Forgetting your rain jacket on day one of a golf trip is a mistake you only make once. This checklist covers what experienced trip golfers pack, organized so you can run down it the night before you leave.
Clubs and the bag
- Your clubs, checked. Count them before you pack. It's easy to leave a wedge in the garage after a practice session.
- A travel cover if you're flying. A hard case offers the most protection; a padded soft case is lighter and easier to store. Remove your driver head if it's adjustable, or pack a stiff arm or a broom handle that stands taller than the driver to absorb impacts.
- Headcovers for woods and putter.
- A lighter carry bag if your cart bag is heavy and the trip includes walking rounds.
- Airline rules checked. Fees, size and weight limits for golf bags vary by airline. Look them up before the trip, not at the counter.
If you're driving, pack the clubs last so they're the first thing out, and never leave them visible in a parked car.
On-course essentials
- Golf balls: more than you think. Unfamiliar courses with water and trees eat balls. A dozen per round is a reasonable rule for most groups.
- Tees, ball markers and a divot repair tool.
- Gloves: at least two. Gloves get wet, stretch and wear out over consecutive days.
- Rangefinder or GPS device, charged, with its charger.
- Towel: one dry, one for cleaning clubs.
- Sunscreen and lip balm. Four or five hours outside, several days in a row, adds up.
- A water bottle. Some courses have water stations; many don't.
- Snacks for the turn or a long cart ride between holes.
- A small pouch for your phone, keys and wallet so they stay dry and don't fall out of the cart.
Clothing
Many courses have dress codes. Common rules include collared shirts and no denim, but policies vary, so check each course before you go.
- Golf shirts: one per round, plus a spare.
- Shorts or pants that meet the dress codes of the courses you're playing.
- Layers: a quarter-zip or light pullover. Early tee times can be cold even when the afternoon is warm.
- A waterproof rain jacket and rain pants. Wet clothes make for a miserable back nine.
- Golf shoes, ideally two pairs so one can dry out between rounds. Check whether courses restrict metal spikes.
- Hat or visor, and a warm hat for cold mornings.
- Socks: an extra pair in your golf bag for wet days.
- Evening clothes for the group dinner, if one is planned.
Health and comfort
- Any medications you take, in their original containers, in your carry-on.
- Basic first aid: bandages for blisters, pain relief, antacids.
- Insect repellent for courses near water or woods.
- Comfortable shoes for evenings, and something to wear on the rest day.
Documents and money
- ID and travel documents.
- Confirmations: lodging, tee times and rental cars, saved somewhere you can open offline.
- Your handicap, if the group is using net scoring.
- Cash for caddies, forecaddies or tips, if your courses use them.
- Payment details for settling up with the group. If you're the organizer, have a clear record of what everyone has paid. Our guide on splitting costs on a group trip explains how to keep it simple.
Tech
- Phone charger and a portable battery. Scorecard apps, GPS and photos drain batteries over a long round.
- Earbuds for the drive or flight.
- A small speaker, if your group likes music in the cart and the course allows it.
For the organizer
If you're running the trip, also pack:
- A printed or offline copy of the itinerary with addresses, tee times and pairings.
- Course contact numbers, in case you're running late or the weather turns.
- Scorecards and a pen for side games, plus the rules you agreed on for formats and stakes. Our guide to golf formats covers the popular ones.
What to leave at home
- More than one spare set of clothes per day. Most group houses have a washing machine.
- A full bag of practice gear. Most courses have a range with balls.
- Valuables you won't need. Fewer things to keep track of in a shared house.
Pack the night before, not the morning of
Lay everything out, check it against this list and pack the clubs last. Then send the group a reminder about the forecast and the first tee time. A calm first morning sets the tone for the whole trip. For the bigger picture, see our guide to planning a group golf trip.