It may be hard to imagine packaging and shipping something as big and awkwardly shaped as your golf bag full of clubs. However, people do it every day, and it’s simpler than you might think. Here’s our guide on how to ship golf clubs, from anywhere, to anywhere.
Tips for packaging golf clubs
There is an art to shipping oversized and bulky items like golf clubs. You want to choose the smallest box size that fits your clubs to reduce DIM weight charges. At the same time, you need to leave room for enough infill to protect your irons.
Here are some tips for how to pack your set of golf clubs:
- Wrap each single club in bubble wrap before you put it in the bag (*to avoid having the clubs together where they can scratch against each other)
- Choose your golf club shipping box carefully. Golf clubs are heavy, so you’ll need a box made from a sturdy weight of cardboard to protect them. If you’re not sure which box to choose, ask your carrier for help.
- Put head covers on your clubs, especially longer clubs that may stick out farther.
- You may want to get a support rod to keep the box from getting crushed and damaging the club heads. The rod should be longer than the clubs and provide stability for the end of the box.
- Use more bubble wrap or plastic air cushions as infill to hold the clubs steady during shipping. If they move around during shipping, they could get dinged. You want your box to be packed tight.
Now you’re ready to seal the box and get it shipped.
How to ship golf clubs with major carriers
All the major US carriers will ship golf clubs.
UPS
UPS can help you package your clubs as well as mail golf clubs. UPS Stores sell boxes, and the staff can help you package your clubs so they arrive safely.
FedEx
FedEx can ship your golf clubs within the US or to international destinations. You can get help with packaging at a FedEx retail location.
USPS
The US Postal Service will give you sturdy Priority Mail packing tubes for mailing golf clubs at no charge. However, you might need to use your own packaging because the tube is just under 38 inches long, and golf clubs can be up to 48 inches in length. Either way, USPS is a reliable way to ship your golf clubs ahead to your destination.
Golf club shipping companies
There are even services that specialize in shipping golf clubs. Services like Ship Sticks will pick up and deliver your golf clubs for you. You don’t even have to box your golf bag (though you do have to pack it properly).
How much does it cost to ship golf clubs?
Generally shipping golf clubs can start at $44.99 through services like Ship Sticks or USPS, FedEx, or UPS, and up to nearly $500+ when looking at overnight shipping. The cost to ship a single golf club or a set of golf clubs will depend on the weight and distance too. If you want to ship golf clubs to Hawaii, it will be way pricier than mailing them to the next city or state over.
When you’re ready to ship your golf clubs, you can quickly find out exactly how much it will cost. Finish boxing your clubs and then follow these steps.
- First, weigh your box. If you don’t have a package scale big enough, you can use a bathroom scale.
- Next, measure the length, width, and height of your box.
- Then go to the shipping calculator for UPS, FedEx, or USPS and enter your information to find out rates for different services. Make sure you have the address (or at least the zip code) of your point of origin and your destination. Shipsticks offers general price information, but you’ll have to contact them to get an exact quote.
- Compare rates.
If you need to know how to ship golf clubs to a destination outside the US, all the major carriers can ship internationally for you. Use their pricing calculators to find out pricing.
Finding the cheapest way to ship golf clubs
Which carrier will be cheapest for shipping your golf clubs depends on the distance you’re shipping and how fast you need them to arrive. We priced out the cost to ship golf clubs across the US using several different shipment methods. For this example, we used a box weighing 25 pounds with dimensions of 50” x 12” x 12”. We found the rates to ship from Washington, DC, to Pebble Beach, California, with an insured value of $300.
Although your package weighs 25 pounds, UPS and FedEx will bill you for 44 pounds because your box is oversized. You can use Red Stag Fulfillment’s dimensional weight calculator to compare DIM weight pricing among UPS, FedEx, and USPS.
If you ship by UPS, you can get your clubs across the country in four business days using UPS Ground for $117. If you need them to arrive in three days, the price is $203. UPS offers a range of faster services that top out at $426 for Next Day Air Early.
FedEx Ground takes five business days for the same package, for $125. Three-day shipping by FedEx is $287. And the fastest FedEx overnight delivery will cost you $518.
Got time?
If you’re not in a hurry, and want a cheap way to ship golf clubs, you could ship by slower USPS services for less than $16. However, your clubs would take more than a week to get to their destination. USPS Retail Ground delivery is $104 and also takes eight days. Regular Priority Mail would take four days and cost $124. Priority Mail Express can get your clubs to their destination in three days for $285.
When you combine speed and price, UPS is the cheapest option to ship your golf clubs in three to four days. If you have a longer lead time, you can save money by shipping with USPS.
Do I need insurance when shipping golf clubs?
Major carriers include a minimal amount of insurance in their shipping costs. If you don’t declare a greater value, USPS will insure your golf clubs for up to $50. UPS and FedEx provide up to $100 of insurance automatically. However, your clubs would probably cost more than that to replace. Insurance won’t add a lot to your cost of shipping golf clubs. It’s worth a few extra dollars for peace of mind.
A third-party logistics company can help you ship golf clubs and other oversized items
If you need to ship golf clubs fairly often, you have other options for cheap shipping. For example, if you sell golf clubs or other oversized products, an eCommerce fulfillment center can help. A 3PL knows how to ship golf clubs safely and quickly. Also, a fulfillment company can assist you with packaging so you save on DIM weight charges. Best of all, many fulfillment providers are bulk shippers that have lower rates with major carriers, so you can save on shipping charges.
Red Stag Fulfillment leads the industry in shipping heavy and oversized products. Bring us your bulky shipping problems and we’ll solve them for you. And we’re open to your small, lightweight, and high-value products too!
