5 Best Tips for Flying With Your Golf Clubs

By / 19 August 2024

Flying with Your Golf Clubs: 5 Essential Rules to Follow

With so many amazing golf courses all over the world it is no surprise that many keen golfers are broadening their horizons and travelling much further to play the worlds best courses. The main concern for travelling golfer is how to flying with your golf clubs to ensure that your golf trip is not ruined.

According to a Golf Around the Wold Report published it was noted that there were “38,864 golf courses in 209 of the world’s 249 countries”, so if you want to try out the best they have to offer you will have to travel by air. In this article we set out some of the common questions and queries that are asked by golfers looking to fly with golf clubs. If you’re still looking at getting into golf why not read our complete golf club guide for beginners.

Flying with golf clubs

Flying with Your Golf Clubs: 5 Essential Rules to Follow

  1. Invest in a Good Golf Travel Bag

Investing in a good golf travel bag is essential to protect your golf clubs while flying. A quality golf travel bag can absorb shocks, reduce vibrations, and keep your clubs safe from damage during transit. Look for bags made of durable materials, such as hard plastic or heavy-duty fabric, with reinforced stitching and padding for added protection. A good golf travel bag will also have wheels and a comfortable handle for easy transport. Have a read of our article on the best hard case travel bags to help you when flying with your golf clubs.

  1. Check Airline’s Baggage Policy

Before you book your flight, check the airline’s baggage policy regarding golf clubs. Many airlines have specific guidelines for carrying golf clubs, and you may need to pay an additional fee for oversized baggage. Some airlines may also have weight restrictions or limit the number of clubs you can bring. Ensure you are familiar with the airline’s policy before you pack your golf clubs to avoid any surprises at check-in.

  1. Prepare Your Golf Clubs for Transit

To ensure your golf clubs arrive safely, prepare them for transit before packing. Remove all accessories, such as headcovers, and secure any loose parts, such as clubheads, with bubble wrap or foam padding. Use a golf club protection device, such as a Club Glove, to cover the clubheads and prevent any damage from impacts. Pack your golf bag with towels, socks, or other soft items to cushion your clubs during transit.

  1. Label Your Golf Travel Bag

Label your golf travel bag with your name, address, and phone number to ensure it is easily identified if it gets lost or misplaced during transit. Use a luggage tag and attach it securely to your bag. You may also want to use a tracking device, such as a Tile, to track your bag’s location in case it goes missing.

  1. Arrive Early at the Airport

Arrive at the airport early to give yourself plenty of time to check-in your golf clubs. You may need to fill out a declaration form for oversized baggage or provide additional information to the airline. Arriving early will also give you time to address any issues that may arise during check-in.

Can I take my golf clubs on a plane?

With the value of golf clubs increasing each year it is no surprise that most golfers are extremely protective about their clubs. If they were allowed travelling golfers flying with your golf clubs would book a separate seat on the plane to ensure that the clubs safely make it to the destination in one piece. Unfortunately airlines will not allow you to take your golf clubs onto the plane. They request that they are checked in as luggage and kept in the main hold of the aircraft. Even individual golf clubs are not allowed due to the risk of them being used as a weapon.

Do I need a travel bag for golf clubs?

If you invest in a hard case when getting ready to fly with golf clubs this will be more secure as it is designed to provide additional protection to the golf club. The hard outer case ensures that the vulnerable parts of the clubs, the exposed heads, and shafts, are not damaged should they be thrown around by airport handlers. This will take the stress away from worrying if your clubs arrive safely at your destination.

Do Golf bags fly for free?

When you book our ticket most airlines provide an option for adding sports equipment to your luggage. This will ensure that the airline are expecting your golf clubs when you check in for boarding. Most international and domestic flights allow one bag included with your ticket, if you are bring ing golf clubs in addition to these then you will have to pay for another bag. Frequent golf travellers advise golfers, where possible, to pack as much as they can into their golf travel bag, without exceeding the weight, to only have to check one bag onto the flight.

fly with golf clubs airport

The 7 Best Tips for flying with golf clubs?

The risk of your clubs getting damaged in transit is high. There are a number of tips which have been shared by frequent golf travelers. These are not the most high tech but are extremely effective.

  • Firstly we would strongly advise that you buy yourself a hard case golf carry bag This way you’ll keep your clubs well protected from any cowboy bag handlers at the airport, as well as securing them from any bumps and movement during the journey. My personal recommendation is the Longridge Hardcase Travel Cover. I’ve used this when travelling and it is excellent. It has foam inside the top near the clubheads, easy to move with wheels and is really secure with locking on the side.
flying with your golf clubs
  • If you can’t afford a golf travel bag, or it’s not suitable our next tip is to put a large sock or two over the heads of your irons to prevent them from rattling around and risking breaking or getting damaged.
  • The next tip is to use a couple of golf towels and wrap them around the shafts of the clubs to prevent them from rattling and breaking in transit.
  • Tip number four is to actually turn all of the clubs upside down and have the heads at the bottom of the bag, the area which as the most protection.
  • Tip number five is to travel light. Do you really need 48 golf balls as back ups, for you need to bring waterproofs and 8 golf gloves? De-clutter your bag, take out anything that is unnecessary and travel light!
  • Tip number six is to make sure you have your golf clubs insured. If you do have a problem when travelling you’ll want to ensure you can easily replace your clubs as quickly as possible. So check the small print of your golf insurance and make sure you’re covered. If you haven’t got insurance why not check out our handy comparison article on the best Golf Insurance policies.
  • Our final tip when you fly with golf clubs is to ensure that you clearly label your golf bag, not only does luggage regularly get lost but the large majority of golf travel bags are black. Make sure yours stands out and can easily find its way back to you.

All of these ideas are excellent and are proven to prevent unforeseen damage to your golf clubs during flight travel, and hopefully avoid the issues experienced below:

I hope this has helped answer some of the common questions regarding travelling with golf clubs. With so many great golf courses in the world only a short flight away there are so many reasons to take your clubs on a flight.

flying with your golf clubs

Flying With Your Golf Clubs; FAQ’s

Can you bring golf clubs on a plane?

Yes, you can bring golf clubs on a plane, but it is important to check the airline’s policy before you travel. Most airlines allow golf clubs to be transported as checked baggage, but some may have specific guidelines or fees. It is best to research the airline’s policy and guidelines before you travel to avoid any surprises at check-in.

How much does it cost to bring golf clubs on a plane?

The cost of bringing golf clubs on a plane varies by airline and destination. Many airlines charge an additional fee for oversized or overweight baggage, and golf clubs may fall under this category. The fee can range from $25 to $200 or more per flight, depending on the airline and the weight of your clubs. It is best to check with your airline for their specific pricing and policies.

Do you need a special bag to fly with golf clubs?

Yes, it is recommended to use a special bag to transport golf clubs when flying. A golf travel bag is designed to protect your clubs during transport and prevent any damage. Look for a bag made of durable materials, such as hard plastic or heavy-duty fabric, with reinforced stitching and padding for added protection. A good golf travel bag will also have wheels and a comfortable handle for easy transport.

What is the best way to take golf clubs on a plane?

The best way to take golf clubs on a plane is to invest in a good golf travel bag, check the airline’s policy, prepare your clubs for transit, label your golf travel bag, and arrive early at the airport. It is recommended to remove all accessories and secure any loose parts before packing, use a golf club protection device to cover the clubheads, and pack your bag with towels or soft items to cushion your clubs during transport. Label your bag with your name and contact information, and arrive early at the airport to ensure a stress-free check-in process.

Conclusion

So if you’re ready to travel and fly with golf clubs and looking for a golf bag check out our list of the top golf bags you should have on your list. Don’t forget to make sure you have the best putter and the best driver to ensure you have the most fun playing golf on your travels.

In conclusion, flying with your golf clubs can be stress-free if you follow these five simple rules. Invest in a good golf travel bag, check the airline’s baggage policy, prepare your clubs for transit, label your golf travel bag, and arrive early at the airport. By following these guidelines, you can ensure your golf clubs arrive safely at your destination, ready for your next round of golf.

Fun Golf Equipment Advice

At Fun Golf, we believe that there’s more to golf than just the equipment you use. That’s why we’ve created content that covers a range of topics related to the sport such as how to travel with your golf clubs. Here are some of our other articles that we think you might find helpful:

  • Golf Insurance: Golf can be an expensive sport, and accidents can happen. That’s why we’ve put together a guide to golf insurance, which can help protect you from unexpected costs. Check out our article on golf insurance to learn more.
  • Cheap Golf Rangefinders: Rangefinders can be a valuable tool on the golf course, but they can also be expensive. We’ve researched and tested some of the best affordable rangefinders on the market, and put together a guide to help you find the right one for your needs. Check out our article on cheap golf rangefinders to learn more.
  • Beginner Golf Balls: If you’re just starting out in golf, choosing the right balls can be confusing. We’ve reviewed some of the best golf balls for beginners, taking into account factors such as distance, spin, and feel. Check out our article on beginner golf balls to learn more.
  • Best Golf Trolleys: Carrying your golf bag can be tiring, which is why many golfers opt for a trolley. But with so many options on the market, it can be difficult to know which one to choose. We’ve researched and tested some of the best golf trolleys, and put together a guide to help you make an informed decision. Check out our article on best golf trolleys to learn more.

By exploring these topics, you can improve your overall golfing experience and make the most out of your time on the course. And as always, we at Fun Golf are committed to providing you with accurate and helpful information to help you enjoy the sport to its fullest.

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