Golf Trip Packing List (What to Bring)
There’s nothing more exciting than packing for a golf trip.
The anticipation of playing somewhere new remains one of the best feelings for casual and serious golfers.
But before you can hit that first tee box, you must ensure you have everything you need to attack the course.
Building the ultimate golf trip packing list together for your golf trip takes time and is more than just making sure you have enough golf balls.
In this article, we’ll provide a detailed list to follow as you pack your golf travel bag for your next golf trip.
Clothing and Apparel
First, knowing the climate of your destination is an absolute must before deciding what golf clothing to bring on your golf trip.
Packing multiple options in your travel bag may seem unnecessary, but an extra shirt or pair of shorts can save you trouble in the long run.
What to Bring for Warm Golf Vacation
If you play during the summer months, chances are high that you’ll pack plenty of golf skirts for women and golf shorts for men.
You can also expect to play golf in a collared polo-style shirt, so bring plenty of those that breathe easily and keep airflow moving during your day on the links.
We prefer short ankle-high socks during our round and always bring at least one pair as a backup, especially in the morning when dew can creep into our socks, forcing a quick change to keep our feet dry.
If you are playing in warm weather, don’t be afraid to play in golf shirts with long sleeves that carry UV protection to keep the harmful effects of the sun away from your skin.
What to Bring for a Cooler Golf Vacation
On the other hand, if you want to play fall or winter golf, you should anticipate lousy weather and pack rain gloves and larger golf hats to protect your face from rain.
With cooler weather, you need layers that move easily with your swing as you play golf. A longer-sleeved top that’s loose and not restrictive remains your best option.
Some golfers love the padded vest, as it provides warmth for the upper body without restricting the arms, allowing you to swing your clubs freely.
Dress Codes and Club Rules
Remember to always call the pro shops of the golf courses you plan to play to get their dress code.
A great time to do this is when booking your tee times. By calling the golf course, you can ensure you bring appropriate attire for your next golf getaway.
When assembling your golf packing list, remember your time off the golf course.
Most golf clubs don’t allow you to wear your golf shoes inside the facilities, so you’ll need a pair of fresh socks plus some alternate non-golf shoes to enjoy the grounds.
Flip-flops are a nice alternative, but to follow golf club rules, you’ll need high-quality leather models.
Golf Equipment and Accessories
When assembling your equipment, you have your obvious choices, such as golf gloves, your best golf balls, and ball markers.
But what about those accessories for golf carts that routinely are ignored, like a portable charger or first aid kit?
We love our gadgets when packing golf gear for our next golf trip. They help make our golf game more enjoyable and provide necessary data points to help us post a low round.
You should always bring your own distance device, such as a golf GPS watch or range finder.
A range finder remains the best equipment to keep your round quick and efficient, so it should always come along for the trip. Don’t forget to pack a few extra batteries or a recharger to ensure it stays functional.
These devices are incredibly lightweight and small, so you want to protect this golf equipment for travel.
Wrapping them in your golf towel or other golf clothing can give them a protective layer to keep them free from damage during your golf weekend.
Miscellaneous Considerations
One of the best advice we can offer for your golf vacation is to ensure you have a holder for all your personal identification, insurance, and housing info for your golf getaway.
We highly recommend that each member of the traveling party follow this requirement to ensure no hiccups during travel.
If you are staying at a resort for your golf vacation, make sure you have confirmed your hotel room ahead of your departure.
There’s nothing worse than arriving at your golf trip destination and finding out you don’t have a place to stay due to a misunderstanding.
And remember, maintaining focus on what’s truly important when traveling can prevent an epic disaster if a member of your playing party forgets their essential documents.
On-Course Comfort Items
When it comes to golf trip essentials for the course, you should consider your weather first. If you are headed for a hot golf vacation, a cooling golf towel, and wide-brim golf hats should find their way into your luggage.
You might also need a set of extra golf shoe spikes just in case you experience a problem on the course. They easily store in your golf bag and won’t add much weight to your overall luggage.
If you’re headed to a humid climate, a bug spray could save you from scratching annoying bug bites for the remainder of your golf vacation.
Including an umbrella on your golf trip packing list can provide much-needed cover on the golf course. It will keep you dry during the occasional rain shower and your skin cool during the hottest summer days.
Speaking of keeping your skin out of the sun, a broad, high-UPF sunscreen should always be atop your ultimate packing list, along with items such as golf balls and golf gloves.
A full rain gear set, including rain pants and a rain hat, can help keep you dry if a shower pops up during your round.
Along with a rain jacket, we consider having a whole rain-specific outfit among the golf trip essentials we carry in our golf travel bag.
Travel Essentials
While most golfers worry most about protecting their golf clubs when traveling, they should also focus on making their destination as hassle-free as possible.
Here are a few tips for keeping those clubs free from damage and saving time while traveling.
Protecting Your Clubs the Right Way
A travel essential for any golf trip is the golf travel bag. You can protect your main golf bag with a hard-shell case or a soft-shell bag.
The durability of this travel golf bag can be all the difference in making sure clubs such as your fairway woods make it safely to your golf trip destination.
No matter the type of golf travel bag you use, taking a pop-up travel cover supporter that can keep your clubs from taking head-on impact can be a lifesaver.
If you can afford an extra driver shaft, that may seem like a luxury, but it certainly offers insurance that can save your golf trip if the worst strikes your bag.
Regardless of your travel bag’s durability, you should pack clothes around your best golf clubs to protect them as they move from airport to plane.
It’s also a great way to save space in your suitcases by removing some golf clothes and placing them around the heads and shafts of your golf clubs.
Don’t Forget Your Essential Documents
And with our final thoughts, remember that if you fly overseas for your golf trip, carry all necessary documents, such as your passport, in a backpack or smaller bag that stays on your body.
Having the necessary paperwork at arm’s reach can minimize your time working through the airport and other check-in areas.
Also, you’ll need to take a paper copy of your hotel reservations if your phone dies or malfunctions during your drive from the airport.