Travel bags

[HAC 72]

Looking forward in the next few months to getting a vaccine and traveling again.  When that happens, I am thinking of getting a new travel bag.  What do you guys have and why.  Getting older so want something easier to maneuver than my existing bag with two wheels (and which does not have much protection).  Already have a a stiff arm.  Thanks for your help.

[dmarch 1]

I have the Sun Mountain Club Glider and love it.  Only downside is that it’s a little heavier than most travel bags.  The ease of use going through airports is well worth it to me.

[DaveP043 5,610]

On 12/18/2020 at 9:57 AM, HAC said:

Getting older so want something easier to maneuver than my existing bag with two wheels

Aside from the Club Glider, I'm not aware of any bags that offer something other than the "two wheels" at the bottom.  I used a Club Glove, the smaller size, and its protected my clubs over 15 or 20 trips through the past 10 years or more.  But it just has the two wheels.  I don't find it to be too big a hassle, but I'm also not shy about renting a luggage trolley for ALL of my luggage, or using the curbside check-in where its available.

[HAC 72]

9 hours ago, DaveP043 said:

Aside from the Club Glider, I'm not aware of any bags that offer something other than the "two wheels" at the bottom.  I used a Club Glove, the smaller size, and its protected my clubs over 15 or 20 trips through the past 10 years or more.  But it just has the two wheels.  I don't find it to be too big a hassle, but I'm also not shy about renting a luggage trolley for ALL of my luggage, or using the curbside check-in where its available.

Ping's bag seems to have four wheels (all on the bottom)  PING - Rolling Travel Cover and I think a couple of other brands do as well.  

[Tom the Golf Nut 8,254]

I travel for work / golf frequently. Most airlines will only pay for damages if you use a hard shell case. They have broken my hard case three times already. They did pay to replace it each time. Then I ordered the parts and fixed it myself. I finally gave up and went with the Club Glove. Last Bag Pro size. Been using that for over a year with no issues. You just have to sign a waiver because it is not a hard case. It does only have two wheels but it is not an issue for me. Actually easier than the hard case which doesn't fit in normal sized rental cars. 

This travel bag is pricey but I found a place in Canada on ebay that was selling them at 1/2 price. It does have the Taylormade logo on the bag. I used the money from the airlines payments to buy the bag. Works for me! I do recommend using the stiff arm you have. I also remove the head of the driver when I travel. 

[DaveP043 5,610]

14 hours ago, HAC said:

Ping's bag seems to have four wheels (all on the bottom)  PING - Rolling Travel Cover and I think a couple of other brands do as well.  

So it does, and it folds up nice and small when not in use.  Based on my experience with my Ping Hoofer, Ping makes quality stuff.  I guess I haven't needed to really look around for a while.  

@Tom the Golf Nut brings up an important question, does a bag fit into a car?  Most soft covers will, many hard cases will be problematic.  I've also read a number of accounts of hard cases being "sprung", bent just enough so that they won't close properly.  

You asked what we have, and you've had a couple of answers.  But what we should also have done was to point you at the MGS review of travel bags here:

https://mygolfspy.com/best-travel-bags-of-2020/

 

[Nolan220 1,973]

13 hours ago, Tom the Golf Nut said:

I travel for work / golf frequently. Most airlines will only pay for damages if you use a hard shell case. They have broken my hard case three times already. They did pay to replace it each time. Then I ordered the parts and fixed it myself. I finally gave up and went with the Club Glove. Last Bag Pro size. Been using that for over a year with no issues. You just have to sign a waiver because it is not a hard case. It does only have two wheels but it is not an issue for me. Actually easier than the hard case which doesn't fit in normal sized rental cars. 

This travel bag is pricey but I found a place in Canada on ebay that was selling them at 1/2 price. It does have the Taylormade logo on the bag. I used the money from the airlines payments to buy the bag. Works for me! I do recommend using the stiff arm you have. I also remove the head of the driver when I travel. 

On my first trip my buddy let me use his wilson travel bag and an off brand version of the stiff arm .. get my clubs off the plane the the off brand stiff arm head cracked protected the clubs but on the way back I had to stuff a ton of clothes for extra padding and removed the driver head... I now own a stiff arm def worth the extra bucks .. We also put in to rent a huge SUV but we got the VW Atlas .. pretty big but not big enough for 6 travel bags and whatever bags and 6 people 2 guys had to uber it.. 

[Tom the Golf Nut 8,254]

3 hours ago, Nolan220 said:

On my first trip my buddy let me use his wilson travel bag and an off brand version of the stiff arm .. get my clubs off the plane the the off brand stiff arm head cracked protected the clubs but on the way back I had to stuff a ton of clothes for extra padding and removed the driver head... I now own a stiff arm def worth the extra bucks .. We also put in to rent a huge SUV but we got the VW Atlas .. pretty big but not big enough for 6 travel bags and whatever bags and 6 people 2 guys had to uber it.. 

Anything more than four golfers you need a Suburban or equivalent. I have seen all versions of stiff arm types break. Head damage or collapse of the telescopic mechanism. I made my own from a piece of PVC and a rebar safety cap for the top. It's indestructible, light and does the job.  

[Nolan220 1,973]

Just now, Tom the Golf Nut said:

Anything more than four golfers you need a Suburban or equivalent. I have seen all versions of stiff arm types break. Head damage or collapse of the telescopic mechanism. I made my own from a piece of PVC and a rebar safety cap for the top. It's indestructible, light and does the job.  

Thats a good idea I should of prob built something but ohwell . and yes I think we put in for a suburban or something like that and thats all they had .. we even told the lady to give is the 10 passenger van and she looked at us like we were psychos ... 

[McGolf 520]

I've had the sun mountain pro travel bag club glider, took overseas multiple times and to Fla more times than I can count without an issue. 

Only recently I found a tear in the bag by handle. After years of pulling wrapping inspecting etc, Im ok with it and got another. The unit moves with ease. is quite large and can hold just about anything .

Fitting into a truck is problematic if the car is small. a medium car it will have to go in at an angle. I drive a truck or a yukon so no real concern for me in that category. 

[voyagemiami 0]

On 12/21/2020 at 9:50 PM, DaveP043 said:

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[DaveP043 5,610]

20 minutes ago, voyagemiami said:

 

Please don't use my name when your advertising for yourself.

[6bills67 3]

Ogio Straight Jacket - nice mid priced option with good features for occasional travel has been great for me.

[prillac 8]

For air trips: I am a walker,  I bought a old school minimalist type bag and added a four point sling, very light but makes you choose 10 to 12 clubs. I use a travel set of clubs just in case. I made a club protector out of a closet rod and 1/4 inch plywood top plate for a total cost of 4 or 5 bucks.

Bag has room for balls and tees. I pack this in a 52 inch soft side rifle case. When I get a rental, I choose a minivan so my bags fit. Plenty of room in the case to pad the clubs with your traveling clothes. Not as obvious that your playing when on work related trips.

 

[vandyland 432]

I learned a tough lesson this week that I wanted to share in case this saves anyone from making the same mistake. I packed my driver head (adjustable driver so it can be taken off) in my carry-on (which I have done on the last 4 flights I have been on) and it got flagged in security. I was told I had to check it which I wasn't really prepared to do so I had to pay $40 to check a tiny back pack with almost no padding. I asked TSA if this was a new rule and they said this was always the case. Driver heads will always get flagged. Amazingly, the driver head survived the trip. So on the way back I packed it in my checked bag. Anyway, be careful out there everyone!

[MattF 14,582]

2 hours ago, vandyland said:

I learned a tough lesson this week that I wanted to share in case this saves anyone from making the same mistake. I packed my driver head (adjustable driver so it can be taken off) in my carry-on (which I have done on the last 4 flights I have been on) and it got flagged in security. I was told I had to check it which I wasn't really prepared to do so I had to pay $40 to check a tiny back pack with almost no padding. I asked TSA if this was a new rule and they said this was always the case. Driver heads will always get flagged. Amazingly, the driver head survived the trip. So on the way back I packed it in my checked bag. Anyway, be careful out there everyone!

I've seen that mentioned a few times now. I just pack mine in the headcover, wrap them with my golf towels and put them in the side pocket of the golf bag.

[berkeleybob 261]

I’ve been traveling back and forth with my Golf Travel Bag (brand name) Caravan. Always worked fine until the last last trip when I was packing up to go home, I found a hole toward the bottom of the bag. As it worked out, my brother let me take his Club Glider. Now I think my clubs ride in better comfort than I do. It’s by far the easiest bag to push from the car to check-in.

Just a side note. I’ve noticed that TSA checks my golf bag every time I fly. My brother says the same thing. Not sure what that’s about.

[Tom the Golf Nut 8,254]

31 minutes ago, berkeleybob said:

Just a side note. I’ve noticed that TSA checks my golf bag every time I fly. My brother says the same thing. Not sure what that’s about.

It all depends on the x-ray equipment that the airport has. If I fly though a bigger airport it never gets checked other than the x-ray tube. Smaller airports don't have the same equipment and check all the time. i find the inspection tags in the bottom of the bag and the clubs are out of order.

A lot of this stems from clever drug smugglers. They would fill the golf heads and shafts with narcotics. 

But it does bug me. I go through meticulous packing. Take the driver head off put it in its head cover and then in a golf bag pocket, put the shaft in upside down to protect the adapter, weave golf towels throughout the irons to protect them from each other. Then toss a few of those bubble wrap things on top of the irons to level all the clubs off. Then comes the rain cover and then placed in my Club Glove travel bag. So I'm protected until I get to the airport and they take it all apart to inspect and don't give two craps about putting thing back the way they found them. Then send it on its flight.  

[Kenny B 33,434]

6 hours ago, Tom the Golf Nut said:

It all depends on the x-ray equipment that the airport has. If I fly though a bigger airport it never gets checked other than the x-ray tube. Smaller airports don't have the same equipment and check all the time. i find the inspection tags in the bottom of the bag and the clubs are out of order.

A lot of this stems from clever drug smugglers. They would fill the golf heads and shafts with narcotics. 

But it does bug me. I go through meticulous packing. Take the driver head off put it in its head cover and then in a golf bag pocket, put the shaft in upside down to protect the adapter, weave golf towels throughout the irons to protect them from each other. Then toss a few of those bubble wrap things on top of the irons to level all the clubs off. Then comes the rain cover and then placed in my Club Glove travel bag. So I'm protected until I get to the airport and they take it all apart to inspect and don't give two craps about putting thing back the way they found them. Then send it on its flight.  

Yep!  Just like that!  I fly out of small airport so my bag always gets unpacked.  I keep the inspections tags in my travel bag; I think there are maybe 20 in there now.  Next trip is in January.

I haven't done anything special for over 20 years; never had an issue.  Clubs go in Club Glove travel bag.  Iron covers on; only time they are used.  Bags of clothes packed around golf bag... 2 week trips!!

[RDel90 222]

Back in Feb I picked up a Subtle Patriot travel bag. https://subtlepatriot.com/product/patriot-golf-bag-travel-cover/ (found an open box buy for about 1/2 price). Very thick padded top and also use a stiff arm which finally broke after 5 years but protected my clubs! My bag has been on 10 flights already and minimal signs of wear on the heavy duty nylon. Bag has 6 wheels so you you can recline and pull but also stand it up and push it. Shoe pouch on the outside. I LOVE the hard shell hat compartment which I usually toss some other stuff in as well. Absolutely love this travel case.