Whether you’re a regular on the course or new to the game, you’ll need more than golf clubs and a golf ball to get out on the course. Having the right golf accessories in your bag can help you stay focused and prepared throughout your round, no matter what the course or the weather throws at you!
We’ve put together the ultimate golf bag checklist so you can always be comfortable, prepared, and ready to play your best game.
Golf Essentials To Put In you Bag
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Golf Balls
Even the best golfers have run out of balls at some point, I’ve certainly had to hit up the pro shop mid round to get more sleeves, just once. It may seem obvious, but carrying spare golf balls can save a lot of hassle on the course. A fair few golfers lose balls during their rounds, going throw a sleeve or two sometimes. Having a few spare used or older balls can also be good for practicing, helping with your chipping and putting.
However, carrying too many spare golf balls can weigh down your bag. Consider adding two to three sleeves of new balls to your bag so you can always have a ball at the ready without carrying too much extra weight.
Carry at least a handful of tees in varying sizes in your bag to make sure you never run out. You can find a range of plastic and wooden tees on offer, this is a personal choice which you use. Typically, it is recommended to keep around 20 tees in your bag before starting a round. Opt for tees in brighter colours to make it easier to find them if they fly away after a shot. Worst case scenario, become a member of the broken tee society and use one you find on the tee box!
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Divot Repair Tool
Do the greens — and your fellow golfers — a favour and carry a divot repair tool otherwise known as a pitch mark repairer. With their special prongs, are an easy way to fix any indentations on the course. Take care of the course and it will take care of you. If you don’t repair pitch marks it effect the greens long term and take weeks to heal.
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Ball Marker
Whether you use a coin or an actual ball marker, these little objects are important if you’re playing in a group but also for your putting. You can mark your ball on the green at any time, it’s good to place on down and give your ball a clean and line up your putt. It’s also handy if you’re on the line of another golfer, just make sure to watch their putt to get a read on the line!
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Golf Glove
A quality golf glove is a definite golf bag essential. The right glove can help improve your grip and prevent sweaty hands.
Many golfers choose to carry a total of three gloves in their bags. In hot weather, a glove can quickly become soaked with sweat. You also never know when a glove will split or tear. You can get leather and synthetic gloves which each have their pros and cons. Our recommendation? Get a leather glove for your rounds, maximum comfort, and grip. Get synthetic ones to use on the range, these tend to have more durability so you can hit balls to your heart’s content.
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Range Finder
With advances in technology, rangefinders can dial in yardage and help you play more efficiently! When you need to measure the distance between your ball and the green, bunkers or trees, a rangefinder can give you the info needed to increase your chance of hitting an accurate shot.
You can get a range finder in handheld or watch form, all depends on which you prefer, or even use an app on your phone (18 birdies for example). Either way, knowing your distances and numbers can help your game.
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Golf Towels
Whether the conditions are wet, dry, hot, or cold, towels are another golf bag essential. A slightly damp towel can be used for cleaning your golf clubs and ball during a round and a dry towel can be used for drying them off after cleaning.
If you don’t have a golf towel on your bag, it’s a must for your game!
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Head Covers
Golf Head covers are an important way to protect your clubheads on the course and at the range. In between shots, always place headcovers back on your clubs, not only to show everyone how cool they are. Head covers are an easy way to shield the clubheads from the elements and keep your investment protected. Keep your Driver, Woods & Hybrids safe!
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A Pen or Pencil or Sharpie
Have you ever had the pencil break you grabbed from the pro shop as you were trying to jot down your score? Or lost it somewhere on the course? Keep a spare pen or pencil in your golf bag to use in a pinch.
Along with a spare pen or pencil, a sharpie can come in handy if you need to label your ball mid-round.
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Scorecard
A spare scorecard weighs next to nothing and takes up almost no space, but it’s an excellent golf bag essential. If you ever forget to grab a scorecard in the clubhouse or lose yours on the course, a spare scorecard is good to have on hand. Even if you use an app to keep score, it’s always a nice memento of a good round!
You never know when a stray shower may come through, so keep a rain hood handy just in case. Some golf bags come with a rain hood, others you’ll have to buy one for it.
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Valuables Pouch
A valuables pouch ensures your watch, keys, wallet, and other important items do not get lost on the course. It will keep them protected and safe.
Golf Essentials for You
Along with stocking your bag with the best golf accessories, you need to keep certain extras in mind for yourself. Here are some of the top items you’ll want to have for a comfortable day on the course.
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Sunscreen
Sunscreen is essential for any outdoor sport, especially here in Australia where we have some of the strongest levels of UV radiation in the world. UV rays can penetrate clouds, meaning the sun’s rays are still surprisingly strong even on cooler, cloudy days
Keeping your skin protected on the course helps decrease your risk of sunburn and skin damage. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen to make sure you are protected against both UVA and UVB rays. You’ll also want to opt for a waterproof option so it doesn’t slide off if you get sweaty. Also, remember to reapply your sunscreen every two hours. Remember to Slip, Slop, Slap.
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Lip Balm
Protecting your skin is a great start, but many golfers forget to protect their lips. The lips lack any natural sun protection, making it crucial to use a lip balm with SPF when you’re out on the course.
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Hydration and Snacks
It’s important to maintain your energy and hydration on the course. Always bring a bottle of water along with you, even if there are beverage carts available.
When it comes to adding a snack to your golf bag, avoid unpackaged or perishable snacks such as fruit. Of course, fruit is a healthy snack choice, but trust us when we say that you do not want to find out what it’s like to forget a banana in your golf bag.
Here are some ideas for convenient snacks for your golf bag:
- Energy bars
- Nuts or Grenola
- A protein bar
- Beef jerky
- Sandwiches
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Band-Aids / Blister Pads
There’s nothing worse than being halfway through the course and realizing you’re developing a blister. A pack of blister pads can keep you comfortable and focused on the game.
Band-aids are another golf bag essential that is almost guaranteed to come in handy at some point. Both items are small and nearly weightless, making them easy to keep in your bag.
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Jacket
With how hot the afternoons get in Australia, it can be easy to forget how chilly the evenings and mornings can be, especially if you’ve got the early tee time. And lets not forgot how sudden the rain can turn up. A lightweight, water-resistant jacket is a non-negotiable for your golf bag.
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Umbrella
The need for an umbrella in a golf bag is often debated. While it’s a non-negotiable for some golfers, others find it too bulky to carry. An umbrella can save the day if a sudden rain shower pops up or if you need some extra sun protection, but it comes down to personal preference if you want to carry it in your bag all the time.
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A Hat
Get additional protection from the sun and help block glare with a hat. Whether you choose a full sun hat or a baseball-style cap, a hat is easy to keep in your bag and will almost certainly come in handy at some point.
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Sunglasses
For those impossibly bright days, a pair of sunglasses can allow you to play a round without squinting the entire time. Plus, they’re compact and lightweight, so they won’t add much bulk to your bag.
What Are Your Golf Bag Essentials?
Whether you are a rookie or a seasoned pro, the right golf bag essentials can make all the difference on the course. Along with having a more fun, comfortable day, the right golf accessories may even help you achieve a lower score.
Did we miss any golf bag essentials? What are the golf accessories you always bring on the course? We’d love to hear from you!
When you contact our team at Mackem Golf, the first thing you’ll notice is our passion for golf — and our customers. Our dedicated team handcrafts our head covers using the highest quality materials and meticulous construction. Whether you want to chat about golf tips or need personalised product recommendations, we’re always happy to help.
