Club glove or hard case

[Jlender21]

Hi guys, I am looking to purchase a travel bag for my clubs. I have a stand bag and normally fly spirit since we have a small regional airport that flys to multiple spots in FL and Myrtle. My question is should I get the club glove or a hard case? I don’t want my clubs to be broken obviously but also want something that will last. I will obviously get a stiff arm as well. Any info would be great thanks.

[texcrom]

Club Glove user for over 20 years, and never an issue. Must easier to store, as well as travel with.

And have broken two stiff arms over the years, because they worked.

[SBH9458]

@Jlender21
Recommend going with a hard case. Had a soft case first and transitioned. So I paid twice. Recommend you pay once. The check that goes on with TSA for our safety is what it should be, but the adjustments to what you have packed can be impactful in a soft case. Used to pack towels around everything around the stiff arm, but that didn’t work when everything gets moved. So....I went to hard case. With the hard case, move it where you will and it is still protected.

That’s my two cents. Let me/us know what you decide to do!!!!

[aenemated]

I got the SKB hard case for my trip to St Andrews - largely because I've used SKB cases for my drums and guitars for a good 20 years and the quality is top-notch. Sturdy as hell, very well built and not too unwieldy to roll around the airport.

I figure the last thing I wanna cheap out on is a case that would be containing the approximately $3k (probably more, honestly) I've got invested in my golf bag.

[LeoLeo99]

Southwest will only honor a damage claim on golf clubs if you use a hard case.

That said, I have a soft case and never had a problem but I've only traveled on planes 6 times with my clubs.

[rainkingjr]

I'd probably lean towards an SKB hard case like mentioned above. I used them for my drums. Very sturdy. I'd also like to hear from folks who have used Shipsticks as that could be an alternative.

[Davidv]

Good soft case, used one for many years and flights never a problem.

[dbdors]

Sun Mountain Club glider.

[Jlender21]

I think hard are great. But I don’t know if they will fit in the car. And also flying spirit the luggage has to be 40lbs or less. And most of the hard cases are 20lbs at least

[Warrior42111]

I’ve used a club club with stiff arm the last 8 years probably around 15-20 trips never had an issue

[Carolina Golfer 2]

This 1000 times. I dont know why anyone would use anything other than this or a ClubGlove.

Haedcsses are antiquated and won't fit in most rentals. With removable heads there's no reason to ever worry about broken clubs.

I fly on average 5 times a year with my clubs and have never had an issue with either Clubglove or SM

[e-man]

Club glove with stiff arm for me. And I have two club gloves, both the collegiate size. If you have a staff bag, you may need to get the larger club glove but if you have a stand bag, go for the smaller one. With a bag and clothes and shoes stuffed in there, it can get close to 50 pounds.

[ephmen]

Hard case is great but hard to fit in cars. Go soft.

[jvincent]

Hard case user for many years. Never had an issue. They way I've seen baggage handlers throw cases I wouldn't trust anything else.

For all you guys complaining that it won't fit in the car, I've had my hard case (SKB) in very small cars. Just put it in the back seat. This works even if there are two of you on the trip.

[dubbelbogey]

As mentioned above, hard cases often don't fit well in a lot of vehicles. The other downside that I've seen (twice with my buddies cases) is they can get damaged during baggage handling such that they don't close very well after being damaged. They get "racked" and the closures then don't line up very well.

There's a reason most every tour pro uses a Club Glove soft case (or something equivalent.)

For best protection - remove heads that can be removed and pack those in your carry-on. If your stand bag's openings permit, put the rest of the clubs into the bag upside down. They're better protected this way and has the huge added benefit of putting most of the weight down by the travel bag's wheels, which makes wheeling it through the airport a lot more comfortable on your hands and arms (better balance). And, of course, use a stiff-arm or equivalent. I use an old, cut-down hockey stick with a tennis ball on the end. Effectively crush-proof.

[jonradus]

I have a soft case and fly all the time with it. One time the top portion of my driver shaft broke during the flight handling. One of my friends had the same thing happen to him when a cab driver stuck his soft case in a trunk. Now I take the head off my driver during travel. Other than the shaft break, the soft case is awesome. Just be wary of the driver shaft break potential.

[dbdors]

The club glider is so easy to move. I have travelpro luggage with swiveling wheels. It movers easy, but my clubs are even smoother. One hand on the bag and it goes wherever I want. Like handling a bull with a ring in its nose.

Here is a picture that also shows how small it stores when not in use. Great for in the car or at the hotel.

[pat_kato]

I bought this one from Amazon a few weeks ago. I good combination of a hard shell top with a soft shell body. Traveled once with my clubs without issue. Just expect the TSA to open your bag up.

[GeorgeHWB]

In 2006 I bought a hard case. First trip I took the case wouldn't fit in the trunk and my two kids had to sit on top of the hard case in the back seat. Not cool.

 

I donated the hard case to Goodwill and bought a Club Glove and have not regretted it. I use it about 3 times a year and loan it to buddies when they have a chance to take clubs with them for a work trip. I've never had a mishap. With adjustable drivers I take the head off my driver and store it in a pocket. Easy peasy.

 

I would never, EVER, go back to a hard case.

[pgetzen]

Another vote for the Sun Mountain Club Glider. Best travel case I have ever used. So easy to transport around the airport to car.

[nsxguy]

Correct (re: Southwest) A LOT of airlines will not pay for any damage unless your clubs are in a HARD-sided case. That's enough for me. Here's a decent rundown. http://www.criticalgolf.com/blog/2013-airline-rules-regulations-traveling-with-golf-clubs/

Personally I picture something particularly heavy landing midway up my bad directly onto the shafts. Soft-sided ? You're done.

As for the case in the car, if you're in a larger car it may not fit in the trunk but it will fit crosswise on the rear seat. Once you get where you're staying and unload who cares about it. Now if you have a full car, I guess that's a decent reason, but otherwise,,,,,,,,,

And as somebody up top said, disassemble the driver (and others if you can).

 

 

 

[Carolina Golfer 2]

Yeah. I have gotten a few comments when I'm in the curbside line on how cool it looks and how easy I can move it.

Good picture of how compact it is not in use. Easily fits in a corner of my office---i keep my clubs at work.

I can't imagine where I would store a hard case.

[Hobbs]

I had a hard case about 20 years ago and sold it a few years later because it would not fit in the trunk and it was difficult to store. Purchased a Club Glove and stiff arm and never had a problem. However, I now used shipsticks when I travel so I do not have to walk through the airport with luggage, my wife and my 5 year old. Other than having to ship the clubs a few days earlier and ship them back to my wife's office the day before we return home, no real issues for me.

Used shipsticks about 6 times and it's been great. They often send emails with discounts that actually happen to benefit me. Once they offer next day shipping for no additional cost (both ways). To me, that was a steal from the SF Bay Area to Granger, Indiana.

 

[plim123]

I went back and forth deciding between soft and hard shell. Ultimately went with soft case. One additional benefit... If you use your bag to store clothes (doubles as padding for the clubs), the soft case has some give to expand. Hard case, not so much.

But yeah, take your wood/hybrid heads off (if you can). Between that and using shirts to pad the top, you don't even need a stiff arm.

[pat_kato]

I'm not sure but would the type of bag would be a factor in this decision as well? I'd imagine that if you were using a sturdy staff or cart bag that you would be less prone to damage if you were to use a soft case. This is just an assumption. Whereas if you were to use a stand bag with a thin material I think you may need to go the hard case route. Again, just an assumption.

[gdb99]

I bought the cheapest soft case I could find about 15 years ago. Still working. I have a Sun Mountain 2.5 bag. I take all the heads off and wrap clothes and towels around everything.

It’s got a few small wear holes from being dragged around, so I may need to buy another soon. I only fly once a year.

[SUPERG]

Club glove collegiate, small and easy. It’s got a tight fit on the bag so it’s less likely to bust, stiff arm has saved me once already as well. Never had any issues!

[Itsjustagame]

Have had a club glove for many years and it has worked very well.

Have to be careful not to put so much stuff in it that it weighs more than 50 pounds though.

[plim123]

Oh yeah, that's the other downside of the hard case - weight. The case itself weighs more than a soft case, leaving you less weight allowance.

[driveandputtmachine]

I travel a bit for work and often have times to play in the US, plus have taken two overseas trips and never had an issue with a hybrid. Mine is a Bag Boy I believe. I also take my woods off of their shafts, just to be safe. I live in Atlanta and have been to Scotland, Ireland, Phoenix, San Diego, Texas, Chicago, and a few other places and have never had a problem. Scotland in particular I had this thing packed full since I only took a carry on for a 9 day trip. Three pairs of shoes, waterproofs, couple of other pairs of shoes, bought some extra golf shirts while I was there.

Bag Boy T-10 Wheeled Travel Cover | TGW.com