Flying with golf clubs to and within Australia
 

My husband is considering bringing his golf clubs with him to Australia and N.Z. Will there be any problem (in terms of baggage allowed -- weight and size) or extra charge in bringing them? We are flying UA from LAX to Sydney, followed immediately by QF to Canberra. Then DJ to Melbourne, then DJ and ZL to Kingscote, and QF back to Sydney. NZ to Auckland and then NZ to LAX.

Tell him it's a ridiculous idea...if he wants to play golf he can rent clubs.

Thanks, John. I agree that it will be a lot of shlepping of the clubs for not much use, but he's used to his own clubs and would rather use them than some he's not familiar with. Why do you think it's such a ridiculous idea?

I used to play golf, after a fashion. GA cured me, but it's a masochistic pastime and I think I can understand why your husband would want to inflict this pain on himself.

Flying to and from the USA you'll each have the benefit of a 35 kg weight allowance. Within Australia (unless you're covered by the international allowance on the onward flight to CBR)
you'll be subject to the standard international allowance of 20 kg. If he goes over this you'll have to be prepared for the possibility of expensive excess baggage charges.

That's the general rule as far as I know it, but you should really check the respective airlines' websites to be sure of your entitlements. Personally I find just managing one checked bag and a carry-on is enough trouble.

I can only relate experience with Air NZ, who lets you substitute a golf bag for one of your checked pieces. They give you the same international allowance for internal flights, if you arrived on an international ticket. But United and QF? may be different. Best to read their websites and print out the information to bring with you.

Is he playing in professional tournaments down here?
Is he plannning to find aussies to play for $100 a hole?

If not all he really needs to do is go to a country course say royal canberra and play a few holes and get lots of pics of him playing golf with kangaroos on the green and fairway.

then he takes those pics back to the boys at the country club and bores them silly with his stories of his trip to oz.

I just spoke with QF. For internal flights, the clubs must weigh 32kg or less and it costs $22 if you bring them as an additional bag.

International - will be treated as part of your luggage & charged at same rate as other excess loadings.

I quite often take my clubs within Australia, but as I usually only have a carry-on, couldn't remember what the
current rules & regs were.

Enjoy your trip :)

Thanks, Bokhara. When you say an additional bag -- additional to what? Are we allowed to check one item each or two each?

johjj_au: Royal Canberra a country course? Come on, mate, now you're taking the p*ss.

Whatever, it's not a public club. I've only been allowed on their sacred fairways on the invitation of and in company with a member.

Last time I was there I actually hit a kangaroo in the rump with a mangled tee shot. A mob of the beasts were relaxing on a par 4, secure in the knowledge that anyone who plays at Royal Canberra can drive more than 100 metres. They weren't reckoning with me.

RC may offer reciprocal temporary membership for an overseas visitor - it's worth asking the question.

Failing that, Yowani Country Club (also not in the countryside) is a pleasant walk, or would be if one wasn't ruining things by playing golf.

Bokhara reminded me that I got the transpacific baggage allowance figure wrong - it's 32 kg, not 35 kg.

Judilie: In addition to the normal allowances of the airlines with which you are travelling.
You can check QF's on www.qantas.com.au

As I said, I have no idea of United's, but I imagine they will have it published on their website.

Hey Neil_Oz...

strike me roan...what are they doing letting a feinian like you on royal canberra.

it's at yarralumla isn't it? what is the course the GG takes visiting dignitaries to? You know ...those golf addict burmese generals.

John, if you take the road that leads down to the Incredible Vanishing Governor-General's house there are several spots where you can park the car and hop the fence into Royal Canberra. Worth knowing.

PS, only one Irish Catholic ancestor discovered in the family tree and she wasn't nicked for being a Fenian. Usual stuff, robbery.

I think you will need to check carefully as to your luggage allowance with Virgin Blue for your internal flights. Qantas will no doubt allow you international luggage limits for your internal flights but I don't know whether Virgin will be obliged to as well.

Only you can answer whether you (or at least your husband) is prepared to put up with the inconvenience of something so bulky when you have so many flights. Also, are you hiring a car anywhere. Can bags and golf clubs all fit in the boot?

You mention that you are coming to Melbourne. If you are interested and have plans to do the Great Ocean Road at all, there is a public golf course at Anglesea at which you are virtually guaranteed to see a few kanagaroos. They roam quite freely over the entire course. Anglesea itself is less than a 2 hour drive from Melbourne and is right at the start of the Great Ocean Road. Your husband might fancy the idea of bragging about playing golf amongst the kangaroos. :)

The comment about being sure that the clubs will fit in the boot is a good point. Fairly often they will not fit in a regular sedan, especially if you have lots of other luggage. You might want to rent a station wagon or a minivan. I don't think weight will be an issue, but be sure to check will all of the airlines. Golf balls weigh quite a lot and you can always pack them in the regular luggage. In NZ at least the rate of golf ball loss is quite high due to various hedge rows, drainage canals, long grass just off the fairway etc. Also bring lots and lots of tees especially plastic ones as the wood ones seem to break on just about every shot.

I've travelled to and around Australia with my golf clubs and I've never been charged but if you get a check in person on a bad day who knows!

One other thing, is that your golf shoes, clubs and bag will be thoroughly checked for soil upon arrival in Australia, this can take quite a long time. I've never got through without them being cleaned, its free but you have to wait a while for them.

If your husband wants to know some good clubs to play, just let me know, he'll struggle to get onto Royal Canberra, but I can second Neil's suggestion of Yowani, its a very friendly and good course.

Geordie

Your husband should definitely bring his own clubs and while in Melbourne try to play on one of the world famous Sandbelt courses. Royal Melbourne (in the heart of the sandbelt) has been chosen for 2011 President's Cup, while Kingston Heath & Metropolitan were also considered. They may be difficult to play unless his club can organise it prior or you have a smart concierge. It's worth a try! There are many others including Sandringham, a public course directly opposite Royal Melbourne. The Mornington Peninsular has some spectacular courses many of them public. http://www.golfvic.org.au/dir127/vga...and+Peninsulas

Judilie: Your husband might be interested in this site: http://www.ausgolf.com.au/

Judilie...there you go...you have been working very hard to plan this vacation meticulously and now its turned into a golfing trip down under.

BTW JUdilie..boot= car trunk.

Not necessarily mutually exclusive, JohnJ :)

You a member at Long Reef,Bayview,Mona Vale Bokhara?

Or a visitor at Royal Avalon.

None of them at the moment, JJ. Have been a member at Warringah & Mona Vale, but figured it was costing me $2squillion a game as I wasn't playing often enough. I don't like Long Reef much - links course, too windy, not enough shade for my liking ... & I can do without the hang-gliders hovering & splitting their sides at my chipping & putting ;). Walk up beside & through it most mornings, though. Play occasionally at Mona Vale, Bayview, Warringah & Palm Beach. It's getting to the season for an early 9 holes just now before daylight saving starts ... Do you play?

Judilie, I'm going to hijack your thread for a moment if you don't mind.

Do any of you have any courses to recommend around Forster or Taree? When I am in that area will probably be one of the times I'll have an opportunity to golf.

Then when we are in Daintree I thought maybe I'd simply try the course at Mossman.

My husband doesn't golf, so I'll be on my own normally. How are courses about letting singles on the course, perhaps on weekdays rather than weekend days when it might be busy?

Toucan2, don't know about specific courses in Forster/Taree area, but there will be some. I often see singles having a hit, so think you will be fine, particularly in the "off-peak" periods. You might also be invited to join another pair/single if they're playing at the same time.

Toucan, your husband should email or call the course ahead of time. There may be club days when he can't play, and he can also ask if they can pair him up. Saturdays are usually a no go, but other days can also be blocked out from public play.

Thank you both. Bohhara, I've met some very interesting people being paired up, (kind of like when I used to ski and you would call out for a partner up the chair lift) so it could be a nice way to met some local people!

mlgb, my husband has absolutely no interest in golf...he's the tennis buff, so the golf questions are actually for me(: Most people are surprised that I'm the golfer in the family, not him. No worries, we have already scoped out where the tennis courts are in relation to the farm.

Re Taree - have a look at
www.tallwoods.com.au
and further up the coast try
www.bonvillegolf.com.au
not a golfer at all but both recommended by addicts.

Me too, Toucan2 - one year I went off to the Hyatt Coolum (Sunshine Coast, Qld) for a week. The idea was 9 holes before breakfast then something different every day at the Spa. Thought I'd use the 9 holes as "mobile meditation", but was asked to join 3 others & we played every morning. One of them was off scratch and gave me some great tips.
That was SUCH a decadent week .... I think I spent the GDP of a small pacific island in that Spa .... but gawd it was good :)

Bokhara, you made me smile!

Thanks shipping office! I'm about to click on the links now.