Planning a golfing holiday? You’re no doubt going to have an amazing time, but there are a few logistical considerations you’ll need to deal with first. Travelling with golf clubs can be a challenge, especially if you’re flying, and it’s best to be fully prepared. Use this handy guide to ensure your golfing holiday is a hole-in-one rather than a bogey.
Research your destination
Before you get started on the packing, spend a bit of time researching the courses and clubs you intend to play at your destination, as this will influence what you’ll need to bring. A remote course in Scotland’s winter is going to require very different gear to a course you’ll play on during a Florida summer. You’ll need to pack appropriately for the local climate conditions and weather (so make sure you check the long-range forecast before you go). You might need to pack extra sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, golf gloves, towels and shoes. Also, it’s wise to discover the dress code at your destination golf club, as some clubs have very strict dress codes and you’ll need to ensure you’re appropriately dressed.
Get travel insurance
We’ve all heard horror stories of golf clubs and gear being horrifically damaged when flying – so it’s always wise to ensure you secure travel insurance before you go. Nothing will ruin your golfing holiday like a mangled driver or bent putter, so have a contingency plan in place.
Prepare your clubs
Before packing your clubs, ensure they are in the best possible shape to travel. Give your clubs a good clean before you go, and get out any dirt and debris. Any fertiliser residue on your golf clubs may trip alarms in certain destinations, meaning your bag may have to be searched. Ensure they are perfectly dry before you pack them, as trapped moisture can degrade your grips and weaken the shaft and clubhead connection. Protect the club heads by wrapping them securely with club head covers or something similar (socks work well as club head covers for your irons).
Prepare your golf bag
The best way to protect your clubs when travelling, especially when flying, is to invest in a hard travel case or a soft cover golf travel bag, depending on your preference. Your normal golf bag won’t offer enough protection for your clubs when travelling, so choose a hardy and durable travel bag to transport your precious clubs. These bags come with special features and soft padding that will protect your clubs in transit, and are well worth the investment (consider how much it would cost to replace all your clubs and you’ll no doubt agree).
To keep clubs from moving around in the bag, wrap towels or clothing around them to help prevent damage (this is a great place to put your dirty laundry on the way home!). This helps fill up the spaces in the bag and prevents clubs from moving around unnecessarily. Remove any small items that you usually store in your bag (rangefinders, gloves, tees, extra golf balls, ball markers etc.) and bring them in your carry-on luggage. Especially be aware of items that may spill and cause a mess in your bag, such as sunscreen, and remove them.
Also consider using a stiff arm – a handy piece of equipment that acts as the tallest point in your bag, making it the first point of contact if your bag is dropped. The stiff arm will absorb the brunt of the force and help to protect your clubs from any damage. And consider throwing an Apple Air Tag into your golf bag so you can always track its location if it should happen to go missing.
Check extra baggage fees
Always check how much baggage allowance is included on your flight – and the best time to add a baggage allowance is when you book. Excess baggage is charged per kilo, so, as mentioned above, remove all small items from your golf bag and just use it to transport your clubs, thus keeping the weight down.
Golf balls are one of the heaviest small items to carry around, so don’t plan on taking a lot of balls with you. Just take a few of your favourite type of ball, and plan on picking up some new ones at your destination.
Fly direct where possible
When golf clubs get damaged on flights, it’s usually when the bag is being handled. Minimise the risk by choosing a direct flight where possible, as your bag will have to be handled less. There’s less chance for your bag to be mishandled or lost, or your clubs broken or damaged, so it’s well worth the expense.
Prepare when driving
If you’re driving to your destination rather than flying, it’s going to be a whole lot easier on your clubs, but they can still be susceptible to damage from being jostled around and bumped. Prepare your clubs and bag just as carefully, by using padding around your club heads to protect them, as well as filling up any empty spaces in your bag to prevent movement.
Physically prepare
If you’re planning a golfing holiday, you may be playing a lot more golf than you usually would, and on unfamiliar courses. This means your body may struggle with the extra load and unfamiliar terrain. Prepare for your holiday by doing some extra stamina training before you go, such as long walks or light runs, to help you build up and maintain your stamina once you’re at your holiday destination.
Take photos
Before you embark on your journey, take photos of your clubs and bag so you have a record of their pre-trip state should anything untoward happen to them.
When you arrive
When it comes to unpacking time, don’t forget your clubs. Remove them from their wrappings and check each club quickly for any signs of damage on the clubhead and shaft. Look for things like abrasions, cuts, cracks or dents. Lightly twist and shake your club to check for loose parts as well. If it becomes obvious or you suspect any damage has occurred, get your club checked and repaired (if necessary) by a professional before using it.
Or maybe don’t take your clubs at all?
Travelling with golf clubs always involves some risk. And while most golfers are very attached to their clubs, it’s entirely possible to leave your clubs at home and hire a set when you get to your destination. While it won’t be the same as using your own clubs, it will save you a lot of hassle and extra expense, so may be something to consider.
And now all that’s left to do is enjoy your golfing holiday and play your best game. Happy holidays!
Click here to read more about how to prevent golf club damage when travelling.
