Golf is a sport adored by many because it is a fun way to initiate a little competition through a game that offers exercise, social interaction and reduced stress (particularly if you are playing well). The beauty of golf is that anyone and everyone can play it – from the young kid hitting balls with his dad to the senior woman trying to stay active and busy in retirement.

Anyone who is interested in golf will tell you that one of the things that make it such an appealing sport is the opportunity it presents to travel to various destinations and beautiful courses around the world. Each one you visit will give you different challenges and scenery, making every round unique and exciting. It’s also an excuse to take a vacation or treat a client to a personal, relaxed meeting.

Wherever golf takes you, and whatever reason you play, the traveling aspect of the sport makes it necessary for every player to have the right golf travel bag. Flying or driving with your clubs and accessories requires protection. If you want to play your best on the course, your sticks have to be in good, playable condition, without any travel damage. That’s why investing in a quality golf travel bag is a must for any regular golfer.

There are usually two categories of golf bag travel cases – hard cover and soft. Which should you choose? Explore the comparisons below to help you make your decision.

Hard Cover Golf Bags

One of the best investments that avid golfers can make is a hard-cover golf bag. The hard bags are solid on the outside to protect from bumps and drops, but also have a soft interior cover to cushion your clubs. The inside fabric should be high quality, flexible and provide ample storage space around all of the clubs. The mix of the hard golf travel cover and the soft cradling interior result in durable protection during any means of travel.

When you are bringing your clubs on a plane or shipping them to your destination, the hard-cover golf bag is ideal, as it can be pulled around the airport and tossed on the airplane without causing damage to the contents. Investing in a hard-cover bag may cost more, but it offers the most protection for your sticks when traveling.

Soft Golf Bags

For those golf games within driving distance, a hardcover may not be necessary to keep your clubs in excellent condition. The soft travel bags are usually suitable for golfers traveling short distances without having to leave their clubs in the care of others. Most of these bags have enough space for storing a cart bag and have extra pads inside to provide extra protection for the clubs when in transit. Many soft golf travel bags also have rollers that make it easy to pull them to where you want to go.

Choosing the Best Golf Travel Bag

When deciding which travel golf bag style is right for your game, consider where you play, how you play and what you need on the course. If golf trips aren’t typical for you and you just play the local courses, a hard-cover golf travel bag may not be necessary. On the contrary, if you are traveling to a new course every weekend, you will likely want the extra protection a hard bag provides.

But durability is not the only factor to consider when choosing a travel golf bag. A serious golfer knows that a round of golf requires more than the clubs. Your golf bag travel case should be spacious and organized enough to hold other necessary gear. Packing your golf bag for 18 holes means bringing items such as:

• Golf towels
• Tees
• Ball markers
• Hats
• Shoes
• Gloves
• Extra balls
• Other attire (in case the weather changes as you approach the green at 10)

With this in mind, purchase a golf travel bag with organizational dividers for the clubs, padded straps to make carrying it around the course easier and more comfortable, durable material to withstand unexpected weather changes, and enough pockets to hold your golf accessories. You will also want to consider the weight of the bag – if it is heavy before you add your clubs and other items, it will be even heavier when it is fully stocked. If you plan to walk a course, this should be a major determining factor in deciding which bag to get.

Travel Like a Pro

When traveling by plane for a golf trip, make sure you know how to pack your golf bag like a pro. Even if you buy the best golf travel bag on the market, it’s important to carefully pack and prepare it for your time on the links. Whether you decided on a hard case or soft travel bag, make sure you get one that is well-made and durable. Weigh golf bag travel cases before arriving at the airport to ensure there are no extra fees for overweight baggage. It’s also a good idea to lock the case, so it doesn’t pop open during turbulence. If you have a lot of non-golf-related items to pack for your trip, save some space in your suitcase and throw some clothing items around your clubs for extra padding. It gives your clubs a little more protection and lightens your other bag at the same time.

These tips will make traveling with your golf clubs a little easier, but if you want to travel like a pro, ship your sticks to the course ahead of time. You will still need a quality travel golf bag, but you can eliminate all of the hassles of checking your clubs at the airport. With Ship Sticks, we will handle all of the logistics to get your bag to your golf resort by the time your plane arrives, preventing you from having to lug your oversized baggage back and forth.

So the next golf trip you plan, start by getting the best golf travel bag for you. Then, schedule Ship Sticks to pick it up before you leave and meet it at your destination.

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This week we stop at The PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.  PGA National boasts 5 Championship courses on the property. All of the courses are challenging and provide a wide range of skill to conquer each course.

Whether it’s a family vacation, business, or buddies trip, – PGA National welcomes all.  

In fact, the only unwelcoming part of PGA National is the famed “Bear Trap”, which consists of Holes 15, 16 and 17. These holes were a part of the 2014 re-design by Jack Nicklaus. The Bear Trap has quickly become one of the toughest stretches of golf on the tour. Spectators flock to this popular spot of the course as it’s where the party takes place. PGA National re-opened the Palmer Course after going through a renovation of its own in 2017. Read more here.

As you can see, lots of exciting things are happening at PGA National, so if you’re interested in paying a visit you can check out some of their packages here.

Other Top Florida Resorts

Trump National Doral

If South Beach is more your thing, then we highly recommend taking a visit down to Trump National Doral. Doral showcases 4 courses of its own, most notably the Blue Monster. The rush of beating the sunset at this resort is never in order. You can practice well into the night with their state-of-the-art LED-lite practice range and putting green. Check out more on Trump National Doral here.

Streamsong Resort

If you’re looking to go off the beaten path, there’s no doubt that Streamsong Resort will satisfy those looking for seclusion.  This year, Streamsong is ranked by Golf Digest as one of America’s 100 Greatest Golf Course and one of the Best Golf Courses in Florida.  Oh yeah, and it gets better, recently opened Streamsong Black was named by Golf Inc., the Development of the Year. Check out more on Streamsong Resort here.

PGA Golf Club

If you’re looking for the ultimate golf experience, where you can play where the PGA Professionals play and train, then this is your place. Just a short 45-minute drive on I-95 north (exit 122) is one of Golf Digest’s “Best Golf Resorts in North America”. Located on the beautiful Treasure Coast in Port St. Lucie, PGA Golf Club is home to 54 holes of championship golf.

Designed by Fazio and Dye, the Wanamaker, Ryder, and Dye course are all individually recognized on Golfweek’s “Best State-by-State” Courses You Can Play. If you’re looking for a family getaway to South Florida, their family-friendly atmosphere will keep you coming back for more. Introduce the young ones to the game on their 6-hole family short course, or use it as a place to warm up and wind down at. Find out more about PGA Golf Club and their special Stay and Play packages here.

Are you planning your next golf trip?

Ship Sticks will help transport your clubs and luggage to wherever you are playing or staying. We have simplified the travel experience for thousands of golfers across the globe. We all know that with the airlines, your clubs may not make it to its final destination and if they do, they may not all be in one piece. Let us simplify your next golf adventure. Grab a quote today and start planning!

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