TIPS FOR TRAVELLING WITH GOLF CLUBS
If you are traveling with golf clubs, you know how much of a pain it is lugging your bag around the airport and getting your clubs to the course. There are more things to consider than you might know, here are some tips for traveling with your golf clubs.
⛳️ BRING ONLY WHAT YOU NEED
Besides your golf gear, the most important thing you'll want to take with you on your golf trip is, of course, your clothes. However, fitting all the clothes you need into your golf bag (and doing it efficiently) can be pretty tricky if you've never done it before.
Making the most of the space you have in your golf travel bag is incredibly important. Plus, it's easy to do if you've got a keen eye! A good example of utilising all your space is to pack your socks inside of your shoes to free up space for other items.
Additionally, if your travel bag has shoe pockets, you can use them to your advantage! Ideally, you'll want at least one pair of golfing shoes and one pair of casual shoes to wear when you're not teeing off. If you have any additional pockets on your bag, you don't want to add another pair of shoes just because that's what the pocket is made for. At the same time, you don't want to leave the pocket empty. Instead, you can pack smaller items like hats, gloves, socks or any other golfing accessories into these pockets.
It's important to remember not to overpack. You should only fill up the space in your golf travel bag with things that you really need. Otherwise, you risk making your bag too heavy. Different airlines have different weight restrictions on luggage, so be sure to check the restrictions for your flight. This will also help you to narrow down exactly what you need to pack and what can reasonably stay behind.
Never travel with more bags than you can manage alone. Efficient packing is key to ensuring the safety of your golf clubs. Packing your golf clubs for the best protection requires some planning to optimise the weight of your baggage in total.
⛳️ USE BAG TAGS FOR IDENTIFICATION
Identifying your golf bag at the airport could be challenging especially if you are on a flight with several golfers. Adding some bright-coloured string or a pom-pom will help you identify it quickly. Many bags have places for business cards as well. Don't forget to include your cell phone number. If possible, include the name of the hotel where you’re staying. This ensures that even if the luggage tag becomes detached, your contact details are still visible. Consider adding a secondary label inside the bag, providing redundancy in case the external label becomes damaged or falls off.
⛳️ HARD-SHELL CASES
Hard shell bags are more expensive, but they’ll give you more protection if you want that peace of mind. On the other hand, hard case travel bags provide superior, heavy-duty protection for your clubs, thanks to their durable, impact-resistant shells. They're also more versatile, with some models featuring wheels and handles for easy manoeuvrability. Hard-shell cases can be more expensive, but for high-quality golf equipment and valuable clubs, it's worth the investment. If you use a soft-sided bag, don’t forget to pack a golf club protection device. It looks like an adjustable aluminium crutch that’s taller than your driver and keeps your shafts from being damaged in case the bag is dropped upside down. Soft-sided bags, or travel covers are lighter and more flexible, making them easier to store and transport.
⛳️ AVOID MULTIPLE FLIGHTS & LONG LAYOVERS
It’s hard to say which is more frustrating: missing your connection or making it to your destination without a hitch only to find that your clubs didn’t. The best way to avoid both risks is to take a direct flight, if you’ve got that option. It will almost certainly cost more. But paying extra can save you all kinds of headaches, as golf clubs are among the most likely items to be left behind on a tight connection, especially on a small regional flight. The fewer times baggage handlers need to move your clubs from plane to plane in a short amount of time, the better.
Everyone is going to have good and bad travel experiences with their clubs. Hopefully, these tips can help you when traveling with golf clubs and can minimize some easy mistakes.