June 2024Molly on the Move

Standard ImageBy: Susan Fornoff, a.k.a. Molly McMulligan
Mr. McMulligan and I have been taking golf trips ever since I picked him up at Oakland International Airport for our first golf date. That was almost 10 years ago, when we first made our golf trips by car from Colorado to California, and back, with many stops along the way. We’ve since flown with our clubs to Scotland, Mexico, Vancouver and Whistler, Arizona, California, North Carolina, Gulf Shores Alabama, Texas, Maryland and Florida. In between, we’ve tried to make our way around Colorado by car.We’ve still got destinations on our wish list. Here's what we’ve learned that might make your next golf trip – and ours – a lot easier than playing the back tees on a stormy day at Bandon Dunes. VIA DENVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Remember when you got fitted for your driver? The fitter snapped the head onto the shaft with a quick sequence of moves. Guess what, the heads come off just that easily! Whenever we fly, Mr. M removes our driver heads. wraps them in inch-thick foam and tucks them into a pocket of our golf bags. So, our driver heads never snap off our shafts in transit. You could also use bubble wrap. Just make sure you pack your tool and a notation of the settings.

And if you believe the airlines handle your clubs tenderly, note that our clubs emerged upside down on a recent trip. Airlines probably won’t compensate you for any damage in transit if you’re using a soft travel case. I’m partial to softies because they’re lighter than the hard cases, which means I can handle them more easily.

About weight: Your golf bag must meet airline weight restrictions. That’s 40 or 50 pounds, depending on airline – all the more reason to choose a light travel case. I like to carry on my suitcase and store excess pullovers, an extra pair of shoes and my toiletry bag in my golf travel bag if I can.

Consider whether you really need 14 clubs where you’re going. I like to use my Sunday Golf El Camino bag, with a recommended capacity of 10 clubs, when traveling. It weighs only 4 pounds and leaves more space for extras.

Remember that golf clubs meeting weight requirements always travel free on Southwest and only Southwest. Elite travel programs may bless members with free luggage perks, but only Southwest will check two bags free for every traveler. This year, Southwest implemented digital bag tracking, so if your clubs set off on their own, you’ll at least know when to expect to be reunited.

That said, Southwest is our favorite airline. We get into the E470 toll lanes for a smooth ride to Park DIA, the closest and cheapest parking lot at DIA. The friendly, helpful drivers take us to the Southwest doors, where there’s a counter outside with a big sign that says SPORTS EQUIPMENT. There, we check our clubs and anything else we don’t need. Then we’re hands-free for the hassles to come.

If you’ve got TSA-Pre, don’t miss the opportunity to clear security at the new West Security at DIA. It’s actually civilized: Fast and easy. You’ll appreciate the hard work your tax dollars have done.

For a pre-flight cocktail near Southwest’s Terminal C gates, visit Rootdown. You’ll pay Denver prices here, not Denver airport prices, for craft quality mixology.

If you’re ever traveling internationally, even to Mexico, or just want to ensure you’ll have TSA whenever you travel, apply for time-saving, line-skipping Global Entry. It costs $100 for a five-year membership that will require you to make an appointment to be vetted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the airport. To make this easy, park in an RTD lot and take the A line to the end.

We highly recommend splurging on upgrading international flights from economy. When we flew British Air to Edinburgh, we felt pampered rather than tortured simply by stepping up one notch to Premier Economy. A little more space, a lot more TLC, served with real plates and utensils and wine.

Talk to your doctor about medications to help jet lag. We take one prescribed sleep aid pill before bed on our first night overseas and one on our first night home and adjust seamlessly after a bit of first-morning grogginess. There are also prescription options focusing on daytime energy and alertness rather than sleep.

1VIA CARTheoretically, we should be able to fit more stuff into our SUVs than we can into our checked luggage. It never feels that way, especially if we prefer walking golf to cart golf. One suggestion if you’re spending a summer month in the mountains or wintering in the desert: Ship your clubs to clear space in the boot. They’ll probably arrive before you do.Otherwise, fuel up and set off for any of Colorado’s wonderful golf destinations. See our Fab 5 Colorado Golf Travel Tips first. Watch for five ideas in this month’s Fab 5 where you can walk from your bedroom to the course. Also, see ROAD TRIP! for a selection of open golf tournaments around the state this summer. Here’s a sampling of CGA outings that still have room for entries:

Women’s Clinic at Eagle/Vail (Avon) June 22. Sign up by June 14.

Women’s Playing Clinic at Chipeta (Grand Junction) July 28. Sign up by July 22.

*Member Play Day at RainDance National (Windsor) August 13. Registration opens June 27.

*Member Play Day at Frost Creek (Eagle) September 3. Registration opens July 11.

*Member Play Day at The Club at Flying Horse (Colorado Springs) September 30. Registration opens August 15.

*Women’s Dunham Chapman Championship at Keystone River & Ranch September 16-17. Registration opens July 15.

*Be sure to register for these popular events at coloradogolf.org as soon as they open.--------“Molly McMulligan,” created by golf journalist and CGA member Susan Fornoff, is the CGA’s on-the-course advisor on how to have more fun on the golf course. She answers questions in Dear Molly and shares a monthly Fab 5. Mr. McMulligan has been taking golf trips with Molly since December 2014 when she picked him up at Oakland International Airport for their first date. Mr. M, Keith DuBay, is also a journalist but a much better golfer than Molly. Look for more of their travels in future issues of CGA Monthly.Cover & TOCWelcome MessageMember ZoneCitywideRules of GolfColorado GolfOn the Cover Dream RaffleInside The RopesSwing TipCommunityA Closer LookJunior GolfOutside the RopesSPIRIT of the GAMEMolly on the MoveVolunteer LeadershipRMGCSAFeatured Club: Keystone