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If you’ve read Part 1 of Our Guide to Airline Golf Bag Allowances you’ll know we’ve already covered UK & European Carriers.

In Part 2 we are focused on major US carriers for golfers like American Airlines, Delta, United, JetBlue and South West.

If you’re traveling with your golf bag and clubs to, or within, the United States anytime soon, take a few minutes to check this guide.

For those of you travelling further afield and can’t find your airline here try Part 3 of our Guide to Flying with Golf Clubs which includes carriers like Emirates, Etihad, Turkish Airways & Qantas.

Hopefully, the information we share below will help you avoid excessive bag fees and surpirises at check-in!

When planning your next golf trip to or within the United States, one of the items at the top of your travel checklist should be “Golf bag allowance”

Sounds simple!

But as we’ve discovered over four decades of travelling the golfing globe each airline has their own policy.

The rules on what you can and can’t do, what weight and size restrictions they have on “oversized” baggage can be different for each carrier.

Also if you have a golf bag cover like this one, it depends on your airline as to what you can actually pack inside to max out your allowance and protect your clubs at the same time.

Too many times we’ve fallen on the wrong side of these policies and so decided to use our personal experience and create a series of quick read guides that will help golfers avoid any surprise excees bag fees when they come to check-in for their next golf trips.

Part 2 of these guides cover US airline golf bag allowance rules for major international and domestic carriers like American, Delta, South West, JetBlue and United.

Let’s tee off with our first airline…

Major US Domestic & International Airlines for Golfers

Do American Airlines accept golf bags as part of the personal baggage allowance?

Golf equipment is considered a standard checked baggage item.

There is a charge for all checked baggage.

What are the size restrictions on golf baggage with American Airlines?

Size is limited to the size of a hard-sided golf case.

What is the weight limit on American for golf baggage?

The maximum weight allowance for your golf equipment is 23kg

You can travel with an weight of 70kg, but an overweight baggage charge of $100 will apply.

American Airlines Golf Baggage Fees & Additional Information

Amercian Airlines allow passengers to travel with 1 golf bag containing a maximum of 14 golf clubs, 12 golf balls and 1 pair of golf shoes – free of charge if it falls within your weight allowance.

Does Delta accept golf bags as part of the personal baggage allowance?

You may check one golf bag (per passenger) as a standard item of checked baggage, as long as equipment is contained safely and meets the size requirement. Standard baggage charges apply.

What is the weight limit on Delta Airlines for golf baggage?

Golf bags weighing over 50 lbs. will be charged the applicable excess weight fee

If the outside linear dimensions (length + width + height) exceed 115 linear inches (292 cm), the item will not be accepted

Items in excess of baggage allowance will be subject to additional or overweight baggage fees

Delta Airlines Golf Baggage Fees & Additional Information

One checked golf bag can hold: One golf bag, one set of golf clubs, golf balls and tees, one pair golf shoes.

Does Alaska Airlines accept golf bags as part of the personal baggage allowance?

Alaska Airlines accept golf bags and equipment as part of your checked baggage.  Each bag must be properly packed in a soft- or hard-sided case designed specifically for golf equipment.

On most flights you can travel with up to two chekced bags.

If your golf equipment is in addition to two standard checked bags, you will be charged a $150 3rd bag /additional bag fee.

Alaska Airlines Golf Baggage Fees & Additional Information

Most golf equipment that exceeds the normal checked baggage weight and dimensions flies for only $30 for the first bag.

MVP Gold 75K, MVP Gold, MVP, First Class, Club 49 and passengers who hold an Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Cardholders can check in golf bags as part of their free checked baggage allowance.

Alaska Airlines also provide a free bag tag which will help identify your golf equipment in the unlikely event it gets lost.

Do Frontier Airlines accept golf bags as part of the personal baggage allowance?

Frontier Airlines will accept your golf clubs on board as a piece of regular checked baggage. One bag which may include golf clubs and shoes. Allow an extra 30 minutes for check-in.

What are the size & weight restrictions on golf baggage with Frontier?

The maximum weight for golf bags passengers want to check in with Frontier Airlines is 40 pounds (18.1 kilograms) – subject to the fees outlined below.

Your bag should have dimensions of less than 62 linear inches (length x width x depth) including handles, wheels and straps.

Baggage weighing 100 or more pounds (45 kilograms) or exceeding 110linear inches will not be accepted

Frontier Airlines Golf Baggage Fees & Additional Information

Bags weighing 41-50 pounds will be charged $50 per bag, per direction.

Bags weighing 51-100 pounds will be charged $100 per bag, per direction.

Bags in excess of 100 pounds will not be accepted.

Do Jet Blue accept golf bags as part of the personal baggage allowance?

A golf bag will count as a checked bag as long as it contains no more than: 14 golf clubs, 3 golf balls & 1 pair of golf shoes.

What are the size & weight restrictions on golf baggage with Jet Blue?

Jet Blue passengers can check in a golf bag without charge up to a weight of 23kg (50lbs). Anything above this weight will incur an overweight baggage fee.

Jet Blue Golf Baggage Fees & Additional Information

Golf equipment should be packed in a hard-sided container.

JetBlue will also accept soft-sided bags but is not liable for damage to the bag or contents.

Do South West accept golf bags as part of the personal baggage allowance?

Golf bags are accepted as checked in bags as long as they are in hard golf bag carrying case provided by the passenger, including clubs, balls, and shoes.

If you have a hooded golf bag or a soft-sided carrying case they will be conditionally accepted.

What are the size & weight restrictions on golf baggage with South West?

Overweight charges will apply to golf bags exceeding 50 pounds. Up to a maximum weight of 100lbs.

Maximum dimensions allowed are 62 inches in size (length + width + height)

South West Golf Baggage Fees & Additional Information

Unlike other domestic US airlines each passenger is allowed two free checked bags. Even better your golf bag counts toward your free checked bag if they are within the weight limit so they travel for free!

However, an overweight bag (50lbs+) will be charged at $75.

Do Sprint Airlines accept golf bags as part of the personal baggage allowance?

Golf equipment checked in with Sprint Airlines is charged as a standard checked bag – £36 for the first bag.  Golf equipment is considered one golf bag with up to 14 golf clubs, 12 golf balls, and one pair of golf shoes.

You can also bring a pull cart if it is attached to the golf bag.

Sprint recommend using a hard-sided carrier to protect your clubs from shifting during the flight.

What are the size & weight restrictions on golf baggage with Sprint?

To avoid incurring additional baggage fees the maximum weight for your golf bag is 40lbs (18kg). Bags weighing over 100lbs will not be accepted.

However, one benefit for golfers flying with Sprint is that you don’t need to worry if your clubs are a little oversized in length – Sprint waive oversize charges on golf equipment.

Sprint Airlines Golf Baggage Fees & Additional Information

Prices for checked bags vary depending on flight destination, availability and if you pay for them at the time of booking or later.

The minimum charge is $36  per flight for your first bag weighing less than 41lbs. But if you pay for the same bag at the airport it could cost $89. Click here to get quotes for your flights.

Bags weighing 41 – 50 lbs. (18 – 23 kg) will be charged at $79 per bag

If your golf bag weighs 51 – 100 lbs. (23 – 45 kg) you will be charged $125 per flight.

Please note: A limited liability release will need to be signed when traveling with golf clubs.

Do United accept golf bags as part of the personal baggage allowance?

One item of golf equipment per customer is permitted as a checked bag.

An item of golf equipment consists of: One golf bag containing one set of golf clubs, golf balls and one pair of golf shoes

What are the size restrictions on golf baggage with United Airlines?

Golf bags measuring more than 62 total linear inches (158 centimeters) (length + width + height) that contain golf equipment won’t be subject to any applicable service charges for oversized checked bags.

If you golf bag exceeds these dimensions you may be charged for oversized baggage.

United Airlines Golf Baggage Fees & Additional Information

Golf bags that don’t contain golfing equipment will be subject to any applicable service charges for oversized and overweight checked bags.

• Use a golf travel bag cover – either a soft case or better still a protective hard case cover will protect your clubs and if secured with a lock give you additional peace of mind that your prize possessions will be safe during the trip.
• Protect your iron heads by covering them with your socks! A top tip given to us by a seasoned golf traveller! Obviously, a sock won’t give your clubs protection against excessive impacts but it does stop the clubheads banging together which can cause chips or scratches.
• Book ahead where you can to save excessive golf bag charges – as you can see from some of the fees being charged above for checking in your golf bags at the airport. So planning ahead will keep your costs (and stress levels) to a minimum!
• Pack your golf shoes in your bag – most airlines allow you to pack golf shoes in your bag which can save significant space in your main luggage.
• Consider avoiding the hassle of flying with your clubs and use a specialist shipping company like  Ship Sticks  or Lugless.  These courier services will pick-up your clubs from your door or local collection point and deliver direct to your destination!