Golf Season is Among us! What is in your Bag?

What’s in the bag: The Essentials

• 14 Clubs
• (At least) Six golf balls: If you’re golf game is a little loose like mine, maybe keep your stash 50/50 between new and used. Personally, any fewer than six balls in my bag and I’m dripping sweat while clutching my driver.
• Three headcovers for woods and hybrids
• A dozen or so tees
• One golf glove

Accessories

• Bag tag with your name: It certainly helps at the bag drop, especially for group outings).
• 2 towels: a big one for clubs and a small towel to keep in your back pocket for the green is handy on dewey mornings.
• Divot repair tool
• Ball marker: if you don’t have a lucky coin by now, you’re doing it wrong.
• Mini-Sharpie: Or else how will you truly know if it’s your Pinnacle in the fairway?
• Protective pouch: For watches or other items that could scratch when in a golf bag.

– Driver adjustment tool

First Aid

• Sunscreen
• Lip balm (especially for the desert or mountain courses)
• Band-Aids (for blisters)
• Bug Repellent
• Bottle (or travel pack) of painkillers
• Packaged foods (nothing that will spoil)

Foul weather preparedness

Optional depending on the season and forecast. If you don’t want to keep it all in your bag, consider keeping these items together in a smaller, easy-to-access bag.

Wet weather

• Set of rain gloves
• Rain club cover
• Rain jacket
• Pair of rain pants
• Umbrella (This is the subject of much debate: I say for links or cart golf, you don’t need it, but if walking a parkland, yes).
• Waterproof baggie: Good for valuables, phones, wallet, etc.

Cold weather

• Set of winter gloves
• Under shirt or arm warmers
• Jacket
• Handwarmer packs
• Wool cap that covers the ear

Social golf novelties

These items are particularly useful for social golf and buddies trips.

• Koozie: We don’t condone “packing in” your own booze but B.Y.O.Koozie is essential.
• Insulated Cup: Yeti and Tervis do good work.
• Softcover cooler bag: Some courses provide their own, but many don’t.
• Pack of business cards: Because you never know who you’ll be paired up with.
• Some cash in small bills. For tips, beverage cart and bets.
• Bottle opener

Tech

Now we are getting into some novelty items, some of which can cost as much as your driver.

• Bluetooth Speaker
• Rangefinder (or wearable GPS unit).
• Mobile Swing analyzer/trackman: In some cases, this could simply be an app on your phone.
• GoPro and selfie stick
• Portable phone charger or Extra USB cord for golf cart: More and more golf carts are installing USB outlets, but I’ve realized it’s pointless if you leave your USB in the car.
• Driving range training aid: The Orange Whip seems to be a pretty common sight these days in golf bags, or alignment sticks.

Alright, be That Guy if you must and pack:

• Iron covers: But seriously, I think they’ll be fine without them.
• Ball retriever: If you’re using one, you probably don’t even play new balls to begin with.
• More than 14 clubs: Because aren’t 14 enough?
• Banana: Be warned, everyone forgets about the banana in the golf bag.

Lastly, we all have a few items we keep in our bag that are rare. Whether they are personal medical, nostalgic or miscellaneous. Personally, I keep a collapsible dog dishes and poop bags in mine since my munis allow dogs.

So, let’s check in on the weight of my now that my LS is fully packed (perhaps absurdly so) for my next round:

Weight empty: 3.5 lbs.
Weight fully-loaded: 23.6 lbs.
Carry weight: 19 lbs.

Okay, That should do it. That’s all you need to play a round of golf.
What did I miss?