Can You Bring Golf Balls on a Plane?
Seeing you here leads me to believe that you’ve booked a stay at a foreign resort where golf is included in the package.
Now that you’ve spent a fortune on accommodations, perhaps you’re looking to save some money on golf balls?
Well, you can purchase golf balls beforehand and take them along with you on a plane ride, either in your carry-on or as part of your checked baggage. Additionally, you can take your golf tees, spikes, cleats, and divot tools in your carry-on luggage as well.
However, keep in mind that golf clubs and putters aren’t allowed as carry-ons. They can only be transported as part of your checked baggage.
Why Aren’t Golf Clubs and Putters Allowed as Carry-Ons?
In most cases, golf clubs and putters aren’t allowed as carry-ons because they’re categorized as items that can be used as weapons.
In fact, any sporting item that can potentially cause harm to another person is normally prohibited on a plane.
However, this is not to say that you can’t take your golf clubs and putters on your trip at all. You can, as long as you pack them securely in your checked luggage.
You should also keep in mind that different airlines have different requirements for checked luggage and carry-ons.
As a result, there are some airlines that allow you to take your golf clubs and putters as carry-ons as well, provided your bag weighs less than 50 pounds and the equipment is stored properly and stowed tightly.
Hence, it’s always good to contact your airline beforehand and understand their requirements better.
What’s the Best Way to Travel With Your Golfing Equipment?
I think it’s much better for you to keep all your golf equipment stored in one hard-shell travel golf bag.
Sure enough, you can opt for a soft-side golf bag, but you need to consider the fact that it isn’t as sturdy and durable as a hard-shell.
Considering your exorbitantly priced sporting goods, wouldn’t it be wiser to invest in a hard-shell golf bag?
What Not to Pack in Your Golf Bag (Checked Luggage)?
Irrespective of how tight airport security is or gets, there’s always a chance that you will possibly get looted by TSA employees, airport personnel, airline luggage handlers, customs agents, etc.
Know that even the best golf bags can’t stop theft.
So, keeping in mind that it’s always better to be safe than sorry, you shouldn’t pack valuable items in your checked golf bag.
You should especially keep smaller items out of your checked bag as they can be stolen quickly without detection.
One golfing item you should definitely not pack in your checked golf bag is the rangefinder.
Why so? It’s because rangefinders are small, expensive, and have great resale value, making them excellent choices for things to steal.
Also, don’t make the mistake of keeping your golf balls in your checked bag.
Golf balls, especially those with logos, acquired from different golf courses, are known to seemingly disappear from checked bags.
Hence, if you don’t want your logo golf balls (memory/souvenir) to be stolen, it’s best to keep them with you at all times.
Since you’re allowed to bring golf balls on a plane in your carry-on, there’s no reason you shouldn’t keep your logo balls with you.
Other items of value that you should avoid storing in your golf bag include GPS devices, special divot tools, and Bluetooth speakers.
Conclusion
You’re allowed to take your golf balls along with you on a plane in your carry-on as golf balls aren’t classified as dangerous items.
However, golf clubs and putters are considered dangerous and as such, aren’t allowed in carry-ons.
To transport them from one location to another, they must be stored in your checked baggage.
Before I leave you, I’d also like to add that though golf balls are allowed on planes in normal cases, the final decision of allowing your golf balls through security rests on the shoulders of the TSA agent that checks your belongings.
So, as rare as it may be, there is a possibility that the TSA agent may not allow you to take your golf balls due to security concerns.
