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After years of playing courses everywhere from Texas to the Pyrenees, I've noticed the same thing over and over: the golfers having the best time aren't always the ones with the newest driver. They're the ones who show up prepared.
They know their yardages, they have a dry glove for the back nine, and they never have to borrow a tee. None of that is expensive, but it adds up to a calmer, quicker round where you can actually enjoy the scenery. And when the scenery is something like the mountain views at the Golf Country Club de Bigorre in Pouzac or the desert courses around Scottsdale in Arizona, you want to be looking up, not rummaging through your bag.
Here are the ten essentials I think every weekend golfer should have in the bag, who each one is best for, and what to keep in mind before you buy.
Quick Picks
Short on time? Here are my top picks at a glance.
Best overall: Callaway 300 Pro Laser Rangefinder
Best small upgrade: Callaway 4-in-1 Divot Repair Tool
Best for hot climates: Titleist Tour Performance Golf Hat
Best gift for a golfer: Golf Ball Markers with Hat Clips
What Makes a Good Golf Essential?
It's used every round. The best essentials are the boring things you reach for on every hole, not gadgets you try once.
It's light. Every extra item is weight you carry for 18 holes, so small and multi-purpose wins.
It saves time. Anything that speeds up club selection or keeps you from searching your pockets keeps the round moving.
It travels well. If you fly to play, it should survive a suitcase and a bit of rough handling.
1. Callaway 300 Pro Laser Rangefinder
Knowing the exact yardage takes the guesswork out of club selection, and the external slope switch means you can practise with slope and turn it off for tournament play. It's one of those purchases that pays for itself in fewer lost shots.
Best for: Golfers who want faster, more confident club selection.
Good to know: The slope feature isn't allowed in official competitions, so remember to switch it off for those rounds.
2. FootJoy WeatherSof Golf Glove (2-Pack)
A good glove is the cheapest way to improve your grip. The WeatherSof is soft, durable and comes in a two-pack, so you always have a dry spare for the back nine.
Best for: Every golfer, especially in warm or humid weather.
Good to know: Gloves wear out faster than people think. Check the fit across the palm, with no loose material.
3. Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls
There's a reason the Pro V1 is the most played ball on tour. Even for weekend golfers, a consistent ball means one less variable when you're trying to figure out what went wrong.
Best for: Mid to low handicappers who want a consistent, premium ball.
Good to know: If you lose several balls a round, a cheaper ball makes more sense until your game settles.
4. Microfiber Golf Towel 3-Pack
Clean grooves and dry grips make a bigger difference than most people think. A waffle-weave microfiber towel clipped to the bag is a small thing you'll use on every hole.
Best for: Anyone who plays in rain, heat or early-morning dew.
Good to know: Keep one towel damp for cleaning clubs and one dry for your hands and grips.
5. Callaway 4-in-1 Divot Repair Tool
Fixing your pitch marks is basic golf etiquette. This one also works as a ball marker and a groove cleaner, so it replaces three things in your pocket.
Best for: Golfers who want one small tool instead of three.
Good to know: Repair pitch marks by pushing the edges inwards, not by lifting the centre.
6. Windproof Double-Canopy Golf Umbrella
Weather changes fast on the course. A large double-canopy umbrella keeps you, your clubs and your grips dry, and the vented design stops it flipping inside out in the wind.
Best for: Golfers in places with sudden showers or strong sun.
Good to know: Check your golf bag's umbrella holder size before buying a very large canopy.
7. Bamboo Golf Tees (100 Pack)
Bamboo tees are stronger than wood and better for the course than plastic. A bag of 100 lasts a whole season.
Best for: Everyone. You can never have enough tees.
Good to know: Bamboo tees break less often than wood, so one bag goes a long way.
8. Golf Ball Markers with Hat Clips
A magnetic marker that sits on your cap means you never have to dig through your pockets on the green. They also make great small gifts for golfing friends.
Best for: A small, useful gift for golfing friends.
Good to know: Magnetic markers can fall off thin caps, so a structured hat works best.
9. Titleist Tour Performance Golf Hat
Sun protection matters when you're outside for four or five hours. A breathable, structured cap keeps the sun out of your eyes and looks sharp in the clubhouse afterwards.
Best for: Long rounds in hot, sunny places.
Good to know: Pair it with sunscreen on your ears and neck, which a cap doesn't cover.
10. Skechers Men's Tempo Waterproof Golf Shoes
Comfortable, waterproof shoes are underrated. Wet feet ruin a round faster than a bad swing, and these are comfortable enough to walk 18 holes.
Best for: Golfers who walk the course and play in all weather.
Good to know: Wear them around the house for a few days before a round to break them in.
At a Glance
Callaway 300 Pro Laser Rangefinder: Golfers who want faster, more confident club selection.
FootJoy WeatherSof Golf Glove (2-Pack): Every golfer, especially in warm or humid weather.
Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls: Mid to low handicappers who want a consistent, premium ball.
Microfiber Golf Towel 3-Pack: Anyone who plays in rain, heat or early-morning dew.
Callaway 4-in-1 Divot Repair Tool: Golfers who want one small tool instead of three.
Windproof Double-Canopy Golf Umbrella: Golfers in places with sudden showers or strong sun.
Bamboo Golf Tees (100 Pack): Everyone. You can never have enough tees.
Golf Ball Markers with Hat Clips: A small, useful gift for golfing friends.
Titleist Tour Performance Golf Hat: Long rounds in hot, sunny places.
Skechers Men's Tempo Waterproof Golf Shoes: Golfers who walk the course and play in all weather.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What should a beginner buy first?
Start with a glove, a towel, tees and a divot tool. They're cheap and you'll use them every round. Add a rangefinder once you're playing regularly.
Are rangefinders allowed in golf?
Yes, distance-measuring devices are allowed in most casual and club play. Features like slope are usually not allowed in official competitions, so check your club's local rules.
How often should I replace my golf glove?
It depends on how often you play, but once the palm is shiny, thin or the grip feels slippery, it's time for a new one.
What's the most useful golf gift under $25?
A ball marker set, a pack of bamboo tees or a microfiber towel. They're practical and every golfer uses them.
Final Thoughts
You don't need all ten at once. If I had to pick three to start with, it would be the rangefinder, a good glove and a towel. Add the rest over time and you'll be surprised how much smoother your rounds feel.
Over to you: what's the one thing in your golf bag you'd never play without? Let me know on Instagram, I'm always looking for something new to try on my next golf trip.
