Choosing the Right Golf Travel Bag to Protect Your Golf Clubs
There aren’t many places where a golfer can play all 12 months of the year For golfers determined to play all year round and traveling to warmer climes during the cold season, a golf travel bag becomes a necessary purchase. Whether you are traveling by plane or train, your golf clubs need protection. (A few years ago, traveling to Hilton Head for golf, one of the women in our group had the head of her very expensive driver snapped off when a careless baggage handler tossed her golf travel bag onto the tarmac. The airline gave her some monetary compensation, but as the driver was not brand new, the amount was not equal to the cost of replacement. – That’s another story.) The point is that your clubs represent a large investment and they need to be protected when you travel.
How to choose your bag from all the golf travel bags on the market? Which bag is best? Hard case? Soft case? Your choice might depend on how much you travel with your golf clubs, how much extra space you need for shoes, balls, towels, etc. (I stuff all kinds of extra stuff in my bag, including my bed pillow! which helps give a little extra padding. And with the airlines charging you extra for that second bag anyway, why not stuff the golf travel bag with clothes as well?)
We’ve done some research and have a few recommendations that range from $$$ to $$ to $.
Club Glove Last Bag Travel Cover – $$$
- High-impact plastic wheel base that cradles and shields the bottom
- Extra thick foam padding with club head security strap
- Two locking shoe pockets with two shoe bags
- Completely manufactured in the U.S.A.
Callaway Golf Clubhouse Collection Travel Cover – $$
- Exterior quick-release tie-downs
- Internal shoe pocket
- Reinforced wheelbase
- Neoprene comfort grip handle
Samsonite Travel Bag with Duffle, Bag, and Shoe Mitts – $
This Samsonite Three Piece Golf Travel Bag has lots of great features for a very reasonable price.
- Constructed of 600 denier polyester with reinforced PVC lamination
- Holds longer 48″ clubs and 10.5″ bags
- Tapered shape for better fit and easier wheeling
- Go anywhere zip off shoe bag
- Quilted top and sides for maximum protection
- Padded no slip ergonomic detachable shoulder strap
- Full three-sided zippered opening allows fastpacking/unpacking
- Self-repairing nylon coil zippers with large pulls
- Add-a-bag carry strap
- Flap opening identification window
- Rubber grip reinforced bottom handle for easy lifting
- Three-layer protective bottom with runners
- Sealed ball-bearing in-line skate wheels
- Made of lightweight, water-resistant polyester
- Back accessory hook and protective feet
- Shoe compartment/wet pocket with mesh ventilation
- Neoprene cushion grip handle wrap
- Adjustable padded shoulder strap and front equipment carry straps
- Made of lightweight water-resistant polyester
- Non-abrasive and luxurious faux fur lining
- Fits shoes up to size 13
- Two shoe mitts per set with locking drawstring closures
The bottom line in deciding which type of golf travel bag you purchase depends on the amount of traveling you plan on doing, how much protection you need, and the value of your clubs. Soft cases with lots of padding are lighter, and easier to handle, and they protect your clubs in most circumstances. Hard cases are usually heavier but promise better protection, though they can snap open unless you add strapping for security.
Ask your golfing friends. Visit a variety of websites to see what they offer. But remember, you get what you pay for. Do you really want to put your thousand dollar clubs inside a $29 bag you bought at the local discount store?
Additional websites you might check out when looking for a golf travel bag:
