Hard Vs. Soft Golf Travel Bag – What’s the Better Option for Travel?

Hard Vs. Soft Golf Travel Bag – What’s the Better Option for Travel?

If you like to take your clubs when you travel, or perhaps you are traveling for a tournament or some such event, you need a quality traveling bag to protect and care for your clubs.

Golf is the perfect excuse to travel to some really awesome places but consider the care of your clubs in the process.

So when it comes down to it, should you plan for a hard case or a soft case when you travel? There are to each one and we’re here to give you all of the details to decide with!

Hard Vs. Soft Golf Travel Bags: An Overview

If you’re in the market for a new travel bag for your golf clubs, check out this short video that has some great options ranked for you. While you may not be able to find all of these in stock, you might find some inspiration as to what to look for.

On forums like Reddit, golfers tell you that soft cases work just fine but they also warn you that airlines won’t insure your clubs if they are in a soft case so this is something to keep in mind.

The differences between the two are pretty obvious in the terminology but let’s take just a moment to break it down.

Hard cases offer a harder shell that provides a bit more protection for your shafts and clubs overall. They are less likely to get bent or damaged because the case itself cannot be manipulated. They also tend to cost a lot more. They are more secure, durable and can usually lock as well.

In comparison, a soft case is more like a sturdy cloth shell. It’s pliable and flexible and could be bent or manipulated to make it fit somewhere. They are often more affordable but don’t offer quite as much security or protection.

Obviously if you are travelling in a way where your clubs might get tossed around a bit, on a bus or in the airplane luggage, a hard case can make a lot more sense but if you are driving your own car or in a transport medium where you can ensure they don’t get bashed around, a soft case might be perfectly enough to keep your clubs intact.

 

What Should You Consider When Buying?

You know the basic differences but what is it you should think about when you’re trying to decide whether or not you want a hard case or a soft case for your golf travel bag?

Rent Luggage shares some incredibly helpful differences and features of the cases that might be helpful to consider. Let’s take a look.

Budget

Hard cases are pretty costly. You’re paying for additional protection and material as well as security measures. It stands to reason that they would be slightly more expensive.

Soft cases tend to be more budget-friendly but you might be sacrificing some symbol of security as well.

The budget really boils down to quality. If you need to spend a bit less and spring for a soft case, just be sure to find a high-quality soft case that also has padding and features designed to really protect your clubs and not just cover them.

Security and Club Protection

You want your clubs to be secure and protected within the case. Regardless of whether you choose a soft case or a hard case, be sure that the case offers ample padding and protection for your clubs. This is a must.

In addition, you want your clubs to be secure within the case so it’s really awesome if you can lock the case as well. If you’re flying, locking the case really probably won’t matter because TSA does have locking limitations, but it might be helpful for other travel forms.

Flexibility

A hard case is going to be stiff and primarily immovable. You won’t have a lot of flexibility to maneuver it into a specific space. This might make it challenging to fit the case in your vehicle.

A soft case is just the opposite and it leaves you just a slight amount of flexibility to try to maneuver the case into tight spaces.

Just to confuse you more, there are also hybrid cases that have hard shells near the top for added protection of the exposed clubs and soft shells around the bottom to give you some added leeway.

Mode of Travel – Car Vs. Airplane

One thing that just might make a difference in your decision is the mode of travel you plan to use. You might also consider that while you are driving this time, you might be flying at a later time.

When you fly on an airplane, you must consider that this will be a form of a checked bag. According to Critical Golf, you won’t pay oversized fees for your golf bags but it will be checked luggage so you may have fees for that.

Of course, the rules could vary by airline and even by the plane being used for your flight so be sure to pay close attention to those details and know the information before you fly. Keep in mind that a lot of airlines will not insure soft case golf travel bags.

On an airplane, you are going to lose sight of the clubs and they can easily be tossed around, making a heavier case, more likely a better option for security and safety of your equipment.

If you are driving, you will need to consider the room you have available in the travel vehicle. A golf travel bag will take up some major space and you need to be sure you can load it and fit it in the available space.

Other Things To Consider

There are a few miscellaneous things to consider apart from size, protection, and travel modes.

• Wheel systems
• Storage space when not in use
• Durability
• In-Bag storage

There may be other factors to think about that make a difference in your decision but these are some of the things we uncovered. I really like this basic overview of things to consider from Street Directory that breaks down some details as well.

Really quick, let’s talk about why these things matter.

When it comes to wheels, we definitely recommend finding a golf travel bag that has wheels. You also want the wheels to be sturdy and easy to maneuver. This just makes transporting the bag so much easier, especially in a case that can be heavy and unwieldy.

As far as storage space, pockets and internal storage can be incredibly helpful. This gives you space to pack things like your golf shoes or perhaps even golf clothing and accessories. While you certainly need your clubs to play, you probably also need the right gear as well!

If you’re going to spend the money, you want to know the bag is worth the investment. Pay attention to the materials the bag is made with and what others have to say about the bag quality so you know if it will really hold up for you.

Finally, consider how much space the bag is going to take up when you aren’t using it. Hard cases and hybrid cases really don’t fold down much so you need a good amount of storage space. Some soft cases will be more compact for storage purposes.

Renting Vs. Purchasing a Travel Golf Bag

Many golfers might elect to simply rent a golf travel bag rather than purchasing one. This is totally up to you. The challenge for renting is finding a reliable place to rent from.

However, if you don’t plan to use the bag much, this could be a good option.

Renting a golf bag typically costs at least $50 so you need to weigh whether it’s worth it to you to pay that fee every time you travel or if it would be more advantageous to just purchase your own bag.

FAQ

We have some helpful frequently asked questions that might just give you a little bit more detail to know or consider before you buy.

What Travel Bag do Golf Pros Use?

You will find that this can greatly vary. However, The Left Rough shares some reviews of bags that are great and some of them are known for being tour bags by the pros, including #7, which is a soft shell bag.

How Much Does It Cost to Fly with Golf Clubs?

The cost to fly with your golf clubs could vary by airline.

If this is your only checked bag, you might not pay a fee for the checked luggage, depending on the airline.

Most of the common airlines in the US charge around $35 for a second checked bag, according to Forbes.

Do All Airlines Accept Travel Golf Bags?

Always be sure to check with the guidelines of your airline and your flight. Generally speaking, most airlines will allow your travel golf bag if it’s under 50 pounds or under. However, be aware as some require 40 pounds or less.

Do I Actually Need a Travel Golf Bag?

If you want to protect your clubs and have a simple way to also pack up your gear, we recommend a travel golf bag. It’s one thing to travel a couple of hours without it but if you are traveling often or over distance, you should invest in a travel bag.

Can You Pack Clothes in a Travel Golf Bag?

Absolutely! Or, it depends. If you purchased a bag that has some extra space or storage or pockets, you can most definitely pack some clothes in there too.

Conclusion

In closing, a golf travel bag is the most ideal way to protect your golf clubs when you travel and to make packing all of the golf things together much easier.

Whether you choose a hard or soft case is totally up to your needs and discretion. Keep in mind that most airlines will hold you responsible for damage, specifically with soft cases. However, many people use soft cases and never have an issue.

What type of case do you plan to use for your next golf getaway?