Is there anything better than a golf trip?
Whether you’re planning a couples retreat or a guys trip, there’s not much better than traveling to play new courses. Anytime you tee it up is a good day… but going on a golf trip is 10X the fun.
It means new golf courses, meeting new people, and new memories. But to enjoy your golf trip the most, it’s crucial to not forget anything at home. To make the most of your vacation and not stress out (let’s leave that for the real world) we made a comprehensive packing list to help you out.
Keep reading to prepare like a pro for your next golf trip. Whether you’re going to sunny South Florida or battling out winter golf season, we got you covered.
Golf Trip Packing List
Here are 20+ golf gadgets, apparel, and other accessories you don’t want to forget on an epic trip. To make it easier to pack, let’s break it down into four main categories; equipment, gadgets/accessories, golf clothing, and other miscellaneous items.
Golf Equipment
Equipment is arguably the most important thing you need to start your golf trip. I’ve always said as long as my clubs make it, I can buy anything else.
Here’s what to grab from your car, garage, and locker at the country club to prepare for the trip.
Golf Clubs and Travel Bag
Obviously the first and most important thing to pack is your golf bag. I’d say the chances of you forgetting this are slim, but just in case, it felt like we needed to make this top of the packing list.
Additionally, if you are flying with golf clubs you will need a sturdy, reliable travel bag. Since the TSA doesn’t care about your golf clubs like you do, it’s necessary to pack them in a safe travel bag. It’s also not a bad idea to unscrew your driver or fairway woods and store them in your bag as well.
Click here to learn more about our favorite golf travel bags.
Golf Balls and Tees
Once the clubs are in your travel bag, make sure to pack plenty of golf balls. While we hope you only play one golf ball during the round, it’s best to play it safe with extra sleeves.
Buying Pro V1s in a pro shop at a bucket list course makes them even more expensive so pack plenty. It’s also a good idea to restock your tees, check for ball markers, and divot tools.
Golf Shoes
Once you have all clubs, make sure to pack 1-2 pairs of golf shoes.
Most travel bags have outside pockets and I’ve found that golf shoes fit perfectly in them vs. inside the bag. Pack your comfy shoes and if you’re going for a longer trip, think about another pair too.
Don’t forget to stuff your shoes with golf socks too. Plus, having some extra spikes isn’t a bad idea either.
Golf Gloves
Similar to golf balls, buying new gloves is always more expensive in the pro shop (and they might not have your size). Pack several golf gloves and consider rain gloves if you’re playing in wet or humid weather.
Towels
Pack 2-3 golf towels in case you lose one (or if you’re playing golf in the rain) to keep your equipment dry. Also, make sure to pack them in between your clubs so they don’t get damaged on the flight.
If you’re playing in the rain, bring several smaller towels to keep your hands and grips dry. If you’re playing somewhere hot, think about investing in a small cooler towel to keep your neck cold during the round.
Extra Shafts
I don’t trust the TSA (I’ve just read too many horror stories) and therefore always carry an extra driver shaft. If the airlines break any other club it’s not that big of a deal but the driver sets you up during the round so I always suggest having a backup in the garage.
It’s nearly impossible to find your exact driver shaft in short notice so I always pack it in my travel bag.
Apple AirTag
Before packing your clubs, don’t forget this expert hack; buy an Apple AirTag and leave it somewhere inside your golf bag. This essentially acts as a GPS to help you easily find your clubs.
If for some reason they get lost or stolen, you can easily find them and avoid a disaster.
Rain Hood
Depending on where you’re going, you might want to make sure you pack for the weather. If you’re planning a trip to Bandon Dunes for example (or anywhere the weather is unpredictable) don’t forget your rain hood.
A rain hood is one of the most clutch pieces of equipment you can have in bad weather. Always carry it in your bag so you’re prepared for anything.
Umbrella
Speaking of rain, don’t forget about packing an umbrella too. They’re a fraction of the price if you buy on Amazon vs. buying new in a pro shop at the course.
Check out our best golf umbrellas here.
Sunscreen and/or Bug Spray
If you’re playing somewhere warm and sunny, make sure to protect your skin with sunscreen for UV protection as well. Plus, a small can of bug spray isn’t a bad idea either (especially if you’re playing in humid weather conditions). Long sleeves that are good for the sun are also recommended.
Golf Gadgets
Next up is making sure you pack all your favorite golf gadgets and golf accessories for the trip.
Range finder, Watch or Golf GPS
Another small item that plays a big part in your round is your range finder, GPS, or golf watch. Don’t forget these items as it’ll make it much harder to navigate the course without them. While some golf courses have them in the cart, they don’t always work properly and always suggest bringing your own distance device.
You can also pack a yardage book (they’re available online) for even more course knowledge too. Or, hire a caddy for the day for the best experience as I bet they will save you several strokes during the round.
Pack an extra battery too!
Bluetooth Speaker
Another item that will make the golf trip even more enjoyable is a Bluetooth speaker.
It’s fun to listen to music (if the golf course allows it) throughout the day. Bring something small and pack it in your carry on if possible to protect your investment. Fellow golfers will appreciate it too!
Charging Cable
The good news is that most golf carts now have USB charging ports. Bring an extra cord so you can charge your devices and other accessories during the round.
Golf Cooler Bag
If you want to bring a few drinks on the golf course, it’s not a bad idea to bring a cooler sleeve. These can usually get 6-8 cans inside and easily store them in your golf bag.
Portable Massage Gun
Getting older is part of life but it’s not always fun, especially for golfers.
Traveling, swinging, and sleeping on a new bed always presents some challenges to your body. Pack a small massage gun in your suitcase so you can loosen up before the round.
Our favorite is the ultra-small and portable Theragun Mini 2.0.Â
Golf Clothing and Apparel
Once you have all your equipment and gadgets ready to go, let’s get into the golf clothes you should pack for your golf trip. It’s a good idea to check the dress code to see if they allow golf shorts or if they require pants.
Polos
The first golf clothes you need to pack are your favorite golf shirts. Chances are you’ll take some pictures to document the trip so buy some new ones or pack your favorite collared shirts.
As they say, dress to impress. The better you look, the better you’ll play (it works for the pros at least).
Pants or Shorts (and Belts)
Next, pack plenty of shorts and/or pants to match your collared shirts. It’s a good idea to pack a few extra shirts and pants in case you want a backup outfit or accidentally stain one of them. While ladies will want to pack golf skirts, pants, and/shorts.
Jackets
Next, make sure to bring some gear to keep yourself warm during the round. Your golf game can suffer if you’re cold so pack some jackets, rain gear, windbreakers, or hoodies so you can layer up before heading out. They make all the difference!
Golf Hats, Visors, or Beanies
One of the last things to not forget about are your favorite golf hats. Pack 2-4 depending on the length of the trip and if it’s going to get hot. If you’re playing in the cold, a beanie will help keep your head and ears warm as well.
Sunglasses
Finally, if you’re playing in warm weather, always pack sunglasses (in a case) to protect your eyes. Check out our favorite golf sunglasses here.
Miscellaneous Items
The last category for your golf getaway list is miscellaneous items (i.e. not golf related stuff).
Here are the most important essentials not to forget in your luggage.
- Keys
- Day bag
- Snacks
- Alcohol
- Lip balm
- Flip flops
- Underwear
- Headphones
- Phone charger
- Bathroom toiletries
- Reusable water bottle
- Medications/supplements
- Driver’s license and/or passport
- Non-golf clothes, shoes, exercise clothes, swimsuits, suits, etc.
- Other sports gear (if you’re taking a road trip); Frisbee, football, basketball, tennis gear, pickleball set, yard games, pool games, etc.
FAQs About Packing for a Golf Trip
Do you have more questions about packing all the right essentials for your golf trip?
What should I pack for a 7-day golf trip?
A 7-day golf trip is a long time so make sure to pack everything on this list. If you don’t want to do laundry (and we don’t blame you for not wanting to) pack a week’s worth of shirts, pants, and/or shorts. Plus, plenty of socks and underwear for the long trip.
Not to mention, factor in if you’re golfing in the winter vs. summer months so you get all the right essentials for the season.
How do you prepare for a golf trip?
Planning and preparing for a golf trip is key to enjoying the time you’re there. Aside from packing, which we cover above, you want to confirm all reservations.
From the hotel room, rental car, tee times, and anything else you booked ahead of time. There’s nothing worse than having to deal with something at the moment (i.e. not having a rental car or golf course forgetting your tee time) so confirm and save your reservation information.
This actually happened to me one time, I completely forgot to get a reservation number and had to call the course that morning. Luckily they let us sneak on but it was almost a disaster so learn from my mistake and plan ahead.
It’s also important to check into your flight ahead of time if you’re flying and weigh your golf bag to not exceed any airline weight limits. If you’re driving, fuel up ahead of time and make sure your car is good to go. Or if you rent a car, ensure it’s big enough to fit all your golf gear.
Finally, make sure everyone in your group is on the same page with times, details, etc. Have a group chat or email so you can easily communicate with each other.
Can you pack clothes in your golf travel bag?
While TSA frowns upon it I’ve added tons of different items to my golf bag over the years of travel. But it’s best to pack clothes inside your golf bag to make sure they don’t get lost if the TSA opens your travel bag.
As long as you keep it under the weight limit for each airline, you should be fine.
What should I buy for a golf trip?
You don’t need to buy a ton for your next golf trip but just make sure to pack accordingly. Two things you should consider buying are a yardage book for each course (or a golf GPS). This makes it easier to navigate new terrain and can load up all the courses at your golf destination.
What do you need for a golf weekend?
Planning for a golf weekend is much easier than planning for a 7-10 day trip. If you’re playing 18 holes each day make sure you have two golf outfits and possibly a third just in case.
You should only need one pair of golf shoes as well. Make sure to bring a few sleeves of golf balls, tees, sunglasses, hats, rangefinder, and gloves.
You can typically put everything in a small carry on bag too to avoid some extra baggage fees. Plus, you can always stuff a few last minute things inside your golf travel bag too.
Final Thoughts on Golf Trips
Golf trips are some of the most fun experiences you can have, so enjoy every moment.
To make the most of your golf trips, make sure to plan ahead so you don’t cram like a final exam in college and forget your gear. As long as you have your clubs and equipment, everything else can usually be bought.
If there’s one thing I can’t stress enough it’s to insert an Apple AirTag into your bag so you always can locate your golf clubs. It’s the best investment you can make, especially when traveling.
Lastly, don’t forget to confirm all reservations ahead of time so they don’t accidentally forget a tee time.