2017 Sun Mountain C-130 Cart Bag

My first introduction to Sun Mountain's C-130 bag came about 8 years ago and I bought it because it was the sharpest looking bag that Edwin Watts had. Little did I know about all the features it had, like the cart strap channel which routed the strap on the golf cart under the zippered pockets and around the top of the bag. To me, this was a great idea and made every pocket easy to access.

As time went on, I did have a couple of issues with the bag, the biggest being where the bag holder and cart rubbed up against the bag. I live on a golf course (literally and figuratively), so my bag is always on the cart, whether I am playing or riding around the neighborhood with the dog. Over a period of time, a hole developed where they rubbed together.

I mentioned this to someone in the Sun Mountain booth at the PGA Show the next year. Apparently, I wasn't the only one who mentioned this because the following year changes had been made and there was now a rubber grommet where the bag meets the cart. Voila, problem solved. This year, that solution has been improved on even more. More on that in a moment.

The 2017 C-130 has a couple of subtle changes and new features from the bag I had. For starters, there are 14 full-length club dividers as opposed to the 15 on my old bag. Too bad. My ball retriever has always been my most valuable club and I always thought should have its own home! The large putter well at the front of the bag will accommodate the largest of mallet putters and the widest of grips.

The biggest - and in my mind best - new feature is the introduction of the Smart Strap. The Smart Straps attach the bag to the riding cart using two Velcro® straps. This stops the bag from twisting on the cart, which is what caused the hole in my first C-130. It also prevents the strap on the cart from interfering with pocket access.

The two strap channels on the side have been replaced by one on the back. I find that when I go to a new course, the strap channels are never used correctly anyway so Sun Mountain has made it easier on me to rectify this situation. I'm sure this will hold true at the majority of clubs where cart attendants have never seen such an innovative feature, so be prepared to attach the Smart Straps yourself.

Also new this year are 3 velour-lined valuables pockets, one of which is water resistant. There is also a cooler pocket to keep your beverages cold. It has two drainage grommets to make cleanup a breeze. There are 10 zippered pockets on the new C-130 bag, each zipper pull has an extension on it which creates added leverage, making the zippers extremely easy to operate. The reverse orientation of the bag when placed on the cart gives easy access to all golf clubs and pockets. The two full-length apparel pockets expand and will hold just about anything, with the possible exception of a small caddie!

Many of the pockets are diagrammed, giving you an idea of what to store in them. In addition to the 10 pockets, there is a sleeve for an umbrella, a couple of pockets for pencils and Sharpies and a towel ring on either side. The three utility handles on the top of the bag make it easy to get it on and off a cart and the handle at the bottom aids in getting in in and out of the trunk. Your new C-130 also includes a matching rainhood.

For 2017, the C-130 comes in eleven color combinations, including a red, white and blue bag with "USA" stenciled on the top pocket and an embroidered America Flag patch on the lower pocket, both of which are highly visible. Who knows, someone may mistake you for a member of the Ryder Cup team. Retail price is $229.99. For my money, this is the best bag on the market. For more information on the C-130 Cart Bag from Sun Mountain, visit their website at www.sunmountain.com.