The old adage is, ‘Take care of your clubs and they’ll take care of you.’
This is especially true if you plan to bring your clubs on a golf trip. Given the cost of modern golf equipment, it makes sense to protect your investment. If you’re a serious player, there’s a good chance you really like your clubs—their look, their feel, their familiarity–enough to transport them to wherever you’re going.
After all, if you’re playing a world-class course (like TPC Danzante Bay), you’ll want your own weaponry for the adventure!
Here are a few tips to safeguard your equipment en route to your destination.
Book a Nonstop Flight. There’s less chance of an equipment mishap if you fly direct. If you’re sprinting to catch a connecting flight, remember that your clubs need to make that flight too. The chance of your clubs getting damaged increases if they’re thrown around by a second set of baggage handlers. It’s worth the extra bucks to book a nonstop flight if possible.
Protect Your Clubs. If you intend to play two or more rounds and wouldn’t dream of teeing it up without your own sticks, by all means bring your own set. You’ll need to place them inside a durable, portable travel case (soft bag or hard shell), preferably one with wheels.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Traveling With Your Golf Clubs
It is absolutely imperative that you protect your clubs. Airlines have a mixed track record when it comes to handling golf equipment. As an extra precaution, unscrew the heads of your driver and fairway woods and wrap them in bubble wrap. Why? The hosel (where the shaft connects to the head) is the most highly stressed part of a club. This is where damage can occur during the shipping process.
If you haven’t committed the club settings to memory, jot down the previous settings–or take a picture with your phone. Finally, wrap the heads of the irons in a towel (or cover them with socks) to prevent them from banging together in transit.
Soft Bag vs. Hard Case
A. Soft. Soft bags are made of materials such as nylon and are flexible. Hard cases, as with luggage, have a firm exterior generally made of materials like polycarbonate.
According to a recent Travel + Leisure survey, the Best Overall travel case is the Club Glove Pro Traveler. A top choice of globetrotting golfers, Club Glove bags are made from rugged, water-resistant nylon. A “stiff arm”—an adjustable aluminum pole with a plastic dome top—is designed to shield clubs by absorbing the full force of a heavy blow.
This soft travel case can comfortably fit a full set of clubs, shirts, shorts, golf balls, towels, sunscreen and two pairs of golf shoes between the main compartment and two exterior pockets.
While the bag can weigh over 40 pounds after packing (the airline limit is 50 pounds), the weight is balanced. The inline skate wheels, reinforced by a wheelbase designed for high-impact travel, roll smoothly. The bag is outfitted with self-lubricating zippers and military-grade buckles.
Travel + Leisure’s Most Durable choice was the Club Glove Collegiate Travel Cover, a compact (and less expensive) version of the Club Glove Pro Traveler. Club Golf bags collapse for easy storage when not in use, a key feature for urban dwellers with limited space.
Top-Notch Travel Protection for Your Golf Clubs
NOTE: Some airlines will only cover damaged or lost clubs that are placed in a hard case. Be sure to check with the airline you’re flying to learn about its policies. For peace of mind, consider securing to your golf travel bag an AirTag holder with a tracker.
B. Hard. For top-of-the-line protection for your clubs, the VESSEL Golf Travel Hard Case is a rock solid choice. To ensure the utmost safety and security, VESSEL has partnered with SKB, a leader in crafting the world’s best cases. This golf travel case features a hard exterior with three industrial-strength latches, a TSA locking system, two molded grab handles, and an integrated wheel system for easy transport from the terminal to the golf course. Thick foam padding in the top interior portion of the case provides maximum club protection. Unlike soft bags, there are no exterior pockets for the packing of apparel or shoes. On the other hand, you won’t need a “stiff arm” for the VESSEL, which has a hard shell and structured layers of protection.
NOTE: If you’re only planning to play one round of golf on vacation, or if you’re a holidaymaker who’s not too fussy about equipment, consider renting clubs. TPC Danzante Bay, for example, offers top-of-the-line PXG golf equipment. Traveling without your clubs, and you need only pack golf shoes, golf balls and a glove. And maybe your lucky ball marker.
Shipping Your Clubs. Packing your clubs and getting them to the airport can be a hassle. To the rescue comes Ship Sticks, the world’s largest golf bag shipping company. Safe, convenient and hassle-free, Ship Sticks’ logistics partners include FedEx, UPS and DHL. Customers enjoy savings up to 60% lower than regular carrier costs. Plus, it’s a great way to bypass baggage claim.
Here’s how it works:
- Select your trip dates and schedule shipment.
- The shipping label, sent via email, is printed and securely attached to your golf clubs, which can be packed in a soft travel bag, hard case or a box.
- Ship Sticks will pick up your clubs at your home, office or hotel; or you can drop them off at a local carrier store.
- Clubs are shipped to the golf course or hotel ahead of your arrival. You can track their progress. Notice is sent once they arrive at their destination.
The company includes $1,000 of complimentary insurance on all golf bag shipments and $500 on all luggage shipments. Additional coverage options (up to $7,500) are available for a nominal cost. Customer service is available seven days a week. Ship Sticks’ videos show golfers how to prepare their clubs for international shipment.
