Top 5 Best US-Based Airlines for Flying with Golf Clubs in 2023
Whether you're off to play in Florida, California, or Hawaii, you'll want to pack your golf clubs with you on your flight.
Here is our selection of the of Top 5 Best US-based Airlines for Flying with Golf Clubs, updated for 2023. We recommend flying with these airlines to fly with your golf bag without having to pay an arm and a leg in oversized baggage fees when heading to the golf course. [AMZ asins='B00CUEFDSS,B001P9IA0C,B09BZ2HB4T,B002LZA8PY']
Most US-based airlines will carry your golf bag in-lieu of one piece of standard checked baggage. Keep in mind that the airline's standard checked baggage fees usually apply, the same as if you were checking in a standard suitcase, when bringing your golf clubs. Airlines will generally waive the oversized-baggage fees (which would usually apply for luggage greater than 62 linear inches), but you will usually be charged overweight fees if the weight of the golf bag exceeds 50lbs/23kg.
Be sure to note that some airlines, especially lower-cost airlines such as Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines, have a lower weight limit of only 40 lbs / 18 kg, above which they already start to ding you with Overweight luggage fees.
When packing your golf clubs, we highly recommend protecting your golf clubs with a Caddy Daddy North Pole Golf Travel Club Protector or a BagBoy Backbone Travel Cover for extra protection during handling and to avoid your clubs from getting bent or crushed while in transit.
Be sure to also take a look at our list of Top Rated Golf Travel Bags and Covers in 2023 to best protect your golf clubs on your next trip.
1. Southwest Airlines - Free
Southwest allows you to bring a set of golf clubs in your golf bag free of charge, in place of its standard free baggage allowance.
Because Southwest already offers 2 free checked bags, it remains as #1 on our list of Golf-Friendly US-based Airlines for 2023, as both your golf bag and a suitcase can travel with you free-of-charge.
Flying with Golf Clubs on Southwest
May be checked in substitution of one piece of the free Checked Baggage allowance for each Passenger at no charge on a one-item-for-one-bag basis. If the item of sporting equipment exceeds 50 lbs / 23 kg in weight, excess weight charges may apply.Southwest Airlines Golf Bag Definition:
Golf bag in hard-sided golf bag carrying case provided by Passenger, including clubs, balls, and shoes. Hooded golf bags or golf bags in a soft-sided carrying case provided by the Passenger will be conditionally accepted.Note: Overweight charges will apply to golf bags exceeding 50 lbs / 23 kg.
View Regular Southwest Baggage Policies 2023
View Southwest Golf Clubs Policy
2. Alaska Airlines - $30/$40
Alaska Airlines comes in 2nd on our list of Top US Based Airlines for Flying with Golf Clubs in 2023.Alaska Airlines accepts a golf bag instead of a regular suitcase in its checked baggage allowance. The standard $30 (or $40 if a second bag) checked baggage fee may apply for checking in a set of golf clubs on Alaska Airlines.
The regular checked baggage fee applies, but Alaska Airlines will waive the oversize and overweight fee if your golf bag is larger than 62 linear inches or weighs more than the 50 lbs / 23 kg limit.
Please keep in mind that if your golf bag is a 3rd piece of checked baggage, the 3rd Bag / Additional Bag of $150 applies - this fee has increased for 2023, up from $100 in years past.
Flying with Golf Clubs on Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines accepts golf equipment as a piece of checked luggage. Standard checked baggage fees apply, but the oversize baggage fee and overweight baggage fees will be waived.Be sure to securely pack your golf clubs to avoid damage to your golf clubs.
View Regular Alaska Airlines Baggage Policies 2024
View Alaska Airlines Golf Clubs Policy
3. Delta Airlines - $30/$40
Like many other US legacy carriers, Delta will take your golf bag in place of a standard suitcase, but standard checked baggage fees may apply. These fees are currently $30 for a first bag, and $40 for a second bag.Delta Airlines will waive the oversized fee on your golf bag if the size exceeds 62 linear inches, but an overweight fee will be charged if you exceed 50lbs/23kg.
This straight-forward golf-friendly policy keeps Delta Airlines in 3rd place on our list of Golf-Friendly US-based Airlines for 2023.
Flying with Golf Clubs on Delta Airlines
One golf bag is allowed as checked baggage. Checked baggage fees may apply based on travel region and total number of checked bags. Overweight baggage fees apply to bags that exceed 50 lbs. Oversized baggage fees will be waived for golf bags that exceed 62 linear inches, but bags exceeding 115 linear inches are not allowed.One item of golfing equipment is defined as:
One golf bag containing one set of golf clubs
Golf balls and tees; and
One pair of golf shoes.Golf clubs are allowed under the following conditions:
Golf bag is packaged within a hard-shell case
Golf bag is packaged within a soft-sided golf club travel bag after a limited release has been signed
Delta is not responsible for damage noted at the time of check-in or damage due to over-packing the bag.
View Regular Delta Airlines Baggage Policies 2023
View Delta Airlines Golf Clubs Policy
4. JetBlue - $35/$45
JetBlue no longer allows any free checked bags on board, and hence has dropped in our rankings of Best US-Based Airlines for Golf Equipment for 2023.Although JetBlue applies the same rules as other airlines, that a golf bag may replace a standard suitcase and oversize fees are waived, their checked-baggage prices are slightly higher than those of Southwest and Alaska, hence its lower ranking.
As you would expected with other airlines on this list, JetBlue will waive the oversize fees for your golf bags, but will charge the applicable overweight fee if you exceed its standard 50 lbs/23 kg weight allowance.
Flying with Golf Clubs on JetBlue
JetBlue accepts Golf equipment on all flights. There is no additional charge or oversized fee for golf bags as long as they are within the weight limitations. A golf bag will count as one of your checked bags.JetBlue defines golf equipment as one golf bag containing not more than:
14 golf clubs
3 golf balls
one pair of golf shoesPlease note: all equipment should be packed in a hard-sided container. JetBlue will accept Golf Bags in a soft-sided travel bag, but will not be liable for damage to the bag or contents.
View Regular JetBlue Baggage Policies 2023
View JetBlue Golf Clubs Policy
5. Frontier - $38-$65
Frontier Airlines will accept your golf bag as a regular piece of luggage, waiving the oversize fees, but charging an overweight fee if applicable.
Be sure to note that in 2023, an overweight fee of $50 applies to any bag weighing more than 40 lbs, and $100 for bags weighing between 51-70 lbs. As such, Frontier has dropped in our ranking of golf-friendly airlines for 2023, because many golf bags will be dinged this additional overweight fee didn't apply in years past.
Flying with Golf Clubs on Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines will accept your golf clubs on board as a piece of regular checked baggage. One bag which may include golf clubs and shoes. Allow an extra 30 minutes for check-in.Checked: Yes
Carry-on: NoFees:
Standard checked bag fees, including excess, are charged based on Fare Option purchased.
Overweight charges apply if item is 40 lbs or more.
Oversize charges do not apply.
View Regular Frontier Airlines Baggage Policies 2023
View Frontier Airlines Golf Clubs Policy
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