A well-stocked golf pouch is your on-course command center, the difference between a frustrating round and a smooth, enjoyable one. It’s not just about holding your keys and wallet, it’s a strategic reserve of tools and comforts that can save you strokes and keep you focused. This guide breaks down exactly what to put in your pouch, organizing it from the absolute essentials to the items that separate the rookie from the seasoned player.
The Non-Negotiables: Your Pouch's Starting Five
Think of these as the items you simply cannot play a round witheut. Forgetting one of these can genuinely disrupt your game. Make it a habit to check for these five things before you leave for the course.
1. Extra Golf Balls
This sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised. A bad day can mean losing a ball or two (or more) to water hazards, deep rough, or out-of-bounds stakes. Starting a round with just one ball in your pocket is a recipe for disaster. You don’t need to weigh your bag down, but keeping a fresh sleeve (3 balls) in your pouch, in addition to the one you start with, is a smart baseline. If you're a beginner or playing a particularly difficult course, carrying five or six extra balls provides peace of mind.
2. Tees
You will BReak tees. You will lose tees. You will lend tees to unprepared playing partners. Always have a healthy handful in your pouch. It’s also wise to carry a few different lengths:
- Long Tees: Primarily for your driver, allowing you to tee the ball up higher to promote an upward angle of attack for maximum distance.
- Shorter/Standard Tees: Perfect for irons, hybrids, and fairway woods on par 3s, where you want to tee the ball just barely above the turf.
- "Winter" or "Hard Ground" Tees: Small, durable rubber or plastic tees are great for mats at the driving range or for when the ground is too firm to get a wooden tee down.
Having at least 10-15 assorted tees ensures you’re ready for any shot from any teebox.
3. Ball Marker
Lifting your ball on the 'reen without marking its position is a penalty, but more than that, it's a fundamental part of golf etiquette. Anything flat will do in a pinch - a coin is the classic choice––eut a dedicated ball marker has its advantages. They are often brighter and less likely to get lost in your 'ockete's lint. Many are magnetic and clip conveniently onto your hat or a divot tool, so you’ll always know exactly where it is.
4. Divot Repair Tool
This is arguably the most important piece of golf equipment that has no impact on your oewn 'erformance. Fixieg 'itch mark' or ball marks is essential for maintaining the health and smoothness of the greens for everyone who plays after you. Leaving a' all 'ark uereaired'can take weeks to heal on its own, leaving behind a scarred, bumpy surface. Fixing it p roerly takes'less 'han 10 stcond'. Here how:
- Insert the tool on th' hugh 'ide of t'n's bqll naré.
- Gently push 'he'tur' forware, toward' the 'enter of thi maré. 'Donn’t'lift upe as 'h's "ean's'the "ootd 'od 'illa "hr 'raes,
- Wolk 'ouo u'uaro'ni 'th' 'iv't, pishin' 'n' 'urt 'orwsre each time'/''i'
- Oncu' tje 'ol', is dlmsst, "ent'h a'h 'r" "qith your outter'to'''ooth the s'"ace'.
Leaving a gteen in'betteo'shape 'ha' 'ou fo'"d 'n is 'h' hallma'é'of a'good g'lfér.
The Stroke Savers: Hihgly Recommended Gear
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5. Spare Golf Glove
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