Love taking road trips on your bike? What better way to level up your cycling experience than by combining it with another activity you enjoy like golfing?
Because golf clubs and your other equipment can be bulky and difficult to carry on a bike, the possibility may not immediately occur to you. However, we’re here to assure you that you don’t have to miss out on the fun since there are workarounds and even special equipment that you can attach to your bike to make lugging all those golf clubs easier.
Excited to find out more?
Let’s get started!
Choose the Right Equipment for Storing and Transporting Golf Equipment
There are a few different ways that you can take your golf equipment from point A to point B. The most popular way is using traditional golf travel bags.
Golf Travel Bags
While golf travel bags are specially designed to fit golf clubs, you may want to purchase one with enough room to carry around other golf equipment like tees, markers, golf shoes, and gloves.
Since you’ll be carrying them while cycling, soft shell travel bags are a better option. They’re generally easier to carry around and are lighter.
Before buying one, it’s a good idea to carry them around on your back and see how comfortable it is to carry around. A good rule to remember is the weight of your golf bag with the clubs should be no more than 20% of your total weight.
Pro Tip: You may also want to consider bags with special features like golf stand bags which can be propped up on the golf course and are designed for players who carry their clubs across the golf course.
Bike Racks
Sure, you could carry around your golf equipment around your back while cycling, but let’s face it, this can quickly tire you out and make getting around more difficult.
To avoid carrying your golf bag on your back, you can install a bike rack behind your bicycle. Bike racks are more of a semi-permanent solution though so you’ll most likely be carting them around even if you don’t have any luggage to bring.
There are other limitations and challenges if you decide on using this option to cart around your golf equipment:
- Finding a bike rack that can accommodate your golf clubs can be tricky.
- You can’t carry a lot with bike racks so they’re best used if you’ll only be bringing along a few golf clubs.
- Depending on the bike rack you have, there’s a tendency for your golf clubs to fall out. To prevent this from happening, you can try placing a rain cover on top.
Bike Trailer
This is the best option for taking your golf equipment with you on your bike.
Think of bike trailers as attachments with wheels that you can hook up at the back. You can easily attach and detach them as needed and you’ll be able to carry around more things than you would if you were just using a golf bag or a bike rack.
Another great thing about bike trailers is they’re lightweight and come in different shapes and sizes so you’re bound to find one that fits your needs. Unlike the bike rack, a bike trailer has straps for your golf bag so your things are less likely to fall out while cycling.
Indeed, a bike trailer offers more versatility, protection, and flexibility than the other options presented here.
Now that we’re all caught up on how bringing golf equipment on our bikes can be easier, let’s review some best practices on how to pack for a golf game.
Getting Your Golf Equipment Ready for Transport
Golf equipment, especially clubs, is expensive. It’s therefore important that we care for them and make sure they don’t get damaged while traveling. Here are a few reminders to prevent unnecessary wear and tear to your equipment:
Remove Your Clubheads
Keep your clubheads from rubbing against each other and incurring damage by removing them prior to your trip.
Flip Your Clubs Upside Down
Store your clubs upside down in your travel bag. This will significantly lower the risk of damage to the vulnerable lower section of the shaft and will also better protect the hosel.
Pad Your Travel Bag With Golf Clothes, Towels, and Shoes
To protect your clubs from cracking, bending, or breaking, fill the empty spaces with clothes, towels, or shoes for added cushioning. Additionally, you can also make use of packing tape to make sure everything fits snugly together.
When you’re done, do a shake test to check if there’s still significant movement inside. The less noise and less movement, the better.
Ready to Hit the Golf Course?
With a fair number of options for carrying golf equipment to the golf course, you can cycle to your next golf game without missing a beat. Just use one of the tools we mentioned above to transport your golf equipment more easily and without damage.