8 Things to Look Out for When Buying a Golf Travel Cover Bag for Your Next Golf Trip

Protect your clubs, dodge airline fees, and survive British & European weather with this definitive guide.

1. Protection Level: Hard vs. Soft vs. Hybrid

Hard Cases

• Pros:
  1. Crush-proof shells survive baggage handlers and airport drops.
  2. 100% weatherproof – no soggy clubs after UK rain.
• Cons:
  1. Bulky storage (filling a UK hallway cupboard).
  2. Risk overweight fees (empty weight: 8-10kg; packed often hits 25kg+).

Soft Cases

• Pros:
  1. Lightweight (4-6kg empty) – stay under 23kg airline limits.
  2. Foldable for flat storage under beds.
• Cons:
  1. Less impact protection (requires internal stiff arm).
  2. Water-resistant only (not monsoon-proof).

Hybrids

• Pros:
  1. Hard top protects driver heads; soft sides save weight.
  2. Balanced protection for most UK/EU trips.
• Cons:
  1. Pricier (£250-£350).
  2. Not fully crush-proof like hard cases.

UK Tip: For 2+ trips/year, hybrids offer the best trade-off. For Ryder Cup-level clubs, choose hard travel cases.

2. Padding & Club Protection

Soft bags need internal reinforcements to prevent snapped shafts:

• Stiff Arm is Essential: A £12 internal rod absorbs 70% of impact (a place near the driver head).
• Wrap Irons in Towels/Pipe Insulation: Prevents chatter dings. Use foam pipe if you can get hold of it.
• Detach Wood Heads: Pack heads in carry-ons – avoids snapped hosels.

Damage stat: Travel Cover Bags without stiff arms suffer 8x more club breaks (claims golf monthly).

3. Wheels and Mobility

Wheels:

• 4x 360° spinner wheels > 2 inline wheels. Crucial for cobblestones at Edinburgh Airport or tight tube stations.
• Puncture-proof rubber tyres – plastic hubs crack on kerbs.

Handles:

• Telescopic handles (adjustable 85-110cm) suit all heights. Test for wobble!

Shoulder Straps:

• Padded straps (e.g., Motocaddy Glider) save your back if the wheels fail.

Avoid: Bags with flimsy “trolley-style” handles – they snap when overloaded.

4. Storage & Extra Pockets

Space:

• Fits 48” drivers + UK trolleys (e.g., Motocaddy M-Series). Measure your bag first!

Collapsibility:

• Soft bags should fold under 50cm deep for cramped UK storage.

Weather Pockets:

• Separate shoe compartment (mud-proof after St. Andrews rain).
• Drainage grommets in wet gear pockets.

Compression Straps:

• Internal and external straps prevent clubs from shifting during transit. Critical for soft bags!

5. Size and Fit

Universal doesn’t mean “one-size-fits-all”:

• Measure your golf bag’s length – some UK stand bags exceed 115cm (e.g., Ping Hoofer).
• Check driver clearance: Travel bag must fit 48” + clubs without forcing.
• Verify trolley compatibility: Motocaddy trolleys require an additional 15cm of width.
• Airline dimensions: Max 190cm linear (L+W+H) for BA/Virgin.

Red flag: “Adjustable” bags requiring 10+ minutes of wrestling to zip shut.

6. Durability, Weather Resistance & Security

Zippers:

• Ones with metal teeth – plastic zippers freeze/crack in UK winter cargo holds.

Material:

• Minimum polyester others tears easily.
• PU-coated bases – blocks rain puddles splashes.

Seams:

• Double-stitched at stress points (shoulders/handle bases).

Security:

• Standard padlocks TSA comes with most of them anyway.

7. Weight: The Airline Fee Killer

• Soft cases: Target ≤5kg 
• Hard cases: Aim for ≤8kg 
• Packed weight goal: ≤19kg to dodge BA’s £65 23-32kg fee.

Typical Packing for a golf trip:

• Clubs: 7kg
• Shoes/Balls: 3kg
• Motocaddy Cube: 8kg
• Total: 18kg (safe!)

8. Cost vs. UK Airline Fees

Final Checklist Before Buying

1. ☑️ Test-fit your bag (Measure how long your clubs are vs the inside length of the bag).
2. ☑️ Weigh empty bag and clubs on a bathroom scale.
3. ☑️ Order a stiff arm – even for hard cases.
4. ☑️ Tag with “FRAGILE” – make it obvious

Ready to travel stress-free? Find our range of Golf Travel Cover Bags.

Alex Smith is the Head PGA Pro at Online Golf Shop. With over 20 years of experience in the golf industry, Alex has a passion for helping golfers improve their game. He shares trusted and authentic advice through tips, tricks, and thorough product reviews—always based on his own experiences and insights. Alex also helps shape our product selection, making sure it’s tailored to every golfer’s needs, helping you find the right equipment and strategies to play your best golf!