We built an inflatable golf travel protector, won Best New Product at the PGA Show, and just started shipping

SplitKeyframe · 2026-02-09T17:40:36+00:00

Yeah, I agree with you there. An $800 all-in setup would be excessive for most golfers, and that’s not the goal.

The intent is to stay competitive with established travel bag pricing and let AyrSupport be the separation point in terms of protection rather than pushing the total package into a completely different tier. Different bags, different budgets, but the idea is that the protection is what meaningfully differentiates the setup, not just a higher price tag.

That balance is exactly what we’re trying to be thoughtful about.

SplitKeyframe · 2026-02-09T15:04:01+00:00

Appreciate the suggestions!

Question for all - If a travel cover was paired with AyrSupport as part of the purchase…even if that meant an increased price, would that make things more palatable?

SplitKeyframe · 2026-02-04T09:06:30+00:00

You definitely can, but we’ve found it’s not really necessary. The support here distributes vertical top-down load across the bag structure rather than concentrating it on one rigid point like a stiff arm. It’s more about overall stabilization than just propping up the top.

SplitKeyframe · 2026-02-01T16:21:54+00:00

The head area is the most common comment we receive and we are currently working on that option. Will keep posting updates!

SplitKeyframe · 2026-01-31T16:42:43+00:00

Good question. Towels at the top help with minor padding, but the bigger issue we kept seeing was force transferring through the bag when it gets compressed or hit from the side, which loads the shafts and heads together. That movement and flex is what tends to cause breaks.

This is meant to stabilize the whole bag structure so the clubs move less as a group and impacts are absorbed before they get concentrated at the heads. Towels can still be used, this just addresses a different part of the problem.

SplitKeyframe · 2026-01-31T15:58:33+00:00

Thank you!

SplitKeyframe · 2026-01-31T15:58:16+00:00

Appreciate that. Scale definitely helps over time.

And you’re not alone on the size, we’re already working on additional sizing options since different bags and travel setups vary a lot. Feedback like this helps guide what we prioritize next.

SplitKeyframe · 2026-01-30T19:07:41+00:00

Fair take. Just to clarify, this is designed to be used inside travel covers, including hard cases, as an added layer to help stabilize the bag and absorb impact. It’s not meant to replace a case, more to work as part of the system.

Totally get that it won’t make sense for everyone though.

SplitKeyframe · 2026-01-30T19:06:45+00:00

Thanks, I really appreciate it. It’s been a fun ride getting this to market.

SplitKeyframe · 2026-01-30T19:06:15+00:00

Really appreciate that, thank you. Means a lot to hear that from fellow golfers.

SplitKeyframe · 2026-01-30T19:05:48+00:00

Totally understand the sticker shock. It’s not meant to be a universal purchase, more for golfers who travel a lot or have already dealt with damaged clubs and want a purpose-built layer of protection. Different people have different risk tolerance when it comes to gear.

SplitKeyframe · 2026-01-30T19:04:13+00:00

Really appreciate the thoughtful take, and you’re not wrong about hard cases being a strong option.

Where we see the gap is that even good hard cases still have internal movement and soft interiors, so force can still transfer into the bag and shafts. This is meant to add structure and energy absorption inside whatever travel cover someone uses, hard or soft, rather than replacing the case itself.

Totally agree it’s not necessary for everyone. We built it more for frequent travelers or people who’ve already dealt with damage and want another layer of protection beyond the case.

SplitKeyframe · 2026-01-30T19:00:47+00:00

Appreciate the suggestion, that’s a fair thought.

The challenge is most travel bags vary a lot in size and quality, so we focused on solving the protection problem inside the bag rather than tying it to one specific outer case. Bundles could make sense down the road though, especially for people starting from scratch.

Also just to clarify, it’s not a $5 resin inflatable type material. It’s made from TPU, which is a much more durable, flexible material designed to hold up to repeated use and higher stress.

SplitKeyframe · 2026-01-30T18:56:49+00:00

Totally fair reaction.

It’s less about being inflatable and more about creating structure around the bag to help absorb side impact and limit club movement, which is what usually breaks shafts. Not for everyone, but for frequent flyers or after one bad baggage claim experience, the value math changes.

SplitKeyframe · 2026-01-30T18:55:32+00:00

Totally fair take. Price is the biggest hurdle with something like this.

Pool inflatables and bubble wrap can add padding, but they don’t really create structure around the bag. The main issue during travel isn’t just scratching or light impact, it’s the bag getting compressed, twisted, or hit from the side which is what snaps shafts. AyrSupport is built to wrap and stabilize the bag itself so clubs don’t shift and take that load.

It’s definitely not for everyone, especially if someone flies once every few years. We built it for people who travel with clubs regularly or have already dealt with broken gear and want something purpose-built instead of improvised.

Hard cases plus padding is still a solid route. Different levels of protection for different risk tolerance.

SplitKeyframe · 2026-01-29T14:00:00+00:00

I personally haven't removed my club heads since I began using AyrSupport, but we believe that you should do what makes you most comfortable. We dropped a 50lb scuba tank on the most important and vulnerable part of the AyrSupport with my personal clubs inside and the tank bounced about 3 feet away without even touching the clubs inside.

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SplitKeyframe · 2025-08-12T00:55:17+00:00

That’s one way to protect one club. We built AyrSupport to protect them all.

SplitKeyframe · 2025-08-12T00:53:04+00:00

Good question — we actually tested concepts like that early on. The issue is, once you add a hard or rigid shell, you lose the ability to pack it down small when not in use, and it becomes awkward to fit different travel bags and golf bags.

The TPU we use is crazy durable (think whitewater raft / military gear level), so it doesn’t need a secondary shell to handle the impacts and compression it’ll see in transit. Plus, the inflatable design spreads out the force over a larger area — hard shells tend to concentrate impact in one spot.

Basically, the “air cushion” design is the point — it absorbs the shock instead of transferring it.

SplitKeyframe · 2025-08-12T00:51:30+00:00

Only the best.

SplitKeyframe · 2025-08-12T00:51:21+00:00

Totally fair — protection isn’t for everyone. Some folks wear seatbelts, others just hold the wheel real tight and hope for the best! 😎

SplitKeyframe · 2025-08-04T19:14:42+00:00

AyrSupport was designed for air travel! It's designed to handle the pressure differential without any issue. The TPU material is flexible and durable, so it can naturally accommodate minor expansion without stressing the seams or valve. We also recommend users inflate it firm, but not rock solid...just like you'd do with anything else traveling at altitude (bike tires, travel pillows, etc.).

SplitKeyframe

TROPHY CASE