Going on Holiday - Should I Hire Golf Clubs?

Well this is a tough one. There are good arguments for and against taking your own golf clubs away with you.

Recently on a trip abroad, I opted to not take my own clubs and instead rented them. Unfortunately the gear rented at the golf resort was not that great. The golf bag was a little ripped, the irons seemed shorter than my AP2s and the Ping Driver I simply could not adjust to. Combined with the putter it was a tough experience.

The main reason for not taking my club set was the chaos at Heathrow Airport and lost luggage. 

Years ago though I had a good experience, rented a set of Titlist AP2s and ended up buying a second hand set of the same brand once back. 

Club hire can represent a big advertising window for major manufacturers. You would expect them to be queuing up at golf resorts and eager for tourists to try the latest clubs. At the end of the round, you could a promotional offer and say 20% buying a whole set. This though does not seem to be the case.

In countries like Portugal, you can hire clubs from the airport, they can be ready for pick up upon arrival, or you can have them delivered to your hotel.

Reasons For Golf Club Hire

1. Travel Light making it an easier trip.

2. Removes the risk of golf clubs getting lost by the airline.

3. It is expensive to book on your clubs and to also buy a hard carry case.

4. It is an opportunity to try a new brand or style of golf clubs

Reasons Against Golf Club Hire

1. The club quality is not always great. Ensure you research and choose a set that is of a decent brand and quality vs turn up and get disappointed.

2. You know your existing golf clubs, the swing, the feel, the impact. This could be lost if you try new clubs and impact your round score.

3. You run the risk of your luggage getting lost! You should ensure you have adequate travel insurance to cover the loss of any clubs by the airline. 

Drum roll. What is your recommendation and experience? 

In the meantime, we wish you a great golfing holiday and some birdies.

All the best, GFI GOLF