Golf Travel Bags
From LoveToKnow Handbags
Because a true fan of the game just can't be limited to the local holes, golf travel bags are an absolute essential for the golfer's lifestyle.
When You've Got to Golf
Golf isn't merely a sport of skill, it's also a game of ambience. It requires special apparel, an affinity for cropped parachute pants and plaid…beret-like hats reminiscent of Payne Stewart. But a golfer's most important accessory is his set of clubs, and those clubs need protection. Hence, you can't run around the course without making sure your prized nine irons are safely tucked away, sheltered from harsh oxidizing environmental factors that can ultimately threaten your game.
Types of Golf Travel Bags
Different types of golf travel bags accommodate specific needs. Some, if not most, are capable of covering an entire stand bag, but the major categories of golf travel bags include:
- Hard Sided
- Soft Sided
- Hybrid
Hard Sided Bags
The hard cover golf travel bags provide maximum protection for your equipment and most of them are large enough to accommodate your entire golf bag (clubs included). These cases are excellent for plane travel, as luggage tends to endure much stress during airport transitions. Unfortunately, the hard side cases cannot offer the external storage pockets featured by most soft travel bags.
Another major concern regarding hard travel bags is that most of these models are extremely large, sometimes too large to fit into a sizable car trunk. This makes lugging around multiple hard covers a real convenience challenge. However, some hard cover manufacturers are now creating models that can break down into two or three pieces for car travel. Then, once you're at the airport, you simply assemble the collapsible case and load your equipment right into it.
Hard cover cases will also typically feature inline skate wheels, an extremely helpful tool for airport travel!
Soft Sided Cases
Soft sided golf travel bags offer less protection than hard sided models, but they are the case of choice for golfers seeking maximum storage. These types of cases provide easy storage, which is why they are marketed as the type of case most commonly used by professional golfers. With the convenience of external and inner pockets and the addition of quality construction, these bags boast a high potential for organization. Most soft sided cases will also feature inline wheels.
The Hybrid Case
The main advantage of a hybrid case is found in its diminutive size which encourages simplicity. Hybrid bags eliminate the need for both a stand bag and a travel cover. Unfortunately, because these bags serve a dual purpose they also have a tendency to show their wear more, making for one very shoddily equipped owner. Moreover, the abuse these bags endure will also affect the hybrid's hardware and exterior zippers.
Some hybrid manufacturers are improving on this problem by providing a removable exterior for traveling, leaving your clubs protected by the original hard-cover shell. Essentially these bags offer the protection of a smaller hard cover travel case.
Popular Brands
The Burton Galaxy Travel Cover ranks at the top of soft sided golf travel bags. Your clubs will be cosseted by two inches of heavy foam padding and whisked along by the convenience of EZ glide wheels. This bag boasts five outside pockets as well as two in the interior, making storage woes a thing of the past.
Where hard cases are concerned, the Cargo Deluxe Guard Travel Case looks protective enough to transport a missile, and yet it's suitably small enough for your club case. The interior is lined with happy soft padding and the exterior is fashioned from hard plastic. Sturdy wheels and durable key-lockable latches make this travel case a veritable Alcatraz for your precious clubs.
The Cargo Pro Series 900 Hybrid Cover is marketed as being able to withstand "over 2000 lbs. or crushing force", though it probably melts into an acid pool at the touch of a toddler. Regardless, this bag features an interchangeable and replaceable skin that can be removed during traveling.
Where to Purchase
Golf travel bags are available at many specialty golf or sporting good stores. They can also be purchased online at Golfio.com and the aptly titled GolfTravelBags.com.
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