Anyone use Shipsticks? Seems expensive but really convenient. Trying to decide on which is better. I have both a soft bag and hard case, but both are pretty dated.

Shipsticks was so insanely convenient that I won't ever check again. I shipped directly to the club I was playing at, and they had all my stuff loaded on a cart for my time. It was sweet.

If the golf is for work (they are paying for it), no brainer.

I'd probably still ship them there and back on my dime. Not worth getting broken, getting lost or hassle of hauling and checking. Especially if not checking anything else.

i've used Shipsticks and would recommend it to anyone. All it takes is one trip on AA to convince me. Doesn't matter where you land, the clubs are delivered at a single gate. Be prepared to walk the terminal.
I will mention, make sure you understand Shipsticks delivery schedule. If you need your clubs on the weekend when you return, they may not deliver in time.

I've used ShipSticks before, but tend to default to taking my own because I play a lot and have a sim and therefore don't like not having my clubs for anywhere from 2-5+ days on each end of the trip. Also, SS asks that you have them set to deliver at least one business day before you play. Many times that's no big deal. But let's say it's a business trip with golf planned for Monday, they ask that you have your sticks set to arrive by Friday which means you are probably sending them off a full week in advance of your round.

But again, this all depends on your itinerary and whether you care about having access near each end of the trip. They do a good job and it is easier than lugging them

I used Shipsticks for a golf trip with my family where we stayed at Pebble for a couple days and headed to Disneyland afterwards. It was extremely convenient and didn't have to worry about the additional space in the SUV we rented. If I was traveling for golf only, I'd probably just check them myself.

I've used it twice in Europe when the first stop I was playing golf and then shipped them home when we continued on to the next destination where I wasn't playing.

Other than that, I look at it before every golf trip and remember it's not that hard to check your clubs to justify paying at least 2x the cost to ship.

Nothing too different than what has already been said. Sure, it is convenient to not have to wait at baggage claim, pile them in a trunk, etc. But for me I usually check when flying direct.

My reasons:
1) Seems too expensive for the benefit.
2) I don't like not having my clubs for 3-5 days on each side.
3) I usually pack the night before (or day of) and always throw golf shirts, balls, shoes, etc. in my travel bag.
3) Shipsticks is not without risk. One of the guys on a trip to HIlton Head used ship stick because he was worried about the connection time on his flight being too short to make sure the bag made the second flight. He ended up using rental clubs the first 2 days of the trip b/c Shipstick temporarily lost his clubs.

Which brings up something else someone said. Regardless of how you get them there, always have an AirTag in your bag.

If I did a Europe trip that had a non-golf component to it, I'd probably ship them, so I didn't have to lug them around in tiny cars and hotel rooms in Europe.

End of the day, it's really how you come out on the pros and cons that everyone has referenced.

In any event, enjoy the golf trips!

AgOutsideAustin said:

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If you have a non stop flight you take them. Done this several times.

If a flight connection then ship sticks to the destination ahead of time and take them with you on the way home if you want to save a bit of money. Done this several times.

Air tag, air tag, air tag.

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I wish this was true for me. Last time I checked I went from DFW to MSP direct....clubs went to cabo

khaos288 said:

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AgOutsideAustin said:

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If you have a non stop flight you take them. Done this several times.

If a flight connection then ship sticks to the destination ahead of time and take them with you on the way home if you want to save a bit of money. Done this several times.

Air tag, air tag, air tag.

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I wish this was true for me. Last time I checked I went from DFW to MSP direct....clubs went to cabo

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smart clubs!!

Thank you to everyone for the advice. I RARELY have connecting flights, and I usually get free bags, so although less convenient, I will likely bring them with me on the next trip.

Don't forget to take your range finder out of your golf bag before checking the bag. They absolutely will steal it.

Yeah, I was only made they didn't invite me. They actually did make it to my 10:30 tee time in Minneapolis too. They had a courier drop them off before 8AM the next day.

Also hard to beat free. +1 on the airtag though.

Milwaukees Best Light said:

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Don't forget to take your range finder out of your golf bag before checking the bag. They absolutely will steal it.

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I've checked my clubs probably in the range of 75 or 80 times the last 5 years. Never once removed the range finder and never had a problem.

I have had problems with my bag being beat up, a club getting broken, and the stand legs broken. But good credit card protection handles that

DannyDuberstein said:

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I always advise removing the heads from drivers and woods regardless of method

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And put a taught shower curtain rod in the bag.

Yes, I've had something similar to this for forever. That + a ClubGlove have served me well

https://www.tgw.com/p/tgw-club-protector/-/YT0xMDA4OTE3Jmk9STE2MDEwMzU=?SITE_ID=W8876&gad_campaignid=23225088210&gad_source=1&gbraid=0aaaaad_waecffc9niut4vlololj_1nhjc&gclid=cj0kcqiavtzlbhcparisalwhxdoyjoh0ukj5jnrakxl25oi1kezyommzqvzexbrxdhh_hleeibjhmymaavdaealw_wcb&utm_campaign=23234425606&utm_channel=pmax&utm_medium=pla&utm_product=1601035-178435&utm_source=google

The Milkman said:

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Milwaukees Best Light said:

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Don't forget to take your range finder out of your golf bag before checking the bag. They absolutely will steal it.

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I've checked my clubs probably in the range of 75 or 80 times the last 5 years. Never once removed the range finder and never had a problem.

I have had problems with my bag being beat up, a club getting broken, and the stand legs broken. But good credit card protection handles that

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Have you mostly shipped via ground?

If you ship via air, I would make sure to remove anything with a battery (Air tag excluded... always air tag!). Airlines, including air cargo carriers, are pretty focused on not letting lithium ion batteries in the cargo hold.

khaos288 said:

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AgOutsideAustin said:

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If you have a non stop flight you take them. Done this several times.

If a flight connection then ship sticks to the destination ahead of time and take them with you on the way home if you want to save a bit of money. Done this several times.

Air tag, air tag, air tag.

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I wish this was true for me. Last time I checked I went from DFW to MSP direct....clubs went to cabo

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This. Direct flight doesn't mean your clubs are going to be on the same plane as you. Especially if you get there early to check bags.

Last direct flight to Boise, our checked bag stopped 2 other places before getting to Boise about the same time we did.

Never had a problem with checking my clubs on domestic or international trips. I use an OGIO bag and haven't had any broken clubs, either (knock on wood). I do usually take the driver and 3w head off, though.

Stymied said:

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The Milkman said:

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Milwaukees Best Light said:

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Don't forget to take your range finder out of your golf bag before checking the bag. They absolutely will steal it.

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I've checked my clubs probably in the range of 75 or 80 times the last 5 years. Never once removed the range finder and never had a problem.

I have had problems with my bag being beat up, a club getting broken, and the stand legs broken. But good credit card protection handles that

---

Have you mostly shipped via ground?

If you ship via air, I would make sure to remove anything with a battery (Air tag excluded... always air tag!). Airlines, including air cargo carriers, are pretty focused on not letting lithium ion batteries in the cargo hold.

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Maybe I'm just lucky but I've traveled probably 30 legs with a range finder in a checked golf bag and not ever had an issue.

Jim Crane from the Astros founded this:

https://bagcaddie.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopYQiZka6uTIFt2EN2TLit4My6paJpl_w4zQ7l2iOcK5VSTXGQE

I've not used either but work with Crane / Astros.