What Is a Golf Towel?

A golf towel might seem like one of the simplest accessories you can own, but it’s one of the most important tools for playing better, more consistent golf. This simple piece of fabric has a direct impact on your performance on every single shot, from a full-swing drive to a short-game tap-in. This guide will walk you through exactly what a golf towel is for, the different types you'll see, and how to use one like a seasoned professional.

More Than Just Fabric: Why a Golf Towel is Non-Negotiable

Think of your golf towel as a performance tool, not just an accessory for wiping your hands. Its primary jobs are to keep your gear clean and dry, which directly affects the three things every golfer wants: power, accuracy, and consistency. A golfer who neglects their towel is leaving shots out on the course, period.

Here’s what your towel does for you:

• Cleans Your Clubfaces: Dirt, mud, grass, and sand get packed into the grooves of your irons and wedges after a shot. If you don't clean them, those grooves can't do their job of gripping the golf ball and imparting spin. Hitting a shot with dirty grooves leads to unpredictable results - flyer lies from the rough that go long, weak shots that come up short, and a total lack of control around the greens. A clean clubface gives you predictable spin and distance control.
• Keeps Your Grips Dry: On a hot day, sweaty palms can cause the club to slip in your hands during the swing. In the rain, your grips will get soaked. In either case, a compromised hold on the club is disastrous. It makes you feel tentative and robs you of confidence. The dry part of your towel is your go-to defense against a slippery grip, letting you commit to every swing without hesitation.
• Cleans Your Golf Ball: You’re allowed to mark, lift, and clean your ball on the putting green. A fleck of mud or a bit of sand stuck to your ball can easily knock a perfectly stroked putt offline. Wiping it clean with the damp part of your towel ensures it will roll as true as you hit it.

Forgetting these small maintenance tasks adds uncertainty to your game. A great towel eliminates that uncertainty and lets you focus on the shot.

Choosing Your Towel: A Look at Types, Materials, and Sizes

Not all golf towels are created equal. They differ in material, size, and how they attach to your bag. Finding the right one comes down to personal preference, but understanding the options will help you make a smart choice.

Towel Materials

Cotton Towels

For decades, the standard golf towel was made of terry cloth cotton, just like the bath towels in your home. They are highly absorbent, soft, and do a great job of soaking up water and cleaning clubs.

• Pros: Very absorbent, excellent for deep cleaning grooves, classic look and feel.
• Cons: Can take a long time to dry out once wet, gets heavy when damp, can sometimes leave lint behind.

Microfiber Waffle-Weave Towels

The modern standard, microfiber towels, have become incredibly popular for good reason. The waffle-weave pattern features tiny pockets that are fantastic for scrubbing dirt and debris out of grooves, while the material itself is lightweight and fast-drying.

• Pros: Excellent scrubbing power, lightweight even when damp, dries very quickly, highly durable.
• Cons: Can feel less "plush" than cotton if that’s what you prefer.

Towel Sizes & Designs

You’ll generally find two main styles of towels:

1. Tour-Size Towels: These are the large towels you often see professional golfers have hanging from their bags. They are typically folded in thirds (tri-fold) and offer a huge surface area, making it easy to dedicate entire sections to being wet or dry.
2. Caddie Towels: These are smaller, more compact towels that offer plenty of function without the bulk. They are great for golfers who carry their bag or prefer a minimalist setup.

Most golf towels come with a way to attach them to your bag. The most common is a grommet with a carabiner clip, which lets you easily latch it onto your bag’s towel ring. Another popular design is a center slit or loop that allows you to hang the towel directly over a club in your bag or a dedicated alignment stick holder.

The Pro Method: How to Use Your Golf Towel Correctly

There's a right way and a wrong way to use your golf towel. Just randomly wiping things down isn’t nearly as effective as using a dedicated system. The most effective method used by tour pros and good players is the "wet/dry" system. It’s simple and keeps your towel functional for the entire round.

Follow these steps before you head to the first tee:

1. Get One End Wet: Take your towel to the water fountain, sink, or water cooler. Wet about one-third to one-half of the towel. Don't drench it, you just want it to be thoroughly damp.
2. Wring It Out: Squeeze out all the excess water. The goal is to have a damp section that can clean effectively without dripping all over your bag and grips.
3. Hang it on the Bag: Attach the towel to your bag so both the wet and dry sections are easily accessible.

During Your Round: A Step-by-Step Routine

Now, here's how you put the system to work on the course. Make it part of your pre-shot routine for every single shot (besides putting, of course).

Step 1: Clean the Club. After you take a practice swing and before you address the ball, use the damp part of the towel to wipe down the clubface. Use your thumbnail or a tee through the towel to get deep into the grooves and remove every bit of dirt.

Step 2: Dry the Club. Use the dry section of the towel to wipe away any moisture from the face and, most importantly, the grip.

Step 3: Dry Your Hands. Give your hands one last wipe with the dry section to ensure your connection with the club is perfect.

By following this simple three-step process, you remove any doubt that your equipment will perform as expected. When you stand over the ball, you'll have the confidence that comes from knowing your gear is clean, dry, and ready to go.

A Clean Towel is a Happy Golfer: Care and Maintenance

Your golf towel works hard, and it will get grimy. Tossing a dirty towel in your trunk is a recipe for mildew and a tool that spreads dirt around instead of removing it. Proper care is easy.

• Wash it Regularly: Treat your golf towel like any other piece of laundry you’d take to the gym. Toss it in the wash after every one or two rounds, especially if it was a muddy day.
• Skip the Fabric Softener (for Microfiber): If you use a microfiber towel, avoid fabric softener at all costs. It clogs the tiny "micro" fibers and ruins their ability to scrub and absorb moisture. Just use regular detergent.
• Pro Tip - Keep a Rotation: The easiest way to never get caught without a clean towel is to own two. Keep one on your bag, and have a second one clean and waiting in your house. When you get home from a round, swap them out. Your future self will thank you.

Final Thoughts

A golf towel is far more than an accessory, it's a foundational piece of equipment that provides control and consistency. By keeping your clubfaces clean, your grips dry, and your ball free of debris, you eliminate variables that lead to poor shots and build the confidence that lets you swing freely and play better golf.

When you're out on the course, small details like a clean club face can make a big difference. But what about the bigger strategic picture? That’s where our tool, Caddie AI, comes in. When you're facing a tough lie you don't recognize or are just unsure of the right play on a confusing hole, you can get instant, practical guidance right from your phone, helping you make smarter, more confident decisions from tee to green.