International golf trips have become more and more popular over the past several years. For many travelers to Scotland and Ireland, golf is a big draw. The two countries feature some of the most famous golf courses in the world, making them a natural destination for those who enjoy golf travel. Carting your clubs with you overseas, however, can present some logistical problems. If you’re considering doing some international golf travel, it helps to know how the biggest and most popular airlines will treat your golf clubs and other golfing equipment. These tips and golf travel info for major airlines can help you avoid some of the biggest problems you might encounter.
Clean your golf clubs before you travel. Fertilizer residue on your golf clubs has been known to set off bomb detectors, which is a heck of a way to start off your golf vacation.
Invest in a good quality golf travel bag to ensure that your golf clubs are well-protected during travel.
Avoid baggage fees and other hassles that accompany traveling with your golf clubs by shipping your golf clubs ahead to your destination. It’s not much more expensive to do so, and will ensure that your clubs arrive at your destination instead of being lost in transit.
American Airlines counts one golf bag with up to 14 clubs, 12 golf balls and a pair of golf shoes as the equivalent of one checked bag. If it’s a second checked bag, you’ll incur a $35 second bag fee. The maximum free weight on golf clubs is 70 lbs., and the size is limited to the size of a hard-sided golf case.
Continental Airlines will accept one item of golf equipment per passenger, with the item consisting of one golf bag containing one set of clubs, golf balls and one pair of golf shoes. All the items must be in a suitable container, and the golf bag must be covered or encased in a rigid carrying case. The airline is not liable for any damage to golf equipment that is not in a hard-sided case, and you can’t purchase excess valuation for golf equipment that isn’t in a hard-sided case. In addition, if you check a golf bag, you’ll probably have to wait longer for your luggage at the baggage claim.
Delta Air allows you to check one golf bag that weighs up to 50 lbs. and measures no more than 80 inches. If the bag is larger than that, you’ll have to pay an overweight baggage fee. If your golf bag is not inside a hard-sided case, you’ll have to have it packaged in a soft-sided golf travel bag and sign a limited damage release form before you can check it.
Jet Blue will accept golf equipment on all flights at no additional charge as long as your bag is within the size and weight limits. Your golf bag will count as one checked bag. Jet Blue defines one golf item the same as American Airlines.
If you’re taking advantage of golf travel packages to enjoy some Ireland or Scotland golf , these tips should help you prepare your golf equipment for the trip so your golf clubs end up arriving when and where you do, ready to hit the most historic golf greens and links in the world.
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