| Plenty of new challenges can affect our game when | | | | charges for excess weight or oversized baggage. |
| we play golf on a strange course – the course | | | | Some airlines are now charging $25 for an extra piece |
| design, wind, climate and more. The one thing that we | | | | of luggage. |
| can have in our favor is familiarity with our golf clubs. | | | | Preventive measures, though, can minimize these risks. |
| So despite the hassle, our first impulse is to take our | | | | First of all, get a sturdy golf travel bag. Based on your |
| golf equipment with us. | | | | budget, frequency of golf travel, and attachment to |
| Before you start packing your golf equipment for air | | | | your clubs, you can choose a hard case, soft case or |
| travel, take a look at these options. Your decision will | | | | hybrid case. Soft cases will protect the clubs from |
| depend on a number of considerations. These include | | | | getting scratched, but if a 50 pound suitcase is |
| your budget, how many rounds you plan to play at | | | | dropped on the heads, the shafts can snap pretty |
| your destination, and the importance of playing at the | | | | easily. A hard case is much better protection from |
| top of your game. | | | | broken shafts. |
| Here are three key options: 1) rent shoes and clubs at | | | | Hard shell bags are made of high impact material and |
| the destination, 2) ship your equipment to the resort, or | | | | are practically indestructible. They are also costly. |
| 3) take your golf equipment on your flight as checked | | | | Depending on the brand, you may or may not be able |
| baggage. | | | | to fit your golf bag inside with the clubs. Before buying, |
| Renting Golf Equipment | | | | be sure the case size and weight fall within the limits of |
| For trips when you’ll play only a couple rounds | | | | airline baggage restrictions. Also consider where |
| of golf, rental can be a great choice. This option saves | | | | you’ll be traveling. Their size and form may not |
| you from the hassle of packing your equipment for | | | | fit well in the typical taxis and rental cars of many |
| safe travel and lugging it around airports. | | | | countries. |
| Most courses rent clubs, a few rent shoes, for a | | | | If you opt to travel with a soft case – which is |
| reasonable daily fee. But call ahead to make sure they | | | | not recommended for air travel – be prepared |
| offer rentals. Also make sure they carry your shoe | | | | to kiss your clubs goodbye. To minimize potential |
| size. The potential drawback of renting is that the golf | | | | damage, place the clubs inside your golf bag with your |
| course may mix and match sets or rent clubs that are | | | | head covers on, and then put the bag inside the soft |
| dated. Clubs are generally rented on a first come-first | | | | travel case. Most airlines require you to sign a damage |
| serve basis. Make sure the course has enough sets | | | | waver. Some won’t even let you use a soft |
| on hand or that you are playing early enough in the | | | | case. |
| morning, that their inventory won’t be an issue. | | | | The best solution for air travel is a hybrid golf case. It |
| Some golf equipment manufacturers offer rentals of | | | | has a soft exterior and a hard inner core, usually made |
| demo clubs. They will arrange to have them waiting at | | | | of high impact plastic. Although hybrid golf travel cases |
| your destination. The downside is that even though the | | | | are costly, they offer the advantages of light weight, |
| equipment may be state-of-the-art, it doesn’t | | | | ample protection, and conformity with airline size and |
| come with the familiarity of playing with your own | | | | weight guidelines. The hybrid case also serves as your |
| clubs. | | | | golf bag on the course. |
| Shipping Your Golf Equipment | | | | A final word on traveling by air with golf equipment. |
| When your equipment is shipped for you, you can | | | | Airline companies’ baggage rules can change at |
| board the plane hassle-free (at least in terms of your | | | | any time. For example, United Airlines recently |
| golf clubs). When you arrive at the resort, your clubs | | | | announced a change in its free baggage allowance. |
| are waiting for you. Several companies offer shipping | | | | Most airlines check golf travel cases free of charge as |
| services specifically designed for golfers. The major | | | | long as they fit within the size, weight and number of |
| question is whether you are willing to pay for the | | | | bags limits. Typically they allow one golf bag carrying |
| convenience and peace of mind. | | | | 14 clubs, 12 golf balls and one pair of shoes. To avoid |
| Taking Your Clubs with You | | | | unexpected charges for overweight, oversize or |
| If you opt to take your clubs with you, be aware that | | | | excess baggage, check your airline’s current |
| golf clubs are not permitted as carry-on baggage on | | | | rules before packing for your trip. |
| any commercial airline. They must travel in the | | | | Whether you travel with your clubs, ship them or rent |
| plane’s baggage hold. You run the risk of | | | | some at the course, a little bit of planning makes for a |
| broken clubs, equipment sent to the wrong destination, | | | | more enjoyable golf outing. |
| missed flights due to inspection of the golf bag, and | | | | |