Golf Travel Case and Golf Travel Bag - How to Buy

Tips: There are many choices for shopping for and buying golf travel cases and golf travel bags. 

Golf Travel Case and Golf Travel Bag - Types  

The difference between a golf travel case and a golf travel bag:  A travel case is a case (either soft-sided or hard-sided) which your golf bag (carry or cart sized) fits into.  A golf travel bag is a golf bag especially designed for travel and usually has a hard detachable top to protect club heads.  There are two distinct advantages to a travel bag:  You don't have to deal with an extra piece of luggage when traveling and it eliminates having to put clubs in and then take them out of the travel case.  The disadvantages of travel bags are: they are generally heavy bags, and designed for riding carts. If you like to walk and carry your bag, a travel bag is not for you. Secondly you have to transfer all of your golf gear from your regular golf bag to the travel bag for each trip. Finally they usually have limited space for additional gear.

Travel cases can generally be classified as hard-sided or soft-sided.  Hard-sided cases will give you the greatest protection for your golf clubs.  They are made of light weight fiberglass-material which can withstand the treatment of today's airline luggage handling system.  A good hardside travel case will also have foam padding at the top of the case to give further protection for golf club heads.  Soft-sided cases offer a wide range of protection, but will obviously not provide the same protection as a hard-sided case.  Some soft-sided bags are often no more than a heavy canvas bag in which to put your clubs.  Other bags may have additional padding at the top and pockets  and compartments to hold additional gear like golf shoes and golf rain gear.  Soft sided cases are less expensive than hard sided cases, and can usually carry more gear. 

Things to Think About When Shopping for or Buying Golf Travel Bags and Golf Travel Cases.

Will the bag or case you are purchasing protect your golf clubs?  Make sure you are getting the level of protection you want.

For golf travel cases, will your golf bag fit into the case.  This is not likely to be a problem if you have a carry bag, but some cart bags will not fit into hard-sided cases, make sure to check this out. 

Where will you store your golf travel bag or golf travel case when it's not in use.  You may only be using the travel bag  or travel case for one or two weeks a year and the rest of the year it'll have to be stored.  If space is an issue, you might consider a soft-sided bag which can be folded up and stored in its' original box.  You can also get a hard-sided telescope-like bag that collapses to 24" for storage and handling when it's not in use.

Does the golf travel bag or golf travel case have a warranty?  Most soft-sided cases are not covered by a warranty.  Hard-sided cases may have a limited warranty of hardware or on the case itself. Check this out. Read the fine print. 

Are you paying for more or too much protection?  Like all golf  products, there is a wide range of prices to choose from. Golf travel bags and golf travel cases come in designer names and name brand products but are going to cost you more, even though they don't necessarily provide any greater protection for your golf clubs.