So, I looked The Legend of Bagger Vance for as the 349th time a couple of nights ago.
Besides enjoying Charlize Theron’s performance and being quietly amused by the fact that Walter Hagen was played by the same guy who played D-Day in Animal houseI have to say I loved the old school waxed canvas golf bags.
Does it make me a little weird?
Keep your answers to the end, folks. We have work to do first.
In any case, imagine my joy with Mountain of the Sun announcement that they are adding a bag of waxed cloth to their daily offering. It’s called the TQR Waxed Canvas bag and I don’t care if it costs $450 and weighs almost six pounds. I’m just happy to live in a world where someone cares enough to make one and is willing to take my money for it.
Let’s dive in.
What’s so great about a waxed canvas golf bag?
History, friends. And heritage.
Oh, yes, and the aesthetics.
Back before synthetic leather, back before nylon and polyester, and back before kangaroo leather, you had waxed canvas golf bags. The waxed cloth goes way back in history. Explorers, motorists, and the military have all used wax cloth gear simply because it sheds rain better than untreated fabric while maintaining a high degree of durability.
It was the material of choice for golf bags dating back to the turn of the century. Don’t you believe me? Go watch it The greatest game ever played (321 views and counting) and back to us.
In any case, the idea behind this news Sun Mountain TQR tote bag in waxed canvas is to intentionally evoke that era. This isn’t the lightest or most technologically advanced golf bag you can buy, but for the golfer who cares, it will help connect the modern game to its traditional roots.
Hey, if you’re not that romantic, then it’s just a cool looking golf bag that will last a long time.
TQR? What does that mean?
TQR, second Mountain of the Sunstands for Trust, Quality and Reliability. The company says it’s been part of its DNA since Rick Reimers founded Sun Mountain in 1981.
Yes, it’s a thing. But, really, what’s in a name?
Sun Mountain really demonstrated the commercial viability of the waxed canvas concept earlier this year when it released the limited edition Hometown USA stand bag. This waxed beauty was designed to celebrate the 250th of the United Statesth anniversary.
The new TQR is built off of that platform. It features an eight-inch, four-way top with four full-length club dividers and seven pockets. Those include a pocket full of clothes and two “fur” compartments for valuables and your rangefinder. The bag also features Sun Mountain’s Dual-Strap system to distribute weight evenly across the shoulders (critical for a 5.8-pound bag). If you are more of a single strap type of person, Sun Mountain offers one of those as an option.
The waxed cloth naturally releases rain, dew and dirt. While not technically waterproofit’s water resistant. Also, and this is the part that wax cloth fans swoon over, it will develop a natural patina over time.
“No two waxed bags develop the same way,” says Director of Marketing and Brand Strategy Grant Lordan. “Each takes on its own character over time offering the functionality that golfers expect from a Mountain of the Sun stand bag.”
Each bag will develop unique folds, wear patterns and light and dark patches with use, all while maintaining its durability. Fans will say it’s like breaking into a leather jacket.
Yeah, but come on, $450? And six odd pounds?
We’ve discussed pricing on these pages before, so we won’t belabor the point. Niche products come at niche prices and I wouldn’t bet against Sun Mountain selling enough of these bags to make it worth it. In case you’re worried, we checked the Sun Mountain website this morning. They still have a lot of golf bags priced well below the TQR.
As for the weight, well, it’s a fair problem. For hardcore carriers, 5.8 pounds may be a bridge too far. At that weight, balance becomes more critical. A well-balanced six-pound bag can be an easier carry than a poorly balanced bag that is considerably lighter.
On the other hand, if you really like the bag, there is nothing that prevents you from putting it in a push cart, electric trolley or full-size golf cart. No one is going to call the police.
Hell, you can even suck it up and wear it if you really want to.
The irony, of course, is that a heavier stand bag is at odds with Sun Mountain’s reputation. The company started in 1981 when Reimer wanted to create a lighter alternative to the heavy leather bags of the day. Reimer sold Sun Mountain to a private equity firm in 2022 and that firm invested in expanding Sun Mountain’s market influence.
Along with its lightweight backpacks, push carts, rain gear and travel bags, the company is branching out into limited edition specials. The aforementioned Hometown USA stock is an example. The unique collaboration with baseball bat manufacturer Marucci is another. It was a lot of stands made of Japanese baseball glove leather. It was different, amazing and sold for $2,000.
The Sun Mountain TQR Waxed Canvas Stand Bag: Final thoughts, price and availability
I’m sure by now you know how I feel about this bag. What can I say? I’m a sucker for the whole heritage/nostalgia subculture in golf. Remember, this is the guy who writes the Mysteries of History, not to mention “This Week In Golf History” for the MGS Newsletter.
So, if you are a fellow golfer, you may find yourself drawn to this type of bag. It is extremely low maintenance, requiring only a basic cleaning once in a while and maybe a search every two or three years. And it may be the only golf bag you can buy that looks fresh out of the box and will get better with age, instead of worse.
If you’re not a history nerd, well, my condolences. As the late, great Jimmy Buffett said, “Breathe in, breathe out, move on.”
U Sun Mountain TQR Waxed Canvas Golf Bag is available in six colors: Grove-Khaki, Tobacco-Khaki, Black, Navy, Black-Steel-Red and Navy-Natural-Red. Its 12-ounce wax fabric is made from 100 percent cotton and will change color over time.
The bag costs $450 and is available now at select retailers and on the The Sun Mountain site.
If this price scares you, we found another offer of waxed cloth on Facebook from a company called Yellowhammer. Their bags are sold for $300. We don’t know much about the bag or the company, but we’ll check it out for you.
The place Sun Mountain goes retro-modern with its new TQR waxed canvas bags appeared first MyGolfSpy.