I live in Florida and I've been keeping my clubs in the trunk for YEARS!

[madeinguam81]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I've read that this isn't good for the clubs; the epoxy can loosen; and other threats BUT for me at least, I'm more than ok with the risk.  I'm on the road daily and I love the flexibility to hit the range or play a quick round whenever time allows.  Not only that, being able to keep the sticks hidden from the wife means fewer "fun" conversations where I have to answer the question "Is that a new golf club and/or bag?"

 

For what it's worth, I've never had an issue in the years that I've kept all my clubs in the trunk.  Don't know if dumb luck or if the potential damage talk is thrown out of proportion.  

Edited August 9, 2021 by madeinguam81

[nvr3putt]

I'm more worried that you live in FL. 😝

 

[edit] On a slightly more serious note, you should be more worried about your golf balls. 

https://www.titleist.com.sg/teamtitleist/team-titleist/f/golf-balls/10197/storing-golf-balls

Edited August 10, 2021 by nvr3putt

[betarhoalphadelta]

Your junk in your trunk is your business. 

 

A little concerned you have to hide the junk in the trunk from the wife...

[farmer]

Back in the day, grips turned slick and rock hard after extended trunk time.  Wood would dry out and the screws would get loose.  Modern grips must not suffer, and the hottest trunk doesn't approach epoxy break temps.  If it works for you, then it works for you.

[TLUBulldogGolf]

I keep mine in the trunk in TX, never really had an issue. I agree with the convenience factor. 

[MtlJeff]

I think a lot of this is just old wives tales. As has been mentioned i don't think trunk temps can approach the melting point for epoxy

 

Some dude in the early days of the internet probably a head fly off for some other reason after keeping clubs in the trunk, and we've all been suckers ever since

 

I've also heard that keeping them in there in the winter is bad, as the epoxy can crack. No idea if this is true.

[Shushwap]

Winter and early spring here can get cool at night.. the cold does seem to harden up the grips 

No issues leaving them in there all summer in the hot temps.. even this year when we sat in the 100,s 

I agree on hiding them from the wife... once fall hits they all look used when they come in the house lol 

[vsabre]

16 hours ago, farmer said:

Back in the day, grips turned slick and rock hard after extended trunk time.  Wood would dry out and the screws would get loose.  Modern grips must not suffer, and the hottest trunk doesn't approach epoxy break temps.  If it works for you, then it works for you.

And balata golf balls....

[LegendJeff]

I have a couple graphite iron sets and when I have accidentally left in trunk (South Carolina heat) I have a had 3 clubs this year pull out of the hosel and had to get re-set with new epoxy. But I have not had the issue happen on steel shafted clubs. 

[Abh159]

I grew up in the southeast, and although I've never had an issue with epoxy loosening I have noticed that clubs will rust a lot quicker if left in the trunk (especially during humid months).

 

I had a few old satin finished wedges that had been taken out of play and were just left in purgatory in my trunk. After a few months they developed some major rust spots on the face. It wasn't anything a little scrubbing with a wire brush couldn't remove, but it was a good reminder to always bring my clubs inside after the round. 

[Ferguson]

I think people stopped calling them sticks years ago.  Could be wrong. 

 

 

[dokex]

4 hours ago, MtlJeff said:

I think a lot of this is just old wives tales. As has been mentioned i don't think trunk temps can approach the melting point for epoxy

 

Some dude in the early days of the internet probably a head fly off for some other reason after keeping clubs in the trunk, and we've all been suckers ever since

 

I've also heard that keeping them in there in the winter is bad, as the epoxy can crack. No idea if this is true.

I agree. Just another excuse for people who are not properly trained in club repair to explain heads flying off.

[Buzzkill]

I had some Golf Pride Victory grips melt in trunk in the late 70’s in WV.

[MK7Golf21]

I use to do this but stopped. My driver I started feeling weird cracks occasionally at impact from the epoxy, not sure if it was related.

[Gsea]

who cares

[dlygrisse]

25 minutes ago, Buzzkill said:

I had some Golf Pride Victory grips melt in trunk in the late 70’s in WV.

I never understood why anyone liked these, although I did play the full cords for a bit.  They had a shelf life of about 1 year under good conditions before they would get slick, turn to a crumbly clay like substance and fall apart.  

[david.c.w]

2 hours ago, Ferguson said:

I think people stopped calling them sticks years ago.  Could be wrong. 

 

 

 

Calling clubs sticks is alive and well in Georgia.  

 

"New sticks?"

"If you are going to the club will you grab my sticks for our trip?"

 

These days I leave my clubs (sticks), in the bag room, but for years always had them in the back of an SUV.  They never got stolen, never had a head fall off, and the grips NEVER got changed.  This issue was the grips were like greased lightning due to excessive wear, not from cracking.

 

Side story on grips....  When i finally got both good enough and interested enough, I changed grips after 7 years to Golf Pride New Decade MCC Midsize right before a long golf trip to Northern MIchigan (Treetops, Forest Dunes, Otsego, Arcadia Bluffs).  It was just 4 holes in on the first course when my right ring finger was getting SHREDDED.  Fortunately someone in the group has tape in his bag and i made it.  Always carry a few rolls of tape in the bag now.  

 

[dlygrisse]

On 8/9/2021 at 3:20 PM, madeinguam81 said:

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I've read that this isn't good for the clubs; the epoxy can loosen; and other threats BUT for me at least, I'm more than ok with the risk.  I'm on the road daily and I love the flexibility to hit the range or play a quick round whenever time allows.  Not only that, being able to keep the sticks hidden from the wife means fewer "fun" conversations where I have to answer the question "Is that a new golf club and/or bag?"

 

For what it's worth, I've never had an issue in the years that I've kept all my clubs in the trunk.  Don't know if dumb luck or if the potential damage talk is thrown out of proportion.  

The only time my clubs leave my trunk are,

1.  When there is snow on the ground. Usually about 4 weeks a year.  This is when re-gripping usually occurs.  

2.  When I am running to the hardware store to buy large bags of fertilizer or mulch or something. 

3.  Road trip and I am not playing golf, the wife always over packs.  

[farmer]

1 hour ago, dlygrisse said:

I never understood why anyone liked these, although I did play the full cords for a bit.  They had a shelf life of about 1 year under good conditions before they would get slick, turn to a crumbly clay like substance and fall apart.  

They were what all the cool guys played.

[Isaac_Newton]

Leave mine in my trunk almost all year. I will take the balls inside when overnight temps are below 50. IMO cold golf balls fly shorter.

[br61]

15 hours ago, dlygrisse said:

The only time my clubs leave my trunk are,

1.  When there is snow on the ground. Usually about 4 weeks a year.  This is when re-gripping usually occurs.  

2.  When I am running to the hardware store to buy large bags of fertilizer or mulch or something. 

3.  Road trip and I am not playing golf, the wife always over packs.  

I'm in the same boat with overpacking wife! Ha

 

I live in SW Missouri where it can get hot or cold. My bag usually resides inside my SUV or my garage. My SUV is parked inside the garage. Never had a problem with clubs or grips. However, I store my balls inside the house until they are needed.

[bodhi555]

I'm in the UK so I leave mine in the boot 😂 Admittedly we don't get the extreme heat you chaps do in Florida, but it can go from below zero in winter to 30 degrees + in summer, and honestly never had an issue - other than the wife moaning when we go shopping and there isn't any room in there for the stuff we've bought....

[cgasucks]

I never leave my clubs in my car overnight for fear of it being stolen.  I don't have space to put it in my trunk so I put my golf bag in the back seat and cover it with a bedsheet for the times I do put it in my car.

Edited August 12, 2021 by cgasucks

[Rapidcat]

17 hours ago, david.c.w said:

 

Calling clubs sticks is alive and well in Georgia.  

 

"New sticks?"

"If you are going to the club will you grab my sticks for our trip?"

 

These days I leave my clubs (sticks), in the bag room, but for years always had them in the back of an SUV.  They never got stolen, never had a head fall off, and the grips NEVER got changed.  This issue was the grips were like greased lightning due to excessive wear, not from cracking.

 

Side story on grips....  When i finally got both good enough and interested enough, I changed grips after 7 years to Golf Pride New Decade MCC Midsize right before a long golf trip to Northern MIchigan (Treetops, Forest Dunes, Otsego, Arcadia Bluffs).  It was just 4 holes in on the first course when my right ring finger was getting SHREDDED.  Fortunately someone in the group has tape in his bag and i made it.  Always carry a few rolls of tape in the bag now.  

 

Yes, Charles Howell III calls them sticks.

[randyfitz]

Columbia, SC - it's hot as balls and humid here - clubs stay in the trunk.  Never had any issues.

[dlygrisse]

1 hour ago, br61 said:

I'm in the same boat with overpacking wife! Ha

 

I live in SW Missouri where it can get hot or cold. My bag usually resides inside my SUV or my garage. My SUV is parked inside the garage. Never had a problem with clubs or grips. However, I store my balls inside the house until they are needed.

Good point about the balls.  In the winter if I know I am playing and the temp is pretty chilly I will bring some balls from the house or set them in the dashboard of the car in the sun to warm them up.  If I am playing in the afternoon I will bring 2 or 3 of them into the office with me to keep warm before I head out. 

[Jmccas]

I’m really not sure why you don’t see this as an opportunity to have a home bag and road bag. 
 

golfwrx membership revoked!

[puttingmatt]

On 8/10/2021 at 2:20 PM, Ferguson said:

I think people stopped calling them sticks years ago.  Could be wrong. 

 

 

I travel and play throughout the northern and southern states, and hear the term sticks everywhere. YMMV

[Pepperturbo]

On 8/9/2021 at 1:20 PM, madeinguam81 said:

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I've read that this isn't good for the clubs; the epoxy can loosen; and other threats BUT for me at least, I'm more than ok with the risk.  I'm on the road daily and I love the flexibility to hit the range or play a quick round whenever time allows.  Not only that, being able to keep the sticks hidden from the wife means fewer "fun" conversations where I have to answer the question "Is that a new golf club and/or bag?"

 

For what it's worth, I've never had an issue in the years that I've kept all my clubs in the trunk.  Don't know if dumb luck or if the potential damage talk is thrown out of proportion.  

I live in SOCA, where extreme (temps as high as 120) may heat up the car, then there's humidity, rain, and the proverbial thieves that look to be a pain in one's azz... Since taking up the game 30+years ago, 99% of the time my clubs which cost over 3k, lie anxiously in the trunk of my daily driver waiting to see the light of the day. 

 

IMO - some people are anal where anal is more about fear this or that may happen.  The epoxy used to build clubs today is far superior, then years past. 

Like you, I never had an issue that would suggest any club(s) may fail.  I keep the bag cover on the bag at all times, so even ding marks are kept to a minimum.  Thankfully, I am not in a position where my golf bag or the cost of its contents is a concern of my wife.

[Valtiel]

On 8/9/2021 at 5:32 PM, farmer said:

...and the hottest trunk doesn't approach epoxy break temps.  If it works for you, then it works for you.

 

On 8/10/2021 at 8:34 AM, MtlJeff said:

I think a lot of this is just old wives tales. As has been mentioned i don't think trunk temps can approach the melting point for epoxy

 

Not necessarily true IMO. Many store bought epoxies that people use frequently as well as some "premium" ones have breakdown temps in the 150*-200* range, and several Loctite epoxies have a "long term exposure" rating of lower than 150*. 

I have lasered internal car temps at 130-140*+ on "normal" hot days (between 80-90* outdoor temperature). Some of that relies on direct sunlight, which you obviously won't get in a trunk, but the fact that the quicker setting Loctite epoxy has a long term exposure limit of 120* means that not only do hot trunks approach this threshold, they can exceed it. This is also assuming perfect mixing, prep, and curing, which can often be subject to variability. 

If you have epoxies rated high enough in terms of breakdown temp then it is a non-issue, but there are many common epoxies out there that shouldn't be subject to this, and if you don't know what was used to build your clubs then it is always a risk.