Traveling with Golf Clubs
If you’re a golfer, you know that traveling with your clubs can be a hassle. Not only do you have to worry about getting them on the plane, but also how to protect them from damage. This blog post will discuss some tips for transporting your golf clubs.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a weekend warrior, if you travel with golf clubs, you know that they can be a pain to lug around. So we have put together four tips to make traveling with your clubs easier.
We will go into these tips in more detail throughout the blog. We hope these help.
- Ship or Check
- Choose the Right Bag
- Pack Carefully
- Remember the Essentials
To Check or Not to Check
There are pros and cons to checking your golf clubs when traveling by plane. On the one hand, checking your clubs can be convenient, as it eliminates the need to carry them through security or check them at an airport counter before boarding. Additionally, many airports provide special compartments where golfers can store their clubs during the flight to protect them from damage. However, there are also some drawbacks to this option.
For one, traveling with golf clubs can be expensive, as many airlines charge a large fee for the convenience of transporting your clubs along with you. Furthermore, traveling with heavy items like golf clubs can take a toll on your back and shoulders, especially if you need to trek long distances between terminals or gate lounges.
Ultimately, whether or not it’s worth checking your golf clubs depends on various factors such as budget and physical fitness level. But for most willing and able travelers, traveling with their golf gear is often well worth the trouble.
Shipping Your Clubs?
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko
Many golf courses in central Florida work with Ship Sticks to ship your golf clubs directly to them. However, if the golf course you are traveling to does not work with Ship Sticks, you can call your hotel and find out if they will accept your clubs being shipped there for you.
The most significant benefit of shipping your clubs is that they will pick them up from your house. That saves you a lot of time going to a drop-off location. And once you arrive at your destination, they will be there waiting for you. And many airlines will charge extra fees for golf clubs which may be more than the cost of shipping your clubs.
Overall, whether to ship or bring your golf clubs depends on various factors, such as cost and convenience. Ultimately, you will need to weigh the pros and cons to make the best decision.
Choose the Right Bag
When traveling with your golf clubs, choosing the right golf bag is essential to protect your clubs and make travel easier. Many travel bags are available, and the best option for you will depend on your budget and travel needs. For example, if you are travel by car, you may want a bag that is easy to transport and has plenty of storage space.
On the other hand, if you are travel by plane, you may need a bag that is small enough to fit in the overhead compartment. Regardless of your travel needs, there are a few features that all good travel bags should have, such as padding to protect your clubs and sturdy zippers.
Travel bags also vary in price, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $200 for a good quality bag. Therefore, when choosing a travel bag, you must consider your options carefully to find the best option for you.
Pack Carefully
Photo Courtesy of Vlada Karpovich
You can have the best bag to use when traveling with your golf clubs, but if you don’t pack it well, it won’t protect your golf clubs. So, when packing your golf clubs, take extra care. Packing your clubs is not the time to stuff everything into your bag haphazardly. You want to avoid damaging your clubs or taking up too much space in your luggage. Here are a few tips on how to pack your golf clubs for travel:
- Wrap each club individually: Use old towels or bubble wrap to protect your clubs. Wrapping your clubs will help prevent them from banging into each other and getting scratched or dented.
- Don’t overpack your bag: Try only to bring the clubs you know you’ll use. If you’re not sure, err on bringing fewer clubs. Of course, you can always rent clubs at your destination if necessary.
Following these tips can help ensure that your golf clubs arrive at your destination safely.
Remember the Essentials
Going to a new golf course in central Florida is a dream vacation for many golfers. Unfortunately, an easy way to add stress to your vacation is to forget to bring something. Yes, you can purchase anything at the pro shop (and they will be happy to help you to do that), but it is easier to create a packing list of essentials to ensure that you don’t leave something behind.
Here is a list of the bare essentials for golf travel:
- Golf balls
- Tees
- Gloves
- Towels for wiping off golf balls
- Golf ball marker
- Rain cover items (even if you have checked the weather, you never know)
- Sun protection (especially in Florida)
Plan Ahead
All vacations require careful planning. Traveling for golf, and wanting your clubs with you, is no exception. In fact, it may be more important than a usual vacation to plan ahead when golfing on vacation.
With all vacations, there are options and choices that only you can make to ensure that your golf vacation goes smoothly and is enjoyable. Here is a recap of what we have covered to help you on your golf adventures.
Here is a summary of our tips on traveling with your golf clubs:
- Determine if you are checking or shipping your golf clubs
- If flying, check with airlines for their specific policies on traveling with golf clubs
- If shipping, ensure the destination is on the lookout for your clubs’ arrival
- Purchase a travel bag for your golf clubs
- Pack smarter, not harder
- Remember the rest of your essential gear
Hopefully, these tips will help you to make the most of your golf vacation. So you can get out on the golf course.
