Golf is a popular sport for many people, and for those who are passionate about it, there’s nothing quite like taking a trip to a new destination to play a round or two. However, traveling with your golf equipment does pose some challenges:
- What rules do I have to be aware of when checking golf equipment with my airline?
- How much will I have to pay to transport my golf bag?
- How do I ensure that they reach their destination safely?
In this post, we will answer these questions, and more, so that you can best prepare for your next golfing trip.
Know the Rules of Your Airline
The first step in traveling with golf clubs is to familiarize yourself with the rules of your airline. Each airline applies different allowances and restrictions when checking golf equipment. It’s important that you are familiar with your airline’s rules so that you can best prepare for your trip and avoid any surprises at check-in.
Some airlines allow golf clubs to be checked for free (or more accurately, one airline – can you guess which one?), while others charge a fee. Airlines apply different weight and size restrictions, so it’s essential to check your airline’s policy before packing your golf clubs.
Standard Airline Rules for Golf Equipment
Before we explore the specifics of each airline, let’s go through some common ground rules.
The Transport Security Administration (TSA) does not allow golf clubs to be brought in the cabin as carry-on baggage. The reason being that they have the potential of being used as a weapon.
All airlines require that your golf equipment is properly packed in a bag specifically designed to hold this type of equipment. As you will see, airlines recommend that you use a hard-shell golf bag to protect your golf equipment from damage. If you use a soft-sided bag, the airline will require you to sign a liability waiver, absolving the airline of responsibility or liability for any damage incurred while your equipment is in the airline’s custody.
When measuring or weighing your golf equipment, it must be weighed while packed in its case or bag.
You can only pack golf-related equipment in your golf bag. If you do decide to pack other items within the case, the airline may treat the equipment as a special item, and apply extra fees to check the bag in. Your airline may ask to examine the contents of your sports equipment bag upon check-in.
| Airline | Size | Oversized Fees Waived | Weight | Overweight Fees Waived | Bag Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska Airlines | 115 in | Yes | 100 lb | Yes | Standard |
| Allegiant Air | 80 in | No | 50 lb | No | Standard |
| American Airlines | 126 in | Yes | 50 lb | No | Standard |
| Delta Air Lines | 115 in | Yes | 50 lb | No | Standard |
| Frontier Airlines | 110 in | Yes | 40 lb | No | Standard |
| Hawaiian Airlines | 115 in | Yes | 50 lb | No | Standard |
| JetBlue | 80 in | Yes | 50 lb | No | Standard |
| Southwest Airlines | 62 in | No | 50 lb | No | Standard |
| Spirit Airlines | 80 in | Yes | 40 lb | No | Standard |
| Sun Country Airlines | 62 in | No | 50 lb | No | Standard |
| United Airlines | 115 in | Yes | 50 lb | No | Standard |
Alaska Airlines
Golf Equipment Allowance
Alaska Airlines accepts golf bags as standard baggage. Not only that, but golf equipment is also exempt from oversized and overweight fees. So, your golf bags can be up to 115 linear inches (292 centimeters) in size and weigh up to 100 pounds (45 kilograms).
Alaska Airlines won’t accept golf clubs which exceed these limits.
Golf Equipment Fees
Alaska Airlines treats golf clubs as standard checked bags with regards to fees. The airline does not apply any special fees. The fee that you will be charged depends on how many bags in total that you’ll be checking:
| Bags | Golf Bag Fee |
|---|---|
| 1st Bag | $30 |
| 2nd Bag | $40 |
| 3rd+ Bags | $100 each |
Also, if your golf equipment is oversized (larger than 62 linear inches) or overweight (heavier than 50 pounds), Alaska Airlines won’t apply oversized or overweight fees.
Allegiant Air
Golf Equipment Allowance
Allegiant Air allows you to check one golf bag containing:
- 1 set of golf clubs
- Golf balls
- Golf shoes
Allegiant applies the standard checked bag limits to golf equipment. Your golf bag can be up to 80 linear inches (203 centimeters) in size. Oversized golf bags are allowed, up to 115 linear inches (292 centimeters), subject to an extra fee.
I’m happy to report that, as of March 2023, Allegiant has increased its standard checked baggage allowance to 50 pounds (23 kilograms). If your golf equipment weighs more than this, up to 100 pounds (45 kilograms), you’ll be charged an overweight fee.
Golf Equipment Fees
Each checked bag can cost anywhere from $20 to $50, depending on when and where you’re flying. However, for flights departing from August 16, 2023, onwards, Allegiant will be introducing a higher flat-rate fee structure for checked bags:
| Golf Bag Fee | |
|---|---|
| Pay Online | $70 |
| Pay at the Airport | $75 |
Oversized and Overweight Golf Bag Fees
If your golf bags are oversized and/or overweight, you will have to pay extra fees. Only the one overweight bag fee is applicable, depending on how much it weighs:
| Golf Bag Weight | Excess Golf Bag Fee |
|---|---|
| 80+ inches | +$75 |
| 51 to 70 lb | +$50 |
| 71 to 100 lb | +$75 |
| 100+ lb | not allowed |
American Airlines
Golf Equipment Allowance
American Airlines allows you to check one golf bag containing:
- 1 set of golf clubs
- Golf balls
- Golf tees
- 1 pair of golf shoes
Your golf bag can be up to 126 linear inches in size (320 centimeters). The airline does not apply oversized fees for golf equipment. However, your golf bag can’t exceed this limit.
Your golf bag can be up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms) in weight. Overweight golf equipment can weigh up to 70 pounds (32 kilograms).
Golf Equipment Fees
Your golf equipment is charged the same fee as a standard checked bag:
| Bags | Golf Bag Fee |
|---|---|
| 1st bag | $30 |
| 2nd Bag | $40 |
| 3rd Bag | $150 |
| 4th+ Bags | $200 each |
Remember that your golf equipment is not subject to oversize fees. However, if it’s overweight, the airline will charge you an extra fee:
- 51 to 70 pounds: +$100
Unlike standard checked baggage, American Airlines won’t accept golf equipment weighing more than 70 pounds.
Delta Air Lines
Golf Equipment Allowance
Delta Air Lines allows you to check a golf bag containing:
- 1 set of golf clubs
- Golf balls
- Golf tees
- 1 pair of golf shoes
Your golf equipment can be up to 115 linear inches (292 centimeters) in size. The airline waives any oversized fees. However, your golf bag can’t exceed this size limit.
Your golf bag can weigh up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms). If it weighs more than 50 pounds but not greater than 100 pounds (45 kilograms), Delta will charge an overweight fee. Golf equipment can’t be greater than this size limit.
Golf Equipment Fees
The fee that you will be charged to check your golf equipment depends on how many checked bags you’ll be traveling with:
| Bags | Golf Bag Fee |
|---|---|
| 1st Bag | $30 |
| 2nd Bag | $40 |
| 3rd Bag | $150 |
| 4th+ Bags | $200 each |
Overweight Golf Bag Fees
As previously mentioned, your golf equipment is not subject to oversized fees. However, if your golf bag is overweight, you will be charged the following fee:
| Golf Bag Weight | Overweight Golf Bag Fee |
|---|---|
| 51 to 70 lb | +$100 |
| 71 to 100 lb | +$200 |
Frontier Airlines
Golf Equipment Allowance
Frontier Airlines allows you to pack the following items in your golf bag:
- 1 set of golf clubs
- Golf shoes
Your golf bag can be up to 110 linear inches (279 centimeters) in size. Frontier waives oversized fees on golf equipment (yes, I’m shocked too!). However, the airline won’t accept golf bags larger than this size.
Your golf equipment can weigh up to 40 pounds (18.1 kilograms). You can check overweight golf bags up to 100 pounds (45 kilograms). Golf equipment beyond this weight won’t be accepted.
The airline recommends that you should arrive at check-in at least 30 minutes earlier to check your golf equipment.
Golf Equipment Fees
The fee to check your golf equipment is the same as for standard checked bags. The fee varies, depending on when and where you’re traveling. The charge could range anywhere from $64 to $115 dollars.
Overweight Golf Bag Fees
If your golf equipment weighs more than 40 pounds, you will be subject to the following additional fee:
| Golf Bag Weight | Overweight Golf Bag Fee |
|---|---|
| 41 to 50 lb | +$50 |
| 51 to 100 lb | +$100 |
| 100+ lb | not allowed |
Hawaiian Airlines
Golf Equipment Allowance
Hawaiian Airlines allows you to pack the following items in your golf bag:
- Up to 14 golf clubs
- Other related golf equipment
Your golf bag can be up to 115 linear inches (292 centimeters) in size. The airline waives any oversized bag fees. However, your golf bag can’t exceed this size limit.
Your golf bag can weigh up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms). If your golf equipment weighs more than 50 pounds up to 100 pounds (45 kilograms), it will be considered overweight and subject to an extra fee.
Golf Equipment Fees
Your golf equipment is subject to the standard checked baggage pricing:
| Bags | Golf Bag Fee |
|---|---|
| 1st Bag | $30 |
| 2nd Bag | $40 |
| 3rd+ Bags | $100 each |
Overweight Golf Bag Fees
As mentioned earlier, your golf equipment isn’t subject to oversized fees. However, if your golf bag weighs more than 50 pounds, you will be subject to the following fee:
| Bag Weight | Overweight Golf Bag Fee |
|---|---|
| 51 to 70 lb | +$35 |
| 71 to 100 lb | +$70 |
| 100+ lb | not allowed |
JetBlue
Golf Equipment Allowance
JetBlue allows you to pack the following items in your golf bag:
- Up to 14 golf clubs
- Up to 3 golf balls
- 1 pair of golf shoes
Your golf bag can be up to 80 linear inches (203 centimeters) in size. JetBlue doesn’t charge oversized bag fees for golf equipment. However, your golf bag can’t be any larger than 80 linear inches.
Your golf equipment can weigh up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms). If your equipment weighs more than 50 pounds but no heavier than 99 pounds, it will be charged an overweight fee. Golf bags heavier than 99 pounds won’t be accepted at check-in.
Golf Equipment Fees
JetBlue treats golf bags as standard checked baggage when it comes to fees:
| Bags | Golf Bag Fee (online) | Airport Golf Bag Fee (airport) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Bag | $30 | $35 |
| 2nd Bag | $40 | $45 |
| 3rd+ Bags | not available | $150 each |
| Overweight bag (51 to 99 lb) | not available | +$150 |
Southwest Airlines
Golf Equipment Allowance
Southwest Airlines allows you to check one golf bag containing:
- Golf clubs
- Golf balls
- Golf shoes
Your golf bag can be up to 62 linear inches (158 centimeters) in size. If your bag is larger than 62 linear inches, up to 80 linear inches (203 centimeters), it will be considered oversized and subject to an extra fee. Southwest won’t accept golf bags larger than 80 linear inches.
Your golf bag can be up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms). If your golf equipment is more than 50 pounds but no heavier than 100 pounds, it will be considered overweight, and subject to an extra bag fee.
Golf Equipment Fees
You can use one of your two free bags to check your golf equipment for free. No other U.S. airline allows you to do this on a standard Economy ticket. However, if your golf bag is in addition to your first two free bags, you’ll be subject to an extra bag fee. Additional fees will also apply if your golf bag is oversized and/or overweight:
| Bags | Golf Bag Fee |
|---|---|
| 1st Bag | Free |
| 2nd Bag | Free |
| 3rd+ Bags | $75 each |
| Oversized bag (63 to 80 in) | +$75 |
| Overweight bag 51 to 100 lb) | +$75 |
Spirit Airlines
Golf Equipment Allowance
Your golf bag can be up to 80 linear inches (203 centimeters) in size. Spirit waives any oversized bag fees. However, your golf equipment can’t be any larger than 80 linear inches.
Your golf equipment can weigh up to 40 pounds (18 kilograms). If the bag weighs more than 40 pounds but no heavier than 100 pounds (45 kilograms), it will be considered overweight and subject to an extra fee.
Golf Equipment Fees
The fee to check your golf equipment varies, depending on when and where you are flying. It can range anywhere from $55 to $99.
Overweight Golf Bag Fees
If your golf equipment weighs more than 40 pounds, it will be subject to an extra overweight fee:
| Golf Bag Weight | Overweight Golf Bag Fee |
|---|---|
| 41 to 50 lb | +$75 |
| 51 to 100 lb | +$99 |
| 100+ lb | not allowed |
Sun Country Airlines
Golf Equipment Allowance
Your golf bag can contain:
- Golf clubs
- Golf balls
- 1 pair of golf shoes
Your golf bag can be up to 62 linear inches (158 centimeters) in size. If your golf equipment is larger than 62 linear inches but no more than 80 linear inches (203 centimeters), it will be considered oversized and subject to an extra fee. Sun Country won’t accept golf equipment larger than 80 linear inches.
Your golf bag can weigh up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms). If it weighs more than 50 pounds but no heavier than 99 pounds (45 kilograms), the equipment will be considered overweight. Sun Country will charge you an overweight fee upon check-in. Golf equipment weighing more than 99 pounds will not be accepted.
Golf Equipment Fees
The fee to check your golf equipment depends on when and where you are traveling. The fee can vary from $40 to $70.
Oversized and Overweight Golf Bag Fees
Oversized and overweight golf equipment fees are as follows:
| Bag | Excess Bag Fee |
|---|---|
| Oversized (63 to 80 inches) | $100 |
| Oversized (81+ inches) | not allowed |
| Overweight (51 to 60 lb) | +$20 |
| Overweight (61 to 99 lb) | +$60 |
| Overweight (100+ lb) | not allowed |
United Airlines
Golf Equipment Allowance
Your golf bag can contain:
- 1 set of golf clubs
- Golf balls
- 1 pair of golf shoes
Your golf bag can be up to 115 linear inches (292 centimeters) in size. United does not apply oversized fees for golf equipment. However, the airline won’t accept golf bags larger than 115 linear inches.
Your golf equipment can weigh up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms). If the equipment weighs more than 50 pounds but no heavier than 100 pounds (45 kilograms), it will be considered overweight and subject to an extra fee. United won’t accept golf equipment weighing more than 100 pounds.
Golf Equipment Fees
Golf equipment is charged similarly to standard checked bags. However, as mentioned earlier, golf equipment is not subject to oversized bag fees:
| Bag | Golf Bag Fee (online) | Golf Bag Fee (airport) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Bag | $30 | $35 |
| 2nd Bag | $40 | $45 |
| 3rd+ Bags | $150 each | $150 each |
| Overweight Bag (51 to 70 lb) | not available | +$100 |
| Overweight (71 to 100 lb) | not available | +$200 |
| Overweight (100+ lb) | not allowed | not allowed |
Invest in a Quality Golf Bag
A high-quality golf bag is a must-have when traveling with golf clubs. It offers protection for your clubs during transportation and helps prevent damage.
There are two types of golf travel bags: soft bags and hard-shell cases.
Soft bags are lighter and easier to handle but offer less protection.
Hard-shell cases are more durable and provide better protection, but they are heavier and bulkier.
The choice between the two depends on your personal preference, but we recommend investing in a high-quality hard-side golf travel bag to ensure the safety of your clubs.
You also should keep in mind that, if you travel with a soft-sided golf bag, your airline won’t be liable for any damage to your golf equipment that may occur while in transit.
Pack Your Golf Clubs Carefully
When packing your golf clubs, make sure to take your time and pack them carefully. Here are some tips to help you pack your clubs:
- Remove any loose items, such as clubhead covers or towels, from your bag.
- Place a towel or bubble wrap around each clubhead to protect it from damage.
- Arrange your clubs in the bag in a way that they won’t move around during transport.
- Place the heavier clubs, such as drivers and putters, at the bottom of the bag.
- Fill any extra space in the bag with padding to prevent clubs from shifting.
- However, don’t pack any non-golf related items, such as clothing, in your bag. Your airline may charge you an extra fee if you do so.
Label Your Golf Bag
Labeling your golf bag with your name and contact information is essential in case your bag gets lost or misplaced. We recommend using a luggage tag to label your bag. It’s also a good idea to put a piece of paper with your name and contact information inside your bag in case the tag gets lost.
Insure Your Golf Clubs
Even with proper planning and preparation, accidents can happen during transportation. That’s why it’s important to insure your golf clubs before traveling.
Many airlines offer insurance for golf clubs. You can usually buy the insurance at your airline’s check-in counter.
Another option is to buy insurance from a third-party provider. Third-party insurance may provide better coverage and protect your clubs from loss, theft, or damage.
Hot Tip: You may have an existing credit card which offers free travel insurance for your baggage. If so, check the insurance policy to ensure that it provides the coverage that you need.
Arrive at the Airport Early
Arriving at the airport early is crucial when traveling with golf clubs. Checking in golf clubs takes longer than regular luggage, so it’s important to give yourself enough time to check your bags and go through security. We recommend arriving at least two hours before your flight if you’re traveling domestically, and at least three hours if you’re traveling internationally.
Interestingly, Frontier Airlines is the only airline that specifically recommends that you arrive early (30 minutes) when checking in golf equipment.
Follow Up with Your Airline
After checking your golf clubs, it’s essential to follow up with your airline to ensure they arrive safely at your destination. You can track your bag through the airline’s website or mobile app. If your bag is delayed or damaged, contact your airline immediately to report the issue.
It’s a good idea to carefully examine your golf equipment for damage before you leave the airport.
Final Thoughts
Traveling with golf equipment is a relatively straightforward experience. Generally, all airlines apply the same rules to golf bags as they do for standard checked baggage. None of the airlines examined charge a special fee to check the equipment. In addition, most airlines waive oversized bag fees.
The most important decision you will have to make is whether you travel with a soft-sided or hard-sided golf bag.
A soft-shell bag is more comfortable and convenient at your destination. However, it offers less protection for your equipment. Also, airlines won’t compensate you for any damage to your golf equipment which may occur during your flight.
Hard-side bags are heavier – you may have to pay overweight fees if the bag exceeds your airline’s checked bag allowance. They are also more cumbersome to carry, whether it’s at the airport or on the golf course.
If you want to avoid baggage fees, Southwest is the only option. However, the airline doesn’t waive oversized fees unlike most other airlines, so this needs to be considered if your bag is overweight.
The next best airline for traveling with golf bags is Alaska Airlines. This airline has the distinction of being the only carrier that doesn’t charge oversized or overweight bag fees for golf bags.
Remember to always check your airline’s website or contact their customer service for the latest information on baggage allowances and fees.
