When you’re traveling with your clubs, whether it’s for a simple business-combined-with-pleasure outing, or an extended golf vacation, it’s important to know that you’ve got everything you need to make your round the best it can be. When you’re on an unfamiliar course, there are lots of things you can’t control. But the most important thing you can control—after your golf swing, that is—is making sure all your gear is where it’s supposed to be and easily within reach. That means you need your golf clubs, travel bag, and everything else set up to allow you to focus on enjoying your round. Let’s take a look at a few of the options.

All-in-One or Combo?

The first decision you need to make is whether you want to re-pack your golf club bag for travel, or simply use your existing bag and pack it in a travel case. Some golfers like the ease and portability of a special golf club travel bag that doubles as a travel case. These golf club travel bags come in both soft sided and hard sided models, and some have wheels built in, for extra ease around airports. They’re super lightweight, so they can easily double as your bag on the course, and they do a great job of protecting your clubs in transit. In fact, some of the hard sided models are so tough that the airlines will actually guarantee your clubs against transit damage if you’re using one of the approved models of hard sided golf club travel bags or bag cases.

Travel cases

If you really like your existing bag and the way you’ve got it set up, maybe a special golf club travel bag isn’t right for you. Instead, you might prefer to invest in a quality travel case, and simply pack your bag and gear inside the case. Most of these travel cases are hard-sided for maximum protection against travel damage, but many are padded and soft-sided to allow maximum packability. Some feature special “fold away” features that allow for easier storage when not in use. Most feature sturdy wheels with bearings that can take the punishment of curbs, stairs, and even off-road use. Many of the top-line cases offer a lifetime warranty against travel damage. This can be really important, especially when you consider the investment you’ve already made in your clubs, shoes, and other gear. Also, look for a sturdy base to provide extra stability and protection.