How To Travel With Golf Clubs
You might be surprised when you find out how huge the golf course and country club industry is. People in the United States alone spend over $27 billion on this market every year. It takes almost 300,000 people working at golf courses and country clubs to maintain them so that we can enjoy our golf games.
Considering how popular golf is in the United States, it makes sense that there are a lot of people that need to know how to travel with golf clubs. Some people assume that they do not need to take any special preparations before heading out on a trip with their golf clubs. However, if you're not careful, you could end up facing serious obstacles that could cost you money or even damage your golf clubs.
On the other hand, there are some simple tips you can follow to keep your golf clubs safe. Read on to learn all about the top things to keep in mind as you prepare to travel with your golf clubs!
Understand Golf Equipment Travel Policies
In the majority of cases, the only thing you will need to worry about before arriving at the airport with your golf bag is the luggage weight limit. As long as your golf bag weighs less than 50 pounds, you should be able to travel without incident and without paying any extra baggage fees.
On the other hand, if you didn't take the time to weigh your golf bag or check your airline's weight limit for luggage, you might be shocked by how expensive it can be to pay for bringing along a few extra pounds.
Some airlines might also require you to pay extra for unusual luggage items like golf bags. Plus, a few airlines set the standard weight limit at something other than 50 pounds. It is worth double-checking your airline's policies before you arrive at the airport.
On top of that, it can be a good idea to think about the damage that your golf clubs might suffer while being transported on a plane. Baggage handlers are not always as gentle as you might like when it comes to valuable and sensitive equipment like golf clubs.
Some airlines will promise to pay for any damage they cause to your luggage during transit. However, others will not, meaning that traveling with golf clubs may mean taking a financial risk.
Of course, even if an airline is willing to pay for your damaged clubs, that may not satisfy you if you are about to play golf. Whenever possible, it is better to do everything you can to keep your clubs from getting damaged in the first place.
Avoid Layovers When Traveling With Golf Clubs
One of the best ways to protect your golf clubs is to fly straight to your destination. If you have a layover, then your golf clubs will need to be moved from one plane to another. This extra instance of luggage handling increases the chance that your golf clubs will receive damage before you get to your destination.
On top of that, there is always a chance that your luggage will be lost or placed on the wrong plane. In most cases, airlines will pay to send your luggage to you once they have found it. However, that can take much longer than you might think.
By the time you can get your clubs, it might be too late to participate in your intended golf games.
Take Extra Care With Anything Irreplaceable
At the end of the day, we have to face certain risks when we travel with golf equipment. However, you might not want to risk any special items you have. If you have an object with sentimental value or a special golf club you want to protect above the rest, you might want to consider alternative ways of transporting it where you are going.
If you are being especially careful with a special item, you might even consider leaving it at home rather than bringing it at all.
Ask Your Friends for Travel Tips
There is a good chance that many of your friends and fellow players have navigated similar challenges when traveling with their own golf equipment. Consider asking around for tips on how to navigate the process as easily as possible.
You might hear some horror stories, but it might be worth it to learn about potential pitfalls you can avoid. Your friends might also give you some tips about how to pack your equipment and keep your costs low.
Protect Your Equipment as You Travel
You might want to invest in a special golf bag that can provide your clubs with extra protection. You can also use a stiff-arm tool in your bag to create a stronger line of defense between your golf clubs and any other luggage that might press against them.
Consider Shipping Your Clubs Before You Travel
The best way to protect your golf equipment while traveling might be to ship it rather than try to bring it on a plane at all. This option might seem more attractive if you have heard horror stories from fellow golfers about what happened to their golf equipment while traveling.
If you are willing to pay for it, you can find excellent shipping services that will take great care of your sensitive golf equipment. In some cases, it might be even more affordable than paying the necessary fees to take your clubs on an airplane.
Know How to Travel With Golf Clubs
The more that you know about how to travel with golf clubs, the less you will have to worry before you head out on your next trip. Learning about how to take care of your golf clubs while traveling can also help you give advice to your friends. As long as you know what you are doing, traveling does not have to represent any special risk for your golf clubs.
To learn more about how you can find the best golf courses for you, contact us here at any time!