Traveling with Golf Clubs

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By Jonathan Smith

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  • 21 Replies
  1. Jonathan Smith

    Jonathan Smith
    Charlotte, NC

    Greetings all,

    I am headed out of town next week and a golf game is on the agenda. I was wondering if anybody took safety precautions with their clubs when traveling. I am using Ship Sticks, and I have heard horror stories about how baggage handlers handle golf clubs. I am sure those stories are exaggerated. In any event, ai believe I have had woods slightly dented in the past, so this time I am going to be as safe as possible. I just bought a Titleist Club Glove soft travel bag (it came with a stiff arm). I have removed the club heads from the woods and hybrid, and they will be in my carry on baggage. I bought som iron covers that I purchased when I bought my Concept irons, so I broke those open for airline travel. I have a couple of towels in there too.

    Anything else I can do?

    Thanks,

  2. Golf Ball Wacker Guy

    Golf Ball Wacker Guy
    Minnesota

    I have alway taken the heads off of the woods and wrapped the irons in a towel and so far its all been safe. I hope your clubs travel safe!
  3. JJohnson

    JJohnson
    Jersey Village, TX

    Golf Ball Wacker Guy said:

    I have alway taken the heads off of the woods and wrapped the irons in a towel and so far its all been safe. I hope your clubs travel safe!

    Yes, this! I use Club Glove travel bags with the "umbrella type" extender to prevent damage.
  4. Todd T

    Todd T
    San Diego, CA

    Military
    If traveling with a pricey putter, turn it upside down in the bag.
  5. Abdon M

    Abdon M
    Northern California (because it's a big state)

    The precautions you've done are very similar to what I do and it's worked well for me. One thing I would add is protecting the legs of your bag if you are travelling with a stand bag; I place thick PVC piping over my bag legs (using a Titleist Players Carbon bag) and I haven't had any issues. I need to give credit to Dale V since he is the first one I saw that posted that suggestion on this forum.

    Lately I've used ShipSticks since I've had a couple of flights which required a transfer, and I just didn't want to risk my bag getting lost in airport limbo. Luckily I have an extra set of Titleist clubs to keep me going while my gamers are being shipped ;-)
  6. Dale V

    Dale V
    Surprise AZ

    Sounds like you have it covered, short of using a hard case. Check your airline policy if checking them as luggage as some airlines will not cover damage when soft cases are used. I also try to get direct flights so they don’t get thrown around during flight changes. If using Ship Sticks, know that they do not actually have a transportation system. They send them via FedEx or UPS or USPS. Those delivery companies have been doing terrible lately on their on-time delivery so you could have problems getting your clubs before your scheduled golf. Good luck and safe travels.
  7. Rob R

    Rob R
    Chicago, IL

    JSmith -

    It sounds like you are taking the right steps. I also agree with Todd to try to camouflage the expensive putter as much as possible.
  8. MRoseski

    MRoseski
    Palm Harbor, FL

    I have used the Club Glove Travel bag for years and never had an issue. I remove the heads and put them in a bag pocket. I have used a hockey stick in place of the stiff arm and wrapped everything in the top around a couple towels. Never had any problems.

    I think you are doing everything you can. Enjoy the trip and have fun.
  9. Scott C.

    Scott C.
    Irvine, CA

    I've traveled with the same back and a stiff arm. I usually put a pillow around the top as well. As mentioned above, I usually take the heads off and carry them on, which is funny because the shaft is just as expensive! Like Todd's though about putting the putter in head first. Might be a little easier with a blade than a mallet putter.
  10. Wade W

    Wade W
    Roanoke, VA

    Consider opting for a cheaper putter headcover if you usually game a more expensive one. Had a Circle T ripped apart by TSA a few years back.

    WW
  11. Abdon M

    Abdon M
    Northern California (because it's a big state)

    For sure! I keep my prized headcovers at home when travelling or I'll put them in carry-on.
  12. JGutierrez

    JGutierrez
    New City, NY

    I have always just used iron covers and the stiff arm protector. I have been lucky nothing has happen to my clubs.
    After reading all these great ideas I am definitely using some of these tips. Thank you guys.
  13. greg p

    greg p
    Chicago 'burbs, IL

    I weave a towel in between club heads and pack extra clothes (tees, shorts, socks) in bag pockets to cushion the shafts. A few prayers help, too.
  14. larry m

    larry m
    columbiana, OH

    I agree with Dale V
  15. Adam G

    Adam G

    I've never used ship sticks but have heard good things... I always check mine in and knock-on wood I've had zero issues with the Titleist club glove using the stiff arm. I remove the heads and place back inside the headcovers to store in a side pocket during travel. I picked up a set of the club glove iron covers to reduce clanking while traveling as well.
  16. Robert J

    Robert J
    Grafton, Oh

    Military
    I bought a hard cover, and it works great, almost bullet proof. I had the soft cover and my putter got broke one time, hard cover fixed that.
  17. Bradley S

    Bradley S
    McHenry, IL

    Like a lot of responses, I have a club glove bag with a stiff arm. I take the heads off my woods and hybrids and keep them in their head covers in one of my bags side pockets then I wrap a couple of towels around the heads of my irons. I also band the loose shafts together as well and cover the tips with an extra headcover when traveling...

    I do love Club Glove, they have the best travel system in the market today....
  18. Deno

    Deno
    New Jersey

    Military
    I put any Titleist items like TT bag tags, covers, new gloves etc in the bottom of the golf bag bag. Pockets have a few old balls, used FJ gloves, and tees.

    Deno
  19. Tom B

    Tom B
    Northborough, MA

    I'm with you and the others. Good bag (like Dale said a hard case is all the airlines will consider for damage). I also take the heads off and carry them in my carry on. If I can't then I go to the lost and found at the club before and get the crappiest head covers I can find and use those on any good clubs. If I take a good putter, I put it in upside down and cover the grip with an extended crappy headcover from one of the woods. I've had friends that have used shipping (shipsticks, etc.) and been left on the first tee empty days later still waiting
  20. Jonathan Smith

    Jonathan Smith
    Charlotte, NC

    Thanks all, next stop…Scottsdale!
  21. 19hole

    19hole
    Reading, MA

    I have had success using a Club Glove "Last Bag" and a StiffArm and checking them with the airline. The only issue has been TSA dumping pretty much everything in every pocket of my bag in the bottom of the travel cover.
  22. Bryan C.

    Bryan C.
    Dallas, TX

    I travel with my clubs about 15-20 times a year. I've been fortunate with using iron headcovers, my towel up around my clubs, a stiff arm, and a soft club glove collegiate bag.

    Just received my Titleist club glove collegiate bag last week after ordering it in May 2021.

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