Golf baggage allowances
With the baggage policies for golfing equipment varying depending on the airline, class you travel in, bag size, bag weight and even the destination you travel to and from, the rules are not always as clear to the traveller as they should be.
Purple Parking has created this golf baggage allowance table which compares the golf baggage policies of 12 of the major airlines. The table outlines the baggage limits to help travellers understand and calculate the additional cost to their holiday.
| Airline | Are golf bags accepted as part of the personal baggage allowance? | What are the size restrictions on golf baggage? | What is the weight limit on golf baggage | Further Information |
| Air France | Golf equipment is considered a standard checked baggage item. Additional baggage that exceeds the allowance will need to be purchased. |
158cm / 62in | 23kg | Depending on departure and arrival destinations, costs for additional baggage will be between €75-€300 Flying Blue Golf members may transport one golf bag at no extra charge. |
| American Airlines | Golf equipment is considered a standard checked baggage item. There is a charge for all checked baggage. |
Size is limited to the size of a hard-sided golf case | 23kg 70kg with an overweight baggage charge of $100 |
1 golf bag containing a maximum of 14 golf clubs, 12 golf balls and 1 pair of golf shoes is permitted. Depending on departure and arrival destinations and number of checked bags, costs per item will be between $100 and $450 |
| BMI | Golf equipment is considered a standard checked baggage item. Additional baggage that exceeds the allowance will need to be purchased. |
N/A | 23kg without additional charge Overweight baggage fee charged at £10/€15 per kilo over the free allowance |
1 pair of golf shoes and one golf bag with clubs An economy flight for an additional sports bag costs £100/€114 each way (non refundable) at the airport, and £50/€57 online. |
| British Airways | Golf equipment is considered a standard checked baggage item. Additional baggage that exceeds the allowance will need to be purchased. |
190cm (height), 75cm (width), 65cm (depth) | 23kg without additional charge |
If the golf bag is in addition to your personal baggage an extra bag charge must be paid. If you pay in advance online the charges are between £20 - £120 depending on destination and number of additional bags. |
| Easyjet | One item of sports equipment can be carried in addition to your hold baggage allowance, although both will incur a charge. | N/A | 20kg | A £30 charge for equipment to each one-way flight applies when pre-paid. When paying at the airport a £40 charge applies. An excess weight fee is charged at £12 for items weighing more than the pre-booked weight and the maximum weight for a hold item is 32kg. |
| Emirates | Golf equipment is considered a standard checked baggage item. Additional baggage that exceeds the allowance will need to be purchased. |
Must not exceed total dimensions of 300cm/118 inches | 23kg | Additional baggage allowances and size/weight restrictions vary depending on your flight departure and arrival destinations and class of travel. Overweight luggage up to 32kg is charged at $75 USD. |
| Flybe | Golf equipment is considered a standard checked baggage item. Additional baggage that exceeds the allowance will need to be purchased. |
N/A | 23kg | Golf equipment carriage must be booked 24 hours in advance or will incur a cost of £30 at the airport.
Only one golf bag per person is allowed, and must contain a maximum of: 1 pair of gold shoes, 14 golf clubs (max.) and 12 golf balls (max.). |
| KLM | Golf equipment is considered a standard checked baggage item. Additional baggage that exceeds the allowance will need to be purchased. |
N/A | 23kg | A golf bag counts as a single piece of luggage and may weigh up to 23kg. You only pay an excess baggage fee if it weighs more, or if you bring an more than 1 golf bag. A set of golf equipment may consist of a golf bag containing only clubs, balls and a pair of golf shoes. Make a reservation for your special baggage at least 48 hours before departure, and ensure your reservation is confirmed. Flying Blue Golf members may transport one golf bag at no extra charge. |
| Qantas Group | Golf equipment is considered a standard checked baggage item. Additional baggage that exceeds the allowance will need to be purchased. |
Golf bags are carried as baggage and are exempt from normal linear dimension restrictions | 23kg without additional charge 32kg with an overweight baggage fee |
A golf bag is free of charge as long as it is with your baggage allowance. For Economy and Business class this is 1 bag. For Silver and Gold Business Frequent Flyers and Platinum Frequent Flyers this increases to 2 bags. See the Qantas site for more specific information on additional baggage costs. |
| Ryanair | Golf equipment is considered a standard checked baggage item. Additional baggage that exceeds the allowance will need to be purchased. |
81cms (height), 119cms (width) and 119cms (depth) | 20kg | If a golf bag is carried in addition to your personal checked baggage allowance a fee is payable. £35/€35 per item, per one-way flight when pre-paid online or the higher fee of £40/€40 per item/per one-way flight when paid at the airport or through a Ryanair call centre. If the bag weighs over the 20kgs allowance it will be charged the applicable excess baggage rate per kg. |
| United | Golf equipment is considered a standard checked baggage item. Additional baggage that exceeds the allowance will need to be purchased. |
157cm / 62in linear | 23kg | Golfing equipment most only contain one set of golf clubs, golf balls and one pair of golf shoes. For full details on checked baggage charges, see this page on the United site. |
| Virgin Atlantic | Yes, 1 golf bag can be checked in for free, in addition to checked baggage allowance | N/A | 23kg | 1 golf bag (consisting of a maximum of 14 clubs, 12 balls and a pair of shoes) as a single item of checked in baggage, in addition to your free baggage allowance may be checked in. The golf bag must not exceed 23kg. Additional baggage above your allowance is charged at £55 or $85 USD. Bags over 32kg will not be accepted. |
All prices and information in the table are based on information provided by the airlines in December 2018
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