15 best golf travel bags to protect your clubs in 2023

You might have state-of-the-art golf gear already, including a premium golf bag. But anyone who has ever checked any sort of specialty luggage on an airplane will quickly tell you that even the most high-quality, durable bag may not stand a chance against the cargo hold and baggage carousel.

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Since that's not the kind of risk you’re going to want to take with your clubs. So if you’re planning a golf vacation that requires air travel — and checking your clubs — you’ll want to invest in a travel-specific golf bag or a durable cover that will protect your clubs and golf bag from the inevitable wear and tear of the checked baggage process. Even if you’re planning on a road trip, having a dedicated space for storing your golf bag can go a long way to ensuring your clubs stay safe in transit.

We’ve compiled a comprehensive guide on what to look for in a quality travel golf bag — and we’ve recommended some of our favorites that fit the bill.

It's easy to find the right golf bag, whether you need a full-size golf bag that’ll fit all your clubs or a smaller bag good for a single driver. Note that smaller-sized golf bags might be easier to fit in a taxi trunk, but both smaller and larger bags will almost always cost the same to check at the airport — unless you’re successfully avoiding checked baggage fees.

Keep in mind that you’ll probably have other luggage to look after besides just your clubs, so you’ll want your golf bag to be as maneuverable as possible if you want to get through the airport efficiently. A crossbody strap is great, but high-quality wheels will be well worth the investment.

Travel golf bags are a great option if you really don't want to muck up your normal golf bag while in transit. But if you want to have access to your golf bag while traveling, a high-quality golf bag cover will protect the whole package, ensuring your clubs and golf bag arrive relatively safely.

Much like standard luggage, there are two main types of golf travel bags: soft shell and hard shell. Soft-shell bags are much easier to sling over your shoulder or throw into the back seat of a taxi, while hard-shell bags — while slightly bigger and more expensive — are much more durable and tend to be longer-lasting.

Whether you’re planning a domestic trip to the next state over or you’re embarking on an international golf vacation that requires a fair bit of travel, we’ve pulled together a list of our favorite golf travel bags to ensure your clubs arrive intact and ready for the course.

This heavy-duty hard-shell golf bag case reigns supreme when it comes to heavy-duty protection. It fits most standard golf bags, is made of an extremely durable polyethylene material. And it has a TSA-approved locking system with SKB's patent-pending industrial-strength latches for added peace of mind. It weight a hefty 19 pounds empty, but don't expect this case to open in transit.

The Samsonite Hard-Side Golf Bag is a great option for anyone looking for a high-quality bag that won't weigh them down while cruising through the airport — it weighs just 5 pounds empty. While it's quite large compared to other bags and covers on this list, it fits both your clubs and your regular golf bag. and comes in five colors — black, green, midnight black, silver and titanium — so it's easy to recognize. Plus, it's easy to maneuver, with 4 spinner wheels, 2 in-line skate wheels and handles at the top and side.

Featuring smooth in-line skate wheels, this lightweight padded golf bag by OutdoorMaster is a fan favorite for its affordable price point. The convenient travel golf bag features waterproof and rip-resistant fabric, a u-shaped zipper for easy access, and includes a separate compartment for golf shoes. If you’d rather carry your clubs than wheel them, this bag has a shoulder strap as well as multiple padded handles at the top, at the bottom and around the sides of the bag. It's available in black, gray, blue or coffee.

At just 11.3 pounds, the Sun Mountain Golf ClubGlider Meridian Club Cover Travel Bag is an excellent lightweight option, with dense foam padding to protect your clubs and retractable legs to keep the bag semi-upright. The heavy-duty bag fits a full set of clubs but also has storage pockets that many reviewers note are spacious enough to fit enough clothes and gear for a weekend trip, and it comes in eight colors.

This compact golf bag weighs just 3.5 pounds, and while it might not be large enough to fit your whole set, it can fit up to nine clubs: enough drivers or wedges to get by for a trip where you’ll only be hitting a few rounds. The durable bag has plenty of padding to protect your wedges, and also has separate pockets for towels, gloves and golf balls, and can even fit a pair of shoes.

Samsonite is one of the best in the business when it comes to durable and reliable luggage, and this affordable three-piece travel set — a golf bag, duffel, and shoe bag — is built with high-quality 600D polyester to withstand the wear and tear of air travel. It comes in six colors — black, blue, grass green, hunter green, red and silver — and features in-line skate wheels for easy pushing or pulling

The Club Glove Last Bag Collegiate Travel Cover is crafted with Invista Cordura 1000D waterproof nylon, and includes the company's Stiff Arm support to keep the bag from folding or being crushed in transit . It's got two exterior shoe or storage compartments for easy packing for all of your golf equipment. It's available in a whole spectrum of fun colors and patterns to choose from — nine in total. So, you can find a bag that suits your personality and matches the rest of your luggage.

Callaway knows a thing or two about what golfers need and OGIO knows a lot about luggate — and the OGIO Alpha Travel Cover brings it all together. Crafted from a durable 900D polyester body fabric with a built-in skid plate for abrasion protection, the generously sized travel cover will easily fit both your golf bag and enough clothing for a weekend getaway. You’ll have added peace of mind knowing your clubs will arrive protected, thanks to both external and internal compression straps that reduce movement. Plus, a dense foam around the club heads gives you that extra bit of protection.

Looking for a budget-friendly golf travel cover that’ll easily fit your clubs and bag? The Amazon Basics Soft-Sided Golf Travel Bag is compact in size but will fit most standard golf bags. It's made of durable 1800D polyester with reinforced stress points, meaning your clubs will have the protection they need in transit. Plus, it's got in-line skate-style wheels for easy pulling through the airport. We also like that this bag is available in four colorways to match your existing luggage.

This basic golf travel bag by Athletico offers a no-frills and incognito alternative to more flashy or premium-priced travel golf bags. The design features 5 millimeters of padding that will protect your clubs and golf bag, while the variety of built-in straps let you carry your clubs either handheld or as a crossbody bag. The hard vinyl base means that it's protected from the elements on the ground. The construction is lightweight, so this one may be a better fit for taking your clubs on a road trip where you can oversee its handling.

The Partage Golf Travel Bag With Wheels is one of the top-rated options on this list, thanks to its lightweight design and affordable price point. The bag is heavily padded inside and has both internal and external straps to ensure your clubs don't slide around while in transit. It also comes with built-in wheels to make navigating through the airport a breeze. As an added feature, it's also got three pockets where you can store your golf shoes and any extra golf equipment. This bag is also available with a optional support system to help keep your bag in shape and protect your clubs from any dings.

This top-rated golf travel bag from Himal is made from heavy-duty polyester to protect your clubs from nicks and dings, and soft cushioning and interior straps minimize movement for your clubs and make the bag more comfortable to carry. Top and side handles and two wheels let you roll or carry the bag.

Heavy-duty, lightweight and water-resistant, the CaddyDaddy First Class Premium Padded Golf Club Travel Cover has a a heavily padded design and internal and external compression straps to ensure your clubs don't get banged up in transit, while wheels make maneuvering convenient. This bag comes with a two-year full replacement warranty, including damage caused by airlines. In other words, CaddyDaddy is confident that your clubs will arrive at your final destination without damage — even if the baggage handlers don't treat your clubs with the same care as you would.

The Sun Mountain Kube Travel Cover can be packed down into a small cube for easy storage — great for when you're not on the road. But when the bag is extended, it provides plenty of protection for your clubs and has two smooth-rolling wheels for easy maneuverability. Plus, it's lightweight at just 6.8 pounds, making this a great option for your next golf vacation.

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