Travel w/ Golf Bag Help - Golf and Golf Tournament Forum

Two Plus Two Forums Sports and Games Golf

Travel w/ Golf Bag Help

Post Reply Subscribe

...

09-30-2009 , 10:20 AM

UCBananaboy

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 8,171

I'm going to be traveling via airplane with my golf clubs for the first time. I have a hard-frame travel case for the transport.

Any advice people have for doing this as most efficiently as possible?

Also, I plan on taking out my range finder and putting it in my carry-on for fear of someone stealing it if I leave it in the golf bag. Will a device like this pass airport security in my carry-on luggage?

Thanks,
UCB

Quote

09-30-2009 , 11:09 AM

Spottswoode

veteran

Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 2,960

I've travelled quite a few times with clubs.
The way it works is when you check all of your baggage, theyll send you to a large-size loading bay to submit your clubs.
I usually put golf balls, hats, shoes, etc in the bag and I believe everytime I travelled with it I left my gps in one of the pockets. However, you should be safe bringing it with you in your carry-on. As long as it's not turned on, they usually let you take any electronic devices in your carryon.

Quote

09-30-2009 , 11:39 AM

g-bebe

because robots are strong

Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 23,574

I've flown with golf clubs at least a dozen times this summer... I just have a soft shell case and usually I either slip a lock or a zap-strap where the zippers meet up, just so nobody can get into the bag. it's pretty simple, it works just like any other piece of luggage that is checked.

Quote

09-30-2009 , 11:57 AM

UCBananaboy

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 8,171

I thought you can't have any of your check-in baggage locked, so they can go through it for security? Unless policies for travel have changed since I last flew...

Quote

09-30-2009 , 01:04 PM

bonds

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 11,754

Quote:

Originally Posted by UCBananaboy

I thought you can't have any of your check-in baggage locked, so they can go through it for security? Unless policies for travel have changed since I last flew...

Yeah, this.

I would definitely put the range finder in the carry on, no reason why it'd be a problem.

Quote

09-30-2009 , 01:19 PM

g-bebe

because robots are strong

Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 23,574

Quote:

Originally Posted by UCBananaboy

I thought you can't have any of your check-in baggage locked, so they can go through it for security? Unless policies for travel have changed since I last flew...

I've never had any problems, ever, with either zap-strapping or one of those three-digit combo locks, or a lock with a small key. Maybe I don't look shifty.

Quote

09-30-2009 , 01:23 PM

UCBananaboy

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 8,171

Asians look suspicious. . .

Quote

10-01-2009 , 08:25 AM

ZeroPointMachine

old hand

Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,816

Quote:

Originally Posted by g-bebe

I've never had any problems, ever, with either zap-strapping or one of those three-digit combo locks, or a lock with a small key. Maybe I don't look shifty.

My hard case locks with a key. Never had an issue.

Quote

10-01-2009 , 03:59 PM

UCBananaboy

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 8,171

Thanks for input. <3 2p2's golf forums for this very reason.

Quote

10-02-2009 , 10:52 AM

#10

bonds

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 11,754

I was bored so I checked out the TSA website, it looks like you can lock your luggage but if they decide they need to inspect it they'll cut the lock (unless you have the kind they can open with a universal master key, what's the point) and you have no claim for damage.

I haven't bothered locking mine the last two times I've flown, but I have clipped/zip tied/strung/taped the zippers together.

Quote

10-06-2009 , 02:12 PM

#11

mrw8419

Connoisseur

Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,305

One thing to remember is that the clubs probably won't come out on the regular carousel, ask someone working there where golf clubs would end up or else you'll be standing around staring at the carousel wondering wtf happened.

Quote

10-06-2009 , 02:21 PM

#12

g-bebe

because robots are strong

Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 23,574

oversized baggage drop ftw.

Quote

10-08-2009 , 10:46 PM

#13

SL55 AMG

adept

Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 813

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrw8419

this is funny because i've taken my clubs from/to hartford, myrtle beach and tampa and never had a problem....the clubs always came down the regular carousel.

however, a few months ago my brother flew into orlando and we waited for about a half hour and no clubs...i figured somebody ganked them..then a voice over the loud speaker basically told us we were idiots and the clubs were in oversize baggage...good times

Quote

02-13-2010 , 12:06 AM

#14

DrOldSchool

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 4,735

Question about fees... are the major US airlines considering golf bags to be "oversize" or "overweight" and subject to extra fees than just the standard $25 per trip?

Quote

02-13-2010 , 02:19 AM

#15

DrVanNostrin

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 4,402

I used a hard-frame travel case and had it inspected nearly everytime. It's the kind that you can lock (is there any there any other kind?), but I never locked it because of what Bonds posted.

I never paid any extra fees (on top of the standard $15-25). Typically there won't be any if it's < 50lbs (my stuff was ~35-40lbs iirc). Although this may vary from airline to airline.

Quote

Post Reply Subscribe

...