Flying with your golf clubs can always make you nervous. We have all seen how the baggage crew handles any bag, big or small. There is the occasional horror story but for the most part they are just doing their job. If you had to move as fast as you can to load something you might get a bit aggressive with it and toss it around especially if the bag is heavy. When choosing a travel case there are many things to consider but the most important is to have your clubs arrive in one piece. We are going to list out a few key points to keep in mind when choosing a travel case.
Protection of Clubs
You spent a lot of money on your clubs and you want to protect them. If one of your clubs broken how would you feel that you had to replace it? Its not a very good feeling but also think about your golf bag and everything you have in your bag. A golf bag can be banged around a bit more than a golf club but do you really want to take that risk. This goes back to the original question. Do you really want to buy a new one if your current bag or club gets damaged?
Weight of Travel Case
The weight of a travel case may not seem that important because all you have to do is keep it under 50 pounds. Although that is true, those 50 pounds can add up very quickly. A golf bag with shoes, tees, gloves, ball markers, brushes, divot tools, golf balls and your clubs can range between 20-35 pounds. Now just add a 10 pound travel case which is on the lighter side and you are getting pretty close to 50 pounds. Not much room for any extra items or souvenirs you picked up at your golf destination. Also think about the weight when you or the baggage handlers have to move the travel case. Yes it will be under 50 pounds but the closer you are to 50 the tougher of a time they will have when lifting your case.
Ease of transportation
Picking up a golf bag on the course isn't a tough task. Moving your bag from the trunk of your car to the back of the golf cart is a simple task. When the time comes to move your clubs in a airport or a hotel even just walking to a taxi/uber, carrying your clubs doesn't sound to appealing. Most golf travel cases come with two wheels on the bottom so you would pull your bag around like old luggage. your hand and shoulder might get tired of that or rounding a corner might be a bit of a hassle but it works and does the job.
Hard shell vs soft shell
There are a few variations you can get but the bottom line is, if you even care remotely about your clubs, do not get a soft shell bag. There are cases that are a soft shell on the bottom and a hard top surrounding you clubs that stick out of the bag. This type of travel case can and will work, it will give you the protection on you clubs at least most of your clubs will be in the hard shell. The soft shell that wraps around the base of your bag will protect your bag for the most part but now you dont have much room for extra storage and moving this travel case may be a bit awkward. You also have to think about the guy under the plane grabbing your bag, does he have enough good grab points to move your bag with out getting pissed off? A complete hard shell case may be the more expensive option but think about how expensive your clubs and your bag were. Do you really want to risk that because you wanted to save a few bucks on a cheaper case?
Bottom Line
Never get a soft shell case, that will just destroy your clubs. You can just buy new ones when you get to your destination. A Hard top/ soft bottom case can and will work but think about the people picking it up. They might have a hard time with it and then treat your clubs poorly. A total hard case is the way to go. with multiple grab points, good wheels and plenty of storage it seems like a no brainer to get a complete hard shell travel case.
Our Choice is the Samsonite Hard shell travel Case. A nice thing about the case is having 6 total wheels so you can move it upright like your luggage or lean the case and it moves on two wheels like old luggage
https://www.amazon.com/Samsonite-Hard-Sided-Side-Golf/dp/B003UFRKX2?th=1