There is nothing more exciting than planning that amazing golf trip to that course you've been dying to play. You've seen it on all the top 100 golf courses. You've watched the YouTube course vlogs and now it's your time to shine.
But then you realize that you have to travel on an airplane with one of the most precious possessions you own. Your golf clubs! Have no fear. Kennie Kat will help you find a golf travel bag to fit your needs.
In a Hurry? Here is my top pick
- Constrictor golf travel bag + North Pole golf club protector (protects longest clubs inside travel...
- 1 year full bag & club protector replacement warranty - covers any damage caused by airlines
- Internal & External Compression Straps Keep Clubs Secure – Heavily padded top & inline skate...
Last update on 2021-01-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
For most golfers that are going to be traveling only a hand full of times each year, the Caddy Daddy Golf Constrictor is the perfect option. There is plenty of room inside of this travel bag for basically any size golf bag you can throw at it. If you have a rather large stand bag, then you won't have any issues.
The additional pockets on the side make great areas for storing extra golf clothes, balls, shoes and really anything else that you need to take with you. If I'm going to pay $60-100 to have my clubs on an airplane, I'm going to take advantage of every possible pound I can, right?
The value for what you get is great and this unit even comes with a collapsable club support stick which is absolutely necessary for all airline travel with your clubs. CaddyDaddy also offers a 1 year full club replacement warranty which covers any damage caused by airlines.
I have no personal experience with this, but they are a reputable company in the golfing community and I'm certain they would stand by their claims if you ever ran into an unfortunate situation where you needed to make a claim
Things We Like
Amazon Basics Soft-Sided Golf Travel Bag
- Soft-sided golf travel bag for conveniently transporting a set of golf clubs (not included)
- Made of durable nylon fabric; reinforced stress points; stands up on its own when holding a set of...
- Smooth-rolling, inline-skate-style wheels; heavy-duty curb rails; well-placed, riveted handles
Last update on 2021-01-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This is a great value for money option. If I lined this bag up next to the CaddyDaddy, you would struggle to tell the difference. It has a great thick padding on top that will protect your clubs and lots of compartments for storage.
The two external straps that allow you to really secure your bag and clubs inside are a value add for any soft bag.
You can't go wrong with this golf travel bag if you're just looking for an inexpensive solution that you plan on using a few random times a year.
Things We Like
SKB Deluxe Golf Travel Case
- Keep your golf club safe when traveling with a case that is contoured to fit cart bags, carry bags,...
- Molded from ultra high, molecular weight polyethylene and manufactured to meet or exceed ATA 300...
- Comes with TSA Locking System for ease of airline travel and SKB's exclusive Perfect Match valance...
Last update on 2021-01-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Would this even be a golf travel bag buying guide if we didn't include a hard case option?
I think not.
This hard case is a great option for those of us who don't want to risk any possibly of damage to their precious clubs. What this lacks in compartments, it makes up for with peace of mind that you have a travel case that will protect your clubs against anything TSA can throw at them.
Things We Like
Bag Boy Travel Cover
- Ergonomic patented Pivot-Grip handle twists to the bag position which reduces arm and wrist strain...
- Deluxe skid resistant ABS Base
- Lockable, full wrap-around main zipper simplifies access and packing
Last update on 2021-01-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This is the bag that I owned prior to upgrading to the number 5 on this list and it has served me well for all of my golf trips. The extra thick padding on top is EXTRA thick. It reminds me of a down jacket and will protect all of your clubs if you decide to leave your heads attached
The Bag Boy also has two giant pockets on the side for garments and a compartment for your golf shoes and I love the pivoting top handle that twists so you don't have to rip your arm off when you bag tips over as you're rushing through the airport to catch your flight.
Things We Like
Sun Mountain ClubGlider Meridian Golf Travel Bag
- The leg mechanism is extended and retracted in one easy motion
- No more kneeling on the ground to load/unload your golf bag
- Heavy-duty, two-way zippers run the full length of the bag for easy loading
Last update on 2021-01-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The first time I saw this bag in the PGA Superstore I thought nothing of it because it looked like a regular golf travel bag. Oh boy, was I wrong. Upon further inspection, I realized that it has it's own set of retractable legs with wheels!
If you are a person that doesn't have the physical ability to carry a very large golf travel bag around an airport or you do a lot of golf related travel and just want a solution that is easy to maneuver, then this is the bag for you.
It has all of the extra top padding that you would expect from a quality golf travel bag, but the retractable wheels make ALL of the difference. That added convenience is well worth the investment.
Things We Like
Notable Mentions
Every Soft Case Needs This Tool
- Three Telescoping Section Easily Collapse And Expand For Preferred Protection Length, Adjusts Up To...
- Oversized And Durable Polypropylene Top Cap For Maximum Club Protection
- Lightweight Aluminum Shaft
Last update on 2021-01-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
I've seen people use everything from PVC pipe to broomsticks. I wouldn't risk it. This simple tool is inexpensive and will keep you from running into issues with your clubs or shafts being damaged.
Which would you rather have?
A few dollars saved on a broomstick and a broken shaft?
OR
Peace of mind that your clubs are well protected?
Should you choose a soft or hard golf travel bag?
While I agree that there can be some paranoia about using a soft bag, I've traveled over 20+ times with a soft case and I've never had any issues. Typically the horror stories that you heard of are one off and not the norm.
Most PGA pros that travel via airline (you know the ones that can't afford private jets) use soft travel cases as well.
However, if you can't possibly bear the idea of a potentially broken club, then I would get a hard case. The additional $100-200 investment is worth your peace of mind and ultimately the price of whatever you're concerned about getting broken.
Types of Golf Travel Bags
Soft Sided Bags With Pockets
Most of the bags that you see will fall into this category. They are soft sided bags that have compartments for shoes, clothes, bags and other accessories that you may need on your trip. These are some of the most common bags in the market
Basic Soft Sided Bags
These are the outliers that are designed solely for the person that is going to use a travel case 5 times in their entire life.
Tips For Traveling With Clubs
- Take the club heads off your driver and woods and store them in your golf bag or inside of their headcovers. This will drastically reduce the possibility of them being broken during travel.
- Take your irons and store half of them upside down in your golf bag. This will prevent the heads of the irons from banging around.
- Store your golf hats, shoes, polos, pants and shorts in your golf travel bag to reduce space in your carry on.
- Take your golf balls out of their sleeves and store them loosely in your bags pouch to save more room in your travel case.
- If you can't remove your driver head, use your golf polo or towel to wrap around our driver in the bag for additional protection.
Best Golf Travel Bag Brands
Caddy Daddy
Caddy Daddy Golf began as a leading producer of custom golf coolers that keep beverages ice cold on the golf course. The company has enjoyed tremendous growth over the past several years and continues to develop a variety of top quality golf products.
SKB Cases
Established in 1977 by company founders Dave Sanderson and Steve Kottman, SKB Corporation manufactured its first guitar case in a small Anaheim, California garage. Vacuum, rotational or injection molded, these cases are engineered to provide protection for equipment utilized by hundreds of companies involved in diverse industries from music and pro-audio products to military, industrial and medical applications.
Sun Mountain
For 30 years Sun Mountain has been a pioneer in the golf industry, revolutionizing golf bags, golf outerwear and golf carts. Sun Mountain's many innovations, including the first lightweight golf bag and modern stand bag, have made it the top golf bag company in North America.
Bag Boy
Since 1946 Bag Boy is one of the most respected brands in golf with a reputation for unmatched quality, unbelievable durability and unsurpassed innovation and design. Bag Boy designs, manufactures and distributes a full line of innovative golf bags, push carts, travel covers and accessories designed for a golfer's on-course convenience and comfort.
Wrap Up
Finding the best golf travel bag is going to depend on how frequently you travel with your golf clubs, but you can't go wrong with any of the items that I've listed. If I had to pick the best option, I would go with the Caddy Daddy. It's a great bag for a great price and I think that the vast majority of recreational golfers would enjoy it.
If you are going to be traveling for golf upwards of 10 times a year, then I would recommend the Sun Mountain Glider. You can't overlook the ease of maneuverability with the additional legs
