Need advice: Do i require a golf travel bag?? I'm going over to america tml.

Hi all,

Do i really need a golf travel bag as I'm going over to america tml? I have a golf travel bag which I bought long time back but now I realised it does not fit my driver (means the travel bag is shorter then the driver)

I do need some advice as if I really need a bag, I need to find one fast and cheap.

Please do advice.

thanks!

Very much preferable to put ur golf bag into a travel bag.

Remember that it counts as a piece of luggage and they only allow max of 2 check-in pieces per passenger.

If you need a cheap one, head down to Far East to have a look.

I got a no-name simple one from Mark Higgs @ The Golf Studio for like $50 a few years ago. Too bad my buddy's dog chewed off the zip so now I need another one.

Where r u golfing by the way? Weather here is freaky now.

California Coast has been pretty wet. North East like NYC and such you can forget it because they have been battered with snow. Even Dallas Texas was snowed out. Even Florida here has been pretty cool and that has left the grass quite dormant.

thanks S70B, thanks for the advice.. I'm heading to San Francisco,LA,Las Vegas then AZ. I'm hoping that I do get a chance to golf there..going ot visit my brother-in-law

Actually, I don't want to spend alot on the travel bag as I think this will be theonly time I need one.

Any kind soul out there who is willing to lend me one

I'm sure there might be one or 2 kind souls here who might be able to lend a hand.

Just dun buy 1 here in US. They are pricey.

Trip sounds like fun. Bring warm clothing ya. Even in Florida when we were hit by the cold spell where temps dipped to 5 - 8 deg C in the day with strong winds, I was wearing 4 layers to golf: Skinz, polo, vest, rain jacket...and it wasn't enuff!

LOLz, thanks bro.. will keep that in mind.

one last question: If I'm unable to get a travel bag by tml, do you think its still okay to check in without a golf travel bag? Any scary encounters you have seen/heard of which I need to know

I'm currently working till late today so I don't think I can make it down to far east in time..

it is ok to check in with a travel cover. but it is at your own risk.

nicks and scratches at your bag, missing balls, etc, etc...

Yep, you can check in just fine. Just don't have loose articles like gloves, golf brushes etc hanging outside the bag. Also, a proper ID tag is good.

Just make sure too that the top zip of the bag is pretty secure so that your clubs dun fall out. Also, if u r bringing a stand bag, tie the legs up if it doesn't come w a strap to secure them.

If you are playing forged irons and dun use iron covers, wrap a towel around them to prevent excessive clanging around.

I have travelled with or without a travel bag before. I use 1 becos I can pack my golf shoes together.

Take care and share some pics!

Thanks for the advices..

I think i better change back to my cart bag. Initially, I was going to use the stand bag (save weight) but after reading your post, I think a cart bag would be much better since its much more solid in built.

I'm actually planning to wrap some bubble pack around my clubs for extra protection.. my only fear is that I'm flying by philippines airlines and I don't know how "Safe" are things at manila during the transit. Although my clears aren't expensive, losing your clubs will surely spoil the holiday.

Buy travel insurance. Worth alot for that little sum.

haha, yup.. have already bought my travel insurance..

now i'm hoping someone can maybe lend me a travel bag :p hehe

Remember to use a TSA lock. If not, the security will cut your lock. Bring some cable tie too, just in case...

If you are thinking of a soft cover type, it serves minimal physical purpose; I have a couple of those soft covers lying around, they have company logo otherwise I will sell them away. I have friends who had broken graphite shafts using those. For me, nothing ever broke in my bag when I travel with a stand bag or even a Sunday bag (it is "soft" type, not much cushion, went several trips to SF and the bag is full of stickers each time the check-in girl spend 5 minutes removing the old ones . Of course a sturdy cart bag is better than a stand bag or sunday bag, and good locks for the zippers, plus wrap the woods in cloth or old socks is all you can do. Remember the ground baggage agents handle the bags and luggage, whichever airline you travel, inside the US, they all use more or less the same agents.

actually more club damage in cart bags rather than stand bag.

u imagine which bag would have higher changes of bring thrown around if you are the one handling the bag?

the heavier or lighter bag?

I always used hardcase for travelling.. feel more secure .

I heard that airlines require cover for your golf bag if you are travelling with it.

on the same topic, in order to prevent damage to your club, my friend recommended me to put your club head down into the bag and later secure your handle together (as much as possible) before placing a cover over your bag. This way, is to ensure that your club is protected during the handling.