Delta Airlines Golf Clubs Rules (You Should Know!)

When it comes to flying with your golf clubs, it’s no secret that some airlines make your life difficult. It can be expensive and cumbersome, and some airlines even have a track record of losing your bags.

But as we explain in this article, Delta Airlines actually makes it relatively easy to fly with your golf club, with clear and fair policies about checking golf clubs into the hold.

So, if you’re looking for more information about Delta Airlines’ golf club rules, read on and find out everything you need to know about flying with your golf clubs.

Can I Take My Golf Clubs on Delta Airlines?

Delta Airlines permits every passenger to carry large-sized sporting equipment, such as golf clubs, surfboards, bicycles, etc., as their one bag of checked luggage. So, if you are traveling on a Delta flight, it makes sense to take your golf clubs as your checked baggage and your suitcase as hand luggage.

You will need to make sure that your bag meets the weight requirements, and your clubs should be safely stored in a travel golf bag. Any loose clubs or accessories will not be permitted as checked baggage.

If you wish to take more than one golf bag on a Delta flight, you will need to pay for the second bag. But ultimately, the fact that you can take your golf clubs on a flight without extra charge as your main piece of luggage is a great deal for golfers.

How Much Does it Cost to Check Golf Clubs on Delta?

If you check your golf clubs as your only piece of checked luggage, you don’t have to pay any extra. But you need to make sure that your golf clubs are within the permitted weight limits, or you will be charged for oversized baggage, which will be expensive.

As is the case with other airlines, you are permitted to check additional baggage with Delta, and it’s much better to pay for this before you reach the airport. Delta charges USD$150 for a third checked bag. If you take between four and ten additional bags, you will be charged $200 per bag.

Most passengers are permitted one or two checked bags (depending on the route) and one piece of carry-on luggage. In terms of weight, you’re allowed to take 50lbs per bag in the hold.

So, provided that your golf bag isn’t overweight, you don’t actually need to make any special reservations, and you can simply check the bag into the hold as your standard luggage.

Are Golf Bags Considered Oversized on Delta?

No, golf bags are not considered oversized on Delta, and the airline now permits every passenger to carry their golf clubs as one of their standard checked bags. This is a big win for passengers and makes it much more convenient to travel with golf clubs.

You should ensure that your golf clubs are safely wrapped in a travel case and that there are no loose items. What’s more, they should weigh 50lbs or less to qualify as a standard piece of checked baggage.

Delta regards oversized bags as those that are 161-203cm. These bags come with a charge of $200. Bags that are larger than 203cm are not permitted on board.

Just bear these measurements in mind when you’re packing your golf clubs for your upcoming trip, and you shouldn’t encounter any issues with checking your bags on Delta.

Are Golf Clubs Considered Special Items on Delta?

Delta Airlines regards golf clubs as special items but allows you to carry them as your standard checked-in luggage. Other items to be given this status include bicycles, surfboards, skis, and other bulky sporting goods.

Provided that your golf clubs meet the weight and size requirements, you don’t need to make any special arrangements before checking them in. You also need to make sure that you’ve packed them well in a travel case.

Overall, Delta makes it really easy to travel with your golf clubs, which isn’t something we can say for every airline. Ultimately, as long as your clubs are of the correct weight, you don’t need to worry about encountering any issues when traveling on Delta.

What are the Overweight Bag Fees on Delta I Should Know?

Your golf clubs must not weigh more than 50 lbs on Delta. If they do, you will be charged the applicable excess weight fee. You also need to be mindful of the dimensions, and your golf clubs should not exceed 115 x 292cm.

If your bag is overweight, Delta charges an extra $100 if the weight of the bag is between 51 and 70 lbs. If your bag is between 70 and 100 lbs, you will be charged $200 for the excess, so it’s super important to check the weight of your golf bag before traveling.

You should also note that Delta does not permit any bags that weigh more than 100lbs. When you’re weighing your golf bag prior to travel, you should remember to weigh the travel case, too, as this contributes to the overall weight of the bag in the hold.

If you’re struggling to meet the weight requirements, it’s a good idea to remove some golf balls and other accessories to ensure your bag doesn’t weigh more than 50lbs. After all, things will get pretty expensive if you don’t adhere to the weight limits!

Does Delta Have a Good Reputation for Baggage Handling?

It’s fair to say that Delta has a decent reputation for baggage handling. They have a reasonable score on SkyTrax and don’t seem to lose any more luggage than other airlines. So, you can book your ticket with confidence that your bag will make it to your destination.

That being said, no airline has a flawless reputation when it comes to baggage, and items will be lost from time to time. This is one of the downsides of air travel, and there’s not a great deal you can do about it.

If you’re particularly worried about your clubs going missing, consider taking out some additional travel insurance to cover baggage loss. This is important if your golf clubs are valuable, as many travel insurance policies only cover sports equipment when it’s specifically included.

But generally speaking, Delta’s reputation for baggage handling is reasonable, and you shouldn’t worry unnecessarily about them losing your bags.

What Should I Do if Delta Loses My Golf Bag?

If Delta does lose your bag, you can submit a claim by completing the form on their website. But before that, and while you’re still at the airport, you should inform the agents at the baggage service center, and they will provide you with a file reference number.

Some passengers will be eligible for an electronic travel voucher if their bags are lost or delayed in transit, so it’s worth checking out your rights when you submit a claim. Delta will spend the following fourteen days looking for your bag.

If they’re not successful with their search, they will inform you, and you can begin an insurance claim for the value of your golf clubs. While not ideal, this indicates the importance of taking out sufficient travel insurance.

If you’re concerned about your clubs going missing, a good alternative is to rent clubs instead. While doing so might cost you a little more money, it means that you don’t have to worry about your clubs disappearing on your trip.

Would It Be Cheaper to Mail My Clubs Ahead of My Flight?

Given that Delta Airlines does not charge to check your golf clubs in the baggage hold, it certainly wouldn’t be cheaper to send them ahead of your flight. However, if you’re checking golf clubs as your third bag, it costs $150 to do so.

To ship golf clubs domestically in the US typically costs somewhere between $50 and $100 each way, but there are so many factors that can influence this price.

Therefore, if you’re carrying your golf clubs as a third bag, we recommend that you get some quotes from FedEx and other couriers before arriving at the airport, and if it costs less than $150, it’s potentially worth sending them ahead of your flight.

Still, you should make sure that you have insurance, as your clubs can just as easily be lost in transit via FedEx!

Conclusion

Overall, it’s fair to say that Delta Airlines makes it really easy for you to ship your golf clubs. You can check them as your standard baggage allowance, and you don’t even need to pay an additional fee.

Delta has a decent reputation as far as baggage handling is concerned, and you shouldn’t encounter any issues with them losing or misplacing your bag.

So, if you’re looking for an airline that makes it easy to travel with your golf clubs, we highly recommend flying with Delta.