Airline charges for checking a set of golf clubs

Q: We are going on a golf vacation to Hilton Head this fall and want to know what we will be charged (or not) for bringing our golf clubs on the plane. We'll probably take NWA/Delta. If they charge too much, is there another way to ship them to the East Coast?

Caryl, Port Ludlow

A: Northwest and Delta charge $25 each way for checking a second bag that weighs no more than 50 pounds. So if you travel with just a carry-on and your checked clubs, you'll pay no extra fees, assuming the clubs weigh less than 50 pounds. If you check a suitcase and your clubs, you'll pay $50 extra, round-trip. This is probably your best bet. You could ship UPS, but that's expensive, too, and the clubs would take several days to arrive. Check Northwest and Delta's Web sites for details and their charges for bags that weigh in excess of 50 pounds.

Carol Pucci, The Seattle Times

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