Golf clubs can be challenging items to ship. Whether you’re moving house, starting a business, or sending a gift, the awkward size and shape present unique problems for shippers.
The good news? I’ve shipped my fair share of bulky items across North America and the rest of the world, from fragile ice sculptures to superyacht engines, and I’ve made this guide to help you determine exactly how much it costs to ship golf clubs—and whether you might be better off buying a replacement instead.
We’ll cover the different shipping costs for popular carriers, key considerations when shipping golf clubs, and additional costs you need to factor in.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick overview of shipping costs for golf clubs:
- A single club costs $29.84 to ship on average
- A set of golf clubs (including a golf bag) costs $129.95 to ship on average
Keep reading to see cost breakdowns based on weight, distance, and special requirements.
Is Shipping Golf Clubs Worth It?
In some cases, it may be cheaper to buy new golf clubs than to ship your existing ones.
Whether it’s worth shipping golf clubs will depend on where you’re shipping them to, which service you require, and how many clubs you’re shipping.
Let’s compare the costs of shipping versus selling and rebuying.
| Item | Estimated Price Brand New* |
Average Price to Ship Locally (90210 to 90211) |
Average Price to Ship Interstate (CA to CO) |
Average Price to Ship Internationally (California, USA to Ontario, Canada) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One golf club | $99.00 | $15.27 | $20.80 | $53.33 |
| Set of 12 golf clubs + golf bag | $399.99 | $69.67 | $114.11 | $206.08 |
*Based on the best-selling models currently available
Looking at these figures, it would seem that it’s almost always more cost-effective to ship existing clubs compared to buying new ones. However, there are hidden costs and considerations to keep in mind:
Golf club value and age
Shipping distance
Time constraints
Customs clearance fees
NOTE: Golf clubs are bulky items, and the cost to ship may be determined by dimensional weight rather than physical weight. That means the length, width, and height of the shipment determine the cost, not how much it weighs on a scale. To see if your golf club shipping cost will be determined by dimensional weight, try our free dimensional weight calculator.
Golf Club Shipping Cost Essentials
It typically costs $25.07 to $34.21 to ship one golf club, and $123.34 to $137.25 to ship a set of golf clubs.
This doesn’t include additional costs such as packaging, customs clearance, expedited shipping, and insurance.
Here are the average shipping costs for golf clubs from three major carriers:
| Carrier | Average cost to ship one golf club |
Average cost to ship a set of golf clubs |
|---|---|---|
| USPS | $25.07 | $129.27 |
| FedEx | $34.21 | $137.25 |
| UPS | $30.14 | $123.34 |
The size, weight, and destination of your shipment will affect the total cost to ship your golf clubs.
You’ll also need to factor in additional costs, such as:
Carrier Shipping Costs
| Carrier | One golf club | Set of golf clubs with bag |
|---|---|---|
|
USPS
(USPS Ground Advantage-Retail Zone 1 / USPS Ground Advantage-Retail Zone 5 / Priority Mail International)
|
Local: $16.80 Interstate: $17.50 International: $40.91 | Local: $66.75 Interstate: $110.40 International: $210.65 |
|
FedEx
(FedEx Home Delivery / FedEx Ground / FedEx International Ground)
|
Local: $14.46 Interstate: $22.92 International: $65.24 | Local: $74.92 Interstate: $119.53 International: $217.31 |
|
UPS
(UPS Ground / UPS Standard)
|
Local: $14.60 Interstate: $21.97 International: $53.85 | Local: $67.34 Interstate: $112.41 International: $190.28 |
To estimate the above costs for shipping golf clubs, I’ve had to assume a few details about your potential shipment.
Here are the assumptions I made when calculating costs:
Local shipment is from Los Angeles 90210 to Los Angeles 90211
Interstate is from Los Angeles, California to Denver, Colorado
International is from California, USA to Ontario, Canada
One golf club weighs 1lb
A set of golf clubs (including bag) weighs 20lbs
Packaging dimensions for one golf club equal 48” X 5” X 5”
Packaging dimensions for a set of golf clubs equal 55” X 15” X 10”
The figures above are designed to give you an approximation of the standard costs to ship golf clubs based on the average dimensions, weight, and value of popular clubs.
Other factors affecting your carrier costs:
Distance and shipping zones
Service speed options
Packaging size and weight
Number of shipments
Commercial discounts
Peak season surcharges
Special handling fees
To find the exact cost to ship golf clubs for your specific situation, you can visit:
Additional Costs
There are many hidden costs associated with shipping golf clubs. These can further influence whether it’s financially viable to ship rather than purchase new clubs.
Let’s break these down.
Packing materials
Golf club shafts can be fragile depending on the material. If you’re not shipping them inside a sturdy golf bag, you’ll need to ensure sufficient packaging is used to protect them from damage during transit.
Materials to consider include:
Box
Packing materials (bubble wrap, packing paper, etc.)
Packing tape
Foam edge protectors
Shipping labels
“Fragile” stickers
Cardboard corners
In most cases, these items can be sourced directly from the carrier:
Insurance
If your golf clubs are expensive or sentimental to you, it’s a good idea to insure your shipment—especially for non-local deliveries—in case of loss or damage during transit.
Insurance considerations to keep in mind:
- Individual carrier coverage
Most carriers include a basic level of coverage for lost, stolen, or damaged goods. This can be complimentary insurance or come as an additional cost. - Additional insurance costs
It may be necessary to purchase extra coverage if the full value of your golf clubs exceeds the carrier’s maximum limit. - Value declaration
When shipping golf clubs, you must declare their full value—this will determine the cost of additional insurance.
Carrier coverage vs. third-party insurance
Third-party shipping insurance is often cheaper and more comprehensive than carrier coverage. It can include coverage for events excluded from carrier offerings and is less restricted by carrier rules, such as packaging requirements.
Carrier coverage, on the other hand, is convenient and can be purchased at the same time you book your shipment. There are fewer steps involved, meaning applying for and claiming insurance takes up less time.
Special handling and white glove services
Shipping golf clubs, especially a high-value set, may require special handling services to ensure a safe delivery. These services can include:
Extra care during shipping
Careful loading and unloading
Extra attention to fragile items
PRO TIP: You may also want to purchase white glove services. These are premium services that include collection, packaging, transport, and unboxing when the golf clubs arrive.
Cost-Saving Strategies
There are many ways to save money when shipping your golf clubs.
Some strategies may not apply to your situation, but consider these tactics before scheduling your next shipment:
Opt for ground shipping—it’s usually cheaper than expedited or air options, although the shipping speed is not as fast.
Only insure for the exact value of your golf clubs to avoid extra insurance costs.
Avoid peak seasons, holidays, and weekends to get lower shipping rates.
Book your shipment early to avoid higher shipping fees.
Cut your packaging down to a minimum size to avoid paying more for a larger shipment.
Use websites like ParcelMonkey and Shippo to compare shipping rates between multiple carrier options.
Utilise carrier discounts such as promo codes, membership savings, and bulk shipping rewards where applicable.
Minimize the risk of damage by investing in proper packaging and documenting the condition of your golf clubs before shipping.
Compare insurance between different suppliers to find the most affordable option.
