Best Golf Travel Bags for 2024 Revealed – Soft and Hard Shell
Fasten your seat belts, golfers! We’re about to embark on a journey to discover the perfect travel companion for your beloved clubs. From budget buys to luxury luggage, we’ve scoured the market to bring you the seven best golf club flight bags for your next golfing adventure.
Having travelled around the world playing golf with my friends, I feel like I am an expert at knowing what to look for in a golf bag. As well as all the usual plus points like pockets, strength and size, it is also about making sure you bag stands out (which is why I love the Vice and Club Glove bags so much.
These are the kinds of tips that are often missed in generic golf club flight bag reviews and it is why I feel I am well positioned to help you make the right choice. There is nothing worse than coming back from a popular golf resort and waiting in the airport for your clubs to arrive, when every has the same boring black golf club flight bag. Especially if you have had a beer!
When choosing a golf club flight bag, there are several key factors to consider to ensure that it meets your needs. Here are some top features that I look for:
Durability: The bag should be made of strong and durable materials to withstand the rigors of travel. Look for high-quality fabrics like ballistic nylon or Cordura, which are known for their strength and durability.
Padding: Extra padding, particularly around the top where the club heads are, is crucial to protect your clubs from damage. Some bags may also offer additional padding for your golf bag’s base.
Size and Weight: The bag should have enough space to comfortably fit your golf bag and clubs. However, it’s also important to consider the weight of the bag itself, especially if you’ll be carrying it around airports or other travel hubs.
Wheels: A quality golf flight bag should come with sturdy wheels for easy manoeuvrability. Some models feature inline skate wheels that make the bag easier to navigate through busy airports.
Locks and Zips: Heavy-duty, reliable zips are a must to keep your bag securely closed during travel. Some golf bags also feature lockable zips for added security.
Storage: Additional storage compartments for your golf shoes, gloves, balls, and other accessories can be very handy.
Price: As with any purchase, price is a key consideration. The cost of golf club flight bags can vary widely, so it’s important to find a bag that fits within your budget while still meeting your requirements.
Reviews and Recommendations: Check out reviews and recommendations from your golf mates. They can provide real-world insight into the bag’s performance that you may not get from product descriptions alone.
By keeping these factors in mind, you’ll be well on your way to finding a golf club flight bag that meets your travel and golfing needs.
Budget Buys – Big on Value
MacGregor VIP II Padded Travel Cover – Hard Shell – £59.95 Amazon
Kicking off the budget category is the MacGregor VIP II Padded Travel Cover.
The VIPII Premium Wheeled Travel Cover, crafted from tough nylon fabric, stands as a testament to durability and ease of use for the travelling golfer. The travel cover’s construction is specifically designed to endure the rigours of airport baggage handling, ensuring that your golf clubs remain protected throughout your journey.
The addition of inline skate wheels and sturdy handles significantly enhances the ease with which golfers can transport their clubs, providing smooth manoeuvrability across airport terminals and beyond. This thoughtful integration of features demonstrates a keen understanding of the challenges faced by golfers on the move.
Weighing in at 3 kilograms, the VIPII Premium Wheeled Travel Cover strikes an excellent balance between offering ample protection and maintaining portability. Its spacious interior is adept at accommodating a wide range of golf bag types, from stand and cart bags to some tour bags, ensuring that golfers of all levels can find their fit.
The sleek black design, while understated, promises to maintain a professional look that can easily be spotted on the luggage carousel, thanks to its distinctive style. It also comes in a more stand out red and grey colour, but at a slightly higher cost of £62.00. The dimensions have been carefully considered to ensure a generous storage capacity without compromising on ease of handling, making it an ideal choice for golfers seeking a hassle-free travel experience.
Style and Look of the VIPII Premium Wheeled Travel Cover
The VIPII Premium Wheeled Travel Cover boasts a sophisticated black nylon construction that not only ensures durability but also exudes a timeless elegance. The cover’s design is accentuated by strategic padding in critical areas, which, while functional, also contributes to the overall sleek appearance of the bag.
This padding not only protects the clubs but adds a level of detail that speaks to the quality and thoughtfulness of the design. The inclusion of extra pockets for shoes, rain gear, and accessories further enhances the bag’s functionality, providing ample storage solutions without compromising on style.
This travel cover embodies a perfect blend of practicality and aesthetic appeal, making it a fashionable choice for golfers who do not wish to sacrifice style for functionality. The VIP II style, synonymous with quality and elegance, ensures that this travel cover stands out for its refined appearance and attention to detail. The black colour scheme is both practical for hiding wear and tear and versatile enough to complement any golfer’s equipment, making it a universally appealing option for golfers with an eye for style.
Golf Professionals’ Opinion of the VIPII Premium Wheeled Travel Cover
Golf professionals have consistently praised the VIPII Premium Wheeled Travel Cover for its robust construction, ample padding, and thoughtful design features. The durable nylon fabric is highly regarded for its ability to protect golf equipment against the bumps and bruises of travel, a crucial factor for professionals who frequently travel for tournaments. The strategic padding around the club head and shaft areas is especially valued for its role in preventing damage to clubs, an essential aspect of maintaining performance on the course.
The professionals also appreciate the convenience offered by the inline skate wheels and sturdy handles, which make transporting golf clubs less of a chore and more of a seamless part of the travel experience. The spacious interior and additional storage pockets are seen as vital for accommodating not just the golf bag but also the various accessories and gear needed for a tournament.
The consensus among golf professionals is that the VIPII Premium Wheeled Travel Cover is a top-notch choice for those seeking a travel cover that combines durability, protection, and ease of use, making it an indispensable asset for serious golfers.
OutdoorMaster Padded Golf Travel Bag – Soft Shell Golf Travel Bag – £59.09 Amazon
Next in our affordable range, the OutdoorMaster Padded Golf Travel Bag is a hole-in-one for travelling golfers on a budget. Boasting an impressive sturdy construction, it includes padding at the top to protect your club heads. With internal straps to secure your clubs and an external one for your luggage tag, this bag ticks all the boxes. The only thing it doesn’t do is promise a birdie on your next round!
Fortitude Sports Soft Shell Golf Travel Bag – £45.95 (ON OFFER) Amazon
This is the GolfTimes.co.uk #1 pick when it comes to golf travel and flight bags. It is very affordable, has plenty of room, will stand out at the airport and folds up neatly when not in use. At the time of writing it was also on offer at Amazon.
Ease of Use, Will it Stand Out at the Airport? Weight and Size of the Fortitude Sports Soft Shell Golf Travel Bag
The Fortitude Sports Soft Shell Golf Travel Bag epitomises the essence of convenience and practicality for the travelling golfer. Crafted from durable nylon, this waterproof travel bag is not only resilient but also designed to make the transportation of golf clubs a breeze, especially with its built-in wheels for effortless towing. The thoughtful inclusion of lockable zippers and reinforced handles enhances the bag’s usability, offering peace of mind that your golf equipment is secure. Additionally, the zippers are designed to open fully, facilitating easy insertion and removal of your golf bag, underscoring the bag’s commitment to user convenience.
Weighing in at a mere 1.35 kilograms and featuring dimensions that accommodate most golf trolley bags, this travel cover is a marvel of lightweight design and spaciousness.
Its black and orange colour scheme strikes a perfect balance between elegance and visibility, ensuring that it stands out at the airport for quick identification while maintaining a professional appearance. The ability to fold the bag when not in use for compact storage further adds to its appeal, making it an ideal companion for the travelling golfer concerned with both functionality and space efficiency.
Style and Look of the Fortitude Sports Soft Shell Golf Travel Bag
The Fortitude Sports Soft Shell Golf Travel Bag boasts a sleek design that doesn’t compromise on style or functionality. The black and orange colour palette not only adds a pop of colour but also lends the bag a distinctive look that is both stylish and easily recognisable – a boon for golfers at busy airport baggage claims. The nylon material not only contributes to the bag’s durability and waterproof capabilities but also presents a clean, professional finish that aligns with the modern golfer’s aesthetic preferences.
The overall style of the golf travel bag, with its smart design and functional features, reflects a thoughtful consideration of the golfer’s needs. The inclusion of a shoulder strap for easy carrying, alongside the convenience of wheels for towing, demonstrates a blend of practicality and style. This travel bag is not just about getting your clubs from A to B; it’s about doing so with ease, comfort, and a touch of class, making it a standout choice for any golfer prioritising both appearance and functionality in their travel gear.
Golf Professionals’ Opinion of the Fortitude Sports Soft Shell Golf Travel Bag
Golf professionals have praised the Fortitude Sports Soft Shell Golf Travel Bag for its blend of lightweight design, durability, and ease of use. The waterproof nylon construction is particularly appreciated for its ability to protect golf clubs from the elements, a crucial consideration for professionals travelling to tournaments in varied climates. The ease with which the bag can be manoeuvred, thanks to its built-in wheels, along with the convenience of lockable zippers and reinforced handles, aligns perfectly with the professionals’ needs for security and mobility.
The capacity to fit most golf trolley bags within its dimensions, coupled with the bag’s ability to fold down for compact storage, is seen as a significant advantage for golfers who value efficiency and flexibility in their travel arrangements. Additionally, the lightweight nature of the bag, combined with the shoulder strap, ensures that transporting golf equipment is not only easy but also comfortable.
The consensus among golf professionals is that the Fortitude Sports Soft Shell Golf Travel Bag is a top-tier choice for those seeking a travel bag that combines lightweight portability, protective features, and ease of use, making it an invaluable asset for both professional and amateur golfers alike.
Mid-Range Marvels – Bigger Budget, Bigger Benefits
Bag Boy Golf T-660 Travel and Flight Cover – Soft Shell – £96.69 Amazon
Stepping up to the tee in the mid-range category, we have the Bag Boy T-10. Its extra-thick padding around the club heads and hard-top construction adds an extra layer of reassurance, and the robust PVC bottom adds durability. Wheeling your clubs through the airport will be a breeze thanks to its smooth inline skate wheels. As a bonus, it’s got an oversized shoe/garment pocket, just in case you fancy squeezing in an extra pair of golf shoes.
Woodworm Golf Deluxe Hard Shell Travel Cover With Wheels – £59.99 Amazon
Ease of Use, Will it Stand Out at the Airport? Weight and Size of the Woodworm Golf Deluxe Travel Cover With Wheels
The Woodworm Golf Deluxe Hard Shell Travel Cover With Wheels is designed with the user’s convenience in mind, blending functionality with practicality. Its tall design ensures it can accommodate most golf bags on the market, while the adjustable internal padding offers extra protection for club heads and bag mouth, a thoughtful feature that caters to the golfer’s peace of mind during transit. The inclusion of a moulded hard casing at the base, coupled with an internal strap to secure the golf bag, enhances the product’s stability and ease of use, ensuring your equipment remains intact throughout your journey.
When it comes to visibility at the airport, the travel cover’s vibrant red colour makes it effortlessly stand out on the luggage carousel, reducing the time spent identifying one’s belongings and adding an extra layer of convenience for the traveller. Moreover, weighing in at just 3 kilograms and designed with a trio of very strong handles, this travel cover combines lightweight design with ease of mobility, ensuring it is as easy to lift as it is to pull along. Its dimensions, while generous enough to house a variety of golf bags, still respect the constraints of airline baggage allowances, making it a well-balanced choice in terms of size and weight.
Style and Look of the Woodworm Golf Deluxe Travel Cover With Wheels
The Woodworm Golf Deluxe Travel Cover exudes a sense of style that aligns with the modern golfer’s aesthetic preferences. Its high-density nylon fabric not only provides durability and resistance to wear and tear but also adds a sleek, professional finish that appeals to users looking for both function and fashion. The design is accented by five large external pockets which are not only practical for additional storage but also contribute to the bag’s stylish appearance, offering an organised and polished look.
The striking red colour of the travel cover is not only practical for identification purposes but also makes a bold statement on the golf course and beyond. This choice of colour, combined with the product’s overall design, ensures that it stands out for all the right reasons, offering a blend of elegance and visibility that is often sought after in travel accessories. The Woodworm Golf Deluxe Travel Cover With Wheels is a testament to how practical utility can be seamlessly integrated with contemporary design to meet the expectations of today’s discerning golfer.
Golf Professionals’ Opinion of the Woodworm Golf Deluxe Travel Cover With Wheels
Golf professionals, with their keen eye for quality and detail, have found the Woodworm Golf Deluxe Travel Cover With Wheels to be a commendable companion for the travelling golfer. Its robust construction out of high-density nylon fabric, alongside the high-density foam layering within the travel cover shell, is praised for its exceptional resistance to tearing, abrasion, and moisture – key factors that professionals consider when assessing the durability and longevity of golfing equipment.
The practical features of the travel cover, such as the moulded hard casing at the base, adjustable internal padding, and the internal strap for securing the golf bag, have been highlighted as particularly beneficial. These elements not only protect the golf clubs during transit but also reflect a thoughtful design that aligns with the professionals’ needs for security and protection of their valuable equipment. The consensus among golf professionals is that the Woodworm Golf Deluxe Travel Cover With Wheels offers a solid combination of style, durability, and practicality, making it a recommended choice for both amateur and seasoned golfers alike.
Sun Mountain ClubGlider Meridian – Hard Shell – Golf Travel Bag – £475.78 – Amazon
Elevating our list to new heights, the Sun Mountain ClubGlider Meridian offers the crème de la crème of protection and convenience. The highlight? A patented leg mechanism that extends and retracts in one easy motion, making it feel as though your bag is floating on air. There’s plenty of room for your clubs, shoes, and extra gear. And although it sits in the luxury price range, its durability, convenience, and high-end features make it well worth the investment.
Longridge Hard Shell Golf Travel Cover – £220.66 Amazon
Ease of Use, Will it Stand Out at the Airport? Weight and Size of the Longridge Hardcase Golf Travel Cover
The Longridge Hardcase Golf Travel Cover is built with the travelling golfer’s needs at its core, marrying robust construction with user-friendly features. The heavy-duty construction, coupled with a foam-padded top, ensures the golf bag and clubs receive the highest level of protection against impacts and compression forces encountered during transit. EZ Glide Wheels and retractable handles enhance the travel cover’s mobility, allowing for effortless navigation through airports and parking lots alike. These features demonstrate a well-thought-out design aimed at reducing travel stress and making the transportation of golf equipment as smooth as possible.
Despite its sturdy build, the travel cover’s weight of 7 kilograms remains manageable, ensuring it does not add unnecessary bulk to your travel load. Its standard size is thoughtfully proportioned to accommodate a wide range of golf bags while adhering to airline baggage dimensions, making it an efficient choice for air travel.
The silver colour of the case offers a sleek and professional look that, while not as immediately eye-catching as brighter colours, exudes a subtle elegance and ensures it stands out with sophistication among the sea of luggage at the airport.
Style and Look of the Longridge Hardcase Golf Travel Cover
Style meets substance in the Longridge Hardcase Golf Travel Cover, which boasts a sleek silver exterior that not only looks professional but also offers an added layer of visibility in crowded spaces. The case’s acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) material provides a glossy finish that is both aesthetically pleasing and practical, resisting water and wear to keep your golf gear protected in style. Its padded style, complemented by protective bumpers and heavy-duty locks, underscores a commitment to security without compromising on elegance, making it a prime choice for golfers who value both form and function in their travel gear.
The design of the Longridge Hardcase is not just about looks; it’s also about providing a resilient shield for your prized golf equipment. The water-resistant and waterproof features, integral to the case’s design, offer peace of mind during autumn and winter seasons, ensuring that your clubs remain dry and undamaged regardless of the weather conditions. This combination of durable materials, protective features, and a stylish exterior makes the travel cover a standout piece that appeals to golfers who demand the best in protection and presentation.
Golf Professionals’ Opinion of the Longridge Hardcase Golf Travel Cover
Golf professionals who frequently travel with their equipment have lauded the Longridge Hardcase Golf Travel Cover for its ultimate protection. The heavy-duty ABS construction is particularly appreciated for its ability to withstand the rigours of travel, offering a robust barrier against the physical challenges of transportation. The foam-padded top and EZ Glide Wheels are seen as essential features that not only safeguard the clubs but also enhance the cover’s usability, ensuring equipment arrives in top condition without causing strain to the golfer.
The addition of protective bumpers and heavy-duty locks is viewed as a testament to the cover’s secure design, providing an extra layer of security and peace of mind for professionals transporting high-value equipment. The retractable handles further add to the convenience, allowing for easy manoeuvrability. Overall, the consensus among golf professionals is that the Longridge Hardcase Golf Travel Cover represents a superior choice for those seeking comprehensive protection for their golf clubs, combining durability, style, and practicality to meet the demands of the most discerning golfers.
We spoke to a golf pro who has flown all around the world, to play at some of the finest courses and here are his tips.
The first trick is to pack your clubs strategically. Not only should your clubs be nestled in a well-padded, sturdy travel bag, but there are also some insider tricks to give them an extra layer of protection. Try wrapping your irons together with a towel or bubble wrap, which can help prevent them from moving around too much. For added protection, you could invest in a club glove stiff arm, a clever device that extends beyond the length of your longest club to absorb any impact.
Another secret tip? Always add identification. It might seem obvious, but ensure your travel bag has a robust, easy-to-spot luggage tag with your contact details. Some savvy golfers also like to add a distinguishing feature to their bag. A brightly coloured strap, an unusual luggage tag, or even a splash of paint. All of this makes it instantly recognisable on the baggage carousel. Remember, in the world of golf travel, the aim is to protect your clubs as if they were the Ryder Cup itself.
There you have it, folks! Six fantastic golf club flight bags that cater to all budgets and needs. Whichever bag you choose, remember: it’s not just about getting your clubs from A to B. It’s about doing it with style, ease, and the assurance that your beloved clubs are well-protected. Happy travels and even happier golfing!
Previous Golf Travel Bags that we have Recommended that are No Longer In Stock
It is well worth keeping an eye out for these Golf Travel Bags coming back into stock. These are the golf travel bags that we love, that are no longer in stock or available.
Vice Golf Travelbag – £68.24 Vice Golf (ON SALE)
We love this bag. There, we said it. Vice stands out from the crowd both in terms of performance and, right now, cost. Right now it is on sale at Vice Golf for £68.24, a discount of over £40.00.
It will stand out at the air port and also sets you apart as being one of the cool golf brigade without actually trying to hard. Easy movement courtesy of two wheels and a huge separate baggage area with a few pockets. We love this bag and it is next on our golf shipping trip! We maybe love Vice Golf a bit too much, we know!
Club Glove Burst Proof with Wheels – £379.00 Amazon – Also in our mid-range section, the Club Glove Burst Proof golf travel bag comes swinging in with style and substance. Its Cordura fabric gives the bag its “burst proof” nature, while the extra padding around the top helps protect your club heads. With its large storage capacity, it can comfortably accommodate a 48″ driver and a 10″ cart bag. So, you can travel with all your golfing gear without breaking a sweat (or your budget!).
Club Glove Last Bag Large Pro – £449.00 Amazon – Last but certainly not least, meet the Club Glove Last Bag Large Pro. This deluxe flight bag is a favourite amongst touring professionals. Crafted with invincible Cordura fabric, it’s built to withstand the rigours of international travel. It’s spacious, accommodating any golf bag comfortably and offering extra room for gear. Although it’s at the upper end of the price scale, its durability and added features, like an integrated ID tag holder, make it a fantastic investment for the avid golfer.
