With the imminent arrival of golf season, you might be raring to travel out of town and to hit the golf course. But before you make the trip, make sure you have all the essentials to bring out your A-game and to have a pleasant and relaxing time on the links.
Below is a fourteen-item list comprising golf clothing, golf accessories, travel essentials, and golf-related electronics and technologies that will help you make the best out of your excursion!
Golf Apparel
Golf is a sport that requires you to follow a certain dress code before you even begin playing. Look smart and feel at ease on both the green and the rough with the following items.
A Golf Cap and Shades
Since you’ll be out in the sun for the better part of the day, you’ll definitely need a hat or visor to shield your head. Supplement your head protection with sufficient eye protection and invest in a pair of high-quality sunglasses. Lenses in brown, copper, or dark amber colors will help you shade your eyes but still permit you full visibility as you follow the ball.
Comfortable Golf Shirts and Pants
Collared shirts are a must for golfers, and so are pants with belts. When choosing shirts, go for breathable and well-fitting materials like mercerized cotton or spandex. For trousers, khakis are a safe bet; make sure that the pant legs don’t sag too low as to get in the way of your shoes. Pack outfits that will guarantee you peak physical performance on the course and make you look right at home among fellow golfers.
Golf Socks and Shoes
Next, bring a pair of golf shoes with grips on the soles to allow you maximum balance while you’re playing. It’s good to invest in shoes that come with additional stabilizers along the arches so that your feet don’t slide when you swing. You should also make it a point to buy antimicrobial socks before your golf trip to ward off funky post-game foot odors while keeping microbes that may cause skin conditions at bay.
Evening Apparel
To complete your golf trip wardrobe, bring some spiffy-looking evening apparel for post-game cocktails at the club or a night around town. After all, socials are just as much of a highlight as golf games are; have fun dressing for either occasion.
Golf Accessories
If you’re an experienced golfer, packing your game essentials may be like second nature to you. But it’s worth running down each accessory and piece of equipment so that you don’t have to rent too many things for an exorbitant amount. Just like how it is for any other sport, having gear that aligns with your playing style and personal preferences will make a difference in your overall performance. Don’t leave home without double-checking your accessories and gear.
A Versatile Golf Bag
Your golf bag is one of the most important items to have with you on the course. Before your next excursion, choose a bag that is lightweight, has separate compartments for different types of clubs, and can withstand different types of weather extremes. For extra convenience, consider the type that has its own stand or wheels.
Your Best Golf Clubs
No golf game is complete without the player’s special assortment of clubs. Most golfers perform best when they use clubs whose weight, construction, and feel are familiar to them. Knowing that, don’t forget to count your woods, irons, wedges, and putters so that you have easy access to each one that you need.
Golf Balls and Tees
If you don’t want to pay a fortune at the golf shop or have to ask other golfers for extra golf balls, bring at least a sleeve of balls with you in your golf bag. The same principle applies to the golf tees you use on each golf tee box; make sure you pack at least a few spares, and that you keep them in a safe place like a tee dispenser.
Golf Gloves
Golf gloves serve to improve the player’s grip, especially for drives and swings made with long irons. Bringing your own set of golf gloves will address problems like a slippery grip or developing unpleasant blisters on your palms. Pack a glove that’s already been broken in for maximum comfort, plus a spare if anything happens to it.
A Range Finder
Range finders are tools that golfers use to measure their distance to the pin. While they’re not a prerequisite for a golf game, many golfers like using them to assess their game in real-time. If improving your game is a big priority for your next golfing trip, learn how to use a range finder and pack one with the rest of your gear. It may make a significant difference in how strategic you are with your strokes and swings.
Golf Trip Travel Essentials
On top of golf-specific items, you’ll also want to bring travel essentials that will keep you comfortable when you’re outdoors. Remember to pack the following into your suitcase or travel bag:
Sunscreen
Given how much time you’ll be spending in the sun, you need to take extra care to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Bring sunscreen that’s at least SPF 30, and apply generously before every venture into the golf course.
Moisturizer, Lip Balm, and Cooling Gel
You can also anticipate getting dry and cracked skin upon finishing your golf game. To relieve sunburn or chapping on your skin and lips, pack items like moisturizer, lip balm, and aloe vera cooling gel in your toiletries kit. Apply them as necessary when you get back to your accommodations.
Water Bottle
Though golf isn’t a sport that requires you to be on your feet for the entire duration of the game, you’re still guaranteed to sweat and feel the effects of the heat. It’s essential for you to keep hydrated to avoid fatigue, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke. Always keep a water bottle handy and drink from it during regular intervals.
Golf-Related Electronics and Technologies
One of the pleasures of playing golf in this day and age is that you can learn how to be better at the game with technology. Your smartphone is one of the best things you can bring along with you for your next golfing trip, so be sure to prepare the following to get the most out of golf tech:
A Power Bank
You obviously won’t have access to any power outlets when you’re outdoors, but you can keep your phone or tablet fully charged with a power bank. Make sure that you have one in your day bag, along with a charging cable.
Golfing Apps
It would also be a good idea for you to download new golfing apps on your phone before you start your next game. Some apps can act as either supplements or even substitutes to traditional range finders, with capabilities like distance measurement, swing analyzers, shot histories, and running digital scorecards. These may add a new dimension to your game and help you appreciate both the physical and analytical side of golf.
Be thorough about your packing so that you get full enjoyment out of your excursion. Here’s to a safe trip and to seeing fairways and greens!
