Manage the package for a smooth golf trip

So as usual, I was in a conversation the other day about what I did for a living, but instead of the “what’s your favorite golf course” question, I got this one: “What’s your best tip for taking a golf trip?”

That’s easy; it all about managing luggage. Transporting golf clubs is the worst part of being a traveling golfer.

Now I’m not one of these who likes to rent golf clubs. Even if you get good ones, they’re not yours, but I have to admit on short golf trips, renting might be the way to go. Why because if your clubs don’t get there with you, you’re going to wind up renting anyway, and now the airlines have a policy that if your clubs arrive within 24 hours of you, they don’t have to compensate you (they should at least refund your bag fee, right?). That doesn’t do you much good if you’re playing the afternoon of your arrival. That’s what happened to me last year on a trip to central Oregon, but fortunately, Pronghorn Resort had terrific rentals. In fact, I played better with the rentals than I did with my own clubs, which arrived the next day.

With that said, though, you might want to consider shipping your clubs ahead of time. It takes out the hassle of lugging your clubs to and through the airport and reduces the risk of having them get lost. Both FedEx and a company called Ship Sticks provide the service and it can be quite reasonable.

My other tip when it comes to traveling with clubs is to take a carry-on to reduce your baggage fees. Now the airlines don’t condone this, but you can always put a few things in with your golf clubs to make that easier (like your toiletries, for example). And even if you have status with an airline, the second bag is $35. If you don’t have status, the first bag (your golf clubs) is $25, which is far better than paying $140 for baggage on a round trip.

And finally, pack light, and that includes your golf clubs. It’ll save more room for other stuff if you need it and they’re not so cumbersome on the parking shuttle. That means you don’t need three dozen golf balls. If you should lose that many, just purchase some more on your trip; golf balls add a lot of weight. Pack one set of waterproofs or outerwear, not multiple sets. Don’t take 14 clubs just because that’s the USGA limit (heck, we can’t hit half of them anyway), and use the lightest stand bag you can get away with. Leave the tour bags for the tour guys.