Cost of Taking Your Clubs Abroad

By: Adam Smith | Thu 06 Oct 2011

A golfing break is what every golfer looks forward to once in a while and if you’re very lucky more than once.

You can now go around the world and the play the game that we all love but it’s certainly coming at a cost as the price of taking your clubs abroad is getting more and more expensive by the day.

New research from Purple Parking reveals that many of the major airlines have hiked up the price of transporting golf equipment.

The biggest culprit is British Airways, which in 2009 didn't charge customers to carry sporting equipment in addition to checked baggage. Today however, golfers are required to pay an extra baggage fee of £30 if they choose to bring golfing equipment on a BA flight.

On average, the airlines that impose a flat rate for carrying golf equipment have increased their charges by 50% - quite a significant increase when compared to the UK's current 4% inflation rate.

With charges varying depending on the airline, class you travel in, bag size, bag weight, and even the destination you travel to and from, airlines could be accused of hiding the real cost from customers.

Online searches for 'golfing holidays' reached a peak this summer, which is why Purple Parking has chosen now to create a golf baggage allowance table. The table aims to dispel any confusion and clearly outline the additional costs for holidaymakers wishing to take golfing equipment abroad.

The research by the Heathrow parking provider also reveals that: American Airlines, BMI, Easyjet, Flybe and Ryanair have all increased their golf carriage fees when compared to 2009.

In addition to the flat rate increases, American Airlines' extra baggage charges have increased by 20%, from $50 USD to $60 USD (approximately £30 to £36). For baggage weighing more than 45kgs, their oversized baggage fee has increased by 50%, from $100 USD to $150 USD per item (approximately £61 to £91).

There is some good news for golfers though. Those choosing to fly with Air France or KLM will benefit from no extra charge for golf equipment, as long as the total weight does not surpass the weight limits per person. (In 2009 both airlines charged fixed excess baggage fees). Emirates and Virgin Atlantic also continue to provide free carriage of golfing equipment.

There’s also another way of getting out of paying the excess prices though and that’s not paying them at all. Don’t take your clubs and let Clubstohire.com take care of everything for you.

Endorsed by Paul McGinley, ClubstoHire.com will have your hire set ready for you at the airports they have a shop in which is growing day by day. It’s as simple as picking them up and putting them in the boot of your hire car or taxi / bus.

Read more on ClubstoHire.com

This table tells you by airline what golf baggage allowance you are allowed and what it's going to cost you:

Airline	Are golf bags accepted as part of the personal baggage allowance?	What are the size restrictions on golf baggage?	What is the weight limit on golf baggage?	Further Information
Air France	Yes, one golf bag can be checked in for free,in addition to checked baggage allowance.	N/A	20kg	Golf equipment is transported at no extra charge, as long as the total weight does not surpass 20kg per person. Above the limit, a fixed fee applies to each one-way flight. Exceeding the weight allowance, a fixed fee of 200€ applies to each one-way flight, with a 20kg limit per set of equipment.
American Airlines	No, golf bags must be checked in, in addition to checked baggage with a charge incurred.	Size is limited to the size of a hard-sided golf case.	32kg without additional charge. 45kg with an overweight baggage fee.	One golf bag containing a maximum of 14 golf clubs, 12 golf balls and 1 pair of golf shoes is permitted. If a golf bag is taken as a second checked bag, there is charge of $60 USD each way. If the bag is over the 23kg weight limit there is a $60 USD charge each way. If the bag is over the size limit (157 **linear cm) there is a $150 USD charge each way.
BMI	Only on selected journeys and as long as golf bag is within baggage allowance.	N/A	20kg without additional charge 32kg with an overweight baggage fee.	In economy a flat rate of £30 per item will be applied. If the item is over 20kg but under 32kg then an additional £30 fee per item applies to each one-way flight.
British Airways	Yes, one golf bag may be carried in place of one checked bag.	190cm (height), 75cm (width), 65cm (depth)	23kg without additional charge 32kg with an overweight baggage fee.	1 golf bag may be checked in, in place of one checked bag with a maximum weight of 23kg. If the golf bag is in addition to your personal baggage an extra bag charge must be paid. If you pay in advance online the charge is £30/$43 USD/39€ per bag. Customers travelling to and from Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and on connecting journeys between India and USA/Bermuda/Canada have a free checked bag allowance of 2 bags. Extra bags travelling to and from these destinations will be charged at £77/$119 USD/98€ per bag.
EasyJet	No, golf bags must be checked in, in addition to checked baggage with a charge incurred.	N/A	50kg (including main baggage + sporting equipment). The maximum weight for any single piece of baggage is 32kg.	A £25 charge for equipment to each one-way flight applies when pre-paid. When paying at the airport a £30 charge applies, plus an excess baggage charge of £10 per kg.
Emirates	Yes, one golf bag can be checked in for free, in addition to checked baggage allowance.	N/A	23kg	One set of golf clubs and one pair of golf shoes can be checked in free of charge in any class of service on any Emirates flight.
Flybe	No, golf bags must be checked in, in addition to checked baggage with a charge incurred.	N/A	30kg	Golf equipment carriage must be booked 24 hours in advance and there is a charge of £30 per item. A maximum of 14 clubs in one hooded bag, 12 golf balls, and one pair of golf shoes in hold baggage is permitted.
KLM	Yes, one golf bag can be checked in for free, in addition to checked baggage allowance.	N/A	23kg	On top of the standard baggage allowance, you may carry one golf bag for free if all flights in your journey are operated by KLM or Air France (including Martinair). A golf bag counts as a single piece of luggage and may weigh up to 23kg. You only pay an excess baggage fee if it weighs more, or if you bring an more than one golf bag. A set of golf equipment may consist of a golf bag containing only clubs, balls and a pair of golf shoes. Make a reservation for your special baggage at least 48 hours before departure, and ensure your reservation is confirmed.
Qantas	Yes, golf bags can be checked in for free, as long as within baggage allowance.	Golf bags are carried as baggage and are exempt from normal.	23kg	A golf bag is free of charge as long as it is with your baggage allowance. For Economy and Business class this is one bag. For Silver and Gold Business Frequent Flyers and Platinum Frequent Flyers this increases to two bags. Bags must not exceed the baggage weight allowance (23kg if travelling in economy class and 32kg in business class, as Quantas club member or frequent flyer). There is a charge of $175 AUD per additional 5kg, to and from the UK, when purchased in advance.
RyanAir	No, golf bags must be checked in, in addition to checked baggage with a charge incurred.	81cms (height), 119cms (width) and 119cms (depth)	20kg	If a golf bag is carried in addition to your personal checked baggage allowance a fee is payable. £40/40€ per item, per one-way flight when pre-paid online or the higher fee of £50/50€ per item/per one-way flight when paid at the airport or through a Ryanair call centre. If the bag weighs over the 20kgs allowance it will be charged the applicable excess baggage rate per kg.
United Airlines	Yes, one golf bag may be carried in place of one checked bag.	292 **linear cm	23kg	One bag may be checked in, which can be a standard-sized golf bag with clubs and one pair of shoes. This is allowed in place of one checked bag with a maximum weight of 23kg. For travel within or between the US & Canada, additional baggage above your allowance is charged at $100 USD each way. From the UK to the USA is charged at £130.
Virgin Atlantic	Yes, one golf bag can be checked in for free, in addition to checked baggage allowance.	N/A	23kg	One golf bag (consisting of a maximum of 14 clubs, 12 balls and a pair of shoes) as a single item of checked in baggage, in addition to your free baggage allowance may be checked in. The golf bag must not exceed 23kg. Additional baggage above your allowance is charged at £32 or $48 USD each way, if you buy online. At the airport the charge is £40 or $60 USD. Bags over 32kg will not be accepted.

All prices in the table are based on information provided by the airlines on the 23rd August 2011.

**Linear dimensions are calculated by adding together the width, height and depth of the piece of baggage.

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