For a decade, the Club Glove Last Bag has been my trusted companion on countless golf trips. Across numerous flights and 14 countries, it has remarkably withstood the rigors of travel. However, it’s not without its shortcomings. Its slightly smaller size and unwieldiness in navigating airports and hotels have often been noticeable.
For some time now, the Sun Mountain Club Glider Meridian has caught my attention as a potential upgrade. While similar in size to my Club Glove, its innovative retractable wheel system promised to revolutionize airport transit.
On a recent trip to San Diego, I finally had the opportunity to put the Club Glider Meridian to the test. How did it perform? And more importantly, does it surpass the well-established Club Glove as the Best Golf Travel Case?
The verdict, as it turns out, is not entirely straightforward. In this review, I’ll provide a direct comparison between the Meridian and the Club Glove, a benchmark in the market and my personal reference point.
Best Travel Bag
Sun Mountain ClubGlider Meridian Golf Travel Bag
Sun Mountain ClubGlider Meridian Golf Travel Bag $339
The Sun Mountain Club Glider Meridian stands out as a superb golf travel bag, primarily due to its incredibly convenient “glider” system. While it may not match the sheer robustness of the Club Glove Last Bag, its unique and practical design more than compensates.
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Initial Thoughts on the Sun Mountain Club Glider
The Meridian is available in a range of attractive colors, and I opted for the black model accented with red.
The bag’s aesthetics are immediately pleasing. Beyond the distinctive “glider” mechanism, several features differentiate it from the Club Glove.
Notably, the shoe pockets are positioned externally, a design choice I welcomed. My anticipation was that this would free up valuable interior space – a point we’ll revisit shortly.
The upper portion of the bag exhibits enhanced padding, and the Meridian utilizes two securing straps compared to the three found on the Club Glove.
Overall, the bag presents a very polished appearance. Despite the integrated glide mechanism, its weight felt comparable to my older Club Glove bag.
Construction Quality and Materials
Initially, I perceived this bag as an obvious upgrade from my existing travel case.
However, as I began packing for my trip, a slight reservation crept in.
The Club Glove Last Bag exudes an almost indestructible quality. Constructed from incredibly resilient nylon and equipped with an exceptionally robust zipper, it sets a high bar.
The Sun Mountain, in comparison, feels a notch below in both material toughness and zipper quality.
To be clear, the Meridian is still very well-made. However, I am curious to observe the long-term durability of the zippers under repeated stress.
The primary handle at the top of the bag, used for rolling, also felt less substantial than I had hoped. While functionally adequate, it lacks the premium feel of the Club Glove handle.
I must admit, I hoped for a more robust top handle.
As previously mentioned, the external shoe pockets were an exciting feature. They do seem to have contributed to increased interior space, which is a definite plus. However, a drawback emerged: fitting two pairs of size 12 shoes into a single pocket proved impossible.
The Club Glove easily accommodated a pair of shoes in each of its internal shoe pockets. In the Meridian, I could only fit one shoe per pocket. While not a deal-breaker, as the extra internal space allowed for stowing an additional pair, it was a slight disappointment for someone who frequently travels with two pairs of golf shoes.
Padding and Protection for Your Golf Clubs
Despite the robust zippers and nylon of my trusty Club Glove, it wasn’t immune to travel mishaps.
While my clubs have always survived unscathed, a tripod once snapped in half inside, and more recently, a leg on my Vessel Player Air stand bag broke – rendering the bag virtually unusable. This highlights the unpredictable nature of baggage handling, even with what seems like the best golf travel case.
From a padding and protection perspective, the Sun Mountain inspires confidence, and I had no significant concerns about the safety of my clubs during transit. The internal padding is strategically placed to cushion vulnerable areas.
Actually, let me reconsider that statement for a moment.
I had planned to bring my brand-new TaylorMade Qi10 Max driver on this initial trip. However, in my pre-trip packing rush, I couldn’t locate a club wrench to detach the driver head. Given that the driver review was still pending, I opted to leave it at home, just as a precautionary measure. It’s always wise to take extra care with new or unreleased equipment when traveling.
I did, however, bring my Stix Compete Driver, and it arrived at our destination without incident. This underscores the importance of a reliable golf travel case, regardless of minor material differences.
On-Course Performance of the Club Glider System
I packed my Vessel Player V Pro stand bag, which is on the larger end of the spectrum for stand bags. It nestled comfortably within the Sun Mountain bag, and I definitely sensed a marginal increase in space compared to the Club Glove Last Bag. Perhaps not as substantial as initially hoped, but any extra room is always appreciated when packing for a golf trip.
I must confess, leading up to my airport arrival, I remained somewhat ambivalent about whether this bag truly represented an upgrade over my previous one. Slightly more space, perhaps a minor step down in zipper and nylon durability – the trade-offs were still unclear.
However, the moment I unloaded the bag from my car at the Long Term Parking at PDX, and began the lengthy trek through the parking garage, into the underground tunnel, up the escalators, and into the new terminal – the transformative difference became undeniable.
The Club Glider mechanism? A complete game-changer. This is where the Sun Mountain Club Glider truly shines and justifies its place as a contender for the best golf travel case.
Sun Mountain Club Glider
With a simple press of the lever, the glider system extends, ready for effortless rolling.
A quick press of the lever located beneath the bag activates the glider mechanism. This ingenious system not only provides a stable stand for the bag but also engages the rollerblade-style wheels that define the bag’s uniqueness.
Navigating with the Sun Mountain Club Glider is an absolute pleasure. The bag practically glides effortlessly, requiring minimal exertion or physical strain. It truly lives up to its “glider” name, and its maneuverability is significantly enhanced compared to traditional wheeled golf travel cases.
Weaving through the check-in queues, the bag felt almost as if it were on rails, smoothly following my movements.
I recently lauded the LAB Putter as a rare example of a genuinely “revolutionary” product. The Club Glider confidently earns a place in this category as well. Its innovative wheel system addresses a common pain point for traveling golfers.
While the overall build quality didn’t quite reach my initial lofty expectations, the sheer functionality of the glider feature surpassed them considerably. For ease of transport, especially through large airports, the Club Glider is in a league of its own.
Is the Sun Mountain Club Glider the Right Golf Travel Case for You?
At $339, this is undeniably a premium golf travel bag. However, if you are a frequent golf traveler, investing in a durable and user-friendly bag that simplifies your journey is unequivocally worthwhile. Consider it an investment in your travel comfort and peace of mind, ensuring your clubs arrive safely and without hassle.
While soft-sided bags, in general, may not offer the absolute rigid protection of hardshell cases, the convenience they provide often makes them a more practical choice for most golfers. The Sun Mountain Meridian strikes a compelling balance between protection and ease of use, making it a strong contender for the best golf travel case for many.
With the Sun Mountain Meridian, you get a visually appealing bag that offers ample storage capacity and exceptional on-the-go performance. The “Club Glider” system is truly a game changer for navigating airports and hotels.
While I did voice some minor concerns regarding certain material aspects, in practical terms, I anticipate that most users will encounter no significant issues. After my initial trip, my clubs remained completely unscathed, and my overall travel experience was more comfortable than ever before. For the average golfer who travels a few times a year, this bag should offer years of reliable service.
Is it the best golf travel case and a worthwhile upgrade over a Last Bag? For most golfers, I believe the answer is a resounding yes.
The Last Bag may possess a slightly more robust build, but the Meridian remains superior in construction to many other golf travel bags on the market (I’m thinking specifically of the TourTrek). The Club Glider feature effectively compensates for any minor compromises in ultimate durability. For the convenience and ease of travel it provides, the Sun Mountain Club Glider Meridian is hard to beat.
This is now my golf travel case of choice for the foreseeable future. For the first time, I won’t be filled with dread at the prospect of hauling my clubs across vast airport terminals. The Sun Mountain Club Glider Meridian has genuinely transformed the travel experience for golfers.
Best Travel Bag
Sun Mountain ClubGlider Meridian Golf Travel Bag
Sun Mountain ClubGlider Meridian Golf Travel Bag $339
The Sun Mountain Club Glider Meridian is an outstanding golf travel bag, primarily because of its incredibly convenient “glider” system. While it might not be quite as rugged as the Club Glove Last Bag, its unique design and user-centric features more than make up for it. It’s a top contender for the best golf travel case available.
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A Truly Revolutionary Golf Travel Bag: The Sun Mountain Club Glider Meridian
9.2 Great
The Sun Mountain Club Glider is undeniably one of the best golf travel bags available today. Its build quality is excellent, although perhaps not quite at the level of the Club Glove Last Bag. However, the unique and highly functional “Club Glider” system more than compensates for this, making every aspect of traveling with this bag significantly more enjoyable. If you’re seeking the best golf travel case that prioritizes ease of use, the Club Glider Meridian should be at the top of your list.
The Pros
- The Club Glider feature operates flawlessly as advertised, making airport navigation a breeze.
- Offers ample space for most golf bags and additional gear.
- Has a sleek and attractive design.
The Cons
- The top handle could benefit from being thicker for enhanced comfort and durability.
- While still very good, the materials and build quality are perhaps a ‘B+’ compared to the ‘A+’ of the Club Glove.
- It is a relatively expensive golf travel bag.
- Presentation 10
- Performance 9
- Features and Quality 9
- Price 9
- Personal Affinity 9
