Shipsticks.....Lower then Airlines Now?

chippa13 · October 11, 2017

I've made 15-16 trips with my clubs, mostly transatlantic. One time I noticed a slight bend in a putter shaft when I returned, it was one of the teo times I used a soft cover instead of an SKB.

One return trip my clubs were delayed for several hours in Atlanta so I just went home and came back to get them the next day.

One damage, one slight delay in rougly 30 flights. No way ShipSticks is better than that.

I use a soft-sided travel bag and have never had a problem with bent clubs. I always put an old hockey shaft into it which is slightly longer than my driver to protect them.

az2au · October 11, 2017

As I have mentioned before, literally 100’s of trips with my clubs including 29 different countries and the worst issue I’ve ever had is a one day delay. Always a soft bag and never any extra care taken beyond using a stiff arm. This year alone my clubs have been to Bandon, Chicago, Ireland, Italy, France and Mexico with no problems.

So, yes, it does happen. Airlines do lose bags and sometimes bags get damaged but all of these extra precautions are like buying extended warranties. I’m a big believer in either buying them always or never. I’m a never guy and if something goes wrong then I’ll use the money saved to pay to rectify the situation but as of now I would have to have an extremely unlikely run of bad luck not to come out way ahead in life.

If you’re just not interested in carrying your clubs/will save money this way (OPB example) and for some reason trust these services more than the airlines then, sure, no problem. I’d wager a guess that the success rate difference between the two is statistically insignificant however.

cowbomb02 · October 21, 2017

peace of mind just check your own bag. also shipsticks is too expensive. plus if you're not staying at a hotel and go with a condo aka airbnb/vrbo route you wont be able to use shipsticks.

I know it'll be more work to bring your own sticks but you'll be more happy at the end of the day.

cowbomb02 · October 21, 2017

As I have mentioned before, literally 100’s of trips with my clubs including 29 different countries and the worst issue I’ve ever had is a one day delay. Always a soft bag and never any extra care taken beyond using a stiff arm. This year alone my clubs have been to Bandon, Chicago, Ireland, Italy, France and Mexico with no problems.

So, yes, it does happen. Airlines do lose bags and sometimes bags get damaged but all of these extra precautions are like buying extended warranties. I’m a big believer in either buying them always or never. I’m a never guy and if something goes wrong then I’ll use the money saved to pay to rectify the situation but as of now I would have to have an extremely unlikely run of bad luck not to come out way ahead in life.

If you’re just not interested in carrying your clubs/will save money this way (OPB example) and for some reason trust these services more than the airlines then, sure, no problem. I’d wager a guess that the success rate difference between the two is statistically insignificant however.

woooooow. :good:

Chef Otto · October 22, 2017

Just went from Utah to Bandon.....Shipsticks wanted $70 ground each way. Delta for extra bag was $35 each way. Clubs flew with me.......

03ki11erag · October 22, 2017

I've actually heard more stories of ship sticks never making it to the intended destination than I have with lost or delayed airline bags. Granted ship sticks pays for the rental set.

The only issue I had when flying with my set was when a big group of us flew from DFW to Phoenix for a Scottsdale trip on an American Airlines direct flight. Our sticks were delayed until the next plane landed which was 45 minutes later. Crazy to think that happened on a direct 1:45 minute flight.

03ki11erag · October 22, 2017

And FYI, Bandon will give you a light walking bag for your round if you ask so I would look into boxing up your clubs and shipping them. You can do that for less than $70 round trip.

Roadking2003 · October 24, 2017

Just went from Utah to Bandon.....Shipsticks wanted $70 ground each way. Delta for extra bag was $35 each way. Clubs flew with me.......

Shipsticks only makes sense if you need to ship your clubs when you aren't travelling. I shipped mine back from Scotland because I wasn't flying back. It was the best option. I'm doing the same thing in Portugal next year.

North Butte · October 25, 2017

Just went from Utah to Bandon.....Shipsticks wanted $70 ground each way. Delta for extra bag was $35 each way. Clubs flew with me.......

Shipsticks only makes sense if you need to ship your clubs when you aren't travelling. I shipped mine back from Scotland because I wasn't flying back. It was the best option. I'm doing the same thing in Portugal next year.

Yes that would be a huge benefit if you were doing like a week of golf followed by a week of non-golf tourism with the spouse or something like that.