I am flying on Southwest and will be bringing my golf clubs along. I have a couple of questions before leaving, and I hope someone here can help.

Should I spring for a hard travel case, or will I be fine with a soft travel case?

Has anyone been charged more for travelling with their golf clubs on Southwest? I would expect to pay on other airlines but I don't know if Southwest allows me to count them as one of my two free pieces of luggage

Thanks for any and all help.

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Posted by BatonRougeBuckeye

Baton Rouge, LA

Member since Aug 2013

1790 posts

Posted on 5/31/17 at 6:28 am to McVick

I think they will allow you to count this as 1 piece of luggage as long as it complies with the 50lb weight limit. I travel with mine and have a softside case but i invert the woods and put the heads into the bag rather than leaving them upright. Never had a problem with that setup. Also GO BUCKEYES!!!!!

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Posted by Fat Harry

70115

Member since Mar 2005

2217 posts

Posted on 5/31/17 at 6:41 am to BatonRougeBuckeye

Traveling with clubs is a pain. I'd use ShipSticks and send them to the course you are playing.

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Posted by WhoDatTigahsTampa

S.E.LA2WestFL

Member since Oct 2013

2281 posts

Posted on 5/31/17 at 6:58 am to McVick

My uncle has lost a set or two flying with his, lol. Hopefully you have better luck. I would go hard case for sure. (If they're worth much value).

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Posted by bamafan425

Jackson's Hole

Member since Jan 2009

25607 posts

Posted on 5/31/17 at 7:24 am to McVick

My clubs and skis have flown for free with Southwest. I have a soft case for the clubs. I take off my driver head from the shaft (adjustable so just unscrews) and wrap the rest of them in towels inside the bag case so there's not much movement.

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Posted by Tygra

Bee Are

Member since Jan 2008

415 posts

Posted on 5/31/17 at 7:29 am to McVick

Spring for the hard case, it's not worth the risk. I had one incident with SW after flying several times without one and decided to get one after my bag was damaged.

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Posted by Golfer

Member since Nov 2005

75052 posts

Posted on 5/31/17 at 11:35 am to McVick

I've flown with my clubs at least 50 times. Soft sided, but padded case will be fine. I just wrap my oversized golf/beach towel around the heads.

It will count as one of your complementary checked bags suffice it's below the 50lb weight limit.

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Posted by hiltacular

NYC

Member since Jan 2011

19680 posts

Posted on 5/31/17 at 11:41 am to Golfer

quote:
I've flown with my clubs at least 50 times. Soft sided, but padded case will be fine. I just wrap my oversized golf/beach towel around the heads.

This. I have never had an issue. I know Delta counts golf bags as one checked bag with no restriction/add on.

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Posted by ell_13

Member since Apr 2013

85067 posts

Posted on 5/31/17 at 11:44 am to Golfer

quote:
I've flown with my clubs at least 50 times. Soft sided, but padded case will be fine. I just wrap my oversized golf/beach towel around the heads.

That's exactly what I've done though not that many times. I do like the idea of removing the head on the driver though. I'll probably start doing that.

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Posted by McVick

Member since Jan 2011

4469 posts

Posted on 6/4/17 at 12:32 pm to ell_13

Again, thanks to everyone for the advise on the golf club travel case ideas. I went with a hard side SKB case (Deluxe ATA) and it fits my clubs and shoes perfectly. I was even impressed that it comes with a TSA approved lock, so that is one less worry for me. Since I already have travel arrangements (not a rental car) I was less concerned about space. I will report back with any positives and negatives after the Independence Day holiday.

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