Most golfers I talk to about a trip to Thailand ask the same question early on: what do I do with my clubs? It is a fair worry. Your clubs are probably the most valuable thing you pack, and every airline has its own rules and fees. The good news is that it is simpler than it looks once you know what your airline actually charges and how to pack the bag properly.

Here is what I would check before you fly, based on the airlines Australians most often use to get to Thailand. These rules were correct when I checked the airlines' own pages in November 2026, but airlines change them, so always confirm against your booking before you go.

1. Your golf bag usually counts as part of your checked baggage

On most full service airlines, your golf bag is not an extra. It simply comes out of the checked baggage allowance you already have. Qantas says sporting equipment can be included as part of your checked baggage allowance, and on flights outside the Americas its Economy allowance is weight based: 30kg in total for most travellers, spread across as many bags as you like, with no single bag over 32kg. Qantas also exempts golf bags from its normal size limits on its own flights. So a 12kg golf bag and an 18kg suitcase fit inside a standard 30kg allowance with nothing extra to pay. The thing to watch is the total weight, not the number of bags, so it is worth weighing both at home before you leave.

2. Budget airlines charge for golf clubs separately

Low cost carriers are where the extra fees creep in. Jetstar treats golf clubs as an oversized item, and on its international flights the fee is AUD $40 per item when you add it at booking or AUD $45 at the airport. That fee is charged per flight and does not add any weight, so your clubs still count towards the checked baggage you have bought, and Starter fares do not include any checked bags at all. On a return trip with no connections, that is at least $80 for the clubs before you have paid for the bag weight itself. When you compare fares, add these costs to the cheaper ticket before deciding it is actually cheaper, and add them online rather than at the counter to save a few bucks.

3. Thai Airways is one of the friendlier options for golfers

If you fly Thailand's own airline, golf is treated well. Thai Airways includes one golf set per passenger as part of the free baggage allowance, where a set is up to 14 clubs, 12 balls and one pair of golf shoes. The set counts as one piece as long as it stays within 330cm in total dimensions and inside your weight allowance, and anything over that is charged as excess baggage. For a golfer heading to Bangkok, that can make a full service fare better value than it first looks. It is a good example of why the fare alone does not tell you the full price of getting yourself and your clubs to Thailand.

4. Pack the bag like it is going to be thrown

Baggage handlers are not careless, but your bag will be loaded, stacked and moved many times between Australia and your hotel. A travel cover with proper padding, or a hard case, is the single best protection you can buy. The driver is the club most likely to snap, so I take the head off, wrap it in a towel and pack it in the side pocket or my suitcase. A towel or a stiff arm (a rod that sits taller than your longest club) inside the bag takes the impact before your clubs do. Put your name and phone number on the outside and inside, and take a quick photo of the packed bag at home. If something does go wrong, that photo makes a claim with the airline or your insurer much easier.

5. Check your travel insurance covers your clubs

Not every policy covers golf equipment, and some only cover it up to a low limit per item. A full set of clubs can easily cost more than that limit, so the cover you assume you have might not be enough. Read the sporting equipment section of your policy before you leave, and check whether it covers clubs while they are in the care of the airline. We strongly recommend travel insurance on every one of our tours for exactly this kind of reason. If your clubs are newer or more expensive than most, it may be worth paying a little more for a policy that names them.

6. Take fewer clubs and a lighter bag

You do not need all 14 clubs in Thailand. In our what to pack guide for golf in Southeast Asia, we suggest trimming the set to 12 or 13 clubs and leaving out the ones you rarely use. A lighter bag means less weight against your allowance, less chance of excess fees and an easier time at the airport. It also helps your caddie, who will be carrying it for you in the heat. A smaller travel set is one of the easiest ways to keep the cost of flying with clubs down.

7. Once you land, let someone else carry them

The airport is where the hard part ends. On our Thailand golf tours, every transfer to the hotel and to every course is by private van or sedan, so there is no wrestling a golf bag into a taxi. At the course, your caddie takes the bag from the van and looks after it for the round, which you can read more about in our guide to caddie culture in Asia. That means the only time you handle your clubs is checking them in and picking them up. If that sounds like the trip you are after, take a look at the Bangkok / Pattaya Combo or Bangkok Encore itineraries.

A quick checklist before you fly

  • Check whether your fare includes checked baggage and how much weight.
  • Add golf clubs to your booking online if your airline charges for them.
  • Weigh your golf bag and suitcase together at home.
  • Remove the driver head and pad the bag with a towel or stiff arm.
  • Label the bag inside and out, and photograph it packed.
  • Confirm your travel insurance covers golf equipment and its limit.
  • Check the rules again for any connecting flight on a different airline.

Common questions

Do golf clubs count as checked baggage on international flights?

On Qantas and Thai Airways, yes: your golf bag comes out of your normal checked baggage allowance. On Jetstar, the clubs also count towards your checked weight, and there is a separate oversized item fee on top.

How much does Jetstar charge for golf clubs to Thailand?

When I checked in November 2026, it was AUD $40 per item per flight when added at booking or through Manage booking, and AUD $45 at the airport. This fee does not include any baggage weight.

Can I take golf clubs as carry on?

No. Golf clubs go in the hold as checked baggage. Keep anything you cannot do without, like medication and a change of clothes, in your carry on in case your bags arrive late.

Flying to Vietnam instead? The same checks apply, and our Vietnam golf tours use private transfers too. If you have a question about your clubs on a particular trip, call us on 1300 206 429 or send us a message. You can also read what past travellers say on our testimonials page, or our tips for golf tours for over 50s.