The Golf Gear That Made It Back in the Bag This Season

You can learn a lot about a golfer by what's still in their golf bag a year later. Not the shiny new driver or the training aid they swore would fix their slice. The stuff that's been through dozens of rounds, trunk rides, range sessions and member-guests—and somehow still has a permanent spot.

After a recent clean out I'll admit mine was full of too many broken tees, a surprising number of can koozies and, no joke, an actual divot. After the pockets were emptied, I'm always sure to replace any expired sunscreen and finally throw away that melted lip balm that's seen better days.

The most interesting part isn't what gets tossed, it's the mainstays that survive the clean out without a second thought. They aren't the newest things in my golf bag, but they are the ones I'd replace tomorrow if they disappeared.

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Dimple and Divot Hickory Golf Brush

Once you ditch those wiry plastic brushes, you’ll never look back. This hickory brush is not only useful and I trust it to clean my clubs without imposing more damage, it’s also become part of the art curation that is golf bag accessorizing. Your bag is an extension of your outfit and tells a lot about who you are. My brush hangs next to my speaker and among favorite bag tags from courses I’ve played in my travels. I clipped this brush on over a year ago and it quickly became one of those accessories I notice immediately if it's missing.

Knockaround Sunglasses

These permanently live in my golf bag because they're light, comfortable and I don't hesitate to toss them into the cart basket, cup holder or side pocket between shots. They've survived dozens of rounds, range sessions and road trips, and that's exactly why they're still here. The best golf sunglasses aren't always the fanciest but they're the ones you actually remember to bring. One caveat to add, while technically polarized sunglasses are not the preferred lens type for golf because how polarization impacts depth perception and makes it slightly harder to read green accurately, for casual rounds you shouldn't notice much of a difference. If you're looking for golf-specific pairs, filter your search on the Knockaround site for options with the brand's "Knockterra+ lens technology" that sharpens contrast and supports better depth perception.

FootJoy RainGrip Gloves

Rain gloves are like jumper cables. You can go months without touching them, but the one day you need them you'll be incredibly glad they're there. Every golfer remembers the round where everything got soaked and a regular glove turned into a wet paper towel. Mine live tucked away in my valuables pouch year-round, waiting for the forecast to turn. It’s my second favorite rain-ready tip for golfers after putting an extra towel in a ziplock bag so you’ll have a fresh towel after everything else is dripping.

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Marie Birdie Ball Marker

I have an uncanny ability to lose ball markers. This one has somehow made it through three full seasons, dozens of rounds and more than a few trips through the washing machine attached to my skirt. At this point, I've stopped questioning it and started calling it good luck. The energetic coloring and positive message also serve as a well-needed reminder that this game is supposed to be fun.

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Garmin approach

In the spirit of transparency, I’ll admit that this mainstay in my bag is not put into use every single week after seven seasons in the bag. A major focus for me this season is mindfulness and limiting distraction on the golf course, so I’ll rely on sprinkler heads and yardage stakes at my neighborhood track. Sometimes I’ll sync my Apple Watch with the 18Birdies app for rough yardages but when I’m traveling or trying to grind, Garmin is my caddie. It’s pocket-sized and has a simple interface that provides a ton of information. The integrated launch monitor tracks clubhead speed, ball speed, swing tempo and estimated distance—which was the feature that convinced me to consider a GPS at this pricepoint in the first place.

Released in 2019 a few models back from the current Approach G82, but it’s held up the last several years without issue. Even when I was using it as my primary yardage source, I still only had to charge it a few times each season—well surpassing the promised 15-hour battery life.

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Owala Water Bottle

Anyone who knows me will attest to how selective I am about water bottles. I’ve tried them all, I rotate several in and out per season and I honestly think water tastes different depending on the vessel. My Owala is in its second golf season and despite a few dents, it’s holding on strong. It keeps ice frozen for at least nine holes and water cold for all 18 and I never have to worry about it leaking. The combo straw and spout lid is my favorite feature and I love that it has a handle that doesn’t get in the way of cupholders. It's somehow become the first thing I throw in the bag before every round—not because it's exciting, but because it quietly does its job every time.

Pinned Golf Speaker

A speaker that can clip on your bag for walking rounds or magnetically attach to the golf cart is an essential for me. I hate playing golf in silence and love to be in control of the aux cord (or Bluetooth-connected playlist in this case). It’s another battery life that seems to be endless and it’s got a crazy range. I haven’t tried it yet, but I learned last season that you can pair this with another speaker to sync up the cart playlists, so that’s on my list to try at the next Scotch Game.

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Bluegrass Fairway Golf Valuables Pouch

Despite the disaster of broken tees and trash I cleaned out of my golf bag, I like to keep the chaos to a minimum when it comes to pocket organization. Those massive pockets on my golf bag are just asking for trouble so I lean on valuables pouches to keep me sane. I use this one from Bluegrass fairway to keep small essentials in one place. It’s currently got: bandaids, an extra pair of socks, a backup $20, a Sharpie, a portable charger and medical gloves (Snow Golfers IYKYK but we don’t gatekeep either: Latex gloves layered under your golf glove will keep your hands warmer in the winter than any mittens could dream).

While most valuables pouches are used for phones and watches, I keep it deep in my bag for when I need it and the waxed canvas makes sure my essentials stay dry. You’ll also find my rain gloves in here waiting to pounce if forecast looks bleak.

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The Things I Restock Without Thinking

Not every golf essential is built to survive another season. Some of the hardest-working things in my bag are the ones I fully expect to replace over and over again.

Supergoop sunscreen gets reapplied every few holes during summer rounds. KT Tape blister bandages have bailed me out on more walking rounds than I can count. Del Campo socks have a place both in my sock drawer at home and I'll always have an extra pair in my bag. A lip balm and travel-sized Aquaphor stick permanently live in one of the smaller pockets because there's nothing worse than realizing you forgot it after six windy holes. And if there's one snack that's survived years of trial and error, it's an 88 Acres bar. It's filling enough to get me to the back nine without feeling like (or necessarily preventing) a hot dog at the turn.

Unlike the products that have stayed in my bag a few seasons in a row, these aren't built to last forever. That's exactly the point. Every time one runs out, I replace it before the next tee time because they've quietly become just as essential as a glove or a sleeve of golf balls.

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