Travel to USA

Family holiday in USA (Boston area) rapidly approaching.

Intending to play a couple of times with Brother-in-law and a couple (or loads more if I can swing it) of times on lonesome, possibly with borrowed clubs.

Contemplating taking my own clubs.  Flying BA.  Seems they allow a set of clubs in a travel bag

Any advice and or experience of the below welcomed.

• taking clubs to USA
• Taking clubs on British Airways
  
• good value travel bag
• insurance
• security
• playing on US courses
• handicap certificates
• etc etc etc 

Lucky you, Andy a great place to go.

No problems taking clubs on aproper airline, you don't need anything fancy as a cover. In fact, yrears ago I just used to put the rain cover on with a padlock. Travel bags are pretty cheap on ebay.

Your normal travel insurance will cover the clubs to a certain value, but you can always check with them and make sure they are listed.

Playing on US courses is not a problem, I found. Like everywhere else these days and especially in the USA, the dollar is everything, and they know how to turn a buck.

I have never been asked for a handicap certificate.

I am sure you will have a great time.

Thanks for the offer Dave, I thought after I'd posted that maybe I'd ask if anyone had a travel bag I could borrow.  I may buy a soft bag but wouldn't use it again much after.

You are in Bournmouth I think Dave.  I would happily borrow but not sure how to get it!

You guys are playing Sherfield Oaks 24th July.  I had thought about maybe playing too.  Have banked almost a week off work in lieu of working late weekends in the last few weeks so would probably be able though it is a long way to drive for a game - but if I was able to pick up a hard case that might be diffrent.

I'll think about it. Maybe see if anyone else nearby has a sturdy case I could borrow - South essex area.

One thought I have just had mind.  I need to get 4 family and bags and clubs to heathrow in the car.  Clubs might take up rather a lot of space and as it is a new car I don't have any roof bars yet.  Anybody got any bars for a Vauxhall insignia? Doh.

Doh.  Mean't to say South Winchester

and mean't to say I'm in Bracknell a fair bit in the next few weeks so could borrow from someone over there...

Why don't we arrange a game with Andy at Bracknell then. Crown golf headquarters is there at the Blue Mountain Golf club. I can get a cheap deal for you both, so you only have to say the word as to what day you would like to play.

I have a tender that goes in on Friday next week (10th) that is taking all my waking hours but after that I have a few weeks leading up to my USA trip where I shall be able to take a few weekdays off in lieu.  It would be great to get a game with you and David and would happily drive round to Bracknell / Reading area to play.  The reference to Bracknell was that is where our head office is and where I am working there a fair bit at the moment.  On those days I could only play twilights.  I will happily take a lieu day though to play west of London.

If it is a Monday then either 20th or 27th July would be okay at a venue to suit you chaps. It does not have to be Bracknell - anywhere within 30 miles or so of Bracknell would be okay. 

Up to David, then, 20th is OK for me 27th I have a hospital appointment at 1615 hrs so would need a 1000hrs start.

Meant to say that a mid to late morning start would be best as I would have a 2.5 hr drive.  That said I would leave early to miss the traffic. Anytime 10am or later would be fine.

South Winchester on the 24th it is then!  I had thought I might try and get along anyway.

Consider the 1 remaining place filled.

Thanks guys (and don't forget the case!)

It just remains to arrange a subsequent game to return said case (that's for another day!)

He will need more than three days in Boston, David, don't be so mean.

sometime mid september would be more appropriate me thinks.

This is the course I will probably be playing most on....

Shaker Hills GC, Littleton, MA

aerial on google

Andy,

I can offer advice on few fronts. 

• You are better with a proper travel case.  Having gone to the US and have my hard case dented by the airline, I dread to think what would've happened to my clubs. 
• Security should not be an issue.
• Check that your travel insurance specifically covers your clubs as it doesn't normally do so.  If you have golf insurance, the level of cover will dictate whether or not you are covered.
• Doesn't matter who the airline are, same monkies load and unload the plane!
• I've never been asked for a handicap cert on a US course and I've played three very good standard ones.
• Hiring a car large enough to take family, bags and clubs one-way is often cheaper than paying for parking. 

There was a guy on here from Boston not long ago (Michael Noel) who has moved back from London to Boston early this year.  Had a Green Bay Packers helmet as his avatar.  Why don't you drop him a line via PM and see if he can advise you or even meet you for a game?