golf clubs and the airlines

golfernut78 · July 13, 2008

i think there is some misinformation out there

i was at the golf shop yesterday and there is a guy getting pretty worked up becasue he is going to have to pay $150 extra to ship his golf clubs each way on his trip he is making. i buuted in on the confersation as i will be taking my clubs to charleston, sc this week. what he and the golf shop were reading is that the airlines (in this case delta) was not allowing bags over 50lb or over 62" in size (this is length + width + height). anything over that and its $150. well i am not sure where they got this, but i wanted to share with people this:

American Airlines:
Golf Clubs
- Allowance/Requirements: one golf bag containing no more than 14 golf clubs, 12 golf balls, and 1 pair of shoes
- Cost: charged the aplacable checked bag fee for 1st or 2nd checked bag. when in excess, each item will be subject to the baggage fee for a single piece
- Maximum Size/Weight: maximum free weight on golf clubs is 70lbs (interesting, because for years american has told me over 50lbs and i had to pay extra - might print this to bring to the airport next week). Size is limited to the size of a hard shell golf case.
- Additional Information: Swingless Golf Club load strips are considered dangerious goods and are not allowed in checked or carry-on baggage

Delta:
Golfing Equipment
- One golf bag is accepted as part of your free baggage allowance. Bags may not exceed 50lbs or excess baggage charge will apply.
- Customers wishing to check golf clubs have two options
1. hardsheel golf travel containers - no limited liablility relase required
2. all other golf travel bags (i.e., soft-sided bags) - limited liability release required

JeffJ · July 13, 2008

I am sitting in the San Jose CA airport right now. I checked my clubs both ways and wasnt charged anything extra. I DID book my flight in March so I may have been grandfathered in. I checked a Titleist stand bag, 14 clubs pluck club glove stick, two pairs of shoes , three new Pebble Beach shirts a couple hats and rain gear in a Club Glove bag....it weighed in at 42lbs.

WRXJIM · July 13, 2008

Depending on the Airline you could have been "grandfathered" in...

Only US, AA, Spirit and United are charging for the 1st bag as far as I know... (maybe Frontier, and NWA are too now?)

The rest are still allowing one free checked bag, that can be Golf clubs. (JetBlue, Southwest, Delta...)

Golf clubs, surfboards and Bikes are generally listed as an Exception when looking at oversize baggage.

I have flown with every commercial airline in America and have never had any trouble taking my golf bag... I always make sure its under 50 pnds just to avoid any possible problems too. The gate agent does have the ability to waive the baggage charge, so be NICE!!!!!