Once you get out on the golf course, it can be a long walk back to the parking lot if you forgot something. Plus, you don’t want to be “that guy” who didn’t bring tees or something to mark his ball with.

We’ve broken our 25 golf bag essentials into several categories: must have gear, game improvement gear, weather gear and personal gear. Let’s get started!

Must Have Gear

If you forget one of these items, you might as well turn around and go home. You either aren’t going to have something critical to playing (like golf balls) or you are going to annoy your playing companions by borrowing their stuff yet again.

• 14 Golf Clubs – you get up to 14 clubs in your bag, but no more than that.
• Golf Balls – think about what kind of player you are, and how many balls you tend to lose in a round. Pack extra!
• Gloves – need at least one, but we recommend packing some spares…especially in wet or really hot weather.
• Tees – you don’t need to bring a whole bag to the course…but pack a few extras.
• Ball Marker – a coin will do, but something with personal meaning is more fun.
• Pitch repair tool – don’t be a jerk. Clean up your pitch marks…bonus if you fix a couple of extras that didn’t belong to you.
• Microfiber towel – needed to keep your hands clean. Pack 2…one for your hands, one for your clubs.
• Pencil for scorecard – bring at least one extra in case you break a lead, and if not you’ll have one to share.
• Sharpie – mark your ball with something memorable and unique to you.

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Game Improvement Gear

While you pretty much couldn’t (or shouldn’t) play without the Must Have gear items above, you’ll find you will play better if you keep these next few items in your bag.

• Range finder/GPS watch – this tech will help you determine your distance to the flag, hazards and bunkers. Higher end range finders can evaluate the uphill or downhill slope of your target and give you an adjusted distance.

Bushnell Hybrid Range Finder

• Personalized yardage chart – having a chart with how far you hit each club will help you make the most of the distance info you get from your tech. Bonus points if you put 3/4 and 1/2 swings of your wedges on the chart.
• Club cleaner/brush – keep your grooves clean to get maximum spin and proper ball flight.
• Spare batteries – your range finder isn’t going to help you if it runs out of juice. Keep some spares in your bag.
• Alignment rods – perfect for your pre-round range time. Using a rod during practice will help you make sure your setup and alignment are on point.

Weather Gear

It’s inevitable that at some point you are going to get caught out in the rain while on the course…especially if you play in Florida! Having some basic weather gear on hand will allow you to continue play, and will give you an advantage over your ill prepared companions.

• Rain gloves – built for maximum grip in wet weather. You’ll need a pair so you have one for each hand.
• Light rain jacket/poncho – staying drying out on the course will make the effects of weather less miserable.
• Bag hood – keeps your clubs dry during rainy weather.
• Umbrella – why be wet when you don’t have to be?

Personal Gear

While not necessarily “essential,” we still classify the following items are pretty darn important. While the short game is important, golf is not a short game. Avoid dehydration, stay energized, and take care of any small aches and pains with the following pieces of golf kit.

• Bottled water – stay hydrated out on the course. Four hours is a long time to go without water.
• Snacks – nuts, dried fruit, protein bars, etc. Candy bars give you a nice sugar rush, but aren’t worth the crash.
• Insect spray – keep the mosquitos from biting so you can focus on your game.
• Ibuprofen/Tylenol – temporary relief for any aches and pains that pop up on the course.
• Bandaids and/or athletic tape – good for covering blisters or small cuts.
• Scissors – you’ll need something to cut the athletic tape.
• Sunscreen – skin cancer is no joke. Don’t forget the tops of your ears and back of your neck if you are wearing a ball cap.
• Chapstick – when it’s cold and breezy, this lip balm will keep your lips from drying out.

Final Thoughts

This list will give you a solid basis for kitting out your golf bag. You’ll want to season to taste of course. You might find that you need a warm mid-layer in case the temperature drops. You might pack extra sets of gloves if you tend to sweat a lot. And you’ll be a favorite of your playing partners if you can smuggle a six-pack of beer out to the course in your bag.

Bottomline…pack what works for you, but be prepared!