Here are the items I keep in my golf bag at all times.
I’ve been playing golf for over 30 years. This list has been about the same for the last 15ish.
All Must Have Essentials For Your Golf bag
- Golf Towel (I prefer Frogger, but you’ve got tons of options)
- Golf Brush (Frogger makes the best)
- Golf Balls (Big variance here. I generally go with Pro V1, but I’m testing Callaway’s new premium balls)
- Tees (I use the best tees in the game and they’re dirt-cheap)
- Rangefinder (I’m not a rangefinder guy, but I see this one at the course ALL the time)
- GPS (I’m firmly in the GPS family – I use Skycaddie)
- Sunscreen (This one is recommended by my dermatologist and the one I use most often)
- Solar Sleeves (These are excellent and inexpensive)
- Hat (Your head, face & neck take a beating from the sun)
- Sunglasses (I regard as non-negotiable. I don’t like squinting and I want to protect my eyes as much as possible)
- Sharpie (Another non-negotiable. Have to be able to easily identify your ball)
- Putting stroke trainer (I hit the putting green every time I hit the course. The one I use is excellent for dialing in my stroke)
- Swing Trainer (For warming up & getting your swing in sync before rounds and range sessions)
- Alignment sticks (Do Not spend more than a few bucks on these)
- Golf gloves (I carry 3 at least. This one’s the best for the money by a long shot…in my book)
Frogger Golf Towel
The Frogger Amphibian Towel is my favorite golf towel…by far. Not only does it look really cool, it is the most functional golf towel out there.
Why I love it…
It’s designed to be effective rain or shine. Perfect and ingenious.
I really like taking care of my clubs, especially the club face. I thoroughly clean my irons after every shot during my rounds and the Amphibian towel makes it easy and fast.
- I knock or rub off any major clumps of dirt or mud with my shoe, then I use the inside of the Frogger towel (which I thoroughly wet with water prior to my round) and rub off whatever is left between the grooves.
- I use the Frogger golf brush to clean any especially stubborn areas between the grooves when needed.
This keeps my club faces performing well and diminishes wear and tear just a bit.
The really cool thing is that when it rains, you can use the outside of the towel to clean your clubs and use the inside of the towel to dry them…Like I said, a great golf towel.
I own it. I love it
Frogger Golf Brush
The Frogger BrushPro is my most favorite golf brush and the one I’ve used for a good 15 years or so.
Four reasons I’m such a fan:
- Replaceable bristles: You never have to buy a new brush
- Retractable cord: No contorting to get your club closer to your brush to clean and no worry losing your brush…ever.
- Retractable groove cleaner.
- Two different brush-types: 100% nylon and Nylon Phosphorous Bronze combo (I recommend using only the nylon brush to lessen any chance of scratching my clubs.)
I didn’t give my golf brush a whole lot of attention…like most of you that have been playing golf for any length of time. I thought they were all pretty much the same- crappy.
Then I noticed a buddy of mine had the Frogger.
It had the retractable cord.
It didn’t look like a piece of crap.
It even looked well-built.
It had the combo bristles and cleaned his club faces well. And it was SOOO easy to use because of the cord. No more hunching over to bring my club closer to the brush.
I bought my first and only BrushPro about 10 years ago and only replaced the nylon brush about a year and a half ago.
See…I didn’t even realize you could replace the bristles. I was going to buy a brand new brush. Now I know, I have one for life.
You can’t beat this brush. It gets my highest recommendation.
Golf Balls
Golf balls are pretty personal to most golfers.
I’ll play most any premium golf ball, but I generally stick to Titleist Pro V1s if I’m coming out of my pocket.
Here are some other great premium options (I have experience with):
- Taylormade TP5 & TP5x – I’ve played both and love them.
- Callaway Chrome Tour & Chrome Tour X – I just started testing these. No complaints so far.
Here are some one-step-down from premium options (I have experience with):
- Taylormade Tour Response – I got a whole bunch of these given to me, so I played them for about a year. Distance was consistent. They held greens well. They’re not quite as soft and responsive as my premium choices. But you won’t notice a difference unless you’re trying to control chips and pitches on severely fast greens.
For me, they feel about the same and go the same distance.
Tees
These are the “Pride Professional Tee System Plastic Golf Tees.”
They are the best tees in the game, and they are dirt cheap.
I don’t often buy tees, but when I do, I buy these. I don’t even think about buying wooden tees anymore. The most they last is one or two swings before I destroy them.
The Pride Performance tees are super durable, cradle the ball nicely, and are pretty easy to find after your shot.
Don’t overthink this one. If you are going to buy tees, may as well get Pride Performance tees.
Sunscreen
I regard sunscreen as a non-negotiable. Especially now that I’m at the age where my dermatologist is rather routinely cutting skin cancer off of me. No Fun.
I could have headed this off if I’d paid more attention to protecting my skin in my teens and early years.
Don’t be like me. Wear a good sunscreen and wear it consistently.
I use EltaMd, which was recommended by my dermatologist. I bought it from his office and got the SPF 50. I can’t find that on Amazon without skin tint.
- Recommended by dermatologist
- Absorbed well & doesn't run or sweat away easily
- Provides excellent protection
- Can use on my face - doesn't irritate or burn my skin
- A little goes a long way
- Not the cheapest...but not bad
Swing Trainer
Every golfer should keep some type of swing trainer in their bag at all times to help them warm up before rounds and range sessions.
There are many great ones, but I prefer the Impact Sling from Tour Striker.
What we like:
- Excellent for improving swing sequence and timing, smoothing transition, and setting the proper tempo.
- Forces you to use the ground correctly to generate speed.
- Improves your swing path.
- Video training series from Marting Chuck.
- Premium materials and construction.
What we don’t like: (kind of)
- A little pricey
I’ve been training with and swinging the Impact Sling for months now. It stays in my bag, and I swing it before every range session and every round.
I find it helps me with a few things:
- It helps to prevent me from yanking on the club at the start of the downswing and trying to create club speed by jerking on the club.
- It slows my hands down and forces my body to set the correct tempo, sequence, and timing for a much smoother swing.
- It helps me sync everything up and puts me in a position to make better swings.
You can not jerk the Impact Sling around our swing erratically without beating yourself up with the rope sling.
Bottom line: A great corrective for when your swing gets a little (or a lot) erratic.
- Improve Swing Sequence & Timing
- Improve Swing Path & Release
- Plug Power Leaks
- Increase Swing Speed w/ Less Effort
- Great for warming up pre-round or pre range session
- Pricey
Sunglasses
Costa Del Mar’s Whitetips are our #1 Recommendation for best golf sunglasses.
What we like:
- Crystal-clear lenses. Maintains superb clarity and vivid colors while relaxing the eyes.
- Lightweight frame w/ rubber inserts in nosepiece and arms fit comfortably and don’t slip.
- Fits smaller faces well.
- Great looking tortoiseshell frames.
- Wrap-around style provides side glare protection.
- Perfect for the brightest sunny day or for preventing eye strain from glare.
What we don’t like:
- Nothing, really.
The Whitetips are the first Costa Del Mars I’ve ever worn. I know they’re supposed to be good sunglasses, but you never know until you put them on.
Well, put them on I did and the love affair began immediately.
My eyes relaxed.
I saw colors with excellent detail and contrast.
This…is how sunglasses are supposed to work.
The wrap-around style is ideal for outdoor activities because they don’t slip as easily and they help with side glare protection.
I always opt for green lenses because they give great protection while maintaining contrast and keeping colors vivid.
Bottom Line – Exceptional clarity and glare protection while maintaining vivid colors in a sporty comfortable frame. Excellent choice for the golf course, while driving, or at the summer barbecue.
- Superb Clarity & Glare Protection
- Vivid colors
- Fit well (Light & Comfortable)
- Nice style
- Nada
Hats
The Bridgestone Liberty bucket hat stays in my bag and is the one I use the most. It doesn’t provide the most sun protection, but it’s the most comfortable.
What we like:
- Good, but not complete head protection. Most of the face and neck are protected. Ears are completely covered.
- Soft, lightweight, comfortable material.
- Quality construction and good fit.
- Classic bucket hat look.
What we don’t like:
- Incomplete face and neck protection in the early morning or late afternoon sun. (think angles)
The Liberty Bucket hat is one size fits all. I guess I can see that. It fits me well. I guess maybe you can’t pull it down as far if your head is much bigger than mine.
I didn’t think I’d like this hat, but I do. It looks stiff, rigid, and uncomfortable at first glance. It’s none of those. It’s light, comfortable, and fits well. There’s no ventilation like most of the hats on this list, but it’s not a hot hat.
Like the other pure bucket hats on the list – It’s great for mid-day when the sun is highest in the sky. Your lower neck and face will be pretty exposed in the early morning or late afternoon sun.
This is what I think of when I think “bucket hat”. Like from the 70s or 80s. I like it.
Bottom line – Comfortable and classic bucket hat. Best for mid-day sun protection.
- Partial Face & Neck Protection
- Lightweight & Comfortable
- Quality Construction & Fit
- Kinda cool looking
- Incomplete face & neck protection
Solar Sleeves
I’ve tried a few brands – some dirt cheap like the Tough Outdoors version you see above and some I thought quite expensive.
The expensive ones were over $30 per pair, and these are about $10.
Guess which ones were/are the best?
It’s the inexpensive Tough Outdoors solar sleeves you’re looking at.
I love them and recommend them to every golfer I know.
What I love:
- Superb fit and comfort.
- Excellent sun protection and they keep my skin cool.
- Keep their shape for a long time.
- Inexpensive – I buy 3 or 4 pair at a time.
What I don’t love:
- They turn yellowish/dingy after only a couple washes. (Obviously not a deal-braker)
They fit better than the expensive brands I’ve tried, and they’re more comfortable too. Plus, they protect me from the sun at least as well.
I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop and for them to raise their prices.
Bottom line – Best quality at the best price. Pick up a few pair before they come to their senses and charge what they’re worth.
- Great fit
- Cools the skin
- Killer price
- Superb sun protection
- Turns dingy after a couple washes
Golf Gloves
The Callaway Tour Authentic is my favorite golf glove by a long shot.
What I like:
- Excellent fit & feel.
- Premium quality Cabretta construction.
- Best Durability – Retains fit and feel.
- Incredible value.
The Callaway Tour Authentic is new to us for 2023 (it came out in 2022). It fits and feels almost exactly the same as the Titleist Perma – Soft.
It lacks the mesh fabric across the knuckles of the StaSof and Perma – Soft. (I think this helps the glove flex more with my grip)
It fits a little snugly at first but breaks in quickly for a perfect fit.
It’s a great quality glove at a more than reasonable price.
Bottom Line: Excellent premium Cabretta leather glove and the most durable we’ve tested at a very reasonable price.
- Excellent Fit & Feel
- Best Durability
- Premium Quality Soft Cabretta Leather
- Great Value
- None
Golf GPS
I’ve been using a golf GPS since about the mid 2000’s when Skycaddie first came on the scene. I use the SX400 now (pictured above)
I believe the SG5 was my first one and I loved it to death. I was very sad when it finally stopped working.
I like, but don’t need, super-precise yardage to the pin – and neither do most of us out there. You can move the cursor on the SX400 to the area of the green where the flag is. (I’ve found this plenty accurate over the last 15-20 years)
I prefer yardage to and to cover hazards.
I prefer the yardage to the front and back of the greens.
I prefer the yardage to where the fairway runs out.
It’s hard or impossible to get that with a range finder.
With Skycaddie, you just drag the curser on the screen to the place you want to measure, and you’ve got a pretty accurate number.
It also keeps track of your club distances, scores, and whatever stats you choose to track. Oh, it figures your handicap too.
Bottom Line – I’m a fan and it’s my preferred way to get around during my round.
- Very functional & intuitive to use
- Nice display - easy to read
- Syncs easily with Skygolf website
- Tracks many stats
- Calculates handicap
- Can be buggy
Putting Stroke Trainer
The Wellstroke is has been my favorite putting stroker trainer for a few years now.
What I like:
- It forces me to use a steady non-handsy stroke.
- It gently guides me on my perfect putting arc.
- The metal guides provide instant feedback if my putter and/or the ball go off line.
- It has taught me better control of the backswing and follow-through of my putter giving me much tighter distance control.
What I don’t like:
- Still looking.
I use it every day at home and I should absolutely use it at the course more often.
My putting stroke is now disciplined and trained. I expect to hit my line when I’m playing instead of hoping. Simply put, I hole more putts per round.
You can read my full review of Wellstroke here.
Bottom Line:
Get 15% OFF with Code: AFF15_GOLFERGEEKS
- Dial in Distance Control & Touch
- Builds consistent stroke
- Use at home or at the course
- Lifetime Guarantee (Refund or Exchange)
- 30-Day Risk-Free Guarantee
- Nada
Rangefinder
A friend of mine gave me the rangefinder you see above. I use it on the range to get target distances from time to time. Never on the course. (I’m in the minority on this one, for sure.)
Rangefinders are definitely useful and used heavily on the course. The Callaway model below is the favorite of many of my golfing buddies (and on Amazon too).
Bottom Line: You may as well get good bang for your buck if you’re going to use one. This Callaway seems to fit the bill for that.
