TSA PROBLEM, EVERY TRAVELING GOLFER MUST KNOW

This week I was traveling from Miami airport to a tour event. When checking my clubs, TSA took my golf bag for inspection. Usually a normal procedure, until I noticed him taking each club and laying on them on the ground.

He inspected each club individually before jamming them back in the bag and bending each wood into my club glove before attempting to zip it up. As this was happening I began taking a picture in complete frustration before I was told by security that I couldn't take pictures. I knew my Constitutional Rights and the First Amendment allowed me to witness this attack on my sticks but the TSA guy started yelling at me so I left.

Not sure why I'm writing this but I am so frustrated by the TSA and airports total disregard for golf clubs. This is my profession and when my sticks are broken before going to an event it not only affects my attitude but my livelihood.

If anyone else has this problem please let me know how I we make a legal stand.

That's serious BS. I would contact the TSA about that. I mean, they have morons at the airport anyways, I'm not surprised.

You should have asked for a supervisor and submitted the claim then and there. They would have given you a tort claim and you could have received payment for damaged clubs, by the government. It's too late now though... the claim has to be filed at the time of the inspection. Can't stand TSA. I get searched every time I fly.

Were your clubs, in fact, damaged?

What article of the constitution guarantees the right to take pictures of airport security procedures? I know there's a right to keep and bear arms but I suggest you not brandish your gun around TSA guys at the airport...

I checked my clubs a couple of years ago and thought nothing about it.

When I got my clubs out to go to the course it was evident they'd been out of the bag. My rainwear had been taken out and just jammed back in rather than rolled up and I was missing a Scotty Cameron divot repair tool.

No damage though.

They put my bag UPSIDE down in my clubglove after inspection... The bottom (foot) of my stand bag cracked, as I dont even know how they physically got them in that way... Also- the protective padding was on the oppostie end during travel too.....

PISSED ME OFF.... As they were all brand new clubs

I have taken my clubs on numerous trips, both domestically and internationally. Never had an issue with damage or items missing. I know the TSA rummages around in the bag as typically the head covers are mixed up. If the thought of TSA sorting through one's clubs is a problem, there are always shipping alternatives through Fedex and the like. Admittedly shipping clubs can be a bit pricey. Since my clubs fly free I continue to allow the TSA to have their way with them and just cross my fingers.

I am headed to Scotland in the fall. Do's, don'ts of packing clubs and gear? Should my gps be in the bag?

I've had a Bushnell Neo+ in my bag on one UK trip. Probably a good idea to put high-value small items in your carryon or something but I just put all my golf gear in the golf bag and take my chances.

The TSA will open almost every golf bag, pull your clubs out and swab them with explosives tester strips, stick their (gloved) hands into the pockets and generally sift through. When I've watched them do my stuff they were reasonably careful putting the clubs back in but generally not as careful/picky as I would be putting them in myself. They will more or less put stuff back like you had it but probably won't pay very close attention. I can certainly believe that on occasion they might be sloppy about it.

My theory is basically stick stuff in there like I'd carry it normally, put head covers on anything I own a head cover for, try not to overstuff anything (so the TSA folks can easily stick stuff back when they're in a hurry) and I use an SKB hard case. It's possible something will be stolen, damaged or mishandled. Even remotely possible the whole shebang might go missing. So if I had brand new or fancy or expensive or rare clubs I'd leave them at home. Fortunately, I have none of the above!

I do have one fairly expensive custom putter which I would not carry with me, substituting a generic Ping Scottsdale or something instead. But I figure even an expensive G25 driver is replaceable on the one-in-a-thousand chance it gets damaged. So far out of several UK golf trips I've had one putter shaft bent in transit (the one time I used a Club Glove instead of the SKB) but nothing else damaged or lost.

Well, I am kind of glad to hear they are checking golf bags closely to help thwart the terrorists. I have nothing to hide so I always say go ahead and do all the looking you want.

If you don't pack a bunch of extra stuff in your golf travel bag it is easier for them to put it back together somewhat how you would like it.

But to see them bending clubs in an attempt to get them back in would be a bit stressful.

So your saying I shouldn't hide the herb in my bag this trip?

[quote name='swizbeatz' timestamp='1392566711' post='8679387']
So your saying I shouldn't hide the herb in my bag this trip?
[/quote]

And if you do, definitely don't try to take a picture of the TSA guy taking a whiff of it.

Do bags get searched on domestic flights in the US?

[quote name='Mudguard' timestamp='1392568188' post='8679529']
Do bags get searched on domestic flights in the US?
[/quote]

Yes.

To the OP...how was it that you were present to see the TSA inspection? Not doubting you but normally with oversize bags the inspection is after they go on the belt into the baggage handling area. Maybe things have changed in the Miami airport but I've been in and out of there with clubs numerous times and have never been present for an exam.

For the people that have had your bags opened and inspected do you have any idea why? I've travelled twice with my clubs in the past month and it appears that my soft case wasn't opened either time. I clean my clubs every time before packing them. I also store my shoes (2 pair) in the bag also. Other than basic golf items you put in your bag I also pack a couple towels to wrap around the heads. Both trips have been domestic travel on the east coast.

[quote name='swizbeatz' timestamp='1392566711' post='8679387']
So your saying I shouldn't hide the herb in my bag this trip?
[/quote]

You're probably OK if flying Colorado to Washington.

Every time I've traveled with my clubs in the last 3-4 years I've had a note in there from TSA saying they inspected it. I've never noticed anything out of place though, and I pack the back a bit strangely, take the head off my driver shaft and insert a homemade version of a stiff arm (made a small T out of a 1x2 just a tad longer than my longest club).

When ever I have traveled with my golf clubs they go on the conveyor and I don't see them again until reaching my destination. I have never seen anyone with carryon golf bag.

Where did you see TSA do this inspection?

[quote name='philsRHman' timestamp='1392576421' post='8680183']
Every time I've traveled with my clubs in the last 3-4 years I've had a note in there from TSA saying they inspected it. I've never noticed anything out of place though, and I pack the back a bit strangely, take the head off my driver shaft and insert a homemade version of a stiff arm (made a small T out of a 1x2 just a tad longer than my longest club).
[/quote]

I know my bag hasn't been opened or items removed because of the way I pack it. Each time I fly coming or going I get the TSA sticker on my baggage ticket (see attached).

[quote name='Guia' timestamp='1392577221' post='8680263']
When ever I have traveled with my golf clubs they go on the conveyor and I don't see them again until reaching my destination. I have never seen anyone with carryon golf bag.

Where did you see TSA do this inspection?
[/quote]

I have seen TSA do visual inspections on every golf bag. This wasn't a major airport- a smaller airport in Washington State. The inspections were done right after check in, behind the ticket counter. The TSA guy wasn't thrilled either as I watched him pull mine out and put them back. I've never had mine not put properly however in probably a dozen flights the past few years.

Anyone know why our golf bags get all the extra inspection? I would assume they go through the same x-ray scanner that all checked baggage goes through already so why all of the extra attention? I find it frustrating cause airlines already don't want to cover any damages if your bag isn't in a bomb proof case that once you reach your destination can't be stored anywhere and even if you have your clubs in said case the TSA will FUBAR them up putting them back in the case and you get no claim.

In recent years, trips within Canada, to USA, Mexico, Barbados and the Dominican I've never had anyone root around in my golf bag. It is packed a certain way so I'd know. Maybe I'm lucky, but I've never even seen anyone's been inspected. Obviously it happens and unfortunately the odds of you getting a TSA screener who is a golfer is likely really low. For all they know, every club is a WMD (no, they've never seen me play either).

[quote name='gr00vetech' timestamp='1392579148' post='8680399']
Anyone know why our golf bags get all the extra inspection? I would assume they go through the same x-ray scanner that all checked baggage goes through already so why all of the extra attention? I find it frustrating cause airlines already don't want to cover any damages if your bag isn't in a bomb proof case that once you reach your destination can't be stored anywhere and even if you have your clubs in said case the TSA will FUBAR them up putting them back in the case and you get no claim.
[/quote]

People have attempted to snuggle things in and out of the country in PC's, golf clubs, their stomachs...

I've flown with my clubs a good 10 times over the past 2 years. I put my clubs in upside down with the heads on the bottom of the bag. Only one flight did the TSA check. I know this because some of the clubs were right-side up. However they did take the time to re-bubblewrap the top of the bag.

--kC

TSA cleared I think means you are in the program where you don't have to do the extra security. I was thinking smaller airports but the OP said Miami so it must have been a random thing or International flight?

I usually get the brochure in my bag that says it was TSA inspected. I place my clubs upside down and wrap woods with towels around the shaft. Stiff Arm I've used from time to time but I pack clothing around it to secure. I usually unzip the top when I pick it up to make sure everything is in one piece. I've seem my Last Bag come on conveyor and oversize..

[quote name='DavePelz4' timestamp='1392568421' post='8679547']
[quote name='Mudguard' timestamp='1392568188' post='8679529']
Do bags get searched on domestic flights in the US?
[/quote]

Yes.

To the OP...how was it that you were present to see the TSA inspection? Not doubting you but normally with oversize bags the inspection is after they go on the belt into the baggage handling area. Maybe things have changed in the Miami airport but I've been in and out of there with clubs numerous times and have never been present for an exam.
[/quote]
In both Sky Harbor and Orlando international, the TSA inspection for large items such as golf clubs are right next to the check in counters. You CAN in fact watch them inspect your clubs at many different airports.


I feel OP's pain, when I flew from PHX to ORL, I watched the TSA guy x Ray my bag and then open it up and started taking my clubs out. The guy took my 913 out and literally just dropped it on the ground with no regard, my heart almost stopped.

[quote name='gr00vetech' timestamp='1392579148' post='8680399']
Anyone know why our golf bags get all the extra inspection? I would assume they go through the same x-ray scanner that all checked baggage goes through already so why all of the extra attention? I find it frustrating cause airlines already don't want to cover any damages if your bag isn't in a bomb proof case that once you reach your destination can't be stored anywhere and even if you have your clubs in said case the TSA will FUBAR them up putting them back in the case and you get no claim.
[/quote]

I have been told by a TSA senior official who should know, that the fertilizer from the golf course gives a similar reaction to gun powder and that this can cause a false warning in the machine. So, they inspect golf bags. Like everyone here, I don't mind the inspection. I do mind the disrespect for my equipment when they stuff it back in the bag.

I think I'd rather them do this than not, honestly.

I travel with my golf bag all the time, and I can only recall one time in the past few years when my bag didn't get inspected. I don't notice anything out of order in my bag, so to me it's not a big deal. I appreciate the job the TSA does. They can inspect luggage of mine all they want.

[quote name='Cwing' timestamp='1392558074' post='8678671']
I am headed to Scotland in the fall. Do's, don'ts of packing clubs and gear? Should my gps be in the bag?
[/quote]I remove my heads on my Driver and 3 wood and put in my carryon backpack, I really have not had any issue's with TSA, but I have heard horror stories. The trick is to find you a very rich friend who has a private jet, now that is the way to travel. Hope your trip across the pond brings great memories and the golf Demon's stay in the US.