Sounds convenient, if you can stand being seperated from your clubs for two weeks.

1. Bag-Club Glove-The model just under the "everlasting" version. Cost me about $140 but it has held up to 8 years of airport handling, rental car trunks and when in my garage, the "gunk" off the contents. It has a "Burst Proof" warranty and after this long I doubt I'll ever have to call them. It has a skid plate on the bottom and back that is very handy going over curbs etc when navigating airports etc.

Make sure you try out your bag inside the travel bag before you buy it. My version handles a stand bag with ease but it is too small for larger bags. Also, place your shoe bag, rain gear & umbrella in the travel bag to make sure it all fits.

2. Stiff-Arm by Club Glove-Worth it's weight 2x in gold (it's aluminum). My unit has taken some serious blows. It has been bent back twice so the telescoping shafts will still extend. I'm cheap and probably should just go by another. My Mizuno driver and Adila shaft have never been damaged and I thank the Stiff Arm for that. (Face it, if your driver is on, you'll never part with it....and would really be disappointed if it was damaged.)

3. I play forged Mizuno irons and travel with heavy vinyl covers. The neoprene style won't take a hard blow and they tear. (I went through mine in about a year and then got the good ones.....lesson learned.) I make sure my driver/fairway/utility clubs with graphite shafts all have head covers with long socks on them to protect not only the club but the shaft as well.

4. Empty the "kitchen sink" from your bag. (in my case about 5#!!!) No need schlepping all that stuff around. I was amazed how much unnecessary stuff I collected and how much it weighed. Unless I am playing an "ocean course" I only take a 3-6 practice balls in my bag. I buy a dozen on the course (usually with the course logo) and seldom pay more than my local shop. (Can't get Pro V1X at K-Mart anyway....) Besides, they are a great souvenir from my trip.

Just my opinions and experience. Hope this helps!

Hit 'em straight, hit 'em far......in that order.....

I traveled last month to Nevada and decided that I would just rent instead of flying with my clubs. The rental clubs were Titleist very similar to what I have but there was some costs that I didn't take into account. First I didn't think about having a glove so I bought one for an additional $15, then I realized I needed golf balls which was an additional $10. So on top of the $50 to rent clubs I had to add another $25 and I quickly realized I should have just brought my own clubs or at least brought a glove and golf balls in my luggage.

If you're going to play only once, I agree it's wise to look into rentals vs. travel fees/inconvenience, but I have had poor experiences with incomplete sets, ill-fitting clubs (even if in good condition), etc.

Take a long wooden rod (longer than your driver, but short enough to fit in your travel bag) and then tape a roll of toilet paper to the top of the rod. Place this in the bag, and then if someone drops your bag on it's head, the wooden rod takes the blow, not your new driver!