TSA allows balls, helmets, tennis rackets, skates and fishing rods in a carry-on. Bats, golf clubs, hockey and lacrosse sticks, pool cues and ski poles go in a checked bag.
By its everyday name, such as golf clubs or baseball bats.
TSA’s answer
Type an item, or pick one: golf clubs, baseball bats, tennis rackets, hiking poles, fishing rods.
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Gear TSA keeps out of the cabin
TSA bans sports equipment that can be used as a bludgeon, such as bats and clubs, from the cabin: it has to travel in a checked bag. Sharp gear like darts, ice axes and tent spikes goes checked too, sheathed or wrapped.
| Item | Carry-on | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Baseball bats | No | Yes |
| Cricket bats | No | Yes |
| Golf clubs | No | Yes |
| Hockey sticks | No | Yes |
| Lacrosse sticks | No | Yes |
| Pool cues | No | Yes |
| Bowling balls | No | Yes |
| Ski poles | No | Yes |
| Bows and arrows | No | Yes |
| Darts | No | Yes |
| Canoe and kayak paddles | No | Yes |
| Ice axes and ice picks | No | Yes |
| Tent spikes | No | Yes |
Gear you can carry on
These pass the checkpoint, but your airline still decides whether they fit its carry-on size and weight limits, and TSA says to ask about fishing rods, skateboards and snowboards.
| Item | Carry-on | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Basketballs, baseballs, footballs and soccer balls | Yes | Yes |
| Golf balls | Yes | Yes |
| Helmets | Yes | Yes |
| Tennis rackets | Yes | Yes |
| Pickleball paddles | Yes | Yes |
| Skates | Yes | Yes |
| Skateboards | Yes, with conditions | Yes |
| Snowboards | Yes | Yes |
| Fishing rods | Yes | Yes |
| Boxing gloves | Yes | Yes |
| Yoga mats | Yes | Yes |
| Bicycle pumps | Yes | Yes |
Hiking and trekking poles
Blunt-tipped hiking poles can go in a carry-on and are screened like other bags. Sharp-tipped poles go in a checked bag. TSA adds that its officers make the final call, and says to ask your airline whether it takes poles in the cabin.
Camping gear
TSA allows camp stoves only empty of all fuel and cleaned so that no vapor or residue is left. The FAA warns that some airlines won’t take a stove that has ever held fuel, however well it’s cleaned. Tent stakes go in a checked bag. For the tent itself and for bicycles, TSA says to check with your airline.
Flying from the UK
UK rules differ (gov.uk, October 2026): pool, snooker and billiard cues are allowed in hand luggage, and walking and hiking poles of any kind go in the hold. Heavy bats, golf clubs and darts go in the hold, as in the US.