Hertz puts golf clubs in the trunk

NAPLES — Hertz' Portugal operations has teamed up with a golf-club rental company to let customers pick up golf clubs when they rent their car.

The service with club-rental company MyCaddyMaster allows golfers to order top quality clubs online and find them waiting in the trunk of their Hertz rental car when they arrive at Portugal's Lisbon and Faro airports. At the end of their golf break, customers can drop off their golf bag and car at the same place before flying home.

With airlines now charging luggage fees to transport a set of golf clubs, the demand for equipment while on holiday is growing. Naples-based Hertz says the partnership with MyCaddyMaster is an industry first.

The popularity golf has grown in Europe in recent years, especially in Britain, which accounts for 30% of Europe's 4.4 million golfers. Germany and Sweden make up the remainder of the top three, accounting for 14% and 11%, respectively. The trend of people travelling abroad to enjoy the sport is underpinned by the fact that more than half of golfers say they only play while on holiday.