Advice on travelling with golf clubs

[donutwheels]

I'm intending to take a golf holiday and will need to take my equipment with me. My baggage limit is 23kgs and I'm willing to pay extra to take it up to 32kgs max.

Have you guys any tips on minimising weight of golf equipment whilst travelling, any flight bag recommendations, the type of bag you would take, whilst protecting those precious clubs?

 

[CliveW]

A lot of airlines have provision for Golf Clubs and will carry them for a set cost, check with your carrier. Buy a decent travel bag and make sure you have adequate insurance.

 

[Herbie]

I would just take the clubs in a pencil bag or medium sized bag lined with bubble wrap if its minimising you want. You can get anything else you need at the courses you visit. There are travel bags but can be costly and can add more weight than you might think. I dont put too much faith in baggage handling even if damage or loss is rare. If I fly with my clubs its a pencil bag packed as I have said but with a solid piece of wood down the middle to prevent club bending and sealed with gaffer tape, then I just hire the rest when I get where Im going, not that Ive done it recently

 

[Parmo]

I take my clubs abroad 2-3 times a year when visiting my family, I bought a Mizuno elite flight bag that looked the job at first and when it arrived looked more like it could store half of the forum in it!!! Took it once and got loads of extra clothes in it, but its too large to move about and get in the car. I picked up a Srixon one for £25 which is smaller and fits in a carry bag, shoes, some clothes and most things I needed.

What I do is strap my clubs in and use 2 or 3 beach towels (not that anyone will need them this time of year) around the head of the clubs and use an external strap to tighten them, not had a problem with it and the weight never goes over 25kg even with the Mizuno which is under for Jet2 and Ryanair.

One word of advice though, if you are going to Spain bring everything you need, they are total rip offs in regards to golfing kit and balls, one place wanted €38 for a dozen Callaway big berthas!!! I also saw in a shop a driver worth (forget which one) £200 over here priced at over €400!!

I recommend the Srixon bag for protection, mobility and value it also comes with a carry case for itself for storage.

http://www.snaintongolf.co.uk/product.php/967/srixon_golf_bag_travel_flight_cover

£24.99 is a bargin for a quality flight bag.

 

[terryb]

As Clive says some airlines (e.g. Jet2) have a separate weight allowance / charge for golf clubs/ bags etc.

I went to Portugal last year & packed clubs (in cart bag), shoes etc in a Wilson travel bag (with wheels). Used beach towels to cushion everything and bought an extending bar "thing" from AG which provided a solid central pillar to protect the clubs. Came through baggage handling at Manchester & Faro OK.

 

[USER1999]

BA fly clubs for free.
I have taken my clubs all over the world in a old vinyl tour bag, but last time out bought a wheeled bag by Nicklaus for £25 from AG. This was great, it has slight padding, wheels, so it is easy to move about, and cannot be faulted at the price.
I don't trust baggage handlers (they have mangled my £2500 mountain bike way too often), and so I would go with packing something solid with your clubs to stop them decapitating your driver.
Other than that, go for it.

When I went to Argentina, it cost me £60 each way with Air France, so if you are only going to play once or twice, hire clubs, it is cheaper.

 

[Andy]

Your clubs will be classed as oversize luggage and be loaded seperately. I paid £30 last year return from Glasgow to Alicante with FlyGlobespan.

And on both journeys my clubs were not weighed.

Andy

 

[SammmeBee]

Depends who you're flying with as to whether you have to pay or not....if you do £30 is about on the money....I don' think there is anyone who you are likely to fly with will include it in your weight allowance unless you're going 'package' styley.....

 

[Parmo]

Last year I did see a Spanish gents at Leeds/Bradford with a cart bag covered from top to bottom with brown parcel tape & they came out ok at the other end!!! He thought he could just turn up with them, but they charged him the usual £35 return. I paid £50 for Ryanair return, I checked the other day and they have put it up to £60!!! which is a total disgrace, mind you they charge £20 for bags and the max is 15kg!! though you save of the cost of flights with them.

I don't like the idea of hiring clubs abroad, what if you end up with a battered set after coughing up a decent GF and you are left with a woodern driver and a crazy golf putter!!

 

[heronsghyll]

I travel all over the world and have done for many years, I take my clubs with me often. My experiences is as folows: BA do carry for free but other airlines (especially low cost carriers) make charges for clubs. I have had my clubs damaged on 3 occasions and although this is not much considering how many times I travel - I found it unacceptable.

So, 3 x years ago I purchased a hard case (like a Samsonite suitcase) with wheels. It is fantastic I use it like a suitcase when I travel and put shoes extra clothes etc in it along with my clubs. I therefore take a smaller suitcase.

Since its purchase I have never had the slightest damage and am happy. I agree it is a pain as it is large and heavy, but I want to arrive there and arrive back with undamaged clubs, so it suits me.

Just my thoughts.........

 

[Parmo]

Any probs gettin it in cars?

 

[terryb]

Parmo

Depends on the size of the car! Sorry couldn't resist. As an example we had a 5 door Renault Clio last year for 2 of us. With on backseat folded down the clubs fitted lengthways with our cases alongside without a problem.

With 4 people I have used a Reanult Kangoo equivalent and clubs can stand almost upright with suitcases alongside.

 

[Parmo]

Parmo

Depends on the size of the car! Sorry couldn't resist. As an example we had a 5 door Renault Clio last year for 2 of us. With on backseat folded down the clubs fitted lengthways with our cases alongside without a problem.

With 4 people I have used a Reanult Kangoo equivalent and clubs can stand almost upright with suitcases alongside.

:shakefist:

Yeah thats what we do when we are to and from the airport.