Tips on travelling (by air) overseas for golf?

Hi all, I tried to find this topic in the forums but couldn't find any. Was wondering if the lao jiaos can give some tips on
1.What to do and
2.What NOT to do when travelling overseas?

Sorry, but I'm a complete noob and might want to try going to Vietnam for a start. Would a cart bag with some top protection be good enough? Would a staff bag be overkill? I'm thinking of stuffing my 2 half sets into one bag. Advisable to get insurance or have it labelled "Fragile"? Heh. Also..how not to be a "target"?

Thanks in advance!

If you're flying Singapore Airlines, golf bags would not be included in your baggage allowance. They will put it through "Oversize Luggage".

Stands bags not advisable, to prevent damage to the stand during transit. Do use a golf bag cover for overall protection.

That's the few major ones I can think of, for now.

Enjoy your game overseas.

use a cart bag and a travel cover. stand bags may be damaged as you won't know how the airport handlers move your golf bag.

if you're playing in HCMC, the Vietnam Golf Club is a nice course. Worth playing there.

if using a cart bag, best to wrap a towel around your clubs for padding and use a travel cover.. for my recent trip , i used a portliner travel golf bag with reinforced cover thus no need for travel bag cover ...

Try to wrap your woods and irons over with cloth/ towel before you cover over with rain hook & travel bag. This can reduce the chances of broken set during transit. Enjoy golfing!!

Get a2nd set of old clubs for travel!

I have done a couple of trips.

Get one of those golf tavelling bags to protect your bag and clubs. Can get the Perry Gear ones from Transview for about SGD40. I remember paying SGD25 for mine, some more with the Royal Bangkok GC logo on it from SUNTEC. Able to fit 2 adult standbags in 1 travel bag. Also available used in eBay at lower cost. eBay is also selling those polyutherene club headcovers delivered to your doorstep for SGD7 all in which can provide some protection. Lock up everything!

Problem with leaving your golf bag exposed when traveling allows items to be stolen. Just a one-day trip to Batam saw a box of brand new balls lifted from the golf bag which spoilt the game and day.

Have a good trip and a fun game. Will be interesting in a different environment. Enjoy!

Most importantly is to tied your clubs and cushion them in such a way that they wouldn't knock into each other.. you can use about 2 to 3 towels at the shaft area (to keep it apart.. then budle the whole thing together. That's what I usually do for mine.

The cover is definitely useful (and put a lock on it) so that they cant tell what kind of bag you are using etc..

I also usually bring minimum tees and balls (unless they are the used ones, old etc).. go to the pro shop and buy. or sometimes they sell on the course itself.

Enjoy your game!!

Use fluffy headcovers

Typically I will get my bigger stand bag....tie the irons in batches with towel (must be cotton)...for hybrids , I try to slot them, head down. Then all done, another round of towel (macam turban) on all clubs before zipping them. Cover them with golf travel bag...with base of bag covering the driver.


After all done, then go airport check in....then wish 'best of luck' to the clubs...till we meet again ......and then PRAY

I would use towels etc.

Quick question for those who have traveled with SQ. I understand that the golf bag will not count towards your luggage weight allowance and instead, would be shipped via oversize luggage. Is there a charge to this? Anyone know? Or am I talking nonsense (which wouldn't be the first time.. or the last).

The golf bag is considered a piece of luggage if you travel to US. 23kg/50lb restriction per piece. Max of 2 pieces of check-in apply.

That is not an SQ restriction but rather a US restriction.

For Aust, my golf bag which culminated my total luggage weight to be 13kg overweight was charged 6kg worth oni. Its just becos I guess, special understanding towards golfers.

For SQ, excess baggage pricing is calculated at 1% of the 1st class ticket to the destination you are travelling. So good luck to those who travel further.

Technospaz wrote:

I would use towels etc.

Quick question for those who have traveled with SQ. I understand that the golf bag will not count towards your luggage weight allowance and instead, would be shipped via oversize luggage. Is there a charge to this? Anyone know? Or am I talking nonsense (which wouldn't be the first time.. or the last).

I flew to HK vis SQ for golf recently and my golf bag is not charged extra and does not count towards my luggage weight allowance..

Now comes my expert advise. although most have already highlighted a few key points.

I used to fly about twice a month with my golf clubs. It used to be easier then but recent cost cuttings and services slimming for the purpose of higher profits has made things difficult for frequent golf travelers like me.

For those who do remember or follow my posts from toonshouse, after changing to PX and various heavier shafts for my various clubs, my first Dubai trip was kinda troublesome for me. Weight limitation on golf equipment has been enforced. below is taken from SQ website and only applies to SQ flights as I am a hardcore SQ supporter. Reference: http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/before/plan/baggage_allowance.jsp

I quote from the above page.

Quote :

Golf Equipment

A standard charge of 6 kg will be applied on the golfing equipment if its weight together with the customer’s other checked baggage exceeds the free allowance entitled to the customer. This will apply up to a maximum excess of 15 kg for the golf bag, after which the normal excess baggage charges will apply. For example, a customer carrying 20 kg of golf equipment will be charged 11 kg - 6 kg standard charge plus the 5 kg after the first 15 kg.

This special charge is only applicable to one set of golf equipment per customer, and one set of golf equipment is deemed to comprise:

*
1 golf bag containing not more than 14 golf clubs
*
Maximum of 12 golf balls
*
1 pair of golf shoes
*
Golf tees

Any additional golf sets shall be charged according to the standard excess baggage charges.

For travel to/from the USA and/or Canada, each golf set will be considered as a piece of luggage under the piece system, and any excess baggage will be charged.

simply put: if your golf bag does not weigh more than 15kg, it will be counted as a 6kg bag. Otherwise, if it is 16kg, then your golf bag is counted as a 16kg bag, nonetheless. not forgetting that the travel cover is part of the weight. so tips that I share:

* Weigh your current bag. if less than 15kg, problem solved on its own.
* if more, then shave weight wherever you can. lighter golf bag, lighter travel cover, less balls, less clubs (i.e., rarely used 2 iron.) bring only what u will use on the course. (no. ball retriever do not count as a club. for me, i keep my impact stik and chopsticks at home) another interesting note is that sometimes by the time you pay for the overweight surcharge, you will be kicking yourself because the weight was most probably caused by all the balls and you could have used that money to get Pro V1s. yes. i kicked myself a couple of times already.
* at least get a travel cover that has a padded top to offer some protection to your club heads.
* a minimum requirement of cart bag is HIGHLY recommended. the legs of your stand bags will also be bent no matter how strong they claim to be.

If you cannot shave your weight anymore, plan in more detail with regards to your other luggage bag.

Play around with the other limitations. 1 + 1 hand-carry bags.

e.g.: 17kg golf bag + 8 kg clothes + toiletries bag for check in.
Hand-carry your laptop/video camera/camera in your respective bag and with another 5 to 7 kg cabin-sized bag for the rest of your clothes.

This is more complicated but I always have fun doing this. yes. i am some sick dude.



For for trips to the US is different as highlighted by S70B earlier, but pretty much you can play with the same combo as I have suggested above.

Thanks for all the info. Very informative. Should sticky this.

Off Topic post for the thread starter....

If you are keen on playing in vietnam here are the links to a the few courses located within Ho Chi Min City. Please note that the closest golf course is about an hour by car from the city centre.

http://dongnaigolf.com.vn/trangchinh.php

http://www.longthanhgolfresort.com.vn/default.htm (just had my very first game ever in this course yesterday)

http://www.songbegolf.com/main/

http://www.vietnamgolfcc.com/golf/en/about.html

All the golf clubs are quite efficent and professional. Bring your clubs are enough. All have pro shops located within the Club House where you can buy tees, caps, balls (new/used) etc etc. This should help to reduce weight to your golf bag.

Note that if you want to play in Vietnam, it might be better to book through agents in Singapore as transportation to the golf course would be a hassle. The agent would handle all the logistics for you including accomodation.

If you know a friend who is a fellow golfer in vietnam, it would be even better as they can help to arrange everything for you at a much cheaper price. If not, can just ask them to help you book cheap accomodation and just use the agent to help arrange transportation and games.

sticki-ed.

S70B wrote:

The golf bag is considered a piece of luggage if you travel to US. 23kg/50lb restriction per piece. Max of 2 pieces of check-in apply.

That is not an SQ restriction but rather a US restriction.

For Aust, my golf bag which culminated my total luggage weight to be 13kg overweight was charged 6kg worth oni. Its just becos I guess, special understanding towards golfers.

For SQ, excess baggage pricing is calculated at 1% of the 1st class ticket to the destination you are travelling. So good luck to those who travel further.

Important thing to note if you travel to US - if you intend to use a lock on your travel covers, use one that is TSA approved, or risk having your lock cut by security officers.

During my recent trip, all my 5 friend's locks got cut. My TSA lock was spared. One friend used hardcase (eg Porterline) with attached lock and the lock was cut. Now the hardcase is useless without lock...

Great info folks. Thanks!!

slash wrote:

S70B wrote:

The golf bag is considered a piece of luggage if you travel to US. 23kg/50lb restriction per piece. Max of 2 pieces of check-in apply.

That is not an SQ restriction but rather a US restriction.

For Aust, my golf bag which culminated my total luggage weight to be 13kg overweight was charged 6kg worth oni. Its just becos I guess, special understanding towards golfers.

For SQ, excess baggage pricing is calculated at 1% of the 1st class ticket to the destination you are travelling. So good luck to those who travel further.

Important thing to note if you travel to US - if you intend to use a lock on your travel covers, use one that is TSA approved, or risk having your lock cut by security officers.

During my recent trip, all my 5 friend's locks got cut. My TSA lock was spared. One friend used hardcase (eg Porterline) with attached lock and the lock was cut. Now the hardcase is useless without lock...

This one is a well known fact for those who had travelled to US before. I always use the TSA complied lock when I was frequent visitor to NY before....

Yeah, all my locks are TSA compliant. And in case anyone's wondering, yes, they do open the bags and check. I've found my stuff ruffled around with after opening my bag at my hotel, even though the bag was locked (or relocked, more like).

they will also leave a TSA pamphlet inside to let you know that they have violated your stuff.

Wow...thanks a lot for those info. Appreciate that you guys are sharing with a total noob here

I like Long Thanh golf club, I got my 1st birdie there. hahaha...played there 4 years ago I think.

I used to use a cart bag when I travel...with a towel wrapped around my irons. Then put the golf bag into travel cover for check in...but these days I cannot be bothered liao, I just use my stand bag because i no longer love my golf clubs. Haha....I have old clubs and I do know that when an insurance claim arises, it would be good news for me.

My golf bag itself with the travel cover is about 15kg......mine's a standbag and graphite shafts.
SQ and Cathay Pacific will usually give allowance of up to 25KG. (Golf bag counted into the allowance)
If travelling to US no worries, cos can check-in 2 pieces of 23KGs = 45KGs, more than enough.
Tiger Airways, you pay extra for golf bag check in, and the limit for golf bag is 15KG only.
Qantas and UA are very stingy and will gladly charge excess baggage as if they earn a commission for it.

Winter golf is tricky with all the bulky overcoats which adds up to the weight. Whenever we travel to Australia, we opt for Emirates. Even for economy class, emirate's baggage allowance is 30KG check in and 10KG carry on, which means total of 40KG. Plus, golf bag is NOT included on the baggage allowance....you get to check in a golf bag for free....so when travelling to Middle East, Australia, New Zealand or Europe for golf, Emirates would be my choice. Charming service too!

opus wrote:

I like Long Thanh golf club, I got my 1st birdie there. hahaha...played there 4 years ago I think.

I used to use a cart bag when I travel...with a towel wrapped around my irons. Then put the golf bag into travel cover for check in...but these days I cannot be bothered liao, I just use my stand bag because i no longer love my golf clubs. Haha....I have old clubs and I do know that when an insurance claim arises, it would be good news for me.

My golf bag itself with the travel cover is about 15kg......mine's a standbag and graphite shafts.
SQ and Cathay Pacific will usually give allowance of up to 25KG. (Golf bag counted into the allowance)
If travelling to US no worries, cos can check-in 2 pieces of 23KGs = 45KGs, more than enough.
Tiger Airways, you pay extra for golf bag check in, and the limit for golf bag is 15KG only.
Qantas and UA are very stingy and will gladly charge excess baggage as if they earn a commission for it.

Winter golf is tricky with all the bulky overcoats which adds up to the weight. Whenever we travel to Australia, we opt for Emirates. Even for economy class, emirate's baggage allowance is 30KG check in and 10KG carry on, which means total of 40KG. Plus, golf bag is NOT included on the baggage allowance....you get to check in a golf bag for free....so when travelling to Middle East, Australia, New Zealand or Europe for golf, Emirates would be my choice. Charming service too!

that's because you always travel Business Class la... how difficult would it be for you to sit with the riff-raff once again... heh heh heh...