Dumb question probably, but why don't you take the sticks with you?

Mainly because it is a hassle - especially when doing the long haul.

We went to Fort Meyers last January to play golf and we shipped our clubs using FedEx. Convenient, but cost an arm and a leg.

I think we will get some really good protective cases for next time. That is the other reason for not traveling with them. If you don't have a really good protective case, your clubs can get damaged very easily - especially when you consider how the baggage people just throw things around. My pings are brand new so it would be very expensive to replace them.