While you can always buy golf balls at the destination you are flying to, you might be wondering if you can bring your own golf balls on a plane?
After all, traveling with your own golf balls will save both time and money.
And if you have a favorite brand of golf ball that is hard to find or have marked your golf balls, you naturally want to be able to have them with you when you hit the golf course.
The TSA state that you are allowed to bring golf balls on a plane in both your carry on and checked bags.
There is no specified limit to how many golf balls you can bring with you, which is good news if you’re like us and tend to lose at least a couple a round.
Domestic vs. International Flights
Whether you’re flying domestically or internationally makes no difference.
You are allowed to pack golf balls in both your carry on and checked bags, regardless if you’re flying within the USA or internationally.
This is because no aviation authority considers a golf ball a dangerous item.
By Airline
Again, it does not matter what airline you are flying with.
All airlines, including Southwest, United, American Airlines, and other major and regional air carriers permit you to bring golf balls in both your carry on and checked bags.
There is technically no limit to how many golf balls you can take, as long as you meet the airline’s weight restrictions for your carry on and checked luggage.
Generally, you will have to pack your golf clubs in your golf bag, and then place the golf bag within a golf travel bag cover or case.
Airlines, at least in the USA, consider your golf bag to be a standard item of baggage, so standard fees will apply, including any oversize and overweight bag fees.
Can You Bring Golf Tees, Shoes, and Tools on a Plane?
Golf tees may have sharp ends, but this is of no concern to the TSA. So you are allowed to pack golf tees in both your carry on and checked bags.
Golf shoes may be spiked, but again this is of no concern to the TSA. So you can pack your golf shoes in both your carry on and checked bags.
You can pack and fly with a rangefinder in both your carry on and checked bags. The size of the battery is too small to be of any concern to the TSA. As a golf rangefinder can be quite expensive, we recommend that you pack it in your carry on bag to avoid damage, though.
Every respectable golfer always has a divot tool on hand when hitting the golf course to repair their pitch and divot marks. Thankfully, you won’t get any dirty looks when playing your next round, as you can bring golf divot tools in both your carry on and checked bags.
Leave the Golf Umbrella At Home
You can bring an umbrella on a plane, though your golf umbrella will likely be a struggle – at least in your carry on bags.
This is because a golf umbrella is quite long, so its length will likely exceed the maximum dimensions allowed by the airline.
The maximum length of carry on bags permitted by airlines is around 24 inches.
Ella Dunham, a Freelance Travel Journalist and Marketing Manager, boasts an impressive career spanning eight years in the travel and tourism sectors.
Honored as one of "30 Under 30" by TTG Media (the world’s very first weekly travel trade newspaper), a "Tour Operator Travel Guru" and "Legend Award" winner, Ella is also a Fellow of the Institute of Travel, a Member of the Association of Women Travel Executives, has completed over 250 travel modules, and hosts travel-focused segments on national radio shows where she provides insights on travel regulations and destinations.
Ella has visited over 40 countries (with 10 more planned this year).
