Are you and your golfing buddies thinking about taking a golf trip? If the answer is yes, then one accessory every traveling golfer needs is a golf travel bag.
A golf travel bag is essentially a suitcase for your golf clubs and golf shoes. A good golf travel bag will protect your golf clubs from breaking during a flight and offer protection. If you don’t travel with a travel bag you run the risk of breaking or damaging your golf clubs, which is never a fun thing to deal with.
Choosing the correct travel bag is an important investment to make your golf trip as simple and as smooth as possible. There are two main characteristics to think about when reviewing travel bags: Durability and Travelability.
The Durability of Golf Cases
As an experienced golf traveler, I can tell that finding a durable golf travel bag will save you a lot of time and money in the long run. Airport baggage handlers are, in general, not extremely careful when handling luggage. I have purchased travel bags that have been ripped in the corners and not very durable.
Travelability of Golf Cases
The second characteristic is travelability. Is the travel bag easy to maneuver? Is the travel bag too heavy? Does the travel bag have wheels, or do I have to carry it through the airport? All important questions when considering a golf travel bag.
Hard Cases vs Soft Cases
Another feature you’ll want to figure out is, if you want a hard case or a soft case. They each have their pros and cons, and they each have their price points.
Hard Case
The hard case is obviously going to be a bit more durable but it’s also bulkier and can take up a bit more room. If you have the room available and the price isn’t much of a factor, the hard case option will serve you well.
Soft Case
The soft case travel bags are a bit more malleable in that you can pinch and squeeze if you need to fit them in a confined area. They tend to be a bit cheaper, but depending on your needs, they may work for you.
Price of Golf Travel Cases
As mentioned above the price point for each bag will vary. If you’re just a beginner and you haven’t invested much money into your golf clubs, you can probably stick with a soft case.
If you’ve purchased customized clubs or spent more than a few hundred dollars on your clubs, a golf club travel case would be a wise investment. I’m a fairly frugal person, but the customary price point is about 25% of your valued golf clubs should be invested in a golf travel case.
There are many different bag options to choose from. There are a variety of vendors and styles of golf travel bags out there on the market. We will review 5 golf travel bags from different vendors and decide which is the best.
Best Travel Case for Golf Clubs
Himal
1) Himal Soft-Sided Golf Travel Bag
The Himal Soft-Sided Golf Travel Bag is an affordable golf travel bag that is lightweight, durable, and multi-functional. The travel bag contains extra storage space for your golf shoes and has a padded cushion to help protect your golf clubs from vibrations. The added interior strap makes it so you can lay the clubs down or leave them standing up.
Some of its features include:
- Made of 600 D polyester oxford: durable
- 13 x 15 x 50 inches: large capacity
- Premium smooth zipper
- Smooth-rolling wheels
- Solid handle & Velcro carrying handle
- An interior strap to limit movement
SKB
2) SKB Cases ATA Deluxe Standard Hard Plastic Travel Case (SKB)
The SKB golf travel case is a hard-lightweight plastic case made from polyethylene to keep your clubs secure for your travels. The SKB looks like a solid golf travel case at a higher price. The plastic case will be extremely durable, however, the material which it is made up of means the cost is a little higher than a soft case.
Some of its features includes:
- SKB’s Perfect-Match™ valance bending system provides a tight, secure fit to prevent dirt, dust, and moisture from getting inside the case
- TSA accepted and recognized locking latch system for safe and secure travel, allowing airport security to inspect case contents
- Sculptured, form-fitting case design accommodates popular standard and staff size golf bags
- Includes SKB’s Million Mile Guaranty, SKB’s lifetime warranty
- Also includes SKB’s $1,500 club coverage
Bag Boy (Editor’s Choice)
3) Bag Boy T-750 Wheeled Travel Golf Cover
The Bag Boy travel cover is a fair priced soft case travel bag that provides excellent protection, due to its extra padding at the top of the bag. The Bag Boy is also extremely maneuverable due to it being lightweight and having skate wheels for ease of travel.
Some of its features include:
- Extra thick 4-sided padded top with high-Density foam and impact-resistant PVC for maximum club protection – Let’s you travel with peace of mind knowing your clubs will land in the same condition you started
- Travel wheels allow you to cruise through the airport and concourse without getting caught up, or worse yet, carrying your clubs
- Reinforced corners prevent wear and tear, keeping your club protected for longer
- Ergonomic neoprene handle for easy maneuvering
- Fits up to a 48-inch driver and most stand and cart bags
Amazon Basics
4) AmazonBasics Soft-Sided Golf Club Travel Bag Case With Wheels
The AmazonBasics travel bag is one of the cheapest golf travel bags you can purchase. Made of waterproof black canvas, the AmazonBasics Soft-Sided Golf Travel Bag offers an excellent option for traveling with golf clubs. The durable bag protects against outside elements, while various straps and click-together fasteners keep stored contents securely in place.
With golf clubs stored inside, the golf travel bag can lay flat or stand up on its own—nonskid patches underneath help keep it standing securely in place. Unlike rigid travel bags, the soft-sided bag offers a lighter weight and a collapsible design for compact storage when not in use.
Some of its features include:
- Soft-sided golf travel bag for conveniently transporting a set of golf clubs (not included)
- Made of durable nylon fabric; reinforced stress points; stands up on its own when holding a set of clubs
- Smooth-rolling, inline-skate-style wheels; heavy-duty curb rails; well-placed, riveted handles
- Compression straps keep clubs secure; heavily padded top section protects club heads
- Multiple zippered compartments for storing extra gear; measures 50 by 13 by 15 inches
CaddyDaddy (Runner up)
5) CaddyDaddy Golf Constrictor 2 Travel Cover
The Constrictor II has been one of the best-selling golf travel bags on Amazon for numerous years and continues to be one of the best values in golf. The CaddyDaddy golf travel bag is very similar to the AmazonBasics travel bag. It is a soft golf travel bag that contains extra storage space and durable nylon to protect your golf clubs.
Some of its features include:
- External and internal cinch straps to keep clubs secure
- Year Full Bag Replacement Warranty – covers any damage to the bag caused by airlines
- In-Line Skate Wheels & Lockable Zippers make traveling with your clubs a breeze
- Heavily padded on top to protect club heads
- Heavy-duty lockable zippers on the main opening and side pockets
The Verdict
After reviewing the golf travel bags above, the clear winner is the Bag Boy T-750 Wheeled Travel Golf Cover. The Bag Boy checks all of the boxes when looking for a golf travel bag. The Bag Boy is a durable golf travel bag. It has extra padding at the top of the bag to protect your club heads during travel. It has reinforced corners to ensure durability and protection.
It is also a lightweight travel bag making it easy to fly with. The Bag Boy is easy to maneuver throughout the airport with its sturdy wheels. Some of the hard case travel bags can feel very clunky and difficult to travel with. While they will no doubt protect your golf clubs, they can be difficult to travel with.
Bag Boy is also a well-respected golf travel bag maker. I have owned Bag Boy travel bags and can say from experience that they are of high quality and at a reasonable price point.
The Bag Boy T-750 Wheeled Travel Golf Cover is an excellent purchase if you are looking to buy a new golf travel bag. You will be confident with the Bag Boy holding your clubs.
Conclusion of Golf Travel Cases
The end goal here is to protect your golf investment. The type of case will depend on the value of your clubs, how much you travel, and the ease with which you need to transfer your clubs. The aforementioned travel cases have some different features that I hope will provide some insight.