How to Travel With Your Golf Clubs

By Jodi Kendall

New airline security regulations, passenger fees and luggage restrictions have made flying with golf clubs more difficult than in years past. Although rental clubs are available at golf destinations world-wide, using your own set of familiar clubs will keep your game at its best. If you are unable to drive to your golf destination, follow the steps below to travel by air with your golf clubs.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step 1

Check your airline's luggage guidelines. Some airlines, such as Northwest, will accept an under 50-pound hard-cased golf bag as your standard "checked" bag. If your golf bag exceeds the weight limit, expect to pay a premium for oversized luggage.

Step 2

Purchase golf travel insurance from a reputable company. Protect your sports equipment before you travel. Keep all receipts and understand the plan's guidelines.

Step 3

Use a bag designed for golf club travel. Choose from hard, soft or hybrid travel cases (such as a PGA-favorite, Club Glove). Prepare to spend over $100. Look for styles that feature a pull-handle and wheels, are cart and car-friendly and hold up to 15-clubs (as tall as 48-inches each).

Step 4

Do not pack every club you own. Instead, pack your favorites and remove a heavy wedge or putter from the bag. Excess weight increases airline fees, so travel light. Take a full inventory for insurance purposes.

Step 5

Pack your golf travel bag. For soft travel bags, wrap club heads individually and put a club head cover on your golf bag. Then, insert the golf bag into the soft travel bag. For the best golf club protection, use a hard club case such as the Club Glove Stiff Arm.

Step 6

Claim any golf club losses to the airline and insurance company. Follow your travel insurance plan's policy for submitting a claim and refer to saved receipts.

Step 7

Pay to have your golf clubs shipped. Avoid the hassle of hauling your clubs to the airport, paying fees and dealing with security limitations. Contact a reputable, door-to-door sporting equipment shipper, such as Sports Express and Luggage Forward, and travel stress-free.

Tips & Warnings

Frequently check airline luggage restrictions, as fees and weight restrictions can change. A travel golf bag should not only be protective, but easy to move around once you reach your destination.

Frequently check airline luggage restrictions, as fees and weight restrictions can change.

A travel golf bag should not only be protective, but easy to move around once you reach your destination.

Golf clubs may be damaged in flight or transit. Heavy clubs can tip the airline scale past the standard, requiring additional fees.

Golf clubs may be damaged in flight or transit.

Heavy clubs can tip the airline scale past the standard, requiring additional fees.

Resources

About The Author

Since 2000, Jodi Kendall's writing has appeared on websites such as the National Geographic Channel, NBC Health, iVillage and ABC News. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in writing from the University of Arizona.

Not a Member?

Join Now - It's FREE!

Member Sign In

Email Address

Password

Keep me logged in

Forgot your password?

Nearby Tee Time HOT Deals!

Sunday, May 27 to Friday, Jun 01

How to Choose The Right Golf Bag

Beginner golfers often have no choice in bags when they buy their first...

Things to Pack for a Golf Vacation

You've chosen the golf courses you're going to play, made tee times and...

How to Find Good Deals For Tee Times Online

The Internet has revolutionized the speed and efficiency with which gol...

How To Dress Warmly For Golf

Dressing warmly for a round of golf in a cold climate is not easy. The ...

How to Drive a Golf Cart

You don't see the pros use them, but then again you don't see the pros ...

View All Related Articles

Video of the Day

Fat Shots

By Ed Ibarguen

Hitting the ball fat tends to come from either falling backward on your backswing or overusing your hands and uncocking your wrists ... Watch the Video Now

Article of the Day

Why Do I Top the Ball in My Golf Swing?

When the club head hits the top half of the ball, the shot never gets airborne and the result is...

Read full article