Where you keep your golf balls might seem like an insignificant detail, but a reliable pocket system is one of the easiest ways to build a more consistent, confident pre-shot routine. It eliminates fumbling, quiets your mind, and frees you up to focus on the shot at hand. This guide will give you the straightforward answer and then show you how to organize all your pockets like a seasoned pro, making you more efficient on the golf course.
The Short Answer: The Front Right Pocket (for Right-Handers)
For the vast majority of right-handed golfers, the go-to pocket for your golf ball and tees is the front right pocket. The logic is simple: this is your “non-gloved” hand. You can easily reach in to grab a ball and tee to set up your shot without having to pull your glove off and on repeatedly. It’s a small detail that creates a smooth, uninterrupted flow as you step up to the tee box.
For left-handed golfers, the opposite is true. Lefty players typically wear their glove on their right hand, so their front left pocket becomes the primary storage for their ball and tees. The principle remains the same: use the pocket that corresponds with your non-gloved, dominant-use hand for maximum efficiency.
Beyond the Simple Answer: A Strategy for Your Pockets
While the front pocket rule is a great start, a truly efficient golfer doesn’t just have one “golf pocket” - they have a system. Thinking of each pocket as having a dedicated job completely removes guesswork from your game. You’ll never look foolish patting down all your pockets looking for a ball marker again. Here’s a blueprint you can adapt for your own game, using a right-handed player as the example (lefties, just make it a mirror image!).
Your "Go-To" Pocket (Front Right)
This is your primary “action” pocket. It should hold only the items you need to put a ball into play. A cluttered action pocket leads to a cluttered mind. By keeping it simple, you make your pre-shot process automatic, allowing you to walk up to the tee, execute your routine, and hit your shot without thinking about logistics.
- Your in-play golf ball: Just one. When you finish a hole, make it a habit to clean that ball and immediately place it into this pocket, ready for the next tee.
- A few tees: You don’t need the whole bag. Five to six tees are plenty to start. You’re not trying to supply your whole group.
- A divot repair tool: Putting it here makes it easy to grab as you approach the green, helping you remember to fix your ball mark (and one other!).
Your "Accessory" Pocket (Front Left)
This is your secondary pocket. As a right-handed player, this is likely your “gloved hand” pocket. Since you don’t reach into it as often, it’s a perfect spot for helpful accessories that you might need mid-hole but that would otherwise get in the way of your frequently accessed tees and ball. The goal is to separate items by when you use them.
- Your ball marker: Keeping your favorite marker or a coin here keeps it separate from your tees. There's no chance of pulling out a tee when you just need to mark your ball on the green.
- A spare golf glove: On hot, humid, or rainy days, having a dry backup glove can be a lifesaver. Kept here, it stays out of the way until you need it.
- Chapstick or small essentials: As long as it's something small and soft, it can live here without interfering with your swing or comfort.
The "Backup" Pocket (Back Right)
Think of your back pockets as the storage unit - they’re for items you need, but hopefully not that often. Loading up your front pockets feels bulky and can even restrict your turn through the ball. By moving spare balls and less-critical items to your back pocket, you free up your hips to rotate more effectively and improve comfort.
- Spare golf balls: This is a game-changer. Carrying two or three spare balls in your back pocket keeps the weight off the front and prevents your front pocket from bulging and feeling awkward during your swing. When you do hit one in the water, you simply reach back, grab a new one, and drop it. Easy.
- Your scorecard and pencil: The back right pocket is the traditional home for a tour pro's yardage book and for good reason. It keeps your scorecard flat, dry, and protected from getting crumpled or sweaty in a front pocket.
The "Glove & Personal Items" Pocket (Back Left)
This final pocket serves a very clear purpose: it’s the dedicated home for your golf glove and any personal items you can’t leave in your bag. Giving your glove a consistent home is a simple habit that makes a real difference. How many times have you seen someone drop their glove while walking off the green because they tucked it under their arm?
- Your golf glove: As soon as you step on the green and pull the flag, take off your glove and put it in your back left pocket. Every. Single. Time. After you putt out and are walking to the next tee, you pull it out and put it on. It will become automatic, and you’ll never misplace it again.
- Wallet and keys: If you must carry these items on your person, this is the safest and most out-of-the-way spot for them. They won't jingle or interfere with your swing.
Organizing Your Pockets Isn't Just Tidiness - It's a Performance Habit
This might seem like a lot of thought for something as simple as putting a ball in your pocket, but building this system pays off in ways that directly impact your score and enjoyment of the game. It’s an easy way for any golfer, at any level, to adopt a professional habit.
It Reduces Mental Clutter
Golf is a mental game. Every ounce of brainpower you spend wondering “where is my tee?” or fumbling for a ball marker is energy taken away from what’s important: analyzing the lie, picking a target, and committing to your swing. When your pocket system is automatic, so is your pre-shot routine. Your body knows where everything is, so your mind is free to focus completely on the task at hand.
It Improves Pace of Play
Nobody wants to be the person holding up the group. Having an organized system makes you a more efficient golfer. You’re not digging through your bag for a spare ball after T-shot goes awry you just calmly reach into your back pocket. You don't have to jog back to the cart because you forgot your divot tool. Everything is right where you need it, exactly when you need it, which makes for a smoother, faster round for everyone.
It Quietly Builds Confidence
Stepping onto the first tee feeling prepared and organized sends a subtle but powerful message to your brain: “I know what I’m doing.” It’s a very small part of the big picture, but looking and feeling like a serious golfer can actually help you become one. When you eliminate the small, nagging variables, you project an air of confidence that makes it easier to stand over the ball, trust your swing, and execute the shot without doubt.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, figuring out what pocket your golf balls go in is less about a single correct answer and more about creating a personal system that works for you. This simple habit streamlines your pre-shot routine, minimizes on-course distractions, and saves your mental energy for what really matters: the shot in front of you.
That same philosophy of eliminating guesswork to boost confidence is why we developed Caddie AI. Just as a good pocket system takes the fumble out of finding a tee, the app provides you with on-demand expert advice to take the uncertainty out of your game. It can help you devise a clear strategy for a scary-looking hole, get a solid club or shor recommendation in the toughest of situations, and get instant answers for all your questions, allowing you to commit to every single swing with clarity and confidence.