Golf Buddies Trip Packing List (Including What Everyone Forgets)
A complete golf buddies trip packing list: clubs, clothes, rain gear, phone gear, house supplies and the things everyone forgets.
Nobody forgets their driver. Everybody forgets something.
Here is the full list for a buddies trip. Split into sections so you can pack fast. The last section is the stuff people always leave at home.
The bag
Start with the clubs. Check them the night before, not the morning of.
- Clubs, with head covers
- 18 to 24 balls. More if the courses have water
- Tees, long and short
- Ball markers and a divot tool
- Two gloves, at least. One for rain
- A towel, clipped to the bag
- A travel cover if you are flying
Tip: Tip: take a photo of your bag and clubs before you travel. It helps if anything gets lost or damaged.
On-course clothes
Pack for the forecast. Then pack for being wrong about it.
- Golf shirts, one per round
- Two pairs of golf pants or shorts
- A light layer for cool mornings
- A rain jacket and rain pants
- Golf shoes, plus a second pair if you have them
- Socks, one pair per round plus spares
- A hat and a winter hat if it might be cold
Wet shoes on day three are the worst. A second pair is worth the space.
Off-course clothes
- Something decent for the big dinner
- Comfortable clothes for the house
- Sleepwear
- Swimwear, if there is a pool or hot tub
Health and comfort
Four rounds in three days is hard on the body.
- Sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher
- Lip balm with sunscreen
- Pain relief
- Blister plasters
- Any regular medication, plus a few spare days
- A small foam roller or massage ball
- Earplugs. Someone will snore
Phone and tech
Your phone is your scorecard, GPS and camera. Look after it.
- Phone charger and a long cable
- A battery pack. Scoring and GPS use battery
- Apple Watch charger, if you wear one
- A small power strip for the house
- A Bluetooth speaker for the house, not the course
Before you leave
- Download the scoring app and join the event.
- Update the app.
- Download offline maps if signal is weak where you are going.
If your group uses MATCHUPS, it runs on iPhone and Apple Watch, with built-in GPS and a live lock-screen scoreboard. Make sure everyone has joined the event before the first tee. It does not run on Android.
Paperwork and money
- ID and driver's license
- Bank card and a little cash for tips and caddies
- Tee time confirmations, saved offline
- House address and door code
- A copy of the trip rules sheet
For the house
Coordinate these in the group chat so you do not end up with six bottles of ketchup.
- Coffee and filters
- Breakfast basics
- Snacks for the course
- Water bottles
- Drinks
- Trash bags
- A deck of cards
For the trip
These make a trip feel like an event.
- The trophy, if your group has one
- A printed schedule for the fridge
- Name tags or team shirts, if you want to go all in
- A marker pen for scoring disputes on paper
What everyone forgets
This is the list that matters most.
- Rain pants. Everyone packs a jacket. Nobody packs pants.
- A second glove. Sweaty or wet gloves slip.
- Phone battery pack. Scoring, GPS and photos drain a phone by the back nine.
- Spare socks. See wet shoes, above.
- Sunscreen. Even on cloudy days.
- Tee time confirmations offline. Signal at golf courses is unreliable.
- The house code. Arriving at 10 p.m. without it is a bad start.
- Medication. Hard to replace in a small golf town.
- Cash for the caddie or the cart girl. Not everywhere takes cards.
- The trophy. Make one person responsible for it.
One-bag version
Travelling light? Pack this.
- Clubs, balls, tees, two gloves, towel
- Three golf shirts, two bottoms, one layer, rain jacket
- One pair of golf shoes, one pair of sneakers
- Phone charger and battery pack
- Sunscreen and medication
- ID, card, a little cash
Flying vs driving
How you travel changes what you pack.
Driving
You have space. Use it.
- Bring a cooler for drinks and course snacks.
- Throw in a pull-cart or a spare bag stand if your group walks.
- Pack a second set of shoes without thinking twice.
- Keep rain gear in the car, not the bottom of a bag.
Flying
Space and weight matter. Plan ahead.
- Use a hard case or a padded travel cover for the clubs.
- Put a stiff arm or a broom handle in the bag so the driver takes any hit.
- Check the airline's sports equipment rules and fees before you book.
- Carry medication, chargers and one day of clothes in your carry-on. Bags do get lost.
- Consider shipping clubs ahead if you travel a lot. Compare the price to airline fees.
Either way, label the bag with your name and phone number, inside and out.
Last check
The night before, run through the list once. Then put your clubs by the door. You will not forget them, but it makes the morning calmer.
See the full plan in our 3-day golf buddies trip itinerary.
We are the MATCHUPS team. Our app runs the scoring, teams and side games for a buddies trip on iPhone and Apple Watch. It is free to download. App Store | matchupsgolf.com
FAQ
What should you pack for a golf trip?
Clubs and balls, a glove for rain, rain jacket and pants, two pairs of shoes, sunscreen, a phone battery pack and your tee time confirmations.
What do people forget on golf trips?
Rain pants, a spare glove, a battery pack, spare socks and sunscreen.
Do you need a phone on a golf trip?
Most groups use phones for scoring, GPS and photos. Bring a battery pack.