If you’re thinking about taking a golf vacation to beautiful, tropical spots such as the Caribbean resorts, Panama hotels or even embarking on a much needed business trip, you need to make sure that your golf equipment is protected and secure for the journey.
Whether a domestic or international flight, you need a practical solution to protect your precious golf clubs from the harshness of air travel and baggage handlers to ensure that they arrive at your destination exactly the same way you packed them.
A travelling golf case is the only option to protect your equipment on an airplane.
These cases come in two different styles: a hard, plastic shell, or a soft padded case. They both provide a good amount of protection, however, the hard case is the superior choice due to the hard plastic material. The hard case is the more expensive option, but it will save you money in the long run if your clubs are damaged.
Furthermore, most airlines will not insure soft cases. If anything happens to your equipment, you are responsible.
If you must use a soft case, make sure to take as much pressure off of the clubs as you can. This can be done by wrapping a towel or a soft object around the club heads and shafts, especially those which stick out of the end of the golf bag.
Shake the case and make sure you do not hear any rattling or movement. The clubs should be secure and in place, not hitting one another upon impact. This can be time consuming, yet it’s an essential step.
The last thing you need is to arrive at one of those beautiful Panama hotels without your golf equipment intact. This will definitely spoil a great vacation.
A hard shell case, though more expensive, definitely lends itself to the highest amount of protection, but before purchasing, write down a list of the features you are looking for.
The case should have wheels to make transportation easier. Also, make sure your golf bag fits inside it comfortably, not too tight or too loose. You may want to bring your bag to the store or measure it at home to ensure a perfect fit.
In addition, check for sturdy, strong handles as the handling of your case will be rough as it travels through baggage claim and air travel.
The same methods explained for the soft case apply to packing the hard case.
Fill in as much dead space as possible with other items such as golf towels, clothing, or soft shoes.
Attach the neoprene protective covers to your clubs as well.
Before you close the case, give it a shake and make sure you do not hear any rattling or movement.
Another detail you may want to consider is the weight of the hard case. Check with your airlines for specific weight restrictions and pricing.
When you’re checking in at the airport, have another bag handy in case you need to remove some items to lessen the weight.
Your trip to those exotic Panama hotels or that ocean side hut in Tahiti will be completely ruined if your equipment is damaged in transit.
Try to be as careful as possible when packing your clubs and allocate extra time if needed.
Whatever case you choose, take special care to secure the golf equipment tightly, and don’t cut corners.
It’s worth the extra time and care. Before you know it, you will be on the green, golf clubs in hand, enjoying every second of the journey.
Steve Williams, caddy for Tiger Woods and one of New Zealand’s most popular and well-rounded athlete’s will be doing a video interview with the New Zealand Tourism Board later in October and the readers of TravellingGolfer.com can submit questions until early Thursday morning, October 15th, and we’ll pass those along.
