Storing clubs in a car

[minteq]

I travel 5-7 days a week for my job, and most of time I take my clubs with me. In the evening I try an at least hit a bucket or 2 to practice, and I travel to some good golf destinations, S. Carolina, Virgina, RTJ trail.

 

The question I have is - Is it damaging to keep my clubs in a hot car? I know it might weaken the glue, but will it structurally damage the clubs?

 

I would hardly play at all if I couldn't take them with me, I travel too much. I try and let them "cool" down before playing and if I am in a hotel room for a few days I will put them in the room.

 

Just looking for some thoughts on the subject.

 

Thanks for the input.

[clubfixer1]

The heat in a trunk is like a bake oven. It works on the epoxy and I have seen grips get so hard you can hardly cut them off. But still I see alot of clubs left in car trunks all year long! The choice is yours.

[Mud]

I'll add my 0.02 before everyone else chimes in.

The only structural damage I would be worried about is chatter in the trunk. Some neoprene head covers for those irons may be the way to go in your case.

I've heard the glue argument before, but not sure how long/how hot it would have to go before this becomes a concern.

 

Basically, if this is the only way you are going to get in some practice you don't have much choice I guess.

[bleuachdu]

I've never really thought about this, but my sticks are always in the trunk... even my backups (see What's in the Trunk below). If it really is a problem, I'll have to figure something else out, because I'm the same way. I like to be able to stop and hit a bucket or play 9 at will.

[finalist]

I've brought my sticks to work everyday for the past two years and have seen no damage because of it. I have recently noticed how fast my Titleist 904R headcover is fading to brown in the heat at the range. I am wondering if I should keep it old and used like a badge of honor or buy a new one.

[Johnny]

I dont know how hot it can get in a car trunk, but it takes 250 F min to start to effect epoxy... grips will melt before that, so obviously it's not getting that HOT.

[gyli84]

"The Search for the Perfect Golf Club" says that the heads will fall off way before it reaches the temperature required to damage your shafts, so I wouldn't be overly concerned!

[minteq]

Thanks for all of responses. I was curious, I read somewhere it was bad, but in my case, it is my only option.

 

I would rather take them, and see, then not play very much.

[Carlo]

Ok, here the solution from someone in the field...

 

I am at this moment working in Taiwan. Summer is a very hot (super hot) issue in the summer.

 

All what I did was to buy Rockwool Insulation with aluminum foil on 2 sides and apply it around the interior of the trunk with some silicone spots. The insulation is cheap and will absorbe the heat and the cold (for winter). Your trunk will be in a more friendly temperature for your golf bag and moreover due to the thickness and softness of the 2" of insulation will even absorb vibrations.

 

Cost = less than $20

 

Hope this helps everyone :man_in_love:

[PGMlady]

My trunk is my golf locker room all season long. I have had my clubs for over 5 years and have always kept them in the trunk. Of course your golf grips are going to get worn but if you golf as much as I do you should change them twice a year or more anyway.

[TMack]

The heat in a trunk is like a bake oven. It works on the epoxy and I have seen grips get so hard you can hardly cut them off. But still I see alot of clubs left in car trunks all year long! The choice is yours.

 

Sorry brother, but this just isn't true. The inside of your car gets MUCH hotter than the trunk. The trun is ventilated and has no direct sunlight coming into it. If you left your clubs in your backseat, I'd be worried about them. But like many others, I've carried a trunk full of premium clubs in my trunk for years with no issues whatsoever.

 

Bottom line: don't worry about! :man_in_love:

 

-TMc

[Golfanatic]

do you mind taking some pictures to show what you mean?

 

:man_in_love:

[Golfdog]

If you ever use Royal Oynx to put clubs together, keeping them in the truck will undo the glue. Trunks don't get that hot (especially compared to the passenger compartment), so the epoxy on your clubs will be fine.

 

BTW, never use Royal Oynx on your clubs.

[minteq]

Just to clarify, I have an extended cab truck, and I keep them on the floor in the back of the cab. My bed liner doesn't lock, so i do not want to keep them in there. I haven't seen any problems with the grips, yet.

 

I was more concerned with the glue and structural integrity.

[wedgetoafoot]

What about the expensive golf balls in your bag, how do they react to heat? I'd be mostly worried about that, but maybe I'm nuts.

[Stevers]

What about the expensive golf balls in your bag, how do they react to heat? I'd be mostly worried about that, but maybe I'm nuts.

I have had the covers of balls deformed from excessive heat in my trunk. The only cool thing about it (forgive the pun) was that you could hit some pretty interesting shots that would knuckle in the air...

[thegolfguys]

The heat of the trunk will infact cause the glue to loosen, I'm a professional club maker in southwest florida and I see heads become loose all the time from people leaving them in the car, as well as causing the grips to wear faster than normal, as far as any structual damage I dont know but cant be a good thing to leave your clubs in a oven set on low.

[sheppy335]

if i am golfing after work i take them in the office, but there are times that i leave them in my truck with the windows down a bit so it stays cooler.

[Big D McGee]

Did anyone see "Ashley's Big Break" last night? She drives a Toyota 4Runner, and she's converted the back into a mobile golf locker. She had a shelf for her shoes, and some clear rubbermaid shelf containers for all her gear.

 

I found it funny, because I have the same rubbermaid clear drawers, in the back of my Pathfinder! I use a nice leather shoe bag for my shoes (Thanks, Dad-in-law!), but I keep balls, hats, tees, yardage books, sunscreen, etc. in the drawers. In the summer I travel my local areas to visit the properties I manage, and I can sometimes squeeze in 9 holes. Keeping my clubs in the car is essential. What I did is, I got mirror-style reflective tint on the rear and side windows. It keeps the cargo area like 20 degress cooler than the passenger cabin. I've not noticed any unusual wear on my clubs, and they're generally in my SUV from March through December.

[golfware]

I WISH I could keep my trunk temperature controlled for when the clubs are in the car... and I swear they play better when they are warm than when they are cold.

 

The grips feel better when they are warm, the shafts seem to flex better and not feel so better.. and definitely the balls play longer...

 

Hum.. that would be the ultimate for the golfer out there.. a car with a temp. controlled trunk. Keep it cold when groceries are in there...

 

HEAT it up when the clubs are in there and you going to play... especially in the fall and winter.

[golfware]

What about the expensive golf balls in your bag, how do they react to heat? I'd be mostly worried about that, but maybe I'm nuts.

 

If anything, I think they would compress easier and perform better, than when they are cold or at room temperature.