When I heard Sun Mountain was making a “pencil” bag, this wasn’t exactly what I was expecting.
But after a couple of rounds with the new Sun Mountain x Victus Pencil Gold Stand Bag, it’s definitely got the flare and function to make for a great golf bag.
Perhaps no golf bag brand has had more of a rebirth over the past couple of years than Sun Mountain. From a new logo, completely new bag lines and some high-profile collaborations, Sun Mountain has come to play in the increasingly competitive golf bag space.
And this collaboration with baseball bat maker Victus Sports might be the most eye-catching yet.
The basics
The Sun Mountain x Victus Pencil Gold Stand Bag is essentially built on Sun Mountain’s highly successful 3.5 stand bag platform and styled to resemble a Ticonderoga pencil, just like Victus’ viral Pencil bats.
The details are top-notch, with the top colored pink like the eraser, with what looks like the familiar green rings underneath. On the underside of the bag, the bottom looks like the sharpened end of a pencil with graphite poking through the shaven wood. There’s even the iconic Ticonderoga wordmark underneath the stand-leg mechanism.
Functionally, compared to the Eclipse E-3.5, the Victus collab bag is 1/10 of a pound heavier at 4.9 pounds and features a circular 8″ top, a half inch smaller than the 3.5. It also has Sun Mountain’s EZ-Fit Lite double strap system and an insulated beverage sleeve.
What we liked
Despite being on the bigger end of the stand bag spectrum, the Victus Gold collab carries great thanks to the strap system and a well-balanced design.
For those who like to walk and carry, but are also overpackers, this bag has you covered with plenty of space in each of the 10 pockets. The rangefinder pocket (which I am increasingly a fan of) is actually velour-lined and has a divider, so you could also put your phone there.
If you want to use a push cart or powered trolley, the round top design fits well in the arms of most carts.
And of course, the look of the bag is one-of-a-kind, and the material is well-made enough that it hasn’t really shown any dirt despite continued use. If there was a knock on Sun Mountain previously, it was that their stand bags weren’t the most durable. The new nylon material appears much sturdier and should hold up over time.
What could be better
There’s little to nitpick in this limited-edition bag, but there is a slight irony in the fact that a traditional “pencil” golf bag is a standless carry bag.
I would love to see Sun Mountain and Victus come back with this same design in a true Sunday bag design. In other words, a “pencil pencil” bag.
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Bottom line
I typically go for smaller bag designs that prioritize lightweight and ease of carry. The Victus Golf collab is certainly bigger than that, but it’s actually offered in two sizes.
In addition to the standard size, there’s also a junior size that’s two inches shorter (33″).
Golf bags are a very personal choice, but whose identity wasn’t shaped by the Ticonderoga Pencil back in grade school? Maybe you were into the Dixon ones. That’s OK. But if you’re looking for a fun statement that’s just as functional, the Sun Mountain x Victus Pencil Gold Stand Bag is a fantastic option. Get ’em while they last!
