Renting golf clubs can be the way to go when you travel

On a recent California golf trip, noting the baggage fees to bring my clubs would be $75 for three legs and I would only be playing a couple of rounds, I opted for rental clubs at the golf courses. Ever since the airlines went nuts and decided charging to check bags (except for Southwest and Jet Blue bless their hearts) I have a “rule.” If I am going to play less than three rounds, my clubs stay in the trunk of my car.

Not only do I save money, it’s less hassle, easier to change planes if I have no checked baggage, and I get the opportunity to try some of the latest new clubs from companies like Callaway, Nike, TaylorMade and Titliest.

Many resorts are wising up and offering complimentary clubs to their guests with some good byproducts. At The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort’s Tiburon, a Greg Norman-designed course in Naples, Florida, guests can leave their clubs and extra baggage fees behind and play with a free set of TaylorMade clubs.

Their sets include Burner drivers and even a 60º wedge plus they get two sleeves of balls, golf glove and practice balls. They just need to play after 1:30 and pay the green fee which ranges from $68 to $135 depending on the season. Normally rental clubs are $65 and baggage fees can range more than $100 round trip. You do the math.

Kyle Mercer, golf director for the Ritz-Carlton Hotel says, “We have seen an increase in club rentals across the board as airlines continue to charge for baggage. We find more and more guests who might prefer to play earlier in the day, signing up for the afternoon times in order to take advantage of the complimentary clubs. This is not only a good deal for them, it helps us fill in a period that traditionally is lighter in golf rounds.”

Providing clubs represents a growing business in the golf industry. Take Golf Rental World (Golfrentalworld.com) in Kissimmee, Florida. GRW has partnered with FedEx to deliver and pick up rented clubs to your door anywhere in the country. Club brands include Adams, Wilson, Callaway and TaylorMade with clubs for all kinds of golfers – seniors, world class, ladies, tall golfers and left handers.

Prices vary according to number of days and kinds of clubs. For example a TaylorMade Burner set will cost you $245 for 7 days while a two day Adams Finnesse set for women with the bag is $110 including delivery and pickup.

In Phoenix, Arizona, Travel Golf Center rents Ping, Callaway and TaylorMade club sets starting at $35 per day and extends discounts for multiple day rentals. Options include the well-priced Tour Bag as well as the customized premium bag where you can mix and match your clubs. R-11 or Razr Fit Woods can also be adjusted. Clubs are picked up and dropped off in a location convenient to Phoenix’s Car Rental Center.

Travel Golf Center (Travelgolfcenter.com) also rents rangefinders, shoes, and GPS’s and they stock accessories like golf hats, balls, and sunglasses.

The only down-side is the desire or indeed need to play with your own clubs, your favorite wedge, the new driver you got for Christmas. But look at it this way. With a rental set if you play like a hippo in ballet shoes, you can blame it on the clubs.