Essentials for Every Golf Bag, Beyond the Clubs

What should I have in my golf bag? It's a question that many beginners have. Obviously, every golfer needs their selection of clubs, but golf essentials don't stop there. What accessories you bring with you can have an impact on your game. In this guide, we'll discuss the things you need for golf and provide a list of golf bag essentials to help you get ready to play. 

Get a Grip With Golf Gloves 

First up on our list of golf necessities — golf gloves. They're essential accessories because of how they impact your grip. In golf, your grip goes a long way toward determining the success of your swing. Golf gloves cut down on slippage to help you maintain an optimal grip, while also cutting down on friction to protect your hands from blisters and calluses that could leave you sidelined. 

There are many kinds of golf gloves to consider, but most fall into one of three categories: 

• Leather: Leather golf gloves have a soft, luxurious feel against the skin, are breathable to help you stay cool and provide an excellent feel of the club. 
• Synthetic: Crafted out of man-made materials, synthetic gloves are highly durable and an economical option. 
• Rain: Thanks to their waterproof materials, these gloves can keep your hands dry in inclement weather, so you won't have to call it a day due to unexpected showers. 

When choosing golf gloves, it's important to get the right fit. To do so, measure your hand at the widest part just below your thumb. Then, use manufacturers' size charts to select the best option. 

Block the Sun With Golf Hats and Visors 

Golf hats and golf visors are next on our list of golf essentials, and it's easy to see why. You simply can't play your best if you're squinting to see the ball. Golf hats and visors provide much-needed shade to help you see better on the course. Plus, they shield you from the sun's harsh UV rays, reducing the risk of sunburn. 

When it comes to golf headwear, you have many stylish options to choose from, including: 

• Baseball caps: These hats have a sporty spirit and feature paneled crowns and extended bills. Some are equipped with mesh backs that promote airflow for body temperature regulation. 
• Bucket hats: With their relaxed, slouchy styling, bucket hats are a comfortable choice. Because their brims travel all the way around, they also offer sun protection for your neck. 
• Visors: Boasting the brim of a baseball cap plus an open top, visors offer ample shade and can be a great option for golfers who feel overheated in regular hats. 

When selecting golf hats, keep weather conditions in mind. For example, you might want to go for the extra coverage of a baseball cap on chillier days and a visor on the hottest ones. 

Be Prepared With Extra Balls and Tees 

You never know what's going to happen during a round of golf. Your ball might end up sunk in a water feature. You might whiff and crack a tee, or your ball may find its way into deep mud that proves difficult to clean. For these reasons and all the other surprises that can occur on the course, extra balls and tees are golf must-haves. 

USGA rules state that you need to use the same ball throughout the game, but make an exception for when a ball becomes damaged or lost. Having extra on hand can keep you in a tournament and eliminate one potential source of stress. 

Some players like to keep a spare ball and an extra tee in their pocket, while others find this uncomfortable. If you fall into the latter category, you may want to add a secondary crossbody carrying bag to your golf bag. Not only can you use a smaller zippered pouch to stow your spares, but you can also tuck your wallet and other valuables away inside of it for quick access as needed. 

Protect Your Clubs With Golf Headcovers 

Golf covers are sleeves that fit over the top of your golf clubs, and they're absolute golf bag necessities. When they're in place, they reduce the risk of scratches and scuffs, helping your clubs stand the test of time and opening the doors to more reliable and consistent play. At the same time, headcovers offer weather protection and keep clubs free of dust and debris, so you can clean them less frequently. 

As you shop for headcovers, you'll quickly find that there are different types available for:

• Drivers 
• Putters 
• Fairway woods and hybrids 

What you won't find is headcovers for irons. These clubs are the only ones that don't get a cover due to the fact that they require airflow to remain free of rust. 

While headcovers are highly functional, they're also fashion accessories. Even if you have to follow a strict conservative dress code to play on a course, you can usually get away with expressing your personality through bold or edgy headcovers. 

Check out our guide to headcovers to learn more about choosing the best ones for your clubs. 

Keep Your Things Clean and Dry With Golf Towels 

Rounding out our list of golf bag must-haves is the classic golf towel, and you simply can't overstate how handy a high-quality towel can be on the course. You can use them between holes to wipe down your ball and clubs to remove grime that could get in the way of accuracy and consistency. When you break a sweat, a golf towel can help you stay dry. You can also use one to wipe off your hands and golf gloves or even to remove spots from your sunglasses. 

Like headcovers, golf towels can be as fashionable as they are functional. Look for ones made out of microfiber, which is highly absorbent but able to dry quickly after use. Towels with a texture like a waffle knit are especially beneficial because their surfaces can lift away stubborn dirt and debris. 

Stock Up on Golf Bag Must-Haves 

From hats to head covers, the above items are true golf bag necessities that can enhance your game by helping you maintain your gear and keep you focused. Devereux has a variety of golf must-haves for filling your bag. Our high quality accessories can stand the test of time, and our designs draw inspiration from the latest style trends to have you looking your best through every round.

Explore our golf accessories now to find stylish golf headcovers, golf towels, crossbody bags, ball markers, and more.