Not Ready To Part With Your Golf Clubs While Vacationing? A Few Things To Remember

[Keira Rose]

For those set for a golf vacation, there is always the inevitable question: do you bring your own clubs or do you rent? The heavy clubs make traveling less comfortable, especially when you are catching a flight. Be it exotic Asia, effervescent Europe or the evergreen Florida golf destinations near home, local golf facilities are always ready to provide you clubs and other equipment on rent. But, as they say, using anything other than your personal golf club is like using someone else's musical instrument, which is not tuned to the scale and octave of your choice. Therefore, by choosing to use a rented golf club, you run the risk of losing the tempo of your game. And know what? Despite shelling out an exorbitant rental fee, you may have to settle on an old model with a faulty grip. For all these reasons and more, it makes more sense to carry your own clubs. Here are a few tips that will come handy when you decide to travel with your golf clubs:

Start with a Sturdy Travel Bag

You can find a basic golf bag in the $75-$100 price range. But, when it comes to protecting your golf clubs, compromising on quality is not an option. Invest in a hard shell, spacious and premium quality travel bag, which may cost you around $250 or more. These sturdy bags are designed to give your expensive club-set the best protection against all types of abuse. Hundreds of dollars for a travel bag may seem a lot of money, but they give a cozy shelter to your clubs, which are an even larger investment.

Shop for a Protection Device

Whether you are traveling by air or by road, you cannot entirely rule out the possibilities of accidental damages and jolts. A protection device, which is nothing but an adjustable aluminum crutch, comes handy, especially if you are carrying a soft-sided bag. Being taller than your driver, they provide a protective cover to the shaft heads and prevent them from getting damaged in case the bag drops from a height.

Know the Check-in Rules

You cannot carry your prized possession as a cabin luggage. You are required to send them to the cargo as a checked-in item along with your regular luggage. If you do not check with the airlines about the cost and weight allowance well in advance, you may face a lot of hazards while standing in the queue in front of the airline counter. Ask your travel agent, or better still, personally get in touch with the airlines. Remember, your golf bag is labeled as an 'oversized checked-in luggage', and different airports have different rules regarding their collection. Some airports send them through regular baggage belt, while many other specify a different pick-up location for these extra-large bags. If you are not sure where to pick it up at an airport, don't hesitate to ask an airport staff.

Minimize the Risk of Loss

Don't leave the house before you put some personal ID marking on your bag. Use something that makes it easily distinguishable from a distance. Stick a label with your name and address. In addition to your cell phone number, include the name of the hotel or golf resort where you’re staying. Use bright color and big, legible fonts. In addition, tie some bright-colored string or a pom-pom with the handle to be able to identify it quickly at the conveyor belt. Insert your business card, if your bag has a slot for it.

Your own clubs are like your trusted buddies; you know every inch of them. They are predictable, and hence make you comfortable. In short, you would need them when exploring the challenging Florida golf destinations or the unknown courses of an exotic place like Hainan in China. Carrying your own club always makes an excellent decision. So pack your best set and prepare yourself for a wonderful tee-time ahead.