Checking a golf bag
 

Hi all,

As a newly minted Silver elite, I was wondering if I would still have to pay to check in a golf bag? The CO site says bags still "must meet weight and size restrictions". To be clear, I'm not using a hardshell case, just a cloth shell. It's been a while since I've checked a golf bag so I'm not sure how tight airlines are these days with these fees.

Thanks!

You will have no problem checking a golf bag - I do it several times a year.

From CO.com
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US...ge/sports.aspx

As a Silver Elite you will be exempt from the checked bag fee and will only have to pay overweight if the bag is overweight AND contains items other than golf equipment.

Golf Equipment

Continental accepts one item of golf equipment per customer as checked baggage.

An item of golf equipment consists of:

1 golf bag containing 1 set of golf clubs
Golf balls
1 pair golf shoes.
All items must be properly encased in a suitable container. The golf bag must be covered or enclosed in a heavy, rigid carrying case.

Continental is not liable for damage to Golf Equipment that is not contained in a hard-sided case.

Excess Valuation may not be purchased for Golf Equipment that is not contained in a hard-sided case.

If applicable, the first ($15) or second fee ($25) applies to golf equipment.

Golf bags weighing over 50lbs (23kg) that contain other items in addition to or in place of appropriate golf equipment will be subject to a $50 overweight fee.

my golf bag is pretty bulky and they always question what is in it , but in the end they take it without problems

I've been checking 2 golf bags (mine and the wife's) constantly for years ... they have never been weighed, the rep just attaches the Yellow Priority tags ... and in some airports, we have to lug the bags over to the X-Ray security area. Frankly, the CO rep would never even know if I had stuffed lead weights into the pockets ... we've never been charged for the bags (as Elites).

I am curious! Can a non-Elite chime in to report any charges for a golf bag, especially if a regular piece of luggage is checked in as well?

As a non-elite, I would probably be charged at the check-in counter, no? (No CO experience - the one time so far I traveled with clubs was on US.)

And I have seen rolov's golf bag. I'm still not sure what else is in there, but I have no right to question since he laid about a 7-stroke whooping on me.

ETA: I'm surprised that the CoC still says a hard case. The soft cases (e.g. Club Glove) are much more prevalent, I'd think.

Yes, you'd be charged at the counter or curb for the bag unless you have a CO/Chase credit card or some other means to exempt yourself from the fee. And I thought rolov beat us by more than 7, but I'll go with it. ;)

I almost always ship mine (via FedEx ground), especially when traveling on business.
I have a solid/hard shell container that I can lock when shipping but not when checking onto a flight.

My last shipment cost $28 and I had the clubs, bag, shoes, container, etc. insured for $1,800.

I just re-read the CoC text and I don't get what would make the clubs a $15 or $25 charge. What am I missing?

When you're not an elite.

Basically, for all practical purposes when it comes to allowance and fees, one golf club bag = one regular checked bag (i.e. not oversized, not overweight).

Head colds make me really dumb, sometimes dumber than normal.

I can't rememeber the exact scores but seven sounds good ^

my PGA tour card and 14 clubs , tees , raingear, golf balls
:D

The next time we all play, we need to bring cameras.

My caddy might take them away because it distracts me during my
backswing
btw
sbm12 did have a camera

I never saw any shots, but then again sbm12 was busy drinking and icing himself down when not bouncing balls off of trees and into (!!!) fairways.

The next time we do this, it'll be at the course I'm getting married at. Anyone up for playing 27 holes?