Conference 7.286::golf

>    I'm interested in knowing if anyone has any tips, in general, about
>    traveling with your golf clubs.  Besides having a decent travel bag,
>    are there any other things you do to protect your equipment while
>    traveling?

    You should get a decent travel bag. It should be heavy duty check out
    the stiching around seams, etc.  The handle on your golf bag should be
    accessable, it sticks out a hole in the side with some sort of strap
    to keep the bag from turning.   On my first bag this strip of cloth
    with the snaps kept ripping away from the rest of the bag.  It's also
    useful your strap can be accessable for carrying the bag around, but
    if it is make sure it's inside your bag when checked.

    A couple of other tips I find handy.  To help protect the clubheads
    on irons from each other I generally stick the socks I wear golfing
    over the top of them.  (Make sure your clubs are clean.)  If your
    wife tends to buy too many souveniers some of the soft items can go in
    the center of your bag.  Things like towels, tee shirts can provide
    some additional protection.
    
>    How about any "gotchas" to watch out for when traveling with golf
>    equipment?

    Even with a properly packed golf bag some airlines will make you sign
    a limited damage waiver.  
    
>    What about insuring your clubs, etc.?

    I have never insured my clubs even when I've had to sign the limited
    damage waiver.  I believe the airlines liability is $750 for any one
    item of luggage.  However I am always worried until my clubs show up
    on the other end.  I think it may we wise to check it out if you had
    to replace everything my guess it would press the $750 max.  when you
    start to figure irons, woods, putter, shoes, bag, travel cover, balls,
    umbrella, etc.  I've been lucky but I'm not sure the nerves can handle
    it in the future.

    Also be forewarned sporting goods tend to fly towards where they are
    most likely to be used.  For example we once took our cross country
    skis to Michigan one Christmas.  We had to change planes in Chicago,
    the flight we were on continued to Colorado.  Up, you guessed it,  I skis
    headed for a couple of day vacation towards Vail, but they ultimately
    were returned.

    Larry

    PS. Where are you going?

    Airlines coverage on your luggage is $500.00 TOTAL, not per bag. 
    Not nearly enough to cover what's in my bag.  Unfortunately, I know
    this from personal experience.  I learned the hard way that the small
    extra amount you pay for the insurance, is well worth it.
    
    Hal

    
    An interesting story...my cousin returning from Bermuda arrived
    home ithout his clubs and he sa the bag being loaded on the plane!
    He was playing in a member-guest and in the other twosome there
    is a guy playing with his clubs, bag and all!  Cuz took his clubs.
    The guy calls the cops, claimed he bought them at a flea market.
    The cop makes him fill out "incident" reports.  Investigation turns
    up that his brother is a baggage handler for the airline. I don't
    know the disposition of the guy and his brother but if you have
    top of the line (e.g. PINGS) clubs I'd insure them.

    I always buy my ticket with American Express because of the extra
    insurance that they (AMEX) provide. I think it brings your coverage
    up to $1500.00.
    
    D

    
    There's another way, for those who like to travel light & safe.
    I visited Fla last month & took a skeleton set of clubs (1W, 3W,
    2, 5, 8, PW, Putter) along with a Range bag in a hard, lockable
    Gun Case - the ones that cost $50 at stores, or $25 from the Airline
    company if you buy it at the ticket counter to check a Rifle ...
    
    	The locked case makes it obvious if someone breaks in or steals,
    and it's cheaper than a travel bag.   There's no worry about damage,
    and the case could have actually carried 1 or 2 more clubs (e.g.
    a 3, 5, 7, 9 PW iron mix) if you fancy.
    
        The added benefit is the
    challenge of working around a golf course without 50 lbs of steel
    tagging along - club selection is simple, and my enjoyment of the
    game & surroundings took a giant step up - played a better round
    than ever !   It's amazing what a limited club selection does to
    your sense of feel for the few clubs you do bring along ...
                                           
    
    					Bill
    

    I'm leaving on Piedmont in 2 days to Myrtle Beach.  I bought a canvas
    bag from Austaads for my clubs.  I don't know how to pack it for
    safety, but here's what I did.  Tell me if I need to do more!
    
    My golf bag is basically nylon but I converted it to a tube type
    for shaft protection.  I put my umbrella on the bag because the
    length is about the same as my clubs, so I think it will lend more
    stability.  I put headcovers on my woods and wound my playing towels
    around the irons.  My rain cover goes over the clubs and snaps to
    the bag.  There is almost no movement out of the bag by the irons.
    I put the whole mess in my canvas bag, folded to take up the excess
    room, and put 2 old belts around the bag so the canvas bag isn't
    loose.
    
    I'll never recover if the clubs don't make it!
    
    Rick