Tips on travelling (by air) overseas for golf?

No more special treatment for PPS or kris flyer Gold ? I switched to budget airline no problem with golf bag just need to paid for it.

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!

is the emirates baggage allowance similar for flights to other destinations?

its better to get a golf bag special for travelling. the ones with full hard case (suitcase material), saw a new bagboy full hard case. the older model one only have hard cover on the top part, bottom part same like normal bag. it is lighter than having a cart bag with a travel cover.

QANTAS allow only 1 check in luggage. 2nd piece, regardless of total weight need to pay extra.

If yu travel by airasia, there is a sports equipment option.
Jetstar doesnt have sports equipment as a separate baggage. Luggage and golf bag taken as 1 weight, max not more than 40kg.
I use towels to wrap the clubs in the golf bag and then use a cover.

Winston,

After I look at your avatar... I really wanna do a trip a trip vietnam and golf there...

Thanks for the thread.

Btw. Anyone one can advice if go batam good to have golf bag in golf cover? Also need to use towel wrap ard or dont need? Thanks!

snagy23 wrote:

Btw. Anyone one can advice if go batam good to have golf bag in golf cover? Also need to use towel wrap ard or dont need? Thanks!

for Batam and Bintan, I normally check in my bags as it is but I will keep the umbrella inside the bag and not leave any balls in the pocket.

I only use the cover when I fly.

Any got any opinions on the following? I'm going to the US and thought of getting one

http://ogio.com/golf-9fc3d7152ba9336a670e36d0ed79bc43/travel/straight-jacket-bag

Then just buy this to protect the driver and hybrids:

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=13274479&locale=en_US&clickid=prod_cs&recid=Product_PageElement_product_rr_3_696

When my ex-boss recently travelled from Sweden to Asia, he was advised by his local pro shop that all he needs to do is to buy a cheap plastic broom, put it upside down into his golf bag with the bristles pointing upwards. 

Then simply zip up the golf bag and put the golf bag into a golf travel bag. The clubs (especially driver and woods) will emerged unscathed 

The assistant at the pro shop was just giving his honest opinion and not trying to upsell him any fanciful travel bag. 
Just sharing, I thought its a pretty cool idea

i cannot visualise how a broom would help

when travelling by air, i think a travel bag is worthy investment. though not fool proof, its not too costly to get when compared to your whole golf set and also the despair of finding out you damaged your clubs when u arrive

the backbone looks interesting, how does it work? slotting in between the clubs and pull the covers over?

bigsplash wrote:

i cannot visualise how a broom would help

when travelling by air, i think a travel bag is worthy investment. though not fool proof, its not too costly to get when compared to your whole golf set and also the despair of finding out you damaged your clubs when u arrive

the backbone looks interesting, how does it work? slotting in between the clubs and pull the covers over?

I tend to agree with you. The only time I've traveled with my clubs was to Bintan and I was pretty nervous when I found out I had to check them in (thought can carry on). Given they way baggage handlers 'handle' luggage I visualized my driver's graphite shaft breaking when the bag was thrown  

Anyway, the backbone is supposed to be placed into the golf bag, with the 'umbrella' portion on top, so that it forms a top protection to  shield the clubs from impact and from bending.

Gymrat76 wrote:

Any got any opinions on the following? I'm going to the US and thought of getting one

http://ogio.com/golf-9fc3d7152ba9336a670e36d0ed79bc43/travel/straight-jacket-bag

Then just buy this to protect the driver and hybrids:

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=13274479&locale=en_US&clickid=prod_cs&recid=Product_PageElement_product_rr_3_696

Hi mate..

I once bought a "coffin" lookalike case for the clubs when I travelled further n in transits some time back.. The case is solid and i think no damage would be possible to the clubs. Hahahaha..  But it is also heavy of cos..

If you don't mind the look and weight, I can lend it to you for your trip.. Most of the time we buy these bags to just use it once a while n collect dust in the storeroom...

 

chien wrote:

Gymrat76 wrote:

Any got any opinions on the following? I'm going to the US and thought of getting one

http://ogio.com/golf-9fc3d7152ba9336a670e36d0ed79bc43/travel/straight-jacket-bag

Then just buy this to protect the driver and hybrids:

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=13274479&locale=en_US&clickid=prod_cs&recid=Product_PageElement_product_rr_3_696

Hi mate..

I once bought a "coffin" lookalike case for the clubs when I travelled further n in transits some time back.. The case is solid and i think no damage would be possible to the clubs. Hahahaha..  But it is also heavy of cos..

If you don't mind the look and weight, I can lend it to you for your trip.. Most of the time we buy these bags to just use it once a while n collect dust in the storeroom...

 

Thanks brudder for the kind offer! I don't have a specific trip in mind for it right now, just thought I'd get one during my US trip in April for whenever I go overseas. And a soft case like the OGIO with the backbone shouldn't add too much extra weight. Still, really appreciate the offer 

eeeerrrr....I use an old bath towel to pad the empty places between the long clubs and also wrap it around. Zip up the head cover and its done.

My travel bag - the longest serving golf equipment, 10 years anniversary this year.
I think it is worth investing if you travel often.

Winston wrote:

eeeerrrr....I use an old bath towel to pad the empty places between the long clubs and also wrap it around. Zip up the head cover and its done.

Errr... Never use a broom?
  

Yes I also wrap towels around my club heads. Of course all clubs will be protected under club covers, including irons and wedges 
In addition, for those adjustable clubs where the heads can be unscrewed, may be a good idea to in screw them during traveling 

Then put the entire golf bag into a regular padded Tavel bag. Never had any problems by airport handlers or by ferry handlers. Touch wood!

dreamer wrote:

My travel bag - the longest serving golf equipment, 10 years anniversary this year.
I think it is worth investing if you travel often.

What's the weight of the case (empty?)

Gymrat76 - I have no idea.
So far, I have been travelling with it, stuffed in the shoes, dirty clothing etc and still manage to keep within the airline acceptable weight if this is your concern.

I think this bag is pretty rare, as I usually will get some comments from the caddies at the overseas clubs.

Here's a tip. When the airlines weigh your luggage and golf bags during check-in, try to lean part of the golf bag against the ledge of the the luggage roller belt. This helps lighten the weight significantly.