Experienced golfers know you need more than your clubs in your fancy new golf bag. Most bags come with many zippered pockets and tucked-away places to keep essentials. The trick is to strike a good balance between being prepared for what the day might bring and keeping your golf bag light, especially if you plan to walk the course.
Here are a dozen items to consider stowing in your bag.
The Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA) recommends these essentials:
1. Sharpie markers are handy for marking your golf balls so you can identify them easily. You can even mark your balls ahead of time and leave the marker at home.
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2. Extra golf balls, but no more than the number of your handicap.
3. A lightweight divot tool will smooth out marks in the grass left by your golf ball and is considered good golf etiquette.
4. A quality golf towel helps keep your clubs clean for better contact with the ball and improved accuracy.
5. A GPS or rangefinder device, regardless of your skill level, will help you locate your ball and course pitfalls, saving time.
Golf Digest builds on the preceding advice to include a few more items to carry in your golf bag:
6. Snacks, such as a protein bar, and plenty of water help keep you hydrated and full of energy on a long outing.
7. Sunscreen is essential because, on the course, avoiding the sun isn’t an option. Try a sweat-resistant formula on hot days.
8. An umbrella is important so you don’t get caught in an unexpected downpour on an otherwise sunny day.
Finally, Dick’s Sporting Goods has some final suggestions:
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9. Golf gloves protect your hands, but on hot days, golfer’s tape may be preferable.
10. Extra socks and an extra shirt will serve you well in case the weather turns and you want to keep playing or head back to the clubhouse to wait it out.
11. Extra tees to keep in a plastic bag for easy access.
12. Business cards are nice to have since golf is often a good networking opportunity, and you never know who you will meet.
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