Golf bag transport by plane

The difficulty of carrying your golf bag by plane

You may be very satisfied to play with your golf bag on the golf courses in your region, but the situation becomes more complicated as you get far from your house and especially when you wish to carry your bag with you on the plane to enjoy long expected golf holidays in the sun.

Indeed, the golf bag to carry by plane:

• It is heavy and cumbersome (15 to 20 kilos on average!)
• It is often damaged, delayed or lost (25 million baggage lost in 2010!)
• It is above all more and more expensive (50 to 100€ per bag and one way!)

During the last few years, since the appearance and development of “low cost” companies, most of airline companies have been obliged, to survive, to revise their generous tariff policy concerning registered baggage in the direction of progressively reducing the authorized free baggage allowance and in increasing substantially the baggage excess fees invoiced to the travelers.

Conscious of this evolution and convinced that this observed trend will again accelerate in the future, the MyCaddyMaster team is wishing to offer to the European golf-trotters a new quality, simple and efficient service: renting personalized golf bags benefiting from the latest technologies and available in the airport of their favorite golf destination.

The efficiency of this new service has already been demonstrated in the ski renting business which is widely spread in most of the famous ski resorts. Skiers rarely carry their skis any longer when they travel, but they are commonly used to renting their skis locally.

To all of you, golf-trotters, who are not yet convinced, we kindly advise you to read the information gathered with much difficulty through endless terms and conditions issued from most airline companies concerning registered baggage, excess baggage and transport of cumbersome sport equipment.

 

Airline companies and golf bag transport

The « baggage » policy of airline companies has been changing widely for several years. Although it was usually based on the notion of baggage “weight”, this policy turns now more and more towards the notion of baggage ”piece” that you wish to register in the hold of the plane.
In any case, the baggage policy becomes more and more restrictive: less baggage weight and fewer baggage pieces authorized as free baggage allowance.
Most airline companies will accept sport equipment like golf bags, but you must know the specific guidelines and packing requirements to avoid serious troubles during your golfing travel.

 

Airline companies	Ticket category	Baggage allowance	Baggage excess fees	Weight bag limit	Notes
Aerlingus	Ticket Low Fare	Baggage fees apply for each bag	from 15€ to 35€ (seasonal fee)		Golf equipment: 40€ up to 23 kg
Aerlingus	Ticket Plus Fare	Baggage fees apply for 2nd and + bag			Golf equipment: 40€ up to 23 kg
Aerlingus	Ticket Flex Fare	Baggage fees apply for 3rd and + bag			Golf equipment: 40€ up to 23 kg
Aerlingus	Ticket Business				Golf equipment: free
Aigle Azur		Luggage allowance 20 kg
AIR BERLIN	Ticket Justfly	No free allowance	70€ /1st and 70€ after	23 kg	No sport equipment allowed
AIR BERLIN	Ticket Flyclassic	Only 1 free bagage max 23 kg	70€/additional baggage	23 kg	Sport equipment allowed (to be reserved)
AIR BERLIN	Ticket Flyflex	2 free baggage max 23 kg each	70€/additional baggage	23 kg	Sport equipment allowed (to be reserved)
Air France	Ticket Prix Mini	No free allowance	30€ for the 1st baggage, 70€ for any additional baggage	23 kg	Golf bag including clubs and golf shoes is considered as one piece of baggage. Its transport is included in the Baggage allowance. It is free for Flyuing Blue Golf members presenting at the check-in desk the special voucher to be printed.
Air France	Ticket Economy	Only 1 free baggage max 23 kg	70€ for any additional baggage	23 kg
Air France	Ticket Premium Economy	2 free baggage max 23 kg each	70€ for any additional baggage	23 kg
Air France	Ticket Business	2 free baggage max 32 kg each	70€ for any additional baggage	32 kg
Air Mediterranée		No free allowance			Golf equipment up to 20 kg: 50€
Air Mediterranée		Baggage accepted up to 32 kg
Air Moldova	Ticket Economy basic	No free allowance	10€ 1st piece; 50€ other subsequent.		Golf equipment free if it does not exceed the piece allowance. If not: 50€ (Maximum 14 clubs, 12 balls and 1 pair of golf shoes)
Air Moldova	Ticket Economy Regular	1 piece free up to 23 kg/158cm	50€ each additional piece
Air Moldova	Ticket Economy Premium	2 pieces free up to 23 kg/158cm	50€ each additional piece
Air Moldova	Ticket Business	2 pieces free up to 23 kg/158cm	50€ each additional piece
Air Transat	Ticket Economy	2 pieces free (Max 50kg total, 158cm)	75 CAD$ if overweight; 100 CAD$ for 1st additional piece; 200 CAD$ each additional piece thereafter		Golf equipment (14 clubs, 12 balls and 1 pair of shoes) free within weight and size allowance. Excess charges apply above this allowance.
Arkefly	Ticket Economy	No free allowance	5€ up to 20kg;15€ to 30 kg;25€ to 40 kg		Golf equipment up to 15 kg: 30€
Arkefly	Ticket Premium	Free allowance up to 20 kg	10€ up to 30 kg; 20€ to 40 kg
Arkefly	Ticket Star Class	Free allowance up to 40 kg
BINTER		Free allowance up to 20 kg			For the golf equipment, it is allowed an additional 5 kg of luggage subject to space availability in the hold and advance booking.
British Airways	Ticket Economy	Only 1 free baggage max 23 kg	50€/bag if the allowance is exceeded	23 kg	The bag must be properly packed but measure up to 330 cm (190+75+65) and weigh up to 23 kg. A large golf umbrella may count as one baggage.
British Airways	Ticket Economy Sup.	2 free baggage max 23 kg each	50€/bag if the allowance is exceeded	23 kg
British Airways	Ticket Business	2 free baggage max 32 kg each	50€/bag if the allowance is exceeded	32 kg
Brussels Airlines	Ticket Light Economy	Only 1 free baggage max 23 kg/158cm	50€/bag if the allowance is exceeded	23 kg
Brussels Airlines	Ticket Flex Economy	Only 1 free baggage max 23 kg/158cm	50€/bag if the allowance is exceeded	23 kg
Brussels Airlines	Ticket Business	2 free baggage max 32 kg each	50€/bag if the allowance is exceeded	32 kg
Brussels Airlines	Ticket Light economy	1 piece free up to 23 kg/158cm			Golf equipment free if it does not exceed the allowance. If not: 50€ (Maximum 1 set of clubs, balls & tees and 1 pair of golf shoes)
Brussels Airlines	Ticket Flex economy	1 piece free up to 23 kg/158cm
Brussels Airlines	Ticket Business	2 pieces free up to 32 kg/158cm
Condor		1st baggage free	Up to 20 kg		Golf equipment accepted as baggage up to 30 kg
Condor		Baggage fees apply for 2nd and + bag	50€/baggage
EasyJet		No free allowance, Maximum 3 baggage	35€/baggage,but 40€/golf bag	20 kg
Emirates	Ticket Economy	Free up to 30 kg			One golf equipment (1 set of clubs and 1 pair of shoes) may be carried free in addition to the normal baggage allowance. Generous policy.
Emirates	Ticket Business	Free up to 40 kg
FINNAIR	Ticket Economy	Only 1 free baggage max 23 kg/158cm	40€/bag if the allowance is exceeded for the 1st and 60€ for the 2nd	23 kg	The golf bag is considered as 1 baggage and must weigh less than 23 kg.
FINNAIR	Ticket Economy Pro	2 free baggage max 23 kg each	60€/bag if the allowance is exceeded	23 kg
FINNAIR	Ticket Business	2 free baggage max 32 kg each	60€/bag if the allowance is exceeded	23 kg
Flybe					Golf equipment up to 20 kg may be invoiced with advance booking. Maximum 14 clubs, 12 balls and a pair of golf shoes.
Germania		Free up to 20 kg			Packed golf equipment up to 30 kg: 50€ with advance booking.
Germanwings		No free allowance	1st item: 25€		Golf equipment: 50€/set
IBERIA	Ticket Reduced Economy	No free allowance	100€/1st and 2nd; 200€ after	23 kg	Golf bag including 14 clubs, 12 balls et 1 pair of golf shoes s is considered as one piece of baggage within the baggage allowance.
IBERIA	Ticket Full Economy	Only 1 free baggage max 23 kg	100€/additional baggage	23 kg
IBERIA	Ticket Business	3 free baggage max 23 kg each	200€/additional baggage	23 kg
Icelandair	Ticket Economy	1 piece free up to 23 kg/158cm			Golf equipment may be included in the allowance as 1 piece. If extra bag: 28€
Icelandair	Ticket Economy comfort	2 pieces free up to 23 kg/158cm
Icelandair	Ticket Saga	2 pieces free up to 32 kg/158cm
Icelandair	Ticket Saga Gold & Silver	1 additional piece free
Jet2		No free allowance	Maximum 3 pieces (8€ each), Up to 22 kg hold baggage		Golf Bag charges: 39€ (1 item up to 20 kg)
Lufthansa	Ticket Economy	Only 1 free baggage max 23 kg/158cm	75€/bag if the allowance is exceeded	23 kg	transport of the bag is free for the Senators, Circle/Star Allance Gold members.
Lufthansa	Ticket Business	2 free baggage max 32 kg each	75€/bag if the allowance is exceeded	32 kg
Luxair		Free allowance up to 20 kg			Golf equipment up to 20 kg: 35€
Monarch		No free allowance	36€ per golf bag (maximum 20kg)	20 kg	No luggage over 32kg
Norwegian	Ticket Low Fare	No free allowance	Up to 20 kg		Golf equipment: 20€/item
Norwegian	Ticket Flex/Premium Fare	1st baggage free
Royal Air Maroc	Ticket Economy	Only 1 free baggage max 23 kg/158cm	55€/bag if the allowance is exceeded	23 kg	Usual allowance is increased by one additional baggage for Gold and Silver Flying members.
Royal Air Maroc	Ticket Business	2 free baggage max 32 kg each	55€/bag if the allowance is exceeded	32 kg
ROYAL AIR MAROC	Ticket Economy	I piece free up to 23 kg	1st additional piece: 55€; 2nd: 150€		Golf equipment carried free as first bag up to 23 kg; 2nd bag charged as 1st additional baggage:55€; 3rd bag charged as 2nd additional baggage: 150€.
ROYAL AIR MAROC	Ticket Premium	2 pieces free each up to 23 kg
ROYAL AIR MAROC	Safar Flyer (Gold & Silver)	1 additional piece up to 23 kg free
Ryanair		No free allowance, Maximum 2 baggage	75€/1st baggage(20 kg), 50€/2nd baggage(15kg)	20kg	The golf bag is considered as one baggage and must weigh less than 20 kg. Excess fee: 60€
SAS	Ticket SAS Go	Only 1 free baggage max 23 kg/158cm	60€/bag if the allowance is exceeded	23 kg	The golf bag must be properly packed.
Sata	Ticket Economy	Free up to 20 kg			Golf equipment up to 15 kg may be added free to the normal baggage allowance.
Sata	Ticket Executive	Free up to 30 kg
SWISS	Ticket Economy	1 piece free up to 23 kg/158cm			Golf equipment free if it does not exceed the piece allowance. If not: 50€ (Maximum 1 set of clubs, balls, tees and 1 pair of golf shoes).
SWISS	Ticket Business	2 pieces free each up to 32 kg/158cm
SWISS	Ticket First	3 pieces free each up to 32 kg/158cm
TAAG	Ticket Economy	Free up to 20 kg			Golf equipment free within baggage allowance
TAAG	Ticket Business	Free up to 30 kg
TAAG	Ticket First	Free up to 40 kg
Tap Portugal		Only 1 free baggage max 23 kg/158cm	20€/bag if less than 17 kg, 35€/bag if more than 17 kg; max 32 kg	32 kg
Thomson		No free allowance	Charges apply for excess luggage	23 kg	Excess fee applies to golf equipment Equipment accepted according to capacity of day
TRANSAERO	Ticket Economy discounted	Free up to 20 kg			One golf equipment up to 10 kg and 190 +75+65 cm per passenger may be carried in addition to the free baggage allowance.
TRANSAERO	Ticket Economy	Free up to 25 kg
TRANSAERO	Ticket Business discounted	Free up to 35 kg
TRANSAERO	Ticket Business	Free up to 45 kg
TRANSAVIA		No free allowance	1 baggage up to 23 kg, 15 kg: 15€, 20 kg: 20€, over 20 kg: 25€
Tuifly		No free allowance	1 baggage up to 20 kg : 65€		Golf baggage and bicycles up to a maximum weight of 20 kg can be transported for a fee of 65€ per piece, per route.
TURKISH AIRLINES	Ticket Economy	Free up to 20 kg			First set of golf equipment free of charge
TURKISH AIRLINES	Ticket Comfort	Free up to 20 kg
TURKISH AIRLINES	Ticket Business	Free up to 30 kg
UIA	Ticket Economy	1 piece free up to 23 kg/158cm			One golf equipment (1 set of clubs and 1 pair of shoes) within the free baggage allowance. If not, one extra bag: 75€ each.
UIA	Ticket Premium Economy	2 pieces free each up to 23 kg/158cm
UIA	Ticket Business	2 pieces free each up to 32 kg/158cm
UNITED					One item of golf equipment accepted per passenger: I set of clubs, balls and 1 pair of shoes properly encased in a suitable container up to 158cm (L+H+W).
Vueling		No free allowance	Golf equipment: 45€/set		Golf equipment: 45€/set
XL Airways		1 piece free up to 20 kg	Extra piece: 60€		Golf equipment: 70€/bag

This information is only indicative and does not commit the responsibility of MyCaddyMaster. It stems from the research achieved by the MyCaddyMaster teams in February 2014.
It may be modified any moment by the airline companies.
In order to make sure that these conditions apply to your own case, we invite you to read the specific terms and conditions of your flight.
Taking into account the difficulty that we faced to search and compile this information, we wish you good luck in your research!
 

Specific guidelines

How a bag is measured?

A bag will be weighed and measured to ensure that it meets the dimensional requirements for shipping. Baggage is measured by length + width + height, including wheels and handle. The dimensions of each measurement are added together to compose the total number of linear inches/centimeters. The measurements for each dimension will be taken from the thickest or widest part of the bag.

At times it may be necessary to travel with an item that exceeds the size or weight limitations or is in excess of the baggage allowance. Additional charges apply to this type of baggage.

Any piece over the baggage allowance or baggage that exceeds the size and/or weight limitations will be subject to additional charges. Excess baggage is transported on a space-available basis and will be carried subject to load capacities of the aircraft. Other restrictions may apply.

Baggage connecting to other airlines will also be subject to the connecting airline's excess charges and/or oversize, overweight charges.

All charges are calculated on a one-way basis and are collected at the airport check-in counter.
 

Additional baggage

Customers who travel with checked baggage in excess of the baggage allowance will be required to pay a service charge per bag or item, based on the itinerary.

Additional, overweight and oversized baggage charges are accumulative per piece.
 

Overweight baggage

Most customers are allowed baggage with a weight not to exceed 70 pounds (32 kg)

Baggage weighing more than 70 pounds (32 kg) per piece will not be accepted as checked baggage.
 

Oversized baggage

Customers who travel with checked baggage exceeding 62 linear inches (158 cm) (total length + width + height) will be required to pay a service charge per bag or item, based on the itinerary. These charges are in addition to any charge assessed for additional or overweight baggage.

Baggage measuring more than 115 inches (292 cm) (total outside dimensions; length + width + height) will not be accepted as checked baggage.
 

Packing conditions

To be accepted as checked baggage, the golf equipment must be correctly encased in a suitable container, hard and resistant, to ensure a safe transport due to ordinary care in handling baggage within airports.

The golf bag must be covered or enclosed in a heavy, rigid carrying case.

Under these conditions, golf equipment is usually considered as one baggage “piece” if it is composed of a set of clubs (maximum 14), tees and balls (maximum 12), and one pair of golf shoes.

It is highly recommended for this golf equipment not to weigh more than 50 pounds (23 kg), not to measure more than 62 linear (L + l + H) inches (158 cm) and not to include other items in addition or replacing proper golf equipment.

Please ensure that your name, address and telephone number appear on the inside, as well as on the outside, of all checked baggage.

Check-in is often available starting several hours before your scheduled departure. Required timing for check-in, baggage check and boarding may vary based on your departure airport and destination. Do not arrive at the last minute!

Note: All customers who check a golf bag will experience a longer delay in receiving their bag at the baggage claim due to the manner in which oversized items and sports equipment are required to be loaded, unloaded and delivered to baggage claim.