Hard Shell Travel Case

[cooke119]

Will be doing some traveling with my clubs and I'm looking for a good hard shell travel case. Any recommendations? Also, where is the best place to buy? One thing I read on line is that you have to use a TSA approved lock, is that true?

[Golfingdad]

Tsa needs access to any checked bag at any time, so if you don't use an approved lock then you risk the chance that they may have to break your lock. Tsa approved means they can open it, hence the lock really serves no purpose, so I wouldn't even bother.

[Hardballs]

I just bought my first flight bag as I'm on a golf trip in January! Didn't opt for the hard case but ended spending a bit more than I wanted on a rather heavily padded one! Never thought about a lock? Figured if someone wants to break into it they will!

[cooke119]

I worry more about the baggage handlers more then the TSA, but I understand what you are saying. Some travel cases come with a built in lock, I guess you can't use that either. I never understood why if it is checked luggage the TSA would ever have to get into it? So I guess I wont lock it but I will check with my insurance company about insuring my clubs against theft, have a little money invested in them.

[cooke119]

BagBoy has a really nice travel bag for around $200. I'm going to buy that one, will let you know how it works out.

[saevel25]

BagBoy has a really nice travel bag for around $200. I'm going to buy that one, will let you know how it works out.

I own one of these. Add in the 20-25 dollar accessory, that metal pole thing with the plastic cap to make sure the bag stays at full extension. I've been on two trips so far, and the thing works great. Even had a bag guy chuck my bag and slam against the conveyor belt pretty hard and no damage to anything in the bag. There was a little nick on the bag, did its job well.

[cooke119]

I've also been looking at the Sun Mountain glider bag. That looks interesting to me given that I have a bad back.

[Golfingdad]

I've also been looking at the Sun Mountain glider bag. That looks interesting to me given that I have a bad back.

There are a few members on here that have that one and rave about it. I don't travel much so I don't own a travel case, but whenever I get one I'll definitely consider that one. I'll also consider the standard hard shell case and just fill all the nooks and crannies inside with t shirts and underwear to keep everything from moving around.

[D-Man]

There are a few members on here that have that one and rave about it.

I don't travel much so I don't own a travel case, but whenever I get one I'll definitely consider that one. I'll also consider the standard hard shell case and just fill all the nooks and crannies inside with t shirts and underwear to keep everything from moving around.

You have to keep that bag under 50lbs or you get charged even more for it.  I have a Samsonite hard case that I bought from Dicks for around $120 or so.  I like it because it has wheels where you can drag it behind you and it also has wheels where you can push it around upright.  The upright wheels come in handy when checking in.  I've only used it twice and packed my older set with a Callaway warbird stand bag.  I put a pair of golf shoes in there and had plenty of golf balls.  Mine came in just under the 50 lbs, but I had a habbit of carying a bag stuffed full of balls back then, I also think I cheated and packed another small duffel bag of clothes in there.  The airline websites all have rules on what you can and can't pack in a golf carry case.  If I remember correctly it was a set of clubs (I assume that mean 14 clubs), 1 pair of golf shoes, and 12 golf balls.  That was for United about 4 years ago.

I suggest getting iron covers or wrapping the heads of your irons somehow to keep them safe.  I'm glad I took an older set, I had a nice big scuff on one of my wedges when I unpacked my clubs.  I know if I covered the irons somehow, that would have prevented it.

[OldDog66]

I worry more about the baggage handlers more then the TSA, but I understand what you are saying. Some travel cases come with a built in lock, I guess you can't use that either. I never understood why if it is checked luggage the TSA would ever have to get into it?

You can put a pretty large bomb in a golf travel bag.

[teed off]

I own one of these. Add in the 20-25 dollar accessory, that metal pole thing with the plastic cap to make sure the bag stays at full extension. I've been on two trips so far, and the thing works great. Even had a bag guy chuck my bag and slam against the conveyor belt pretty hard and no damage to anything in the bag. There was a little nick on the bag, did its job well.

Yep, I agree with the above poster. I have looked at a lot of the hard "shell" travel bags and settled for the Ping soft sided bag using the adjustable metal pole shock protector that you set a little taller than your driver. I have used this four times now and have had no issues at all. The Ping bag has two wheels for pulling it but, also has four wheels on the bottom so you can just push it along at the airport etc. If you have other luggage and kids, just pushing the bag along in line is very welcomed.

As for the hard shell bag, well I looked at many of them and decided against for the simple reason that they are in fact  "rigid"! They may fit into an airplane storage area but I could not get two of them (my wife also golfs) into my car to get them to the airport. The soft sided bags will "give" a little and I find them easier to handle.

Just my $0.02

[cooke119]

Food for thought, I haven't purchased yet, with all the advise I've gotten I have a little thinking to do. I was looking at them in Goldsmith, both hard and soft shell, and haven't decided yet. I'll probably do as I always do, go on Ebay and buy on impulse one night.

[mchepp]

I've also been looking at the Sun Mountain glider bag. That looks interesting to me given that I have a bad back.

I have one and I love it. The biggest problem oddly enough is the wheels move too easily. So I can't keep it still sometimes. I also sometimes struggle with the 50 lb limit. I occasionally try to store some extra clothes in there and I go over the limit.

[chigekko]

I've flown with my sticks nine or ten times this year and use a soft bag with wheels. TSA has inspected the bag every trip and even rearranged my clubs a couple times, but no problems. One thing to consider with a hard case is that they may not fit in some rental cars, no matter how you try to stuff it in there. If the back seat doesn't fold down so you can stick it through the trunk into the passenger compartment, you're screwed. I've seen it happen. Recently saw a telescoping stick with a big mushroom cap on the end that goes longer than the driver and I'll probably pick one of them up before my next flight ... for added insurance. Sports Authority sells one for about twenty bucks or something. As for locks, I don't bother ... as already mentioned, the key is universal, so a dedicated thief is already prepared. One man's opinion.