Flying Southwest & Golf Bag

[BG5]

Good Afternoon,

 

I see that Southwest now allows 2 free bags.  Does anyone know if this includes a normal size travel golf bag?  Any experiences that anyone can share?  I am going to Bandon and have considered Shipsticks but its gonna cost $150 and if I can get it free then I would prefer to spend that money on a caddie

[Zac1321]

sure does include a golf bag. ive never been but i have read a million times that if flying directly into north bend (i dont think SW has flights into their but maybe youre connecting from SW to the shuttle flight) it is a roll of the dice whether your golf bag will get onto the small plane into NB

[mci711]

1 hour ago, BG5 said:

Good Afternoon,

 

I see that Southwest now allows 2 free bags.  Does anyone know if this includes a normal size travel golf bag?  Any experiences that anyone can share?  I am going to Bandon and have considered Shipsticks but its gonna cost $150 and if I can get it free then I would prefer to spend that money on a caddie

 

Already answered, but yes! All I travel domestic is Southwest. Assuming you are doing portland and driving down, that is what I do. 1 flight, no connections, I know my bag is making it. 

[Lefty_89]

I traveled to Bandon and Pinehurst via Southwest over the past 6 months and did not have any issues with flying my clubs. As long as you're under 50lbs then you're good.

 

That's the great thing about Southwest!

Edited April 20, 2021 by Lefty_89

[Phreddy]

Southwest works.  To make it work even better, take the head off your driver and pack it in your suitcase.  Then use a travel rod in your bag to protect the rest.  The voice of experience (not a good one).

[hammergolf]

4 hours ago, BG5 said:

Good Afternoon,

 

I see that Southwest now allows 2 free bags.  Does anyone know if this includes a normal size travel golf bag?  Any experiences that anyone can share?  I am going to Bandon and have considered Shipsticks but its gonna cost $150 and if I can get it free then I would prefer to spend that money on a caddie

Southwest is the best! Clubs and one other checked bag fly free.

[Scootre]

Good advice on removing the head of your driver (or all of your woods) when flying. 

Went on a buddies golf trip a couple months ago and my roommate found his 3 wood shaft broken in 2 spots.  He was using a high end travel bag too. 

[Hawkeye77]

The policy is explained fully on its website. 

[Argonne69]

Southwest has allowed 2 free checked bags for years. I've probably flown 80+ times over the past 12 years with my clubs with no issues. Just make sure the bag is 50 lbs or less. I carry a ton of stuff in my bag, and I was forced to pull a few balls and a towel out on a few flights. 'No biggie.

 

I have a Club Glove, and use a Stiff Arm. I've never taken the heads off my woods, and (knock on wood) have never had a problem with damaged equipment. Wouldn't hurt to take the heads off, though.

 

Edited April 21, 2021 by Argonne69

[jjthomp2]

another vote here for the use of a stiff arm. I just purchased another after my first one snapped! Shows you how gentle they are with precious cargo

[cristphoto]

I have the Club Glove Last Bag and use a Stiff Arm too. I also take a couple towels and pack them in at the top of the bag for extra protection.  Never had a problem.

[Roody]

Southwest is pretty much the only airline that I will fly and check my golf bag on. If I have to fly other airlines, I will usually ShipSticks 'em. 

IMO, Southwest is the best airline to fly on anyways. 

[BG5]

Are the hard travel cases better for protection then say a club glove?  I still plan to go what those suggested but a hard case should provide better protection correct?

[Argonne69]

5 minutes ago, BG5 said:

Are the hard travel cases better for protection then say a club glove?  I still plan to go what those suggested but a hard case should provide better protection correct?

 

I'd say hard cases provide more protection, but they're generally a pain to deal with once you arrive. If you have luggage and the clubs, the hard case will generally not fit in the trunk of most rental cars. Leaving it in the back seat is an advertisement to thieves that you have expensive clubs in the trunk. 

 

The Club Glove Last Bag has plenty of padding, and folds in half (for the most part), allowing it to fit in the trunk. The vast majority of us with Last Bags have never had a problem with damage when taking normal precautions. I've read many reports of hard cases busting latches when dropped. 

 

[jacob7071]

16 minutes ago, BG5 said:

Are the hard travel cases better for protection then say a club glove?  I still plan to go what those suggested but a hard case should provide better protection correct?

Get a quality hard case if you're going that route.  My first travel bag was a hard case with 2 locking mechanisms near the top and bottom of the bag.  First time I ever used it, one of those locks broke off, and the bag would open a bit on one end when it was picked up by the handle in the middle.  I sent it back to the manufacturer for repair, and the 2nd time I ever used it, the lock broke again.  By that time the manufacturer was out of business.  Got a Club Glove last bag about 8 years ago, zero problems.  

 

[mci711]

Hard cases are such a pain. Get a good club glove. Use a stiffarm or broom stick. I put my towels around the heads etc. You'll be good 99% of the time. So much easier to store and get around in general. 

[BG5]

If I go the hardcase route should I still buy a stiff arm?

 

 

I think I will eventually get a club glove and have looked at them in the past but I usually dont travel all that much so its prevented me from spending the cash.  With that being said I plan to travel more so I should probably just pull the trigger.

 

 

[Maroon_19]

I just bought a Clubglove Last Bag today to replace my broken hard sided travel case.  Golf trip in three weeks.  The hard case lasted for a total of six golf trips before the latching mechanism completely broke on the last flight TO our destination.  Getting it home was so lucky...

 

The hard case was always a pain in the @ss fitting into the rental vehicles, the hotels/condos, and storing at home.

You don't need the stiff arm if you buy a hard case.  Definitely need the stiff arm if you buy a soft sided case. 

 

I looked at the Clubglove back when I bought the hard case.  Should have just spent good money once rather than twice now.

Edited April 21, 2021 by mycale

[Argonne69]

A broomstick cut to the correct length with a tennis ball on top makes for a cheap alternative to a stiff arm. It wouldn't hurt to have one in a hardshell case.

 

I was standing at an airport gate a few years ago waiting to board, and I was looking out the window at the plane that just arrived. The baggage handlers were unloading the cargo hold, and one of them dumped a hardshell case out of the belly of the aircraft, and the case landed on its end on the tarmac ten feet below. If there's not a stiffener in the bag, you may be looking at a broken driver with the weight of the bag compressing the club.

 

 

[Phreddy]

Other bag companies may have this feature, but I have the Sun Mountain Glider with the retractable wheels.  Greatest thing since sliced bread.  Takes all the weight off your hands and super maneuverable.

[Argonne69]

The top handle on the Club Glove Last Bag separates, and is large enough that it can be looped over a suitcase handle. 'Makes it pretty easy to lug around the airport.

 

 

[James the Hogan Fan]

4 hours ago, BG5 said:

If I go the hardcase route should I still buy a stiff arm?

 

 

I think I will eventually get a club glove and have looked at them in the past but I usually dont travel all that much so its prevented me from spending the cash.  With that being said I plan to travel more so I should probably just pull the trigger.

 

 

 

You won't need a stiff-arm with the hard cases. My case is a hard plastic coffin style roadie case. I have flown dozens times with it without any issues. I watched a baggage attendant drop it off the baggage cart. No damage to anything inside. 

 

If you are willing to deal with the weight and bulkiness, nothing protects your clubs better than a hard plastic case. 

[Roody]

I do a soft case with a stiff arm, and I wrap the heads with a towel. I've only done this a handful of times, but no issues so far *knock on wood*.

[chrissdc]

Club gloves can be found cheap on Craigslist or even eBay. I got a new one, I think it is the XXL for 80 bucks.

The bag boy stiff and is better quality than the others and I remove wood heads, rangefinder and put in carryon 

[TK3]

Yup - it sure does.  I only fly SW (whenever possible) and I have never had any problems with my golf bag.

 

Enjoy

[darom86]

Adding support for the club glove, especially if you want to put other stuff in with your clubs.  I found the hard cases much heavier and don't leave room for extra stuff - I throw shoes etc. in the clubs.  Had the same club glove last bag since college maybe mid 2000s, still going strong. 

[david.c.w]

+1 for the Club Glove Last Bag and a Stiff Arm.

 

Have had the bag for 18 years and still going strong.  30+ airline flights.  Got the stiff arm a few years ago.  I am too lazy to take the heads off.  Put the clubs in the travel bag and THEN extend the Stiff Arm as far as it will go.  Never had an issue on Southwest, Delta, United or American.

 

Anyone traveling anywhere to play golf can afford a $30 stiff arm and a good travel bag.  If you cant you should not be traveling for golf.

 

Hard cases suck as there is nowhere to put in the car, especially if you are traveling with others.

 

 

[jpthreesticks]

FWIW, I'm pretty sure that ClubGlove now includes the stiff arm on purchases with their travel bags.  They are great bags to travel with.  I've traveled with a hard case a couple of times that I borrowed, and I went ahead and bought a ClubGlove Last Bag Collegiate.  Best travel bag around in my opinion.