I have never rented golf clubs. As a matter of fact, I’ve never rented anything golf-related except a cart. I guess I’ve just never had any reason to rent clubs. And since I never have, it kind of makes me wonder who does rent clubs, and why?
Just to show that I have actually put some thought into this, I’ve considered four separate scenarios for playing golf and if there would be any chance that I would need to rent clubs.
#1. A regular round of golf – By regular round, I mean my buddies and I have planned a round of golf for a weekend. This one is pretty simple. Why would I ever need to rent clubs for this, unless I was a complete idiot and forgot my clubs at home. In that case, I don’t deserve to even play that day. It’s like going camping and forgetting your tent.
#2. An unscheduled round of golf – For instance, I’m at work. Another stinky golfer calls and says he has a tee time for 5:30 to play nine before it’s too dark. OK, I can see how someone wouldn’t have their clubs ready for this. But not me. During the golf season, I put my clubs in my trunk, and that is where they stay just in case a situation such as this arises. They will stay there for the entire season…maybe longer.
But even then, I mentioned nine holes. Is nine holes really important enough to rent clubs if I didn’t have them with me? I mean, the clubs may cost more than the round itself.
#3. A golf trip – Now, it’s a golf trip. Why on earth would I not have my clubs with me? Why would anyone go on a golf trip without their clubs? The only reason I can think of is people are worried about bag fees. I’ve seen bag fees range anywhere between $50-$100 round trip. But I’m sure they go higher. In a case like that, I guess I can understand to a point.
But when you consider that renting clubs can cost anywhere between $15-$50, if not more depending upon the course, wouldn’t you just rather bring your own clubs rather than use the rentals?
#4. A non-golf trip – OK, in this situation I can see how you could be stuck without your clubs. But all it takes is a little verification before the trip, and you can be prepared. For instance, this past summer, my wife booked us and another couple a trip to Key West. This was not a golf trip. However, I made sure to check ahead of time if the other guy is a golfer. Sure enough…even though this was not a golf trip, we managed to get a day in at the Key West Golf Club. Just a little preparation and I got to play a course I wouldn’t have had the chance to. And I did it without having to rent clubs.
So to anyone who has rented clubs before, what was the situation? Why did you choose to rent clubs rather than just use your own? Did I miss something above? Let me know. After all, I’m a stinky golfer and there’s a good chance that I just don’t get it.
Swing ’til you’re happy!
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I’ve never rented clubs either. I would rather lug my bag on broken wheels through three airports on the day before Thanksgiving than to swing a club I’ve never gripped or held or called my own. And if we stay at a hotel where our bags are delivered to the room, well, it’s like the children are coming to visit! “Honey, they’re here!”
I invest on golf clubs even they came from bargains. I want to be at ease with the club I am using while playing.
I have rented clubs once. It was a business trip where I had no intention of playing but was given the opportunity. Is’nt golf hard enough with your own clubs?
I have however, had family members who are in from out of town rent clubs. They are just not big golfers and see no need to haul them from across the country. With a $30 airline fee, its not that bad an idea.
Now I rent golf clubs I found this company http://www.swingnew.com that rents clubs as long as you want them for one monthly fee. They will even ship your own set of clubs around the world with you on your trips for nothing.
Although you do make some good points, I have rented clubs before and everything was great. I used to work for a large corporate event planning company in Atlanta, GA and when companies like Coca-Cola, Home Depot and Delta Airlines wanted us to plan an event for them, they would always want to include a day of golfing. These companies events usually consisted of a day of conferences, a day of golf, and a large party at night. The companies would bring in so many people nation and world wide who would not have or bring there own clubs. In effect we would contact the company International Golf Rental & Sales to provide numerous sets for us.
We never had a problem with renting the clubs because the company we used always had plenty of great clubs that were all in new condition. I personally used them when I went back home for the holidays last year to San Diego. There was know way I was going to pay the price to fly or ship my clubs home and back to Atlanta. I remember the guy at International Golf Rental & Sales saying that they have worked with Microsoft and sent 50 whole sets of clubs to Toronto Canada for one of there conferences.
I don’t mind renting clubs. It sure does beat having your clubs lost, stolen, or broken at the airport.
I travel frequently for work and we frequently try to fit in one round of golf (usually on the morning of the last day of the trip). This year we started using http://www.clubhub.com to have TaylorMade R1/RBZ Stage 2/RocketBladez clubsets shipped (for free) to the golf course.
They’ll ship to anywhere in the continental U.S. – we have used them in AZ, CA, and FL. For me the biggest plus is being able to travel with my carry-on and not having to check anything.
Also, the rental fees end up being less expensive than traveling with our own clubs.