GOLF TRAVEL BAG

[Carter]

HARD OR SOFT

Hello,

Just wanted to hear your opinions on gof travel bags. I'm still contemplating whether to get a hardshell SKB bag or a Bag Boy TXG. Never traveled with a golf set before so please shed some tips on how to pack.

Thanks.

[DoNDoN]

The Club Glove Last Bag is the way to go. I have had it for 5 years without any problems. I have had a SKB and the hinges broke after 4 uses.

[Gxgolfer]

Last bag with a stiff arm. Pack my clothes in it too to protect the shafts. Check out this thread>>>Here

[Sam-Tee-Time]

 

I use a Mizuno TB-910M soft bag, and I LOVE it. I've never had any club breakage, due to:

 

* Use a broomstick or PVC pipe at least 1-2" longer than your driver, for protection against shocks. The broomstick or PVC will take the shock before your shafts will.

* Stick the heads of your woods in the BOTTOM of the golfbag for protection. (grips sticking upward)

* Use ironcovers, if you have forged irons, to reduce the banging and bashing.

* Wrap a large towel (or bubblewrap) in/around your clubheads, to secure them in place.

* Carry a glove, some tees, and balls on your carryon luggage. In case your clubs get lost/stolen, you can still play golf (with rentals) without having to invest in more gloves or balls.

 

Here are my thoughts on features of travel bags:

 

* Hard vs. Soft bags - I used to have a hardbag (which does protect your clubs better), but I was VERY frustrated lugging it around, breaking handles/locks, and attempting to squeeze it into small rental cars. I much prefer softcases, which can be folded up if necessary, and are a lot easier to manipulate.

* Insurance - check with your insurance company. Sometimes your homeowner's insurance will insure your clubs, if the airlines won't.

* Storage - I like softcases with at least 2-3 internal pockets for your accessories, and extras (raingear, shoes, etc.).

* Wheels - are a MUST.

[JHR]

Club Glove last bag. I used to use the SKB, to big for trunks. I will use the hard sides when I ship my clubs to my travel destinations. When i travel by myself I use th CG. If I am going with my family, I will UPS my clubs to my Hotel or whevere I am staying, most Hotels will UPS them back when you depart. Well worth the money.

[GehenHerzog]

The new Ping Travel Bag is the best one made. When you aren't using it, it folds up and it is easy to carry.

[Johnny]

the way they treat luggage you have to go with the hard case... I have huge chunks and deep scratches in mine and have only used it a hand full of times.

[bert-b]

Ditto, Club Glove Last Bag. Mine is 6 years old...

 

Bert-B

 

 

The Club Glove Last Bag is the way to go.  I have had it for 5 years without any problems.  I have had a SKB and the hinges broke after 4 uses.

24974[/snapback]

[tpariff]

I have the Ping soft travel bag, the new one that collapses. It stores easily and provides all the protection of a Club Glove at almost 1/2 the cost. As you shop for a travel bag, soft ones in particular, pay attention to the type and grade of material, the stitching, the wheels and bearings, etc. Many of the mid-priced bags are perfectly acceptable for the recreational golfer. Remember, unless you are a touring professional and traveling with your clubs each and every week, you will not put as much wear and tear on a travel bag.

[golf2da]

I use a hard bag and always have so I can not comment on the soft bag. I travel all over the world and I see how they treat baggage so i wanted protection for my clubs more that ease of storage so that is why I went with the hard bag.

[GehenHerzog]

 

Best one ever made.

[Carter]

Thanks for all your opinions guys. I went with the SKB hardshell and i was very happy i did. Size wise, it fits perfectly on the back seat of a compact car so fitting it in the trunk is no issue.

 

My friend that i travelled with, bought a softcase type and one of his graphite shafts broke. He had the stiff arm, but the soft case did not protect him from side impact. That was one of my concerns when i was deciding on a travel bag.

 

My advise, if you want to feel secure, get a hard shell.

[taskerc]

[quote name='Carter' timestamp='1125675917' post='32791']
Thanks for all your opinions guys. I went with the SKB hardshell and i was very happy i did. Size wise, it fits perfectly on the back seat of a compact car so fitting it in the trunk is no issue.

My friend that i travelled with, bought a softcase type and one of his graphite shafts broke. He had the stiff arm, but the soft case did not protect him from side impact. That was one of my concerns when i was deciding on a travel bag.

My advise, if you want to feel secure, get a hard shell.
[/quote]
I have a hard shell bag and travelled to Ireland with it. Big mistake as only the largest of rental cars could hold the thing as I was travelling with my family as well. My soft case, which I now need to replace, has never leti me down - I also have a stiff arm and on my current trip was alarmed to see that the dish shaped head had come off - hopefully that means it saved my driver :-)

[albatrosser]

Club Glove with the stiff arm trumps all other bags.

TSA friendly.

[TGutHHSGolfer]

Hard Covers may protect better, but be ready to rent an SUV car because it is extremely hard to fit in a normal trunk, especially with other luggage.

I'd go with the Club Glove Last bag, or really any soft bag. If you rent a small car you can just take the clubs out of the carry bag and fold the carry bag up, making it take up much less space. And when you travel, all you need to do is put some protection on the clubs. I Usually just stick alot of clothes, or bubblewrap if I have some around, on top of the clubs and inbetween all of the clubs. And I have traveled with clubs about 6 times and haven't had the slightest problem. Also a pipe longer then your driver helps too, if you want something to take the force of the blow first.

[bigblue]

[quote name='taskerc' timestamp='1313316737' post='3483491']
[quote name='Carter' timestamp='1125675917' post='32791']
Thanks for all your opinions guys. I went with the SKB hardshell and i was very happy i did. Size wise, it fits perfectly on the back seat of a compact car so fitting it in the trunk is no issue.

My friend that i travelled with, bought a softcase type and one of his graphite shafts broke. He had the stiff arm, but the soft case did not protect him from side impact. That was one of my concerns when i was deciding on a travel bag.

My advise, if you want to feel secure, get a hard shell.
[/quote]
I have a hard shell bag and travelled to Ireland with it. Big mistake as only the largest of rental cars could hold the thing as I was travelling with my family as well. My soft case, which I now need to replace, has never leti me down - I also have a stiff arm and on my current trip was alarmed to see that the dish shaped head had come off - hopefully that means it saved my driver :-)
[/quote]
That is the same thing that happened to me. I just got back from a golf trip to Scotland and when I unpacked my bag I found the head of the stiff arm lying on top of my clubs inside the rain hood. I wonder if this is something new they are doing at checkin. I guess they are looking inside the shaft of the stiff arm and not replacing it. My friend had a stiff arm and the head was not unscrewed from his. Maybe doing random checks. Luckily my clubs were not damaged.

[mljones99]

soft bag all the way. I have an Ogio Straight Jacket and it has never failed.

[scratchswinger]

Hard Cases:
*Protect better. SKB is best.
*Hard to store at home
*Dont fit into many rentals

Soft Cased w/ stiff arm:
*Need to spend more time protecting the clubs. See tricks in link below.
*Most pros use them and dont have problems
*Easy to store
*Fit into rentals
*GET A CLUB GLOVE

Here is all the info you need.

[url="http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/482002-which-is-the-absolute-best-golf-bag-travel-case-available/"]Travel Bag[/url]

[Hifade]

Most any bag you are considering would be fine. The biggest thing to remember is to protect your driver and FW wood shafts. While the "stiff arm" was an adequate idea at best, the problem with it is the protective hood at the top is too small. It barely protects one club, let alone both the driver and FW and does not contain them in any way. You have to tie everything together in hope of it protecting. I've used it and still had breakage, Furthermore, you can pack everything really good, including tie your shafts to the "stiff arm," but the TSA agents seemingly always go through golf bags and NEVER take the time and care to re-pack everything the way you did when you packed it yourself before you left. I've had 3 drivers broken (and 3 claims to get them replaced) but they are never the same and your out your driver for that trip. While I've used broomstick before too, protection is limited.

I was talking to a guy I know about a week ago and he told me about a new product coming out that's called the "helmet." It supposedly fans open then fits over the top of your clubs and attaches to your bag and provides your entire set as a protective hard hood. Apparently, once over your clubs you can put them into almost any travel cover and still be protected. After so many problems with airlines and breakage, I'm going to give it a shot. What can it hurt, right?

Oh well, good luck with your decision and with your trip.

[scratchswinger]

[quote name='Hifade' timestamp='1313371061' post='3485801']
Most any bag you are considering would be fine. The biggest thing to remember is to protect your driver and FW wood shafts. While the "stiff arm" was an adequate idea at best, the problem with it is the protective hood at the top is too small. It barely protects one club, let alone both the driver and FW and does not contain them in any way. You have to tie everything together in hope of it protecting. I've used it and still had breakage, Furthermore, you can pack everything really good, including tie your shafts to the "stiff arm," but the TSA agents seemingly always go through golf bags and NEVER take the time and care to re-pack everything the way you did when you packed it yourself before you left. I've had 3 drivers broken (and 3 claims to get them replaced) but they are never the same and your out your driver for that trip. While I've used broomstick before too, protection is limited.

I was talking to a guy I know about a week ago and he told me about a new product coming out that's called the "helmet." It supposedly fans open then fits over the top of your clubs and attaches to your bag and provides your entire set as a protective hard hood. Apparently, once over your clubs you can put them into almost any travel cover and still be protected. After so many problems with airlines and breakage, I'm going to give it a shot. What can it hurt, right?

Oh well, good luck with your decision and with your trip.
[/quote]
Member #26!!!!

That product you described sounds good. Why didn't I think of that? Also tying the clubs together is a helpful tip. I will try that....

I mentioned this on the link I had attached on my post above. Here are a few tips that I use to protect my clubs.

One of my biggest concerns is that the oversized luggage sometimes comes out miles from the normal luggage. I am always concerned that my clubs will sit there unprotected for a thief. Because of this I bought the ugliest Club Glove I could find. It's green and pink..... Then I took it and beat it up a little.... Drug it across the back patio... My wife thought I was crazy! It doesn’t look like a 3K set of clubs would be packed in this ugly ragged case.

Here are a few other tips:
*If the wood heads are removable, remove them and pack in your other luggage.
*Insert your wood shafts (with heads removed, tip down into the bag)
*Insert all irons head first, with the grips sticking out.

[chicago_dan]

I just got the sun mountain club glider. Its a soft bag, similar to the club glove (less pockets), but its got a retractable set of wheels that make it effortless to move thru the airport. Not sure on durability since I only used it on one trip so far. I use the club glove stiff arm with it.

[EBgolf]

I have traveled quite a few times with mine and I have a [size="2"][color="#1c2837"]Ogio Straight Jacket and I have never had any problems (knock on wood) but it has not let me down. I know there is always a danger when traveling but I just hate traveling with the hard shell cases they are just so bulky and heavy and hard to get around once you get where you are going.[/color][/size]
[color=#1C2837][size=2]
[/size][/color]
[color=#1C2837][size=2]EB[/size][/color]

[Pitch'n'Putt]

I always Fedex my clubs to my destination. I dont want the TSA gorillas anywhere near them. I do the same thing with fishing rods for those vacations. TSA does not care about your stuff.

[Stanley Mayhem]

I would go with hard. The soft ones can easily tear, and you never know with airports.

[scratchswinger]

[quote name='Pitch'n'Putt' timestamp='1313595607' post='3495672']
I always Fedex my clubs to my destination. I dont want the TSA gorillas anywhere near them. I do the same thing with fishing rods for those vacations. TSA does not care about your stuff.
[/quote]
I have thought about doing this. Is it ever a hassle coming back or finding a shipping location near your destination? Do you just ship from the hotel? I suppose you just keep the box and re-use it?

[Pitch'n'Putt]

[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1313596674' post='3495733']
[quote name='Pitch'n'Putt' timestamp='1313595607' post='3495672']
I always Fedex my clubs to my destination. I dont want the TSA gorillas anywhere near them. I do the same thing with fishing rods for those vacations. TSA does not care about your stuff.
[/quote]
I have thought about doing this. Is it ever a hassle coming back or finding a shipping location near your destination? Do you just ship from the hotel? I suppose you just keep the box and re-use it?
[/quote]

Yeah, I usually just ship them to the hotel... I call them ahead of time, and it's never been a problem. I Reuse the box, and have FRAGILE stamped all over it. Usually the hotel will ship them back. If not I would just go to the nearest FEDEX or UPS location. Most of my vacations where I golf are to 1 of 2 places, DisneyWorld and Hilton Head (my wife and I are Vacation Club Members) and they are very accomodating and happy to ship my clubs back for me.

I had a bad experience on a trip to Costa Rica with a surf rod that arrived with the top 6'' broken off. I haven't given the TSA anything of value since. Not to mention, most airlines charge more to check a bag than it costs to ship clubs.

[TheMoneyShot]

[quote name='DoNDoN' timestamp='1123686459' post='24974']
The Club Glove Last Bag is the way to go. I have had it for 5 years without any problems. I have had a SKB and the hinges broke after 4 uses.
[/quote]
+1, nothing beats the last bag.

[solarpop]

Why are the club glove bags held in such high regard? I just had a look at them today at my local GS, and the Tour Trek bags seem to be of a much higher quality - thick padding all round, even at the bottom, strong zippers, many securing straps, scratch-resistent material, etc. The Last Bag on the other hand only had some padding on the top 1/3, and was more than double the price.

Anyone used the Tour Trek bags and can comment?

[NDGolfer13]

HARD. I travel what I consider to be a lot by air (90 flights so far this year....sitting in airport right now). I take my clubs frequently and only travel with a hard case. Delta is who I fly makes you sign a waiver with a soft case. They only cover damage with a hard case. I know the club glove is a very nice bag and used by most touring pros but keep in mind if a pro players driver shaft snaps he simply has to ask for a new shaft at the van. The rest of us get to eat it.

Just my $.02

[TigaTiga Woods Yall]

Club Glove Burst Proof with wheels has not failed me yet...knock on wood as I will be traveling next week.