Sun Mountain Sports
An American golf-equipment manufacturer known for lightweight golf bags, push carts, travel covers, and golf outerwear.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Sun Mountain Sports is an American golf-equipment manufacturer headquartered in Missoula, Montana. The company is associated with golf bags, push carts, golf travel covers, rainwear, and other equipment designed to make carrying, transporting, and playing golf more convenient. Its product-development history emphasizes reduced weight, easier handling, weather protection, and integrated carrying systems. The company originated with Rick Reimers, a golf professional from California who began experimenting with lightweight nylon golf bags in the late 1970s. At the time, many golf bags were made from comparatively heavy leather or vinyl. Reimers founded Sun Mountain in 1981 and moved the business to Missoula in 1984. That year, the Front 9 became the company’s first commercial success. In 1986, Sun Mountain introduced the Eclipse, described as the first lightweight golf bag with a built-in stand, helping establish the brand’s identity around portability and functional innovation. Sun Mountain expanded beyond bags during the 1990s. It introduced an outerwear line in 1990 and developed products including wind shirts, double-strap carrying systems, and golf push carts. The company is credited with being among the early companies to introduce double shoulder straps for golf bags and with developing an early two-ply wind shirt in the United States. In 1999, it launched the Speed Cart, a three-wheeled push cart designed to fold relatively easily for storage and transport. This product broadened the company’s role from bag maker to a supplier of golf-course mobility equipment. Weather protection became another important area of specialization. Sun Mountain introduced waterproof golf bags in 2007 and continued to produce rainwear and outerwear for golfers. Its travel-equipment business includes the ClubGlider range, whose Meridian model uses ballistic nylon, multiple wheel sets, and a retractable support-leg mechanism intended to reduce the effort needed to move a loaded golf travel case. The company’s portfolio includes carry bags, cart bags, hybrid bags, push carts, travel bags and covers, rainwear, and golf outerwear. Examples of technology associated with the brand include lightweight constructions, integrated stand mechanisms, portable power packs in selected bags, and the patented Zero-Gravity carrying system, which is designed to shift some of a bag’s load from the shoulders toward the hips. Sun Mountain was reported to be the largest American golf-bag maker in 2010, when its bags represented 16.5 percent of U.S. golf-bag sales and the company employed approximately 140 people. Reported employment reached about 200 in 2013. The brand has also received repeated Golf Digest equipment recognition, including awards for several bag categories and for the ClubGlider Meridian travel cover. Its outerwear was used by the United States team at the Presidents Cup from 2011 through 2013. Sun Mountain remains principally positioned as a specialist golf-equipment brand focused on practical design, portability, and protection from the elements.
History
Sun Mountain Sports traces its origins to Rick Reimers’s experiments with lightweight golf bags in California during the late 1970s. Golf bags of that period were commonly constructed from leather or vinyl and could be cumbersome to carry. Reimers, a golf professional, explored lighter nylon construction as a way to reduce the physical burden on golfers. He established Sun Mountain in 1981 and relocated the company to Missoula, Montana, in 1984. The company’s first commercial success was the Front 9 bag, introduced in 1984. Two years later, Sun Mountain released the Eclipse, described as the first lightweight golf bag with an integrated stand. The stand allowed the bag to remain upright on the course without requiring a separate support, reinforcing the brand’s focus on convenience and portability. These early products helped define Sun Mountain as an equipment specialist rather than a general sporting-goods manufacturer. Sun Mountain expanded its scope in 1990 by adding golf outerwear. During the 1990s, the company was among the early producers of double-strap golf bags, which distributed weight across both shoulders rather than relying on a single strap. It also developed a two-ply wind shirt for the United States market and entered the push-cart category. The company was one of four producers reported to dominate the American golf-bag industry in 1992. A major development came in 1999 with the introduction of the Speed Cart. Designed as a three-wheeled push cart with a folding structure, it addressed the need for golfers to transport clubs around the course without carrying a full bag. The product helped make Sun Mountain visible in the broader golf mobility segment. The company later continued to develop carts and related transport products alongside its traditional bag business. Weather resistance became a further area of differentiation. Sun Mountain introduced waterproof golf bags in 2007 and maintained offerings in golf rainwear and outerwear. Its products have generally been presented around ease of use, reduced weight, durable construction, and protection from changing course conditions. The company also developed the Zero-Gravity carrying system, a patented approach intended to move some of a golf bag’s load from the shoulders toward the hips. The product range subsequently included carry bags, cart bags, hybrid bags, push carts, travel bags and covers, and apparel. The ClubGlider travel-cover line became one of its recognizable offerings. The Meridian model uses ballistic nylon, two sets of wheels, and a retractable leg mechanism designed to make a loaded golf travel case easier to maneuver and to reduce strain on the user’s arms and shoulders. Sun Mountain was reported to have been the largest American golf-bag maker in 2010. At that time, its bags were reported to account for 16.5 percent of United States golf-bag sales, and the company employed approximately 140 people. The reported workforce increased to about 200 by 2013. The brand also received Golf Digest recognition in 2016 and 2017 for several bags and for the ClubGlider Meridian travel cover. From 2011 through 2013, Sun Mountain supplied outerwear for the United States Presidents Cup team. These developments illustrate the company’s progression from a lightweight-bag innovator to a broader golf-equipment brand centered on portability, storage, transport, and weather protection.
- 2017
Five Golf Digest awards
[1]Sun Mountain products received five Golf Digest equipment awards across lightweight, carry, cart, hybrid, and travel-cover categories.
- 2016
Golf Digest recognition
[1]The C-130, 2Five, and ClubGlider Meridian received Golf Digest recognition in golf-bag and travel-cover categories.
- 2013
Reported workforce growth
[1]Reported employment reached approximately 200 people.
- 2010
Reported leading American golf-bag maker
[1]Sun Mountain was reported as the largest American golf-bag maker, with a 16.5 percent share of United States golf-bag sales and approximately 140 employees.
- 2007
Waterproof golf bags introduced
[1]Sun Mountain became the first golf-bag brand identified in the source material as introducing waterproof bags.
- 1999
Speed Cart introduced
[1]The company introduced the Speed Cart, described as the first easily foldable three-wheeled push cart.
- 1992
Among leading American golf-bag producers
[1]Sun Mountain was identified as one of four producers dominating the American golf-bag industry.
- 1990
Outerwear line added
[1]Sun Mountain expanded into golf outerwear, beginning a broader product strategy beyond bags.
- 1986
Eclipse stand bag introduced
[1]Sun Mountain introduced the Eclipse, described as the first lightweight golf bag with a built-in stand.
- 1984
Move to Missoula and Front 9 launch
[1]The company moved to Missoula, Montana, and introduced the Front 9, its first reported commercial success.
Products and positioning
Professional and enthusiast golf equipment emphasizing lightweight construction, carrying comfort, portability, weather resistance, and practical course use.
Lightweight golf bag
2Five
The 2Five is a lightweight golf bag designed for golfers who prioritize reduced carrying weight. Its reported weight is approximately two and a half pounds. The model reflects Sun Mountain’s longstanding emphasis on portability and was recognized by Golf Digest in the lightweight-bag category in both 2016 and 2017.
Golf cart bag
C-130
The C-130 is a cart-oriented golf bag designed for use on motorized or push-cart setups. The source material identifies versions with an integrated portable power pack for charging mobile devices. The model received Golf Digest recognition in the golf-cart category, supporting its role as one of Sun Mountain’s principal cart-bag offerings.
Golf carry bag
3.5LS
The 3.5LS is a carry-bag model intended for golfers who walk the course and need a relatively light, portable club carrier. It was recognized by Golf Digest in the carry category in 2017. The model sits within Sun Mountain’s broader family of lightweight and walking-focused bags.
Hybrid golf bag
5.5LS
The 5.5LS is categorized as a hybrid golf bag, combining features intended for carrying with features useful when the bag is placed on a cart. Its 2017 Golf Digest recognition reflects the model’s position in Sun Mountain’s effort to serve golfers who alternate between walking and cart use.
Golf push cart · 1999
Speed Cart
Introduced in 1999, the Speed Cart was a three-wheeled push cart designed to fold for easier storage and transport. It extended Sun Mountain’s product scope beyond bags and addressed the practical problem of moving clubs around a golf course without carrying them. The product is associated with the company’s broader focus on mobility and ease of use.
Golf travel cover
ClubGlider Meridian
The ClubGlider Meridian is a golf travel case made with ballistic nylon and equipped with two sets of wheels and a leg mechanism that extends and retracts. The design is intended to make a loaded golf bag easier to maneuver through airports and other transit areas. The model has received Golf Digest recognition as a leading golf travel cover.
Golf-bag carrying technology
Zero-Gravity carrying system
Zero-Gravity Technology is a patented carrying system associated with Sun Mountain golf bags. It is designed to transfer part of the bag’s weight away from the shoulders and toward the hips, potentially improving balance and comfort for golfers carrying clubs over a full round.
Golf apparel · 1990
Golf rainwear and outerwear
Sun Mountain’s apparel range includes golf rainwear, wind shirts, and other outerwear intended for changing course conditions. The company added outerwear in 1990 and developed an early two-ply wind shirt in the United States. Its outerwear was also supplied for the United States Presidents Cup team from 2011 through 2013.
Marketing campaigns
- 2011United States Presidents Cup outerwear program
United States · International golf audience
Sun Mountain provided outerwear for the United States team at the Presidents Cup during the 2011–2013 period. The association connected the brand’s weather-protection products with a prominent professional golf event.
Outcome. The source confirms the supply relationship but does not provide performance, sponsorship-value, or sales results.
Brand decisions
2017
Five-category Golf Digest recognitionOtherBackground
Sun Mountain continued to compete across lightweight, carry, cart, hybrid, and travel-cover segments.
Action taken
Golf Digest recognized the 2Five, 3.5LS, C-130, 5.5LS, and ClubGlider Meridian.
Aftermath
The recognition underscored the breadth of Sun Mountain’s golf-equipment portfolio, although no financial effect is reported in the source material.
2016
Product portfolio recognized by Golf DigestOtherBackground
Sun Mountain maintained a broad portfolio spanning lightweight bags, cart bags, and golf travel equipment.
Action taken
Golf Digest recognized the C-130, 2Five, and ClubGlider Meridian in golf-equipment categories.
Aftermath
The awards provided third-party recognition for the company’s bag and travel-cover lines.
2007
Introduction of waterproof golf bagsProduct launchBackground
Golfers needed equipment that could protect clubs and personal items in wet conditions, complementing Sun Mountain’s existing rainwear and outerwear business.
Action taken
Sun Mountain introduced a line of waterproof golf bags.
Aftermath
Water resistance became a notable part of the brand’s product positioning and innovation history.
1999
Launch of the Speed CartProduct launchBackground
Sun Mountain had established a reputation for lighter and more convenient golf bags and expanded into equipment that helped golfers transport clubs around the course.
Action taken
The company introduced the Speed Cart, a three-wheeled push cart designed to fold relatively easily for storage and transport.
Aftermath
The launch broadened Sun Mountain’s business from golf bags into golf-course mobility equipment.
Sources1 sources
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