Ryanair has struck another blow to golfers looking to get away to sunnier climes by once again increasing its charges for golf bags – but another Irish company, ClubstoHire.com, is fighting back and flying the flag for the travelling golfer.
The low-cost airline, famed for its £9.99 fares to European destinations, now charges a minimum of £50 per flight to carry the golf bags ofUKtravellers, meaning a ‘cheap’ break is no longer an attractive proposition.
But the rapid expansion of former Ryder Cup star Paul McGinley’s golf club hire operation, ClubstoHire.com – which is now located at seven airports in Europe – can ensure an inexpensive golf break remains exactly that.
As well as saving consumers significant outlay – more than £750,000 to date – the company’s success also comes from providing golfers with a seamless booking process, top-brand equipment choices and a liberating travel experience.
McGinley’s fellow ClubstoHire director, Tony Judge, said: “Airlines are continuing to hit passengers with increased charges for sporting equipment which, in some cases, can double the cost of a trip. It was for this reason we opened the first ClubstoHire store in Faro in July 2010; and we’ve been fighting a successful David v Goliath campaign on behalf of golfers everywhere ever since.”
In late 2011, AirBerlin announced its charges for golf bag carriage were to be increased to €100 return and the majority of European carriers now charge upwards of £60 return – just to take one’s golf bag away on a break. So it is little wonder that the ClubstoHire.com has been so well received by golfers acrossEurope.
A broad equipment range is offered from just €35 per week, with options available from TaylorMade (including R11S and the new RocketBallz), Callaway, Wilson and MD Golf; all clubs are offered – left or right-handed, ladies and men’s – and hire is available from just one day to a full four weeks. For those wishing to travel extra-light, shoe hire is also available.
Bookings for Antalya, Alicante, Murcia, Dublin, Malaga, Edinburghand Faro can be made online at www.clubstohire.com.