Golf bag transport: Restrictions enforced by Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines counts among its loyal customers a large community of golfers who travel around the world to discover the most beautiful golf courses.
In order to support them and facilitate the transport of their equipment to all of its destinations, Hawaiian Airlines has chosen to develop its offer for golfers. It now offers all golf licensees, members of the Hawaiian Miles loyalty program, dedicated services and benefits such as an additional 25 kg baggage allowance for the transport of golf bags.
Do you train all year round with your golf equipment and want to take your golf clubs with you on your vacation on a Hawaiian Airlines flight? You are right, but some precautions must be taken to avoid unpleasant surprises that could spoil your stay.
A golf bag is considered bulky luggage and each airline has its own rules. Some count your equipment as part of your allowance, meaning you needs to take as little business as possible in carry-on baggage. But rest assured, there are still a few nice companies out there that won’t charge you anything for your precious gear, you just need to know which ones.
Before purchasing a ticket, check that the airline does not charge you anything for the transport of your golf clubs. Otherwise you can send and have your luggage delivered directly with the Hawaiian carrier.
Hawaiian Airlines Fees: How much does it cost to carry a Golf Bag on an Airplane?
Passengers taking flights connecting two Hawaiian Islands are required to pay a fee of $ 25, and $ 30 if their flights are scheduled to destinations in North America.
On the other hand, passengers traveling on international lines can carry their golf bags free of charge.
Plan your departure to protect your golf bag
Golf bags contain fragile equipment that requires some handling. It is recommended that you notify the airline, this will ensure that your golf bag will travel on the same plane as you.
Plus, getting to the airport at the last minute of check-in without warning that you’ll be traveling with your golf clubs is to risk missing your first two days on the green.
Keep your baggage ticket
Check-in for special baggage is usually done at a different check-in desk. You will receive a baggage ticket which must be kept. If your plane is overcrowded and you check your bags last, your golf bag may take the next plane. Having your luggage ticket will allow you not to lose track of it.
Keep your baggage ticket
Check-in for special baggage is usually done at a different check-in desk. You will receive a baggage ticket which must be kept. If your plane is overcrowded and you check your bags last, your golf bag may take the next plane. Having your luggage ticket will allow you not to lose track of it.
Put the clubs in the center of the bag
To avoid leverage and strengthen the bag, gather your clubs in the middle of the bag. If you travel a lot, it is advisable to take a tripod bag with a minimum of separation. If you have, like me, a bag with fourteen partitions, it will be complicated. Feasible but complicated.
To keep the whole thing together, you can add a rubber band at the base of the grips and at the top, just below the club heads.
As most modern bags offer access via a side pocket, inside the bag you can add bubble wrap to prevent possible shocks.
Remember to tell yourself to wrap the heads of the irons and wedges so that they do not collide.
Since you can never be too careful, it invites you to buy this accessory with the head in the shape of a mushroom hat. This will prevent possible compressions that may occur when moving the bag over the continuous handling belts.
Fill in the empty spaces
– Despite the addition of all these safeguards, there are still some weak points to be addressed:
– The feet of your bag. Tie them together, wrap them in bubble wrap and check that nothing moves.
– The top of the golf bag. Once you have completed steps 3 and 4, and you have covered everything with the rain cover, there is still a lot of empty space, which you are invited to fill with bubble wrap until which once the rain cover is closed makes you feel like you have been inflated.
Put your bag in a soft travel bag
Several people advocate the “hard” cover. Two problems with that, this will be heavier than a soft cover, risking an increase in the weight of the set (especially if you are playing with steel shafts). Second, the exposed handles and hinges may give way when handling the bag.
Wrap your bag in bubble wrap
Once your bag is in its carrying case, wrap it in bubble wrap. Why? In order to avoid all kinds of liquids that could spill on it. Better to have your oil-stained cover than your bag, right?
Add a GPS tracker to the bottom of the bag
For those who are really afraid of losing their bag, a gps tracker can be added to the bottom of the bag. While that won’t let you track the bag for thousands of miles, at least you’ll know if it’s taking the plane with you.
Wait for your bag in front of the baggage carousel at the airport
Last step is to wait for your bag at your destination. Most mid-sized airports are equipped with a non-standard baggage system with a dedicated team. They are used to handling this kind of baggage, and will take care of your valuables.