting that the Sync uses so much space in the side pocket for that and the C130 cooler pocket on the side of the large side pocket lacks volume when the large pocket is full. It does however provide a waterproof pocket if used for paper carrying should the skies open up and soak the bag before rain protection is deployed to keep things dry.

      Great review, thanks for the great photos too!

      Reply

      O2BGolfn

      4 years ago

      Just what the doctor ordered! Bought a Bat Caddy motorized cart this year. Cart bag too big , round and bulky. This looks like a terrific modification. Lookk forward to seeing them available. Hope they have more colorways than neon green.

      Reply

      Susan Eno

      4 years ago

      I bought a Ping Traverse this year. I use a Hillbilly USA electric cart. The ping worked very well. The top slant is the most important for a push cart. I think the irons in the Sun Mountain bag you reviewed above would still make clanking noises when going over rough ground. I wouldn’t like that. The separation on the Traverse works well noise wise. In years past I’ve tried other bags and there aren’t many that would work well on a push cart. Now I guess there are 2.

      Reply

      Bart

      4 years ago

      This is a great review of a product that definitely has a place in the market. nice

      Reply

      Terry

      4 years ago

      This looks like a great start to a bag that would interest me as a a push cart user (Sun Mountain v1). I currently use a C-130 ag with 14 dividers which works well, but having the woods in the middle and the irons leaning to the outside would certainly improve on the hodgepodge of club directions I experience today. I also would like legs as parking lots and golf course bag attendants don’t always account for unbalanced bags… Thanks for this review. I look forward to seeing further improvements on this design and other new designs that may be coming.

      Reply

      Nick

      4 years ago

      Terry, I couldn’t agree more with the legs comment. I am spend hours a week practicing on the range and in a short game area moving around with my bag trying different shots and clubs from the same location. I still have my original Sync from 2014 which has a stand. I am a pusher most days but I also play with clients and work outings in a riding cart. I don’t know if there is a bag currently that checks all the boxes, which seems odd because the golf industry sells everything you need and don’t need.

      Reply

      Todd

      4 years ago

      I also agree! Legs for the driving range and for setting the bag down in the parking lot would be great.
      I use a push cart nearly all of the time or ride in a cart otherwise.

      Bag manufacturers, please make bags with: 14-way dividers, pockets that are easy to access on carts, and LEGS.

      Lightweight would be nice, but I’ll take the other 3, especially legs, even on a heavier bag.

      Brianwhosoever

      4 years ago

      The Ogio RTC (Range To Cart) checks all these boxes for me. Has the legs. Has 13 club full length dividers and putter well. Lots of pockets and a detachable pouch. Works great on clic gear 3.5+. Can arrange woods on the high side and wedges on the low side for stand bag or push cart. Or you can reverse the order and put wedges to the front and woods to the back (low to high) for regular cart. The neck allows for both configurations to work unlike other bags I’ve had. Love the versatility and durability.

      Todd

      4 years ago

      Thanks for the recommendation, Brian! I’ll have to check out the Ogio bag. I use a C130 Sun Mountain cart bag currently, and legs are the only thing it’s missing.

      Jim G

      4 years ago

      I have a previous version of the sync bag and I’m not thilled with it. They have changed the base which used to have a recessed triangle built in which worked well (no straps) Overall my bag doesn’t have enough storage and they took away a full length pocket. My bags’ rain cover is useless as it won’t cover a driver it does look like they rearranged the club storage which looks to be better. overall i’ll look elsewhere.

      Reply

      Kevin

      4 years ago

      I wasn’t thrilled with my old Sync bag either. I actually hated that stupid base. I had a ClicGear and that base was solely meant for a SM cart. The bag was decently made and held quite a bit, but I wish I had bought a C130.

      Reply

      Trong Huynh

      3 years ago

      Hi Kevin,
      I have a Clicgear as well and I am debating on the cart bag, either Sync, C130, or Maverick. Any recommendations?

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