Protecting clubs when traveling by air.

[texcrom]

About 15 years ago I bought two Club Gloves (one large for staff bag, and one of the smaller for carry bag) and two of the stiff arms.

I no longer use a staff bag, so now I use the larger bag occasionally to pack not only my golf clubs, but additional clothing and shoes. I can then carry a smaller carryon for the rest of my stuff. The smaller Club Glove gets used for shorter trips.

So one of my stiff arms paid the price, and was broken saving a driver. Worth the price.

As for packing:

Take heads off of driver and three wood, place in head-cover, and pack in side pocket of golf bag,

Place shafts upside down in bag. Place stiff arm in bag

Use one of multiple towels I carry intertwined with irons heads to protect clubs.

Shoes in appropriate pockets.

I’ve never had an issue, other than the broken stiff arm.

[Sanfran328]

Lots of good info here. The only ideas I’ll add are weaving bubble wrap between your irons, then a towel or two on top of that, and then attaching the rain cover for your bag for a nice snug fit. If you get it right there’s no rattling of your clubs.

I’ve always used the airlines with no problems other than my clubs arriving on a later flight once. I just used Ship Sticks for the first time, in part because you can pay for additional insurance up to $5000. The maximum that airlines will cover is $3500 if I remember correctly. I just got fitted for nice clubs that exceeded that limit.

I paid for 2 day delivery, and received a very unnerving call from Ship Sticks the expected day of delivery. They had not received a location scan from FedEx, and didn’t know where my clubs were. I was told they were being proactive, and they asked for a description of my bag as a precaution. Later that day I received an email stating they were in route, and they were delivered one day late to my hotel. Fortunately, I had scheduled delivery for one day before my arrival, so all was good. I would advise doing the same if you use them.

This really was a FedEx problem, and I do think Ship Sticks was being proactive. As others have said, they are a middleman, and ultimately your delivery is in the hands of the carrier they use.

[Hack Daddy]

 

1 1/4 inch pine at 48" with pvc connectors.

Lightweight stand bag and a off-brand soft travel bag. Take heads off woods, irons upside down.

Never had a single issue w broken clubs, and the I can see the rod pvc ends have taken some shots.

[dubbelbogey]

That 1-1/4" pine dowel is super bombproof. Much more so than any commercial product.

An alternative to the PVC fittings are a couple of old tennis balls.

[MrMikeHz]

I 2nd this!

[MrMikeHz]

Also, I've used ShipSticks several times...without issue.  Call the course before you ship to make sure they are familiar with..or ship to the hotel.  Beats lugging them through the airport!

[Pepperturbo]

I travel by air a bit more than most these days but not nearly as much as years past, wife travels with me at times. To protect our clubs I purchased "2" Club-Glove Burst Proof II bags with Stiff Arms, not cheap but well worth the price to protect our clubs. That was about eight years back and countless trips since. No problems with either bag and they still look great. The best part is they are easy to maneuver up and down steps, over curbs and through airports. Easy to throw in the limo or trunk too. Though these bags are well padded and have sturdy wheels, bottom, straps/clips, I weave a beach towel around my iron heads and around wood shafts for added support so never worry about breakage. Have a strong TSA accessible lock on it too, no worries. Good luck with the decision.