I searched but didn't see anything on this...an exhange with XpressAg on the Salt Lake city thread got me thinking about this. What are travel tips folks have they'd share with the group?

--obvious one is if your travel bag for clubs is soft put a shower curtain rod in your bag just an inch longer than your driver. Sometime a broomstick will work
--my travel bag has 2 pockets for golf shoes. I NEVER put my shoes in there. They go inside the bag along the golf bag heel to toe. Distributes more protection for clubs AND makes bag more narrow
--I'll wrap clothes around club heads for extra padding (have a great travel bag but the way I look at it is can never have too much protection!!)
--previous two items also help allow me to travel with carryon only
--No matter what bag you have, its gonna have wheels. If you like your bag go ahead and check the bag, youtube, etc to see if you can easily replace the wheels. If so, buy some from bag mfg before they discontinue b/c it seems the first thing to break are the wheels
--wherever it is you're going, call a few clubs and ask what their maintenance schedule is. We got lucky by asking this about 2 years into our deal. we were deciding between 2 destinations and all the clubs at one were going to be punching 2 weeks before arrival. The other destination was after we wanted to go. Made the decision easy
--even if online it says they only book online X days in advance, can't hurt to call pro shop and explain you're traveling in from out of town and ask if they'd make exception. Especially if you're solo. And if you're in a group, ask to talk with GM or at least head pro and offer to pay a little more to book group in advance. Worst they'll say is no
--if you belong to a CC or even just take lessons from a local pro, ask them if they know anyone at certain destinations and if they'd be willing to help TRY to get you on courses there. TONS of pros move a lot thru their career, especially amongst high end clubs going North to South with seasons and they build a network. Leverage your pros network. Sometimes they might call a buddy who can't help but that buddy gets you on somewhere else.
--if going with a group, coordinate who is taking speakers so you don't waste space/weight on it.

This all. That's what I do.

I recently learned the hard way about not removing my driver head and it getting snapped off, even using one of the protector arms. They managed to mangle my bag well enough that even my putter was bent, but nothing els was damaged.

I use a stiff arm then a couple beach wrapped around and in between all my clubs to keep them all snug.

I always remove the driver head and stick it into the headcover in the side pocket. I also use a stick arm for 3W.

I usually take my laser in my backpack but put clothes that I don't care get wrinkled (socks, underwear, undershirts etc) into my Last Bag, along with toiletries.

I've been removing driver and 3wood heads for a few years now. And because I carry a speed stick, it becomes the longest stick in the bag and also protects the driver shaft.

I also always check the bag when I pick it up to make sure TSA didn't steal the shoes, balls... Etc.

is the speed stick strong enough to protect the clubs?

some of us have OLD clubs and can't remove the driver head

trip98 said:

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is the speed stick strong enough to protect the clubs?

some of us have OLD clubs and can't remove the driver head

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Well... It may be time for a driver upgrade for you then and that means a lot coming from me.

Speed stick is shorter than your typical driver so nonremovable head driver, No.

Y'all are seriously taking apart golf clubs to travel?

AggieDruggist89 said:

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If your luggage doesn't make it and you have a tee time on the day or next, feel free to rent clubs, buy you the most expensive shoes, few dozens of prov1s, rain gear, gloves, socks and hats. Airline will reimburse you.

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Definitely an option.

After having clubs not loaded on our flight multiple times, I make sure I have a pair of golf shoes, glove, sleeve of balls, etc in my carryon so I can avoid having to grab those at the pro shop(especially shoes).

Also, when flying with clubs, pay attention to the aircraft being used. Our group has had clubs not loaded on our flight when flying small regional jets out of DFW multiple times due to overall weight limit for the aircraft. We now make sure we are flying regular sized aircraft, even if not as convenient for our itinerary.

kwammer said:

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AggieDruggist89 said:

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If your luggage doesn't make it and you have a tee time on the day or next, feel free to rent clubs, buy you the most expensive shoes, few dozens of prov1s, rain gear, gloves, socks and hats. Airline will reimburse you.

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Definitely an option.

After having clubs not loaded on our flight multiple times, I make sure I have a pair of golf shoes, glove, sleeve of balls, etc in my carryon so I can avoid having to grab those at the pro shop(especially shoes).

Also, when flying with clubs, pay attention to the aircraft being used. Our group has had clubs not loaded on our flight when flying small regional jets out of DFW multiple times due to overall weight limit for the aircraft. We now make sure we are flying regular sized aircraft, even if not as convenient for our itinerary.

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As much as I hate having to deal with a lost luggage, having dealt with it, I will gladly deal with it again and get me top end golf shoes. And if it does rain, I will get me rain gear. American air was very easy to work with.

Hard case travel bag makes a lot of these precautions moot.

Only downside is fitting it in your vehicle at your destination if you're renting. Need a van or some type of SUV, or it's probably going in the back seat of a sedan. But when traveling in a group you've probably got a bigger vehicle anyway. But I've been hard case for 7 - 8 years now and it's really never been an issue.

Rangefinder is always in my carryon.

schwabbin said:

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Y'all are seriously taking apart golf clubs to travel?

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Yes. Takes about 10 seconds to do and guarantees the driver is safe even with a stiff arm.

I also started putting the range finder in my laptop bag.