How To Fly With Golf Clubs: 6 key Tips
Traveling with golf equipment isn’t easy. Prepare for the trip with your treasured golf equipment. Find out how to fly with golf clubs safely.
If you’re like most golfers, you enjoy playing the game as often as possible. Or, perhaps you are on a professional golf trip. In either case, it’s important to know how to fly with golf clubs so that you can get to your favorite courses with ease.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, read on for the best advice on flying with your treasured golf bag.
How to fly with golf clubs?
If you’re an avid golfer, you may want to consider bringing your clubs with you on your next flight. While it’s possible to check them as baggage, this can be risky, as they may be damaged or lost during transit. Instead, it’s best to carry them on the plane with you.
Here’s what you need to know about flying with golf clubs:
1. Fly direct
Golf clubs are one of the most common items to be left behind or mishandled while transiting on a tight connection. Golf clubs are important to many golfers, and losing them can make the trip sour. The best way to avoid this is to take a direct flight, although it may be more expensive. The fewer transfers you have, the smoother your flight experience with your golf clubs will be, as there will be a decreased risk of losing them. It is recommended that golfers should plan their flights accordingly to avoid any stressful surprises.
2. Research the best airlines
Through homework and research on the options of different airlines, you can not only save on costs for your airline tickets but also make the best decision for your clubs and luggage. You do not want to find out that your airlines treat golf clubs with little or no care.
Moreover, thorough research will help you choose what airline would be the best depending on your requirements and may even get you the best deals on flight and baggage costs.
Another factor to consider is if there are any airlines that lose luggage more frequently than others. All in all, doing your research ahead of time can be extremely beneficial.
3. Ensure That You Comply With The Airline’s Baggage Policy
First, make sure that your clubs comply with the airline’s size and weight restrictions. Most airlines have specific guidelines for carry-on luggage, and golf clubs may not be allowed if they exceed their total baggage limits or their baggage size specifications.
4. Protect Your Clubs
Next, it’s important to properly protect your clubs. Invest in a good and durable high-quality golf bag that is specifically designed for travel. These golf bags often have multiple compartments and pockets to help keep your clubs organized, and they also have straps that make them easy to carry.
Most importantly, they have reinforced seams and padding to provide maximum protection to the clubs inside them during transit. Hard case golf bags are always a better option than soft case bags.
If you are going to stick to your soft case bag, then wrapping your golf clubs in a soft bag or blanket can also help to prevent them from being damaged by other passengers or luggage. Additionally, it’s a good idea to store them in an upright position so that they don’t get bent out of shape.
5. Label your baggage
To not risk the loss of your golf bag, getting individual ID tags for your clubs can help reduce the chances of anything going wrong while traveling. The ID tags should contain your name, address, contact information, and flight information lines.
So, if your golf bag gets accidentally placed on another flight or deposited into the wrong baggage claim, the agents who recover it can ship it back to your home address. In order to increase the chances of your golf bag’s return, be sure to tag and label your golf bag. This will help ensure a safe and timely return to your home address.
6. Give Yourself Time To Check-In
Finally, when you get to the airport, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to check in and go through security. Golf clubs can sometimes attract extra attention from TSA agents, so it’s best to be prepared. If you are very unsure about how baggage handlers might handle your clubs or if they will get lost, you can consider carrying your golf bag with you into the cabin as carry-on luggage. Find out if the airline you are traveling with has any policy regarding this and make sure you comply with their requirements.
7. Try foldable clubs
There are new foldable golf club options in the market that may be perfect for frequent flying golf lovers. These collapsible or foldable sets of clubs have a telescoping shaft and are made with a high-quality, aircraft-grade aluminum alloy that can easily be stored in a travel bag. This is probably the easiest way to ensure you don’t miss out on your golf game while on vacation.
How to pack your golf clubs for flying?
Most traveling golfers agree that the best way to transport golf clubs is in a travel bag designed specifically for the task. These golf bags are made to protect clubs and minimize damage during transit. When packing your clubs for a flight, start by placing the bag in the middle of a large piece of cardboard. Then, trace around the perimeter of the bag with a pencil.
Cut out the resulting cardboard shape and place it on top of the bag. This will help to prevent the bag from being crushed during baggage handling. Next, place each club in its compartment or sleeve within the bag. Wrapping each club individually will help to minimize scratches and scuffs. Finally, close up the bag and secure it with straps or zip ties. This will help to keep everything in place during transit.
With a little careful planning, it is definitely possible to enjoy the hassle-free experience of flying with golf clubs.
How to check in your golf clubs at the airport?
When traveling with your golf clubs, it’s important to make sure they are well-protected to avoid any damage during transit. The first step is to choose the right type of golf bag. If you’re planning on checking in your clubs at the airport, look for a bag that is specifically designed for air travel. Travel golf bags typically have reinforced construction and extra padding to protect your clubs from being jostled around during transport.
Once you’ve selected the right travel bag, it’s time to start packing. First, remove all loose items such as golf balls and tees from your clubs. Next, wrap each club individually in a towel or other soft material. This will help to cushion them and prevent them from knocking against each other during the flight.
Finally, place your clubs in the bag and close it securely. If possible, try to use a TSA-approved lock to deter thieves. With a little care and preparation, you can rest assured that your golf clubs will arrive at your destination safely and ready for action.
Cost of flying with golf clubs
Flying with golf clubs can be a great way to save money on your next trip. Most airlines allow you to check two bags for free, and each bag can weigh up to nearly 50 pounds. This means that you can pack your golf clubs, golf shoes, and your other golf gear in one bag, and you won’t have to pay any additional fees.
Alternatives to flying with golf clubs
If you do not wish to risk traveling with your golf clubs, there are a few alternatives that might prove safer than flying with golf clubs. Here are a couple of options:
Ship your golf clubs
If you dread the thought of traveling with your golf clubs or are worried about the airlines losing or damaging them, you might want to consider shipping your clubs instead. A number of companies provide this service and will guarantee that your clubs will arrive safely at your destination.
Depending on your requirements, your clubs’ shipping might be cheaper than paying the airline’s baggage fee. Plus, it’s a stress-free option that will give you peace of mind knowing that your clubs will arrive safely. Research the best golf club shipper in the market to safely transfer your clubs and other golf equipment.
Rent a set of golf clubs
If you’re not convinced with any of the options mentioned above, you can always rent clubs at your destination. Many courses and resorts have rental programs, and the clubs are often high quality. If you’re already paying a premium to stay at a resort, they may offer the clubs for free or for a reduced fee.
It won’t be the same as playing with your own clubs. But if you are really concerned about the airline mishandling or misplacing your golf clubs or letting someone else handle your clubs in your absence, you may want to consider renting. Either way, make sure to do your research so you can enjoy a stress-free game of golf on your next vacation.
Conclusion
Flying with golf clubs can be a bit of a challenge, but it’s doable. There are a few things to keep in mind, such as buying good and high-quality travel bags for your clubs, packing your clubs carefully, and making sure they’re covered by your insurance. But as long as you take a few precautions, flying with your golf clubs should be no problem. So pack your clubs up and hit the skies!
