Traveling with golf clubs?

[Warik]

I've never traveled with my clubs before, so I'm a little concerned about flying them down to the Dominican Republic next week. I'm going on vacation to a resort with nearby golf and would like to play 2-3 rounds while I'm down there. Any tips for flying with clubs that may help me avoid headaches at the airport and/or ensure that my clubs survive the trip? I don't have a hard shell travel case. I have a "Tour Collection Gold Edition" Wheeled Travel Cover that has a padded top section, but that's about it. Should I leave the driver behind? I'd hate to unzip the bag and find the head snapped off because the baggage people piled stuff on top of it.

Am I just being a worrywart?

[Dent]

I think if your driver is broken, im sure the airline would pay for it, its their responsibility to ensure your luggage is carried without harm. But then thats another hassle. Maybe if you plan on going on more trips it would be a good idea to invest in a hard travel case, or bite the bullet and take a risk with the one you have now.

[Warik]

I think if your driver is broken, im sure the airline would pay for it, its their responsibility to ensure your luggage is carried without harm. But then thats another hassle.

They're going to make me sign a limited liability waiver because it's not a hard shell case. That doesn't mean they're going to go out of their way to destroy my clubs, but it does mean I'm up the creek if it happens.

Maybe if you plan on going on more trips it would be a good idea to invest in a hard travel case, or bite the bullet and take a risk with the one you have now.

Yeah I got the travel bag because this is only for this trip. Don't have any out of state golf adventures planned for the near future. Hoping some of you have traveled with a travel bag before and can assure me that I'm wasting my time by worrying.

[iacas]

Get a broomstick and put it in the bag. It should fit, and it's a tiny bit longer than your driver. It'll help.

Wrap a towel (or a few towels, or shirts, or something) around all the shafts. Put iron headcovers on if you have them (I bought them and use them for travel only) - the cheapie $9 set from Dick's is fine.

Good luck.

[Golf is to hard]

Well on my recent trip to pebble beach i also didnt have a hard case and there isnt much you can do to aviod the hassles of the air port. just remember that the golf cases are always last on the carrosel.

[flap]

Used to have travel case now have SBK tour and its worth it.Like Erik said lots of towells wraped around and intertwined is the trick.

[The Golfing Polack]

I've flown with a soft case twice. I too was worried about the driver head, especially since it the bag barely zipped over it. Everything turned out fine though. No problems, other than getting weird looks walking around with a huge water buffalo shaped bag over your shoulder.

[twomey7]

Get a hard travel case, my dad got one when he used to go to Pebble Beach anually. He never had a problem with it.

[Warik]

Thanks a lot for the suggestions. I do happen to have some iron headcovers and am going to use those. I'll wrap some towels around the driver shaft and maybe a broomstick like iacas suggested - hopefully a broomstick in my golf bag won't cause a security ruckus, though I can't imagine a broomstick would be a issue considering I'd have 14 other potential weapons capable of far greater destruction.

[bcp]

I put several clubs together, then wrap in a towel, then shrink-wrap them. I've never had a problem with the padded, wheeled soft carrier.

[sandtrap]

Get a hard travel case, my dad got one when he used to go to Pebble Beach anually. He never had a problem with it.

the hard covers are the safest but they are pain when you get to your destination. To big and bulky. The soft ones work great just take Eriks advice and pack the heads with towels. I also put my shoes under the heads.

if you travel with a bag with lets. put it in the travel bag with the legs up. with the legs down you risk them getting broken when the airline guys are throwing them around.

[nevets88]

I have a soft case with alot of padding at the top for the long clubs. I've flown probably 25-30 times with it, domestic and international and have had no problems. Maybe I'm just lucky. I've seen other folks just put their raincover on their carry-bag and send it like that. I know someone who goes to more exotic places than I do and his bag is about the same quality as mine, probably slightly flimsier.

Softcovers take up much less space, especially those you can fold up, so if you're stuck with a small car or travelling as a foursome, no problems. Yeah, I'd feel more secure with a hardcover, but so far, I've had no problems and I have close to 2 full replacement sets - irons, woods and all, so I'm pretty flexible.

Defintely get one with wheels. Be prepared not to get your bag when you land - lately, that's been happening to me alot. And the delivery folks come at all hours - I got mine delivered before dawn, 10pm, doesn't matter if it's a weekday, weekend or holiday. So if you can pick it up yourself without any inconvenience, do just that.

[ndredsox]

We flew southwest in May down to Orlando to play a few Disney courses. When we arrived back home, my wifes case was unsnapped and the driver head on her driver was separated. Southwest sent us a check for a new one. I would have rather went without the embarrassment of grabbing the club head off of the table.

[hurley9192]

I got a hard case that is guaranteed indestructible...

pros...don't worry about damage
cons...very bulky, can't fit in some cars

if I got a soft bag, I would definitely put a longer broomstick to avoid the head snapping when it comes down the chute head first. I usually would put my shoes and some clothes in the bag and use it as another suitcase.

[getinthehole]

My dad used to use hard cases and they kept his clubs perfect, they are bulky though.

[aquacooled]

softcase here, traveled to Florida from Germany several times without a problem..

goodluck and have fun