Golf travel

[Alohaed]

Question for all you frequent travelers.  I might want to book a vacation, where I will golf 4 or 5 days. Probably fly somewhere and rent a car. I am looking for opinions/experiences as whether or not to get a travel bag/cover and take clubs with me, also finding a car with enough cargo space for them and luggage, or to rent my clubs at the courses/resorts.  Especially since my irons are fitted to 1.25 length longer using this  as a factor too?  I know someone who's travel bag has been ripped, and banged up from the airlines. As well as guys in a band who's instrument hard cases look like they went through war from traveling, all held together with duct tape. Thankfully no damge to the instruments themselves. Therefor reluctant to spend a couple of hundered $$ on a good Clubglove,or similar.

[foxhole88]

I would invest in a decent travel bag.  check ebay for good deals and if you can get one with 4 coaster wheels, get it.  They really come in handy when wheeling though airports and hotels, especially since you will be carrying other bags as well.  Spend the money on the bag because renting clubs will run you up to $50 for each round you play and they wont be fitted for you. If you fly Southwest you wont get charged for the golf bag as long as its 1 of your 2 checked bags.  PS- Ogio has good travel bags and they have the 4 wheel coasters too.

[Bigtank]

I have travelled for years with golf clubs both in college and for personal. I would get a decent travel bag. They have a tendency to stand up the rigors of travel much longer. I have my Club Glove from college golf and it still works great. Airlines will not insure your clubs unless they are in a rigid case, but those are a pain to travel with.

If you are going to travel with your clubs, I would say you must have a “Stiff Arm”. Mine is made by Club Glove. They fit down into your bag and extend over the tops of the drivers. This prevents a great deal of potential damage. I have flown all over and my bag has protected my clubs fine.

2 ^nd piece of advice pack a some of your clothes in the travel bag to cushion the clubs.

here is a link to the Club Glove Stiff Arm

http://www.golfsmith.com/products/231537/Club_Glove/Stiff_Arm

[Alohaed]

Thanks for your input. One more question. What do most of you take with you, carry/stand bags or cart bags?  I would get the large travel bag or cover to hold both. I guess depending on what course I would be playing, and whether I would be riding or walking. I see ClubGlove has 2 sizes.

[pueblo]

Several years ago I bought the larger Club Glove bag since we travel to see family. The larger CG bag allows for storage of more clothes, shoes etc. It's been a valuable piece of luggage. Best wishes for a great trip!

[walk18]

Unless you're travelling overseas or clear across the country, consider driving. You'll have a car, your clubs, you won't need a travel case, they won't get damaged/lost, and you won't get charged to check them each way. It's also cheaper, so more money for golf. I know that's not exactly the answer you were looking for, but it's something to consider. I've driven from Chicago to Hilton Head twice in the last year and it was so much better than flying. Flying pretty much sucks nowadays for so many reasons.