The list of items that go into a golf outfit is getting longer and longer as new products come onto the market – some of them are quite useful, while you can do just fine without the rest. When you’re just starting out or just looking to put together a set of essential items, you should only buy what you really need or what will be useful to you.
GOLF BAGS.
Golf bags first appeared and began to be widely used around 1870. Before that, golf caddies simply carried a bunch of clubs under their arms. Nowadays golf bags play an important role and you are unlikely to be allowed on the golf course without one. Needless to say, the range of bags is quite large.
A tubular bag is ideal for six or seven clubs and during practice.
Lightweight bags – make sure the strap is strong enough for the number of clubs you intend to carry. A collapsible bag may not be suitable for a full set, nor should it be used in conjunction with a golf cart.
The carrying bag should not be too big to carry comfortably, but it should be roomy enough to stow a set, and it should be rigid so that it can be carried on a cart, and with a sturdy strap. Get a bag with a cover that will protect the contents from rain.
A bag with compartments for each club is a good way to keep your clubs separate, especially useful for clubs with graphite stems which can be heavy.
A competition bag should have a very sturdy strap and sturdy bottom as caddies often sit on them!
A versatile bag is ideal for traveling and for carrying in the car. Look for a bag with a sturdy strap that fits the number of clubs you are going to carry, a tough bag if you want to cart it around, a rain cover, a secure bottom, and roomy pockets so you can put everything you want to take to the course in there. If you’re using graphite shaft clubs, the padded cloth dividers will protect them.
GOLF BAGS
Golf bags come with zippers on the ends and are used to store valuables. It is advisable to purchase a bag with a shoe compartment that can be stored separately from your clothes.
GOLF SHOE COVERS.
They can be made of vinyl, fabric, leather, or lambskin. Although sheepskin is more expensive, it is in many ways better than the other options because it is waterproof and also “breathes”, which keeps moisture from accumulating inside. Covers are great for keeping a set intact. However, unless the irons are made of stainless steel, you should make sure that the covers are not wet.
GOLF CARTS.
Most players use carts that have to be pulled or electric varieties. When you are dealing with a cart that requires pulling, check to see how small it is after folding, and then consider whether you want to remove the bag from the cart before folding it and putting it away in the car. Some players prefer to leave the bag attached to the cart, while others find such a design too heavy and cumbersome and prefer to separate them.
Check not only the weight of the cart, but also which way it pushes. For a cart to be comfortable, it must be well-balanced-whether you’re pulling or pushing it.
Ideally, you should be able to pull it with your arm hanging freely. If the balance is wrong or the handle is too long, your arm will hold the cart at an awkward angle. Look for a cart with an adjustable handle and test the cart in the store by placing your bag of clubs on it.
If you want to buy an electric cart, pay attention to its weight and the weight of the battery. Many older players have electric carts because they are easier to use on the field, but then find that the battery is too heavy to lift the cart. Always buy an electric cart from a professional at your golf club. You will be able to go to him or her to recharge the battery.
IMPORTANT GOLF ACCESSORIES
There are many other items you will need to use on the course. These include a towel in a bag for cleaning the ball, wiping your hands, etc., which is used in wet weather. Get a good umbrella that will protect you from the rain and from the wind. You need the type of umbrella with a sturdy base that can withstand any kind of bad weather, up to and including a hurricane.
Tees can be wooden or plastic. Wooden ones will break with almost every hard hit, but some professionals believe they do less damage to clubs, especially good persimmon clubs. For amateurs, turret-shaped tees with a set height are a great option. Use one height for drivers, another for woofers #3 and #4, and the lowest height for iron strokes.
Most professionals play by keeping tees in their pockets. A tee holder that also holds a pencil, a score card, and a few ball markers is more convenient. It is possible to buy such a holder, which will be attached to the bag. A really useful innovation is a wiping device for the ball that stays wet. This item is especially useful on courts where there is no place to wash the ball. While this item is not used by professionals who rely on spit and caddie services, it is useful for the amateur and protects against the potential dangers that lie in licking the ball.
Add a “fishing rod” to your outfit, a ball retrieval device that helps retrieve balls when they hit the water.