golf clubs from US to Europe

[Gilles]

Hi,


I'm flying to NY City this Friday and staying there for a week, but without any intentions to play golf there.

However, since golf material is cheaper in the US than in Europe (and thanks to favorable exchange rates, though I don't really like the Greeks right now...) , I intend to buy some stuff over there and fly it back with me. I'm thinking of buying a putter, wedge, maybe a wood and a stand bag.

Option 1 : I also buy a travel bag, put it all in there and pay the additional $ 50 that AA charges for a golf bag. But I don't feel like spending an additional $ 100.00 or more for something I will probably have little or no further use of. And for what I've read, a travel bag (except for a hard case, but then I blow my budget) does not guarantee that your clubs won't be damaged.

Option 2 : I make it all fit in a container of which the total outside dimensions (length + width + height) is no more than 62 inches (or 157 cm).

Is option 2 feasible? Could anyone help me on the dimensions of :
(A) the container in which a stand bag is packed
(B) the container in which a golf club (wood) can be packed?

Using the width and height of (A) and the length of (B), I will be able to calculate whether option 2 can be done or not.


thanks,


Gilles

PS : additional question : once in NYC, what •••••••••s should I pay a visit to?

[Gilles]

Hmmm, apparently, one can't talk of venues-where-they-sell-material-to-play-the-sport-to-which-this-forum-is-dedicated. :)


Gilles

[zeg]

Hi,

I don't think (B) will be feasible---the driver is probably 44" long, so you'll need about 48" minimum length, leaving 7"x7" cross-section. That's not going to hold much of a stand bag.

If you skip on the stand bag, a standard golf shipping box should fit, and you can pack it well enough it should survive. Alternatively, I bet if you get an inexpensive travel bag and pack the clubs carefully inside you'll be all right. Keep your receipts. In principle, the airline is responsible for something in the neighborhood of $1500 (€1100) of damage, which should be plenty. However, it'll probably be a serious pain in the ass to collect that. You may also want to investigate whether you'll have trouble or be responsible for duties for bringing these into the E.U. I'm not sure what the rules are. You'd probably be able to sneak them under the radar, but that might limit your ability to make a claim if they're damaged. Also, if they do get called for inspection, it may be hard to argue that you are just bringing back the unused clubs you brought to the U.S...