Golfers love to play golf. It is something of a bug for people who adore the game and enjoy the time that they get to spend on the golf course, taking on the elements as well as their own battle with the mental side of the sport. As a result, it is not uncommon for people to play when they’re abroad, loving both the different challenges that playing in a foreign country presents and also the manner in which they can play in shorts and a polo top rather than having to wrap up against the cold and the wet. If that is you, you might ask whether it’s best to take your own clubs or just hire some.
Golf Clubs Are an Individual Thing
Next time you go for a round of golf, ask your playing partner if you can borrow one of their clubs before you play a shot. You will soon realise that there is a reason why you play with the clubs that you play with, which is that they simply feel right in your hands. Picking up another person’s golf clubs can feel almost invasive and incredibly strange, such is the extent to which we have grown used to how our own clubs feel when we use them. All of which is to say that renting a set of clubs is far from an ideal way to play golf if you tend to play regularly.
That being said, only you will know how important your particular clubs are. If you are taller than average, for example, you will have bought longer clubs that are right for your height. If you have a slow club head speed then you might have opted for graphite shafts rather than steel ones. Maybe you went and got your clubs fitted so as to ensure that they were ideal for your style of play. Whatever the reasoning, if you struggle to hit ‘generic’ golf clubs then you’re not going to get on very well with some hired clubs and that might defeat the point of getting out to play in the first place.
How Many Rounds Are You Playing?
Perhaps the biggest factor in deciding whether or not to take your own set of clubs with you for your trip abroad will be the number of rounds that you’re looking to get in during your time away. If you are only playing once, for example, then you might feel that taking your clubs with you is just overkill. On the other hand, if you’re hoping to get in four or five rounds during your time out of the country, then it would make complete sense to pack your clubs, knowing that you can also have your own balls and other equipment to use whilst you’re out on the golf course.
The purpose of your trip is something else that fits into this category. A golfing holiday away with a group of like-minded friends is entirely different to a trip with your significant other. If you’re looking to slip away for a round or two of golf during your trip but have nothing set in stone, it would be folly to take your own clubs with you given the added expense of doing so. If it’s a trip that is specifically about the golf, you might find that leaving your own clubs at home would mean you’re at a disadvantage when compared to everyone else that you’re travelling with.
Think About Your Budget
When everything else is thought through, the thing that could be the deciding factor is what your budget is. If you have money to burn, it will make very little difference to your life how much it will cost to take your clubs away with you. If, on the other hand, you are tight on budget, the money saved by renting clubs is likely to far outweigh the amount that you’d end up spending on the cost of getting your clubs onto the plane. Not only that, but you also have the added stress of the possibility of the airline losing your clubs and you having to hire some in the end anyway.
Yes, there are many clubs abroad who can offer you the choice of graphite shafts over steel ones, but the likelihood is that they won’t be anywhere near the quality of the clubs that you have in your bag. Working out whether it’s worth spending a little bit extra to have your own clubs with you is something that no one else can really help you with. There is no question that taking your own clubs is the more expensive option, but what price would you pay to be able to ensure that you can play your best round possible and feel as comfortable as you can with the clubs you’re using?
Remember the Added Expenses
If you’re thinking of taking your own clubs with you, then you need to bear in mind that you will have to have a travel bag to pack them in. It might well be that you already have one, which is great, but if not, then you will need to invest in one. If you think that you’re going to be flying all of the time, then that is fine, but if not, then is it really worth paying even more for the privilege of having your own clubs for just a round or two? The cost of adding your clubs onto your flight is bad enough, but needing to spend money on a bag that will only be used for the travel isn’t ideal.
For many people, having a new set of clubs to play with is great because they get to experience something new whilst also having a ready-made excuse for when they hit bad shots. You might also find that having a different set of clubs gives you a chance to see what does or doesn’t work with your own clubs. Of course, you will also need to buy new balls to play with and even possibly a new golf glove, which will add money onto that side of things. Ultimately, working out your budget and seeing which of the options is best for you will be the right way forward.