I still remember the first time I traveled with my golf clubs in my teen years to play a tournament. It was supposed to be the ultimate golf getaway—sunshine, great courses, and a much-needed break from away from the everyday. But before I even stepped onto the first tee, I was already exhausted.

Why? Because no one warned me that traveling with golf clubs is a logistical nightmare if you don’t know what you’re doing.

From airline baggage policies that make zero sense to taxis that couldn’t fit my clubs, it felt like I spent more time fighting with my luggage than actually enjoying my trip. But after learning the hard way, I’ve picked up a few tricks that make golf travel so much easier.

‍Step 1: Airline Baggage: The Fine Print Can Make or Break Your Trip

The first time I flew with clubs, I thought, “No big deal, I’ll just check them in like any other bag.” Rookie mistake.

What I didn’t realize is that every airline treats golf clubs differently. Some don’t charge extra for oversized items—great! But guess what? Many of them don’t count golf clubs as oversized items. Instead, they’re under “special baggage,” which means surprise fees.

Here’s how it can play out:

Jetstar vs. Virgin Australia: A Perfect Example

I once booked a flight with Jetstar, thinking I could just pick my baggage later. Good call. Jetstar lets you choose a total weight allowance, which means I could bring multiple bags as long as they stayed within my limit. But here’s the catch—golf clubs are oversized baggage, so I had to pay an extra $25 handling fee. Not ideal, but at least I knew in advance.

Then there’s Virgin Australia. No oversized baggage handling fee—sounds great, right? Wrong. Virgin is a per piece airline, meaning that if I selected just one checked bag, I could only bring one bag—not two bags adding up to the same weight. So even if my suitcase and golf clubs together were under 23kg, I still had to pay for another bag.

Lesson learned:

• Check your airline’s baggage policy before booking—some charge per piece, some by weight.
• Check for an oversized baggage fee if your airline treats golf clubs as special luggage.
• If you have both a suitcase and clubs, make sure you’re not restricted to one checked bag.

Step 2: Getting from the Airport (Without Playing Tetris in a Taxi)

After the check-in ordeal, I figured the worst was over. Wrong again.

I landed, grabbed my bags, and called a taxi. The driver pulled up, popped the trunk, took one look at my golf bag and suitcase, and just shook his head. “Yeah mate, that’s not gonna fit.”

Cue me standing at the curb, watching my ride drive off while I scrambled to find a maxi taxi or van. Instead of I booked a transfer in advance— I’d be relaxing at the hotel.

Lesson learned:

• ‍Pre-book a transfer that can fit golf clubs—regular taxis won’t cut it.‍
• If you’re traveling with others, consider a private van—it’s often cheaper than multiple cabs.

Step 3: The Hotel Storage Struggle

By the time I got to the hotel, all I wanted to do was drop my bags and relax. But then came another problem—where do I put my clubs?

The room was barely big enough for my suitcase, let alone a full-sized golf bag. I tried shoving it in the closet. Nope. Against the wall? Still in the way. Finally, I had no choice but to leave it blocking half the bathroom door.

I thought about leaving it with the concierge, but after watching how carelessly they were leaving luggage just by the door open to anyone to take, I wasn’t about to hand over my custom-fitted irons.

Lesson learned:

• ‍Call ahead and ask about golf club storage—not all hotels have the space.‍
• If your room is small, be prepared to trip over your clubs at 2 AM.

Skip the Hassle: Let a Golf Tour Operator handle it.

We at Golf Journeys understand golf travel because we are golfers ourselves. Instead of worrying about baggage fees, transport logistics, and hotel storage, here’s what you can expect from us or any reputable golf tour operator:

🎯 Free Airline Baggage Advice – We help you select the best baggage option for your flight.

🎯 Golf Club Valet Service – Check in your clubs on Day 1, and we handle the rest!

🎯 Seamless Transfers – No scrambling for the right taxi—our transport ensures enough space for clubs and suitcases.

🎯 Stress-Free Mornings – No more dragging your golf bag through the hotel. Your clubs will be waiting for you at the course, every single day.

With Golf Journeys or a reputable golf tour operator, you can focus on your game, not your luggage.