Being able to go play other courses is one of the best privileges about golf, whether you've booked a fourball with your mates, playing in a county match or an open competition, I always have to double check I've got everything in my bag!
The first thing to do is check the weather! Always putting an extra layering piece in my bag like a ¼ Zip Jumper or Active Vest. My current favourite is the Lottie, it goes with every outfit and is a super easy layer to have in my golf bag not getting creased. I also love the long zip at the front so if I have a hat and sunglasses on I don't have to adjust that to keep putting my layer on and off!
Next I need a pair of socks! Especially if I'm playing in summer and have arrived at the course in sandals, socks cannot be forgotten! My favourite is the Core Bobble Socks, they never slip down my shoes or go thin. Along with my socks I need my shoes, I have so many pairs of golf shoes, the classic white or a fun pop colour in summer to match my outfit, I am currently wearing the Goody Two Shoes, perfect and breathable for this heat and a long round of an unknown course.
One thing about going to an away course is not knowing how much shade there is, therefore, I always pack suncream, a hat, cold water and my sunglasses! An away day is a treat so I love to put some sweeties in my golf bag for a little boost on the round and to share with my friends.
All of this goes in my Leisure Bag that is completely waterproof, so if my shoes get a little muddy or messy I can just wash the bag with washing up liquid and the hose when I get home! Fabulous!
Now onto my golf bag! Balls and Tees! I haven't got the straightest clubs so carrying lots of balls with me is a must! I'll need my distances ready on my watch, so I know what each hole looks like and to help guide what club to use, another reason I love the Lottie as the thumb hole makes really easy access to my distance watch! I always check I have got some ball markers, so small and easy to misplace but an essential for every round! And finally, an umbrella, I live in the UK so you never know if it's going to rain! But also, great to create shade on courses with fewer trees.
Enjoy the course and don't worry about how many balls you've lost, it's a privilege to go away for the day and enjoy it in good company.
Golf Bag Frequently Asked Questions
What should I pack in my golf bag for an away day?
For a summer away day, pack a spare layering piece for changeable weather, comfortable socks and shoes, suncream, a hat and sunglasses for unknown shade, plenty of balls and tees, a couple of ball markers, and a waterproof bag to keep it all dry. A few sweets for the round never go amiss either!
How many golf balls should I take to an away round?
There's no official limit, but six to eight balls covers most rounds comfortably. Take more if you know your game tends to find the trees or water, especially on a course you haven't played before. Running out partway round an away day is not how you want to remember it!
How many clubs am I allowed in my golf bag?
The Rules of Golf allow a maximum of 14 clubs per round. You don't have to carry that many, but you can't add extras once you've teed off, so double-check your bag before you leave the car park. If your driving isn't its straightest, that limit is exactly why the extra balls matter more.
What's the best way to clean muddy golf kit after a round?
A fully waterproof bag, like our Leisure Bag, makes it simple. Pop your muddy shoes and kit inside after the round, then rinse the bag out with washing up liquid and a hose once you're home. It saves scrubbing shoes in the utility room and keeps the mess contained on the drive back from an away day.
Do you need an umbrella for golf in the UK?
Realistically, yes. UK weather can turn in the time it takes to play a few holes, so an umbrella earns its place in the bag more often than you'd like to admit. It also creates useful shade on courses with fewer trees, so it's not just a rain-day essential.