Traveling with your golf clubs can be nerve-wracking. The fear of opening your travel bag at your destination only to find a damaged driver or a broken iron is a common concern for golfing enthusiasts. Having flown with my clubs on numerous golf trips, I’ve developed a packing method that has ensured my clubs arrive in perfect condition every time. While I can’t account for every baggage handler’s journey, following these steps will significantly minimize the risk of damage to your valuable golf equipment.
Understanding the Risk: Protecting the Vulnerable Point
The most common point of breakage during air travel is where the clubhead connects to the shaft. Consider it: within your golf bag, the bag itself offers a degree of protection for the shafts. However, the clubheads often protrude and are susceptible to bearing the brunt of any impact or weight placed on top of the bag during transit. Therefore, my packing strategy is entirely focused on providing maximum protection to this critical juncture.
My Proven Packing Approach: Strength in Numbers and Smart Spacing
In the past, I experimented with inverting my woods, positioning the heads within the bag and the shafts upwards. However, with modern golf bag dividers being narrower and driver heads becoming increasingly oversized, this method is often impractical.
My current, and far more effective, approach is based on the principle of “strength in numbers.” Think of chopsticks – a single chopstick is easily snapped, but a bundle of ten is remarkably resistant to breakage. The same logic applies to your golf clubs. The key is to group your clubs as tightly together as possible, ideally with all the shafts nestled within a single bag section. Using a sock or club cover over your irons and putter can further enhance this grouping, prevent clubhead chatter, and minimize potential scratches during transit.
Notice in the image above how closely packed the clubs are. Furthermore, I strategically position my driver, the tallest and often most vulnerable club, nestled amongst my other woods and hybrids. By insulating the driver within the cluster of other clubs, I aim to shield it from external pressure and impact. The tallest club sticking out is inherently more exposed, so maximizing its insulation is crucial.
Once the clubs are bundled and positioned, I utilize the rain hood and pull it snugly over the club heads and the top of the bag. This serves a dual purpose: it acts as an additional layer of protection to keep everything securely in place and offers a degree of defense against unexpected moisture, whether it be rain during transit or, less likely but still possible, leaks during handling.
Finally, this prepared golf bag setup is placed inside my golf travel bag. The next crucial step involves minimizing any empty space within the travel bag, particularly above and below the clubheads. Filling these voids is vital to restrict movement and further reduce any stress or flexing forces that could be exerted on the clubs during travel.
As illustrated in the image above, placing items like a shoe bag beneath the clubheads within the travel bag effectively fills the space and provides cushioning. Similarly, on top of the clubs, I typically place soft items such as rolled-up golf towels or clothing. These soft buffers absorb shocks and prevent excessive movement during transit.
Considering Extra Protection: The Stiff Arm
For golfers seeking an added layer of security, consider using a product like the Stiff Arm. Highly recommended by fellow golfers, including some of my colleagues who never travel without it, the Stiff Arm is a telescoping pole designed specifically for golf travel bags. It extends from the base of your bag upwards, acting as a support rod that protrudes slightly higher than your tallest club when properly adjusted within the travel bag.
The Stiff Arm effectively becomes the highest point within your bag, designed to absorb any vertical impacts and prevent pressure from being directly transferred to your club heads. It’s a worthwhile investment for frequent golf travelers seeking maximum peace of mind.
Final Thoughts on Safe Golf Club Packing
While some might consider this level of preparation excessive, for those who value their golf equipment and wish to avoid the inconvenience and expense of damaged clubs, these packing tips are invaluable. By understanding the vulnerable points and implementing these protective measures, you can significantly increase the chances of your golf clubs arriving at your destination in perfect playing condition, ready for your next round.
