| Golf equipment is expensive. Clubs, bags, shoes and accessories can easily total more than $1,500-$2,000 per golfer! A few precautions can minimize the possibility of having a golf getaway spoiled because of damaged gear.
Some ideas to help you travel with your clubs:
• Invest in hard-sided travel cases. Some airlines now require a signed waiver of liability for damage to golf clubs that are checked as baggage unless they are in hard-sided cases.
• If you are traveling with clubs in soft-sided cases, place golf towels between the head covers (especially driver and woods) for additional impact protection.
• Most golf club travel bags are black. In addition to name tags (outside and inside the case), mark your bag with colored ribbon, yarn or stickers for quicker identification at the baggage carousel.
• When arriving at the airport, use curbside red-caps/sky caps to check golf bags and luggage.
• Airlines limit liability of lost luggage. Consider purchasing additional insurance to cover the value of your golf clubs equipment.
(Editor’s Note: Avid golfer Susan Bluhm is co-owner of Travel Source International, a Bellevue firm whose services include domestic and international golf vacation packages.). | 
