Rule 4 in The Rules of Golf states that you’re limited to carrying 14 conforming clubs in your bag, and that the balls you use must also be conforming—and not have playing characteristics that have been deliberately altered. It goes on to state that you cannot use any other equipment that “artificially eliminates or reduces the need for skill or judgment that is essential to the challenge of the game.” Those limitations understood, what you stuff in your bag beyond clubs and balls is entirely up to you.
Professional golfers load up their closet-sized Tour bags with everything under the sun. Golf is their job, and neither they nor their caddies want to be caught up short when situations arise—unexpected or otherwise. But what about weekend players? What items or accessories should you keep handy in your bag?
The answer depends, in part, on what kind of bag you’re using—and whether you’re riding or walking. If you’re just out for a quick nine after work on a clear, sunny day with a pencil bag on your shoulder, you won’t need much. But if you’re playing in a three-day member-guest and riding in a cart, you’ll want to be more prepared for any situation that might arise.
Here’s a menu of some of the essential items to consider for inclusion in your bag. Some are almost mandatory; others, optional. Choose the ones that suit your needs and the way you play the game.
Pre-Round Items
Alignment Sticks
Many players like to use alignment sticks when warming up on the range to groove their swings before teeing off. These can still be in your bag when you’re playing—but you can’t use them on the course.
Clubhead Wrench
Modern drivers are adjustable, and depending on conditions, you may want to adjust your driver prior to teeing off, especially on windy days when you may want a lower ball flight. Make your adjustments before teeing off. After that first tee shot, no more adjustments are allowed.
Cleaning Brush
It’s always a good idea to clean out the grooves on your irons before playing, and even during your round if needed. Clean grooves are happy grooves.
Groove Sharpener
This is another tool that can only be used prior to play, but it’s a useful one to have available for occasional clubface maintenance.
Permanent Marker
It’s always a good idea to mark your balls before putting them into play, whether with dots or initials or some other readily identifiable design. Choose your preferred color, mark away, and you’ll have an easier time identifying your ball. They’re good for signing autographs, too.
Playing Aids
Gloves
If you wear a golf glove, keep one plus a spare in your bag. And recognize that the glove that felt okay when you ended your last round may have become stiff as cardboard in the time since. Plan ahead.
Tees
Even plastic tees can break, so make sure you’ve got a couple dozen on board for every round. Some players like to have tees of different lengths available—shorter ones for par threes, longer ones for other tee shots.
Ball Markers
There’s nothing worse than playing with somebody who must resort to marking his ball with a tee. Have a few ball markers handy, of various sizes, including that lucky one you picked up the day you shot your career-low round.
Divot Repair Tool
Everybody talks about unrepaired ball marks, but nobody does anything about them. Except you! Always keep a divot repair tool in your pocket during your round and keep a couple of extras in your bag.
Club Towel
No serious golfer would head out onto the course without a towel attached to their bag with which to clean clubfaces after shots. It’s not a bad idea to get it wet before heading out. And if a club needs more cleaning after a shot, reach for that cleaning brush.
Pencils
How many times have you gotten to the first tee and realized you didn’t grab a pencil, or lost the only one you had halfway through a round? Keep a few extras in your bag (maybe from your favorite courses) and you’ll have one when you need it.
Rangefinder or GPS Watch
Knowing the distance to your target is one of the key pieces of information you need on every swing. There are lots of good choices at many different price ranges, including ones that factor in slope.
Yardage Book
If you’re playing a course you’re not familiar with, invest in a yardage book. Not only will it give you distance and hazard information, but it may also contain pro tips that can help you avoid unexpected trouble.
Aimpoint Book
Aimpoint’s green heat maps can help take the guesswork out of reading putts by giving you precise reads on putting green slopes. Maybe it’s not necessary, but if there’s one for the course you’re playing, it’s a nice resource to have.
Essentials for Inclement Weather
Umbrella
If rain is in the forecast, come prepared. Look for an umbrella that’s lightweight, large, and wind resistant.
Rain Hood
Most good golf bags come with rain hoods that can help keep your clubs dry when the monsoon hits. Make sure it’s in your bag and not in the trunk of your car when that happens.
Rain Gloves
One downpour could be all that’s needed to completely ruin a cabretta leather glove. Rain gloves come in pairs, one for each hand. Use ’em both if it starts coming down.
Waterproof Jacket and Pants
If you’re the kind of player who doesn’t stop playing just because it’s pouring buckets, or you’re playing a bucket-list course that a hurricane couldn’t drag you off, pack your waterproofs. Today’s rain gear includes options that are unbelievably light and do a commendable job of keeping you dry.
Rain Hat
Bucket hats are the preferred rain hat style. They come in waterproof versions and can help keep the rain off your face and neck. They’re also a tremendous help for players who wear eyeglasses.
Spare Towel
If you’re riding, there’s hopefully a spare towel in your cart. But if you’re walking, stick a hand towel in your bag and it’ll be there when you need to dry something off.
Warm Mittens/Gloves
Playing in the off-season, or in a clime where the temps are low? Keep your hands warm between shots with down-filled mittens or Thinsulate gloves. Cold hands are not your scorecard’s best friends.
Wooly Hat
See above. On rare occasions, a balaclava offering some face protection may be an even better option.
Health & Safety Items
Sunscreen
Whether you’re playing in bright sun or on an overcast day, harmful UV rays can reach and damage your skin. Choose a sunscreen that offers at least SPF 50 protection, and if it’s warm enough out to make you perspire, make sure to apply it more than once per round.
Insect Repellent
If you’re playing in an area where there are mosquitos, ticks, and the like, protect yourself with a good insect repellent. Favor those that contain DEET if the bugs are especially bad.
First-Aid Kit
Carry the basics: a few bandages of different sizes, some gauze, and some surgical tape should get you through.
Pain Relievers
Having some acetaminophen and ibuprofen on board is a good idea, and there are roll-on pain relievers on the market now, too, that can help with any mid-round aches and pains.
Water Bottle
Staying hydrated is important. Go green and buy a lightweight, refillable water bottle.
Protein or Energy Bars
They’re a great way to get a boost of energy when you’re playing, and a lot easier to deal with than the banana you’ll forget you brought until you discover its squishy remnants a week later.
Sunglasses
You’ve got to protect your eyes, and whether you normally wear eyeglasses or not, make sure you have a pair of sunglasses packed to at least put on between shots or before/after the round. Golf-specific shades are available that can help make contours and golf balls more visible.
Extras
Bluetooth Speaker
If you’re the kind of golfer who likes to listen to music while playing, hang a Bluetooth speaker from your bag. But please, check with your playing partners first—and keep the volume low enough that it won’t disturb other groups.
Flask
Playing in Scotland or Ireland on a winter’s afternoon? Having a flask with a few drams of your favorite wee sharpener is just the ticket.
Cigar Cutter & Windproof Lighter
Fancy a nice cigar or two when you’re playing? Stick a cutter and windproof lighter in your bag and they’ll be there when you need them.
Glow Balls
Golf doesn’t have to end when the sun goes down. Many clubs and resorts have accessible putting or chipping areas that glow-in-the-dark balls can turn into fun playing fields for you and your tribe (where allowed).
What did we miss? Tell us the other essential items that should be in your golf bag in the comment section.
