How much do airlines check what is in the golf travel bag??

[roboref]

Planning trip to Scotland taking my own clubs. I have a soft sided bag (similar to Club Glove). This is American airlines policy:

 

 

GOLF CLUBS

 

Allowance/Requirements

 

One golf bag containing no more than 14 golf clubs, 12 golf balls and one pair of golf shoes

Cost

 

Charged the 1st or 2nd bag rate as applicable. When in excess, each item will be subject to the baggage charge for a single piece.

Maximum Weight and Size

 

Maximum free weight on golf clubs is 70 lbs. Size is limited to the size of a hard-sided golf case.

 

I was hoping to pack my base golf clothing, 2 pairs of shoes and 3 dozen balls, but plan to remain below 50 lbs. Will this be ok? Will they go through the bag? to see what is packed?

 

Also if anyone has any suggestions for successfully flying with golf clubs, please make suggestions.

[Fourmyle of Ceres]

The TSA will almost always look into your golf bag, the airlines not often at all. You will almost certainly get by with some fiddling around the exact list of allowed objects in the bag, assuming you keep the weight down. If they do check, bumping your golf bag into "oversize/overweight" category will cost you dearly though. But it's very unlikely.

Personally, I don't sweat a second pair of shoes and I'll stick a jacket and maybe a few socks and underwear in the golf bag. But I do not try to squeeze a whole suitcase full of clothing in there. If for no other reason the TSA are often not very neat or patient about arranging or cramming extra stuff in there after they do their inspection.

You might as well leave a couple dozen of those golf balls at home. Why schlep something 6,000 miles that you can buy on the spot as needed. And remember, you have to lug all that stuff around in Scotland once you're off the plane. Also you possibly may have to claim and re-check it once upon arrival (if you have an international-to-domestic connection at your USA arrival airport).

[DavePelz4]

[quote name='Fourmyle of Ceres' timestamp='1381861794' post='8005711']
The TSA will almost always look into your golf bag, the airlines not often at all. You will almost certainly get by with some fiddling around the exact list of allowed objects in the bag, assuming you keep the weight down. If they do check, bumping your golf bag into "oversize/overweight" category will cost you dearly though. But it's very unlikely.

Personally, I don't sweat a second pair of shoes and I'll stick a jacket and maybe a few socks and underwear in the golf bag. But I do not try to squeeze a whole suitcase full of clothing in there. If for no other reason the TSA are often not very neat or patient about arranging or cramming extra stuff in there after they do their inspection.

You might as well leave a couple dozen of those golf balls at home. Why schlep something 6,000 miles that you can buy on the spot as needed. And remember, you have to lug all that stuff around in Scotland once you're off the plane. Also you possibly may have to claim and re-check it once upon arrival (if you have an international-to-domestic connection at your USA arrival airport).
[/quote]

Agree with this completely. Have flown with my clubs numerous times domestically and internationally. Almost every time there is the TSA notification in the bag that they've gone through it. Wasn't aware of the AA rules on the balls, etc and can share that I've had more than a dozen balls and my rain gear in the bag nearly every time. However, it's never filled to the point of where weight would be an issue.

[SullGolf]

That seems like a very odd policy. It's hard for me to imagine any airline employee going through your bag to determine if you have more than 14 clubs.

Last trip I went on, I only had 14 clubs and 1 dozen balls. But I had 3 pairs of shoes plus various other things in my bag too. Still under 30 pounds if I remember right. On ~one week trips, I've definitely packed all of my clothes in the bag so that I only had to bring the golf bag and a backpack. Basically, I will pack whatever I need or want to in there, as long as it stays under the weight limit.

[Stretch]

They do tend to get fussy when you put bricks of coke in the shoe pockets.

[pseudoswede]

I've carried my golf bag internationally a few times. Clubs, balls, shoes, and the bag itself weighed much less than the 50lb limit. When I was done packing my golf items, we threw in bulkier pieces of clothing (jackets, sweatshirts, non-golf shoes, etc.) to help stabilize it. We also put in items that the in-laws wanted us to buy for them (perfume, makeup, etc.). On the way home, it was filled with bulky clothing and non-fragile items purchased while abroad. The golf bag always ended up weighing around 49lbs. The airlines never cared so long as it was under the 50lb max.

Just make sure that when traveling back to the US, the airline is able to check-through your bags to your final destination. After you claim your bags and take it through customs, you can simply hand it off at the bag-drop. TSA nor Customs cares what's inside the bag (so long as it isn't illegal).

[roboref]

The extent of my airline travel with clubs was on US Airways Albuquerque to Phoenix, I had to sign a waiver on damage since it was soft sided. My intent was to only take the 14 clubs, 3 doz. balls (Most resorts they are astronomical expensive), 2 pair shoes, rain suite and some under armour shirts to remain under 50 pounds, since on my homeward flight I will be flying Southwest and they only allow 50 pounds. I have weighed everything and it should be about 45 lbs. But since I and wife are only checking one other bag each, to remain under 50 on those bags need to put the overflow in golf travel bag. Expected that there would be some very experienced travelers to help me.

Thanks

[Pepperturbo]

We travel a lot for golf with club glove bags with stiff arms and TSA locks. There is no way of knowing the answer to the OP's question, as inspection behind the counter is random. There is a variable however; if your appearance and or golf bag suggests "stuffed" to those behind the counter, check their bags.

I don't believe 14 club rule is real reason club bag definition exists. We owe that to excessive number of people stuffing their golf travel bags with non-golf items that darn near equal club weight, pushing weight over 50lb limit, trying to beat the greater cost of an additional luggage bag.

All the airlines we've been on put our club glove bags on the same scales as our luggage to determine if any item is over 50lb limit, and not likely to be opened later because they don't look stuffed. So, if your bag looks stuffed, don't be surprised if its opened and later reassessed at the higher cost of added luggage. Its happening more and more.

[Fourmyle of Ceres]

My best advice for international golf travel is "when in doubt, leave it out". In other words just carry the least stuff you can get by with, if that. When your bags are light and not overstuffed, as [i]Pepperturbo[/i] says nobody at the airline is going to have reason to hassle you.

P.S. What are your ground transportation plans while in Scotland? In my experience, what I'm willing to lug around while I'm there is usually less than what the airlines are willing to let me check...

[pseudoswede]

Do you and the wife really need separate checked bags? If anything, cram as much as you can in one checked bag (keep the most essential toiletries in your carry-on), the remainder in the golf bag. Bring a large, empty duffel bag. If you buy a lot of stuff, employ the duffel bag--then pony up the extra baggage charge on the way home.

[CPSOX]

Pro tip: pack one dozen balls, glove and pair of shoes in both your golf travel back AND your carryon. That way, by the off chance your clubs get lost/delayed and you have to rent clubs, you won't also need to buy balls/shoes/glove.

[Pepperturbo]

Not wise to over stuff a suite case, as its likely to be opened and possible it won't be properly re-closed; which is how people lose items. Better to put toiletries in checked luggage too; otherwise you'll have to throw away most bottles with any form of liquid before entering scanner.

[turfmantim]

I once packed 2 complete sets in 1 travel bag. Both of us used sunday carry bags and put the clubs in a round concrete form for protection. TSA. Was a domestic flight, don't remember the airline

[yumbrownies]

I've packed more than just my my clubs in a soft case many times on domestic flights and have never had an issue. A lot of times I'll stuff some clothes or a beach towel around the clubheads as some extra padding. 70 lbs. is really heavy--my soft case with clubs and extra 'padding' has never even sniffed 40. They might search through the bag, just like they might randomly search through any other bag, too. But I honestly would be shocked if you had any issues with what you're planning on doing.

[hebsan]

Having taken my clubs on two international (Bangkok via Beijing and Bangkok via Sydney) trips in the past three years, I never had any problem with something other than golf equipment in my travel bag. On both trips I packed golf shorts and a couple pair of jeans. I used a couple of bungees to secure the clothes to the golf bag. On the latest trip, TSA did go through my travel bag and actually took out one of my clubs. The only reason I knew was because they didn't put it back in my golf bag. When I opened up the travel bag, I saw the note, and then I saw my 7 iron laying outside of my golf bag. Luckily, the club wasn't damaged. As long as you keep it under your weight allowance, you shouldn't have any problems.

[roboref]

Thanks for all the great tips and suggestions. I am a seasoned overseas traveler,just not with golf thrown in. To answer some questions, Due to the length of the trip and some medical equipment that is not optional, the wife and I always take 3 suitcases (2-30in and one 25in), for this trip I am supplanting 1-30 inch bag with Golf travel bag, using a stiff arm and some of the base golf clothes. I really don't feel comfortable going with less than the 3 dozen balls (4lbs). For ground transportation, we are renting a car and driving to St Andrews for 10 days, then will be driving through England for 5 days to catch a ship back to Fort Lauderdale for a total of 28 days vacation. I had bought a 2nd pair of shoes after finding that my current golf shoes kept me dry for 18 holes but not 27, so I purchased a new pair but they have not been thoroughly broken in yet. Great idea to separate the 2 pair along with balls just in case the golf bag is lost. We will then fly SWA home which there golf equipment weight is 50 pounds. We also travel with a collapsible duffle to spread to 4 bags on our trip home via SWA.

[pseudoswede]

Definitely look into taking your medical equipment as a carry-on. It doesn't count towards your carry-on allotment (just remember to bring a doctor's note). If there is something that I'd really wouldn't want to get lose, it would be that. Golf equipment would be a distant second.

[jli2636]

[quote name='turfmantim' timestamp='1381865026' post='8005985']
I once packed 2 complete sets in 1 travel bag. Both of us used sunday carry bags and put the clubs in a round concrete form for protection. TSA. Was a domestic flight, don't remember the airline
[/quote]

This is what they are trying to deter with the "14 clubs only" policy. My dad and I used to do this when we went on vacation. We would stuff 2 sets into one bag and then put the bag into the travel case.

[DLiver]

I can't recall the last time the TSA didn't inspect my bag. However the airlines are only concerned with the weight of your golf luggage. As long as you stay under 50 lbs, it pretty much doesn't matter what you have in there.

[Fourmyle of Ceres]

Yeah, I think they put that list of acceptable "golf" gear in there so they can come down on guys like the one I saw checking a Club Glove that had a 14" cart bag and clubs with about two suitcases worth of loose clothing and a duffel bag with something in it. He sat there in the airport lobby stuffing all that junk in the Club Glove until the last bit of zipper wouldn't close. He just about needed one of those gadgets they used to stuff goose feathers in the old "Featherie" golf balls.

I always figured they probably hit him with a big oversize/overweight charge at some point along the line. Or at least I hope so.

[hogans71]

[quote name='DLiver' timestamp='1381881108' post='8007463']
I can't recall the last time the TSA didn't inspect my bag. However the airlines are only concerned with the weight of your golf luggage. As long as you stay under 50 lbs, it pretty much doesn't matter what you have in there.
[/quote]

This.

I've never heard of a club limit (although I only play and travel with 14) and usually toss a dozen, maybe six total sleeves of balls, depending on the length of the trip. Two, three pair of shoes. That's it. With a lightweight titleist carry bag, no doubt I come in under 50lbs...

[turfmantim]

[quote name='jli2636' timestamp='1381878138' post='8007195']
[quote name='turfmantim' timestamp='1381865026' post='8005985']
I once packed 2 complete sets in 1 travel bag. Both of us used sunday carry bags and put the clubs in a round concrete form for protection. TSA. Was a domestic flight, don't remember the airline
[/quote]

This is what they are trying to deter with the "14 clubs only" policy. My dad and I used to do this when we went on vacation. We would stuff 2 sets into one bag and then put the bag into the travel case.
[/quote]

What's it matter if it's below the weight limit? Can the airline stipulate how many pairs of shoes somebody can put into a bag?

[Fourmyle of Ceres]

Well ultimately they can stipulate anything they like.

Every airline I know of grants "golf equipment" and exemption from their usual size and/or weight restrictions. Even a 40-pound set of golf clubs is Club Glove is way, way beyond the limit for suitcase size. If you took normal luggage as big as a Club Glove they'd hit you with an oversize-baggage charge.

Obviously that would not be acceptable to golfers. So they say if you have a big oversize case for your golf clubs, the normal oversize charge is waived. But they don't want people doubling up and getting, in effect, a free set of golf clubs and a free suitcase worth of clothes in one "bag".

[myspinonit]

[quote name='Fourmyle of Ceres' timestamp='1381920758' post='8009197']
Well ultimately they can stipulate anything they like.

Every airline I know of grants "golf equipment" and exemption from their usual size and/or weight restrictions. Even a 40-pound set of golf clubs is Club Glove is way, way beyond the limit for suitcase size. If you took normal luggage as big as a Club Glove they'd hit you with an oversize-baggage charge.

Obviously that would not be acceptable to golfers. So they say if you have a big oversize case for your golf clubs, the normal oversize charge is waived. But they don't want people doubling up and getting, in effect, a free set of golf clubs and a free suitcase worth of clothes in one "bag".
[/quote]

Yes. If this gets too common and the airlines [u]decide [/u]it is too common, then the weight limit is going to be say only 40 lbs. for clubs as they fight to to keep afloat (er, airborne) financially. It already is 40 lbs on Allegiant (there may be others). They lost my business mostly as my 14+ pound Sun Mountain Meridian travel bag and clubs and some balls and one pair is close to 50.

Edit looking at Fourmyles notes below: Oh, and Allegiant really wants you to have a hard-sided case. And keep it under 40...doubt it.

And to repeat what has said elsewhere on here- TSA will check your clubs and maybe pull them out and shove them back in. Sure pad some more with a towel or plastic wrap on top, but the more you make it a cat's cradle for them to check through ALL your golf bag easily and quickly, the more likely it will not be repacked as securely as you like it. That said, I've always found that it is pretty much in good order at the other end, and there usually is an "inspected by TSA" ticket or some such wording inside the bag, so I know they've opened it.

[Fourmyle of Ceres]

My last international flight, the bag did not get opened on the return (UK-USA) but was checked by TSA outbound (USA-UK). That's the first time I can recall noticing it not being opened and checked both ways.

I'd be hard pressed to make a 40-pound limit since I used a big SKB hard case. Last trip I was at 19.6kg which is about 43 pounds although I did have a few extra odds and ends in there. The usual 50-pound limit is no problem.

P.S. When connecting in Atlanta on my last return flight from the UK, I saw the ultimate USA golf tourist group. It was an eightsome of 30-something year old guys. They were waiting with me for our clubs to arrive on the oversize conveyor.

A couple of them were wearing logo clothing from places they presumably played in the UK. But within the group I also saw a Cypress Point shirt, think I saw a Friars Head logo as well as Sage Valley and a couple other "trophy" USA golf courses. Plus the one guy in the group with no logos but wearing a pair of baggy shorts, a golf hat worn backwards "street" style, flip-flops and a bit of early middle-aged spread peeking out from under his untucked golf shirt. Between the braggy logos and the guy dressed like he wanted to look 20 years younger I now know where the phrase "Ugly Americans" comes from.

[Cwing]

Interested to know as well. Headed to Scotland in Aug, 2014.

[roboref]

Again, thanks to everyone on the input. My final plan after the input here will be to pack the club glove type golf travel case with a 7 lbs carry bag, 14 clubs, 18 golf balls, shoes, rain jacket, and a couple of Eagle packs (compressible clothes bags) of golf clothes, I have 3 regular golf gloves, Nike All weather pair and UA cold gear gloves. I have also made my own stiff arm out of an old ball retriever with the Rebar safety cover as the top. I will put the driver and 3 wood (graphite shafted) in the middle of the bag, then group the irons around that, one wrap with towel and call it good. Also good tip for packing, expecting the TSA to open. After many trips, we also get our checked bags inspected because of all the charge cords, CPAP and fabreeze we pack. Something of that always triggers a search. Ultimately to keep around 45lbs total. Travel bag 8 lbs, Golf bag with clubs and balls 27 lbs clothes and shoes 10 pounds for 45 lbs total.

[DrPaul]

Never had any porblems with emirates, until this year when the check in lady at Glasgow Airport told me the max weight for golf equipment was 15kg (33lbs) for a - travel cover, a decent size cart bag, a pair of shoes and 14 clubs. I was arounf 21kgs. 15kg seems a little light to me, thoughts?

[vtnerf]

I didn't have a problem with the clubs, rain gear, almost 2 dozen golf balls, two pairs of shoes and the clubs wrapped in a few towels. Didn't jam too much in there and was below the weight allowance without a problem. (They did forget to load my bag at JFK, but thankfully it was on the way home. Then, when I got it back, the zipper was broken. They are sending me a check for the bag.)

Suggestion....if you are going to Scotland, you may not need 3 dozen golf balls. Unless you are wild off the tee, you can get by without losing too many along the way.

[James Ng]

I travel a lot and i dont think they check what is inside the bag. They care more about weight of the bag though.