Golf travel bags

[nmartyn]

hello all - am off on a couple of trips abroad and thinking of getting a proper golf travel bag thingy.

are these really worth the money?
i had my eye on a Ogio Straight Jacket, but £70's a lot of cash! i know, worth it if my driver comes out of the hold in two pieces but do they offer much protection?

 

[Cernunnos]

They do offer protection. Though a tip I've been given, is try & get as much clothing & other bits in there as certain airlines do special deals on sports bagage & the other tip I've been given is wrap the club heads in as much additionalpadding in the form of clothes or towels.

I've got a reasonable quality one I got for good money & although the padding is good, I'd certainly prefer more.

You can spend a lot of money & get hard cases for your clubs but in the long run I'm doubtful about how much additional protection they'd afford over a standard padded travel bag for clubs.

I'd say if you have a bcakup set of clubs & you are worried about damaging your favorite sticks, then taking the old/winter/backup set might be an idea.

Your choice is pricy but I've seen more expensive.

http://www.golfonline.co.uk/golf-travel-bags/c-75

The Odyssey one I know is good. Go for a known brand & have a good mess about in the shop to feel how much padding there is. I've seen reviews before of how good or not some of these items are & I must admit to having disagreed with some reviews when I've looked at the items for myself. I sharn't name or shame particular brands, but I'd generally say go for the better makes, though I did find a Dunlop one from Sports Direct with more than sufficient padding for my liking for UK haulage to & from hotel rooms for me & I would trust the one I had for small hops with my backup set.

I looked on their online site but they don't have the better quality one I found. Again,always best visiting the store I think. There again knowing them, seeing as it was somethuing half decent they'll have discontinued it.

If you thought your ogio was expensive look at this..
http://www.golfonline.co.uk/ogio-monster-travel-cover-2008-p-4085.html

Ah...! Just found yours...
http://www.golfonline.co.uk/ogio-straight-jacket-golf-travel-cover-2008-p-1619.html

Hmmm, would need a closer look at that.

Though If I were taking my Pings abroad I'd be getting the best protection I could afford.

 

[USER1999]

I use a cheap £30 one which has been fine (Florida 4 times now). I do put a broom handle in my golf bag though, to add a bit of rigidity. I put the rain hood on, and the broom stick just fits inside my cart bag with the hood on. It is a bit longer than my driver. Might stop the head getting broken off.

BA fly a bag, 14 clubs, 12 balls, an umbrella and one pair of shoes for free. If you cram too much other stuff in, they can and do charge for it (if they notice). So I don't go mad filling mine if I fly BA.

If I fly Air France again, £60 each way to take my sticks to Argentina, I will ram the bag to the max with kit to get my moneys worth.

 

[toonarmy]

I've used a cheapo one from AG and a carry bag inside and have thus far had no problems (Europe, Middle East, Far East). I wouldn't dream of not using one though.

As for the specificty of airlines like BA my experience is as long as it meets the weight, they don't care what's in it. Most regular airlines seem to allow 15kg for golf bags as part of your total personal luggage allowance and that should be enough for a half set and all your other bits. This summer I get to leave the weight of waterproofs and umbrellas behind as it's Dubai in July! I usually put my golf shoes in my regular case though to keep the weight down on the clubs bit. Take as many balls as you can carry because you don't want to pay destination prices!

More important than trying to protect your clubs is making sure you've got travel insurance that will cover your clubs all the way including transit, airports etc. for loss or damage.

 

[MikeH]

I have a Club Glove which is superb but admittedly not cheap. Also wrap the heads in an Izzo protectair (had that for years - not sure if it's still made) which is soft fake fur lined and can be blown up a bit through a tube

 

[USER1999]

Oh, and all my clubs have head covers on for travel, and also for use with a buggy when I get there. Nothing wrecks forged irons like rattling round on the back of a buggy.

 

[thecraw]

Just bought a Srixon one off of ebay for £20 to fly to Islay with. Having watched in horror how baggage handlers unloaded my ski bag i aint taking any chances with my pride and joys!

 

[Cernunnos]

Like the idea with the broom handle I must say. Especially if some trodlidite of a baggage handler decides to drop the bag on its head

 

[backwoodsman]

Like the idea with the broom handle I must say. Especially if some trodlidite of a baggage handler decides to drop the bag on its head

Was just about to suggest the same - broom-handle or stout dowel just slightly longer than your longest club in case it comes down the carousel head first.