The Best Hard Case Golf Travel Bag

Your normal golf bag might be good at storing your clubs safely in the house and in the trunk of your car have you ever thought about how you would transport your clubs if you needed to travel on an airplane?

Your trusty soft bag will not cut it we all know what could happen with our flight luggage right?

We have all seen the footage on TV where a few minority airline staff carelessly throw luggage onto the bag carts without too much thought or consideration for the contents inside!

So what is the best way to safely secure golf bags whilst flying? The answer is to store your clubs in a hard case golf travel bag there are hard plastic overcovers that are made to withstand the rigors of air travel with the sole objective of getting your golf clubs on and off the plane without damage.

We have had a few golfers reaching out and asking us what is the best hard case golf travel bag. Thankfully there are plenty of options available on the market right now from top brands like Samsonite, SKB Cases, Yamato, CaddyDaddy, and MOCTOUR.

These are brands with a good reputation – but we don’t take their word for it, we check independent reviews from hundreds of golfers like yourself who are looking for the best solution in air travel golf bag storage.

Will also cover travel weight limits and whether it’s best to have TSA-approved locks fitted on your golf bags. Most airports now have very strict security protocols so it’s crucial that golfers have peace of mind when they set off on air travel.

Airlines are also very strict on what you can pack and what you can’t and did you know that golf bags are only allowed under “the checked luggage” category?

Top 5 Hard Golf Covers Cases for 2023

We have purposely left out soft golf bags/covers for this review in order to focus on the advantages of using a hard golf club case for air travel.

You might think that bulky hard cases are heavy, but thanks to modern manufacturing techniques, hard plastics are now much lighter than before.

Our top picks of hard case golf travel bags are equipped with free-rolling wheels, ensuring durability for years to come. Whether you’re flying to play with friends, participating in tournaments, or visiting family, these bags will serve you well.

1. Yamato Golf Travel Bag

External Dimensions: Length: 52 inches / Height: 14 inches / Depth: 15 inches.

The Yamato Golf Travel Bag stands as a top-tier choice for the avid golfer on the go. With its sturdy construction and ergonomic design, it combines durability with ease of use.

The hard case offers superior protection for your clubs during air travel, ensuring they arrive undamaged at your destination.

Its dimensions are ample to house a standard set of clubs, and the wheels provide smooth mobility, making it a breeze to transport. While it’s a weightier option compared to soft bags, it’s a worthy trade-off for the level of protection it offers.

Overall, the Yamato Golf Travel Bag is a solid investment that serves its purpose and beyond.

Pros:

• Yamato is a leading brand that produces high-quality cases.
• Super tough and secure thanks to the ABS hard plastic shell.
• Foldable for easy storage.
• Can handle a full golf bag with tees, balls, and towels.
• Easy to pull and push thanks to the sturdy wheels.
• High-quality zipper to open and close the case.
• Zipper comes with a safety hole perfect for locks.

Cons:

• Not cheap – you are looking at around $170 for this case.

2. Samsonite Spinner Wheeling Golf Travel Cover

External Dimensions: Length: 51 inches / Height: 17 inches / Depth: 14 inches.

The Samsonite Spinner Wheeling Golf Travel Cover is an exceptional choice for golfers seeking premium quality and performance.

With its robust design and smooth-rolling spinner wheels, it ensures easy maneuverability and transport.

This travel cover, crafted by the renowned brand Samsonite, provides ample space for a full golf bag and additional equipment, guaranteeing that all your golfing essentials are well-protected during transit.

Despite being on the pricier side, the superior protection it offers for your golf gear and its long-term durability justify the investment. The Samsonite Spinner Wheeling Golf Travel Cover is indeed a top-notch product in its category.

Pros:

• Samsonite is a well-known brand that is synonymous with quality and durability.
• The hard shell body provides excellent protection to the golf clubs.
• The spinner wheels offer effortless maneuverability and transport.
• There is plenty of space for a full golf bag and other golfing essentials.
• The zippers are sturdy and reliable, reducing the risk of unexpected openings.
• The case is designed for easy storage and transportation.

Cons:

• The cost is on the higher side, which might be a deterrent for some buyers.
• The case might be a bit bulky for some golfers, especially those with smaller car trunks.
• Despite its ample space, the case might struggle to accommodate larger golf bags.

3. SKB Cases ATA Hard Plastic Golf Bag Storage

External Dimensions: Length: 52 inches / Height: 16 inches / Depth: 13 inches.

The SKB Cases ATA Hard Plastic Golf Bag Storage is an excellent option for golfers who prioritize protection and durability.

The hard plastic exterior guarantees exceptional security for your golf clubs during transit, aided by the soft foam padding inside the case. Despite the sturdy construction, the case is reasonably lightweight and thus easy to handle.

The case’s dimensions accommodate standard golf bags comfortably, while its design ensures it can withstand the rigors of travel. The smooth-rolling wheels serve to provide easy maneuverability during transit.

While the SKB Cases ATA Hard Plastic Golf Bag Storage comes with a relatively higher price tag, its long-lasting build and superior protective features make it a worthwhile investment for any regular golfer.

Pros:

• SKB is a reputable brand known for its high-quality, durable cases.
• The hard plastic exterior offers outstanding protection for your golf clubs.
• The interior is lined with soft foam padding, providing an extra layer of security.
• Despite the robust construction, the case remains reasonably lightweight and easy to manage.
• The case comfortably accommodates standard golf bags, ensuring all your golfing equipment is protected.
• Its smooth-rolling wheels ensure easy maneuverability during transit.

Cons:

• The price tag is relatively high, which may be a deterrent for some.
• The case might be too bulky for some users, particularly those with limited storage space or smaller vehicles for transport.
• Although the case fits standard golf bags, it may not accommodate larger or oversize golf bags effectively.

4. MOCTOUR Golf Travel Bag

External Dimensions: Length: 51 inches / Height: 15 inches / Depth: 12 inches.

The MOCTOUR Golf Travel Bag offers a refreshing blend of function and style for discerning golfers. Its robust construction safeguards your golf gear, all whilst being lightweight for easy handling.

The case boasts ample room to fit a standard golf bag, ensuring your equipment’s safe transit. Smooth-rolling wheels augment its mobility, making it a breeze to navigate through airports or golf fields.

Despite a few potential downsides such as its inability to accommodate larger golf bags and a slightly higher price point, the MOCTOUR Golf Travel Bag stands as a reliable choice for golfers who value quality and ease of use.

Pros:

• MOCTOUR is a promising brand providing sturdy and stylish golf cases.
• The bag provides comprehensive protection for your golf clubs.
• Despite its robust design, it remains lightweight and easy to handle.
• The wheels ensure smooth and easy mobility.

Cons:

• The price might be a bit steep for some golfers.
• It might struggle to fit larger, oversized golf bags.

5. CaddyDaddy Enforcer Travel Bag

External Dimensions: Length: 51 inches / Height: 13 inches / Depth: 13 inches.

The CaddyDaddy Enforcer Travel Bag is a top-tier choice for serious golfers. Featuring a robust construction, this bag ensures the ultimate safety for your golf gear during transit.

Despite its sturdy build, the bag remains impressively lightweight and easy to maneuver, courtesy of its smooth-rolling wheels.

The bag comfortably accommodates a standard golf bag, with room to spare for extra golfing essentials. The reliable zippers and ample padding add an additional layer of protection for your clubs.

There are a few minor downsides to consider. Its price may deter some buyers, and it may struggle to accommodate larger golf bags.

However, given its high-quality build and excellent protective features, the CaddyDaddy Enforcer Travel Bag represents a worthwhile investment for any passionate golfer.

Pros:

• CaddyDaddy is a trusted brand known for its quality golf bags.
• The sturdy construction ensures superior protection for golf clubs.
• The bag is lightweight and features smooth-rolling wheels for easy maneuverability.
• The bag fits a standard golf bag comfortably, with room for additional golfing equipment.
• Reliable zippers and ample padding provide an extra layer of security for your clubs.

Cons:

• The higher price point may be a deterrent for some buyers.
• The bag may struggle to accommodate larger clubs
• The handle might be too tight for some users causing their hands to scrape against the hard plastic

How Much Does it Cost to Bring Golf Clubs on a Plane?

Most airlines in the US have thankfully dropped their additional charges in relation to taking sporting equipment on a flight (checked baggage). American Airlines is perhaps the fussiest though and impose annoying restrictions on their flight golf case policy.

With AA you must ensure that your golf bag has a maximum of 14 clubs, a dozen golf balls, and one pair of shoes. Sometimes, the check-in staff will ask you to open your golf case so it’s also best to stick to the rules when traveling by air to play golf.

This kind of rule also applies to other airlines such as Delta, Southwest, Spirit, Jetblue, Frontier, and Hawaiian Airlines with Allegiant also applying a weight restriction of 40lbs on your golf case.

We recommend that you check on the official airline website for further information.

Your Choice: Security, Portability and Price

When choosing the best hard case golf travel bag you have 3 main criteria to consider. Firstly, if you are traveling at least 3 times a year with your golf clubs then you need the most secure golf case you can afford.

The Yamato hard cover golf travel bag has been designed with the traveling golfer in mind.

One of its standout features is its hard-shell exterior, made from robust materials that offer superior protection for your golf clubs, ensuring they arrive at your destination in pristine condition.

The bag’s internal strapping system keeps your clubs securely in place during transit, preventing unnecessary movement and potential damage. Its smooth-rolling wheels and ergonomic handles make it effortless to transport, even when fully loaded.

Despite its solid construction, the Yamato bag impresses with its surprisingly lightweight design, making it an easy companion for air travel.

Additionally, its generous interior space can comfortably accommodate a standard golf bag, along with other golfing essentials such as shoes and clothing.

These features, along with its competitive price point, make the Yamato hard cover golf travel bag our number-one choice for golfers who frequently travel for their sport.