Another Airline (Delta) Golf Bag Horror Shows (w/ Pic)

[souledge]

Swung the hybrid yesterday, also didn't snap. Graphite clubs might be ok, will need new irons and new shafts for the wedges.

[lumberman2462]

My guess is that the bag was on one of those bag trolleys with about three other carts in tow. Bag fell off and was run over by a trailer.


Suppose it's possible that TSA thought your clubs posed a threat and subjected them to enhanced interrogation techniques.

[sompin2do]

[quote name='souledge' timestamp='1389565740' post='8448271']
Swung the hybrid yesterday, also didn't snap. Graphite clubs might be ok, will need new irons and new shafts for the wedges.
[/quote]

Probably should pick up an SKB hard case also for future travel. Can be had on CraigsList for under $100

[BRM569]

That picture just gave me so much anxiety for my flight next week!

Going JetBlue so maybe they'll just cancel the flight and I won't have anything to worry about

[sheppy335]

Makes me feel sad for you!!!!

Also makes me happy i use a hard shell cover.

[BillyZ2]

If you read the "fine print" on the airlines disclaimers about shipping golf clubs in a 'soft bag', you probably don't have leg to stand on, so to speak, because airlines don't accept responsibility for damaged clubs in a soft bag. I know some will disagree with my choice, but i'm taking my 2nd set of clubs with me to Orlando this winter for a week of golf, not my new nice ones. I play quite well with them so why worry about golf clubs getting damaged if I don't have to.

[farmer]

Check your graphite shafts for cracks. They might be OK for a few swings and then break. I might have thrown up in the terminal.

[Sean2]

I was just on Reddit and saw a picture of someone's lute destroyed by Delta. Delta did everything they could to avoid the guy at baggage claim. Finally they let him file a claim. When he followed up with the claim Delta said they had no record of it.

[TheHomez]

[quote name='souledge' timestamp='1389565740' post='8448271']
Swung the hybrid yesterday, also didn't snap. Graphite clubs might be ok, will need new irons and new shafts for the wedges.
[/quote]

Any update since contacting airline?

[Skaffa77]

YIKES...so baggage handler didn't like you. How you can bend shafts like that is beyond me...

[BillyZ2]

[quote name='Skaffa77' timestamp='1389712766' post='8458191']
YIKES...so baggage handler didn't like you. How you can bend shafts like that is beyond me...
[/quote]I wonder what precautions can be taken by the traveler to avoid such a problem. Probably not much except get a hard case. I alway like to get to the airport early, maybe the bag handlers don't feel so rushed in this case, but who knows? The problem with hard cases is they have to open them up and check inside, and hopefully they secure them back up? Also, transporting a hard case in a car is more of a pita. Can you imagine 4 hard case golf sets, plus all the other luggage into a rental? It's my 2nd set for me that's going in a soft case(w/ a bag boy) this winter to Orlando, I won't worry about my clubs that much, and I can still play well with them. That's why the good Lord gave us a 2nd set of golf clubs!

[hankmoody]

brutal--traveller nightmare. maybe happens a few times out of a hundred, but when its you it sucks. sorry OP, hope you get relief.

[sompin2do]

[quote name='Tom Gski' timestamp='1389718925' post='8458897']
[quote name='Skaffa77' timestamp='1389712766' post='8458191']
YIKES...so baggage handler didn't like you. How you can bend shafts like that is beyond me...
[/quote]I wonder what precautions can be taken by the traveler to avoid such a problem. Probably not much except get a hard case. I alway like to get to the airport early, maybe the bag handlers don't feel so rushed in this case, but who knows? [b]The problem with hard cases is they have to open them up and check inside, and hopefully they secure them back up?[/b] Also, transporting a hard case in a car is more of a pita. [b]Can you imagine 4 hard case golf sets, plus all the other luggage into a rental?[/b] It's my 2nd set for me that's going in a soft case(w/ a bag boy) this winter to Orlando, I won't worry about my clubs that much, and I can still play well with them. That's why the good Lord gave us a 2nd set of golf clubs!
[/quote]

I think TSA pretty much opens all golf travel bags. My SKB has been opened each time and secured no problem.

I can't imagine 4 golf bags plus luggage in most rentals for a golf trip longer than 20 minutes. Probably require something larger anyway. The odds of all 4 having a hard case are low, but those with hard cases have higher odds of not going through what the OP suffered also.

[AP2 712]

I am flying to West Palm next week, I hate seeing that!

I use the Club Glove Last Bag but I pack that thing on all sides with clothes, shoes and other stuff. Basically it turns into my suitcase. I use a stiff arm and wrap the clubs in 3 towels. That said, it didn't stop the TSA agents from removing the headcover from my Cameron putter on my last trip AND NOT PUT IT BACK ON! I found the bag with the headcover sitting on top and the putter uncovered. Luckily there were no dings or scratches on the putter. Today I bought iron covers for the Florida trip. I hope I never have to deal with this issue!

This trip will be my 8th trip with my clubs since 2011 and other than the issue above, I have not had any major issues. My clubs took the later flight on a trip to LAX back in 2012 but that was only a minor hiccup.

[gmangolf]

Add your clubs to your insurance policy. It costs very little per year and covers theft, damage by airlines that is not covered by them etc. I've never had to file a claim, but if you travel regularly with your clubs this is worth the investment IMO.

[vernon]

^ Yep, this. I had this happen once with an Ogio Mammoth travel cover. Airline said "tough". If it ain't in a hard case, we ain't payin. Home owners insurance took care of it no problem though. Gotta deal with deductible but the airline wasn't ever gonna pay replacement cost anyway.

[PingGuru]

I have had a SKB hard case for about 14 years, and it is still in as good of shape as it was new. Protects the clubs great, and the wheels still work perfect.

[dcmidnight]

This whole idea that hard shell cases are these massive things that you need a giant station wagon to drive around but soft sided bags are tiny is just absurd and not based on fact. I put my SKB case up against my brothers Last Bag on our last trip in November, its a complete wash, in fact my case is shorter than his and not as fat (he packs it with clothes and towels). Everyone says oh god, a hard shell case, they take up so much more room. But in reality they dont.

Club Glove last bag - 52 x 19 x 16
SKB Standard - 48 x 12 x 11

The Last Bag is a tank, it really is a great bag. But its not a small bag especially once it is packed full of stuff.

[gr8blueheronbird]

[quote name='dcmidnight' timestamp='1389745963' post='8461699']
This whole idea that hard shell cases are these massive things that you need a giant station wagon to drive around but soft sided bags are tiny is just absurd and not based on fact. I put my SKB case up against my brothers Last Bag on our last trip in November, its a complete wash, in fact my case is shorter than his and not as fat (he packs it with clothes and towels). Everyone says oh god, a hard shell case, they take up so much more room. But in reality they dont.

Club Glove last bag - 52 x 19 x 16
SKB Standard - 48 x 12 x 11

The Last Bag is a tank, it really is a great bag. But its not a small bag especially once it is packed full of stuff.
[/quote]I believe you make a great point. I have been in the transportation business(Trucking) for about 28 years. I see all different kinds of product being packaged and shipped. The hard case is designed to take blunt force blows from mistakes by the handlers and mistakes from drivers. The soft sided bag is not designed for the same mistakes. Notice I say one is a case and one is a bag. A case always affords more protection than a bag. If anyone plays a musical instrument, they could relate to the case over the soft sided bag. I also have an SKB case for about 7 years now and never a problem.

[mukster]

That sucks.
I guess I have just been lucky. Club Glove bag with stiff arm, and I wrap my clubs in a few towels, both around the heads and around the shafts, although the shafts are also somewhat protected by the golf bag they are in. I put the towels/padding around the bag. Been travelling like this several times per year for 6 years, never a problem. Probably just been lucky that they haven't driven over them (yet!)

[BillyZ2]

[quote name='AP2 712' timestamp='1389725603' post='8459713']
I am flying to West Palm next week, I hate seeing that!

I use the Club Glove Last Bag but I pack that thing on all sides with clothes, shoes and other stuff. Basically it turns into my suitcase. I use a stiff arm and wrap the clubs in 3 towels. That said, it didn't stop the TSA agents from removing the headcover from my Cameron putter on my last trip AND NOT PUT IT BACK ON! I found the bag with the headcover sitting on top and the putter uncovered. Luckily there were no dings or scratches on the putter. Today I bought iron covers for the Florida trip. I hope I never have to deal with this issue!

This trip will be my 8th trip with my clubs since 2011 and other than the issue above, I have not had any major issues. My clubs took the later flight on a trip to LAX back in 2012 but that was only a minor hiccup.
[/quote]
There is not a question as to whether a case 'out-protects' a bag, but the bag does have it's benefits over a case. Even though they are roughly the same size, the bags will store in a vehicle better because of their physical flexibility. I would also think you could pack more clothing in them? If hard cases are so much more preferred then the soft cases, why do golfer still buy the soft case?

[Micah J]

I'm guessing you used a travel bag or did you just put the rain hood on and call it good??

[BillyZ2]

[quote name='Micah J' timestamp='1389755618' post='8462869']
I'm guessing you used a travel bag or did you just put the rain hood on and call it good??
[/quote]umm, sarcasm? I could shoot back and say that was a childish comment, but I won't. Actually, I use a soft case to transport my clubs, and maybe some day I will get a hard case. I usually only travel once a year, and as long as I got my 2nd set of clubs, that I can hit quite well, I don't fret much.
I assume you use a hard case from your response.
thanks

[dcmidnight]

[quote name='Tom Gski' timestamp='1389755320' post='8462845']
There is not a question as to whether a case 'out-protects' a bag, but the bag does have it's benefits over a case. Even though they are roughly the same size, the bags will store in a vehicle better[b] because of their physical flexibility[/b]. I would also think you could pack more clothing in them? If hard cases are so much more preferred then the soft cases, why do golfer still buy the soft case?
[/quote]
Sorry but have you ever seen a Club Glove Last Bag fully packed with clothes and towels? It has no more physical flexibility than my SKB hard case.

Besides when I'm protecting my clubs, the last thing I want in the cargo hold of a plane, with the handlers tossing them around and throwing things on top of them is "flexibility"

There are a lot of myths out there about traveling with soft cases and hard cases.

[BillyZ2]

[quote name='dcmidnight' timestamp='1389784067' post='8464219']
[quote name='Tom Gski' timestamp='1389755320' post='8462845']
There is not a question as to whether a case 'out-protects' a bag, but the bag does have it's benefits over a case. Even though they are roughly the same size, the bags will store in a vehicle better[b] because of their physical flexibility[/b]. I would also think you could pack more clothing in them? If hard cases are so much more preferred then the soft cases, why do golfer still buy the soft case?
[/quote]
Sorry but have you ever seen a Club Glove Last Bag fully packed with clothes and towels? It has no more physical flexibility than my SKB hard case.

Besides when I'm protecting my clubs, the last thing I want in the cargo hold of a plane, with the handlers tossing them around and throwing things on top of them is "flexibility"

There are a lot of myths out there about traveling with soft cases and hard cases.
[/quote]Good call. Maybe I might get one?

[bellken]

[quote name='AP2 712' timestamp='1389725603' post='8459713']
I am flying to West Palm next week, I hate seeing that!

I use the Club Glove Last Bag but I pack that thing on all sides with clothes, shoes and other stuff. Basically it turns into my suitcase. I use a stiff arm and wrap the clubs in 3 towels. That said, it didn't stop the TSA agents from removing the headcover from my Cameron putter on my last trip AND NOT PUT IT BACK ON! I found the bag with the headcover sitting on top and the putter uncovered. Luckily there were no dings or scratches on the putter. Today I bought iron covers for the Florida trip. I hope I never have to deal with this issue!

This trip will be my 8th trip with my clubs since 2011 and other than the issue above, I have not had any major issues. My clubs took the later flight on a trip to LAX back in 2012 but that was only a minor hiccup.
[/quote]

I am not sure it would help, but, some duct tape on your putter might give it a little protection, while in transit.

[Pinhigolf]

[quote name='dcmidnight' timestamp='1389745963' post='8461699']
This whole idea that hard shell cases are these massive things that you need a giant station wagon to drive around but soft sided bags are tiny is just absurd and not based on fact. I put my SKB case up against my brothers Last Bag on our last trip in November, its a complete wash, in fact my case is shorter than his and not as fat (he packs it with clothes and towels). Everyone says oh god, a hard shell case, they take up so much more room. But in reality they dont.

Club Glove last bag - 52 x 19 x 16
SKB Standard - 48 x 12 x 11

The Last Bag is a tank, it really is a great bag. But its not a small bag especially once it is packed full of stuff.
[/quote]

I have travelled with both types multiple times. I prefer the Club Glove just because once I get to my rental car I can take my clubs out, fold up the Club Glove and place it in the back of the trunk, stiff arm reduces to hardly anything then just lay my clubs in just like I was heading to the course at home. Lots of room for everything else.

[eppey]

[quote name='Pinhigolf' timestamp='1389902991' post='8472773']
[quote name='dcmidnight' timestamp='1389745963' post='8461699']
This whole idea that hard shell cases are these massive things that you need a giant station wagon to drive around but soft sided bags are tiny is just absurd and not based on fact. I put my SKB case up against my brothers Last Bag on our last trip in November, its a complete wash, in fact my case is shorter than his and not as fat (he packs it with clothes and towels). Everyone says oh god, a hard shell case, they take up so much more room. But in reality they dont.

Club Glove last bag - 52 x 19 x 16
SKB Standard - 48 x 12 x 11

The Last Bag is a tank, it really is a great bag. But its not a small bag especially once it is packed full of stuff.
[/quote]

I have travelled with both types multiple times. I prefer the Club Glove just because once I get to my rental car I can take my clubs out, fold up the Club Glove and place it in the back of the trunk, stiff arm reduces to hardly anything then just lay my clubs in just like I was heading to the course at home. Lots of room for everything else.
[/quote]I am in this position as well. Had a hard side case and it find it impossible to travel with unless you had a mid size SUV or a mini van. Once you take the clubs out of the travel bag and fold it up you can travel in just about any car. The hard case on the other hand still has all the same dimensions whether the clubs are in it or not.

There is no question that the hard case is going to offer better protection so as in most things in life, there is a trade off.

[gpleonard]

I always fly with my SKB hard shell case. Went to Myrtle Beach one time. One of the guys in my group used a soft side case. When we got there his driver was in two parts. Oh and the airline was Spirit. Case was open at the top also.

[BillyZ2]

[quote]
I'm guessing you used a travel bag or did you just put the rain hood on and call it good??
[/quote]Rude comment!
[quote]
I have travelled with both types multiple times. I prefer the Club Glove just because once I get to my rental car I can take my clubs out, fold up the Club Glove and place it in the back of the trunk, stiff arm reduces to hardly anything then just lay my clubs in just like I was heading to the course at home. Lots of room for everything else. [/quote] Intelligent comment!
[quote]I am in this position as well. Had a hard side case and it find it impossible to travel with unless you had a mid size SUV or a mini van. Once you take the clubs out of the travel bag and fold it up you can travel in just about any car. The hard case on the other hand still has all the same dimensions whether the clubs are in it or not.

There is no question that the hard case is going to offer better protection so as in most things in life, there is a trade off. [/quote]Intelligent comment!