Modern golf bags have a pocket for everything—which makes it easy to carry the wrong things (or forget the right ones). After 30 years of playing, here are the seven essentials that actually save strokes, protect your hands, and keep you steady from the first tee to the final putt.

1) Band-Aids for Blisters

Blisters pop up in heat, humidity, or after a range binge. Don’t let one end your round. A couple of adhesive bandages (plus a small strip of athletic tape if you have room) can protect hot spots and keep your grip secure.

• Pack: 3–4 assorted sizes in a tiny zip bag.
• Pro tip: Pre-wrap common rub points (lead thumb, heel of the glove hand) before walking 18.

2) An Extra Towel

The towel clipped outside your bag is for muddy clubs and gritty balls. Keep a clean backup inside for hands, grips, and rainy stretches. A lightweight microfiber dries quickly and adds almost no weight.

• Pack: 1 compact microfiber towel inside the bag.
• Pro tip: In rain, rotate towels—one under the umbrella, one in use.

3) AirTag or Tracker

Misplaced at the clubhouse? Accidentally loaded onto the wrong cart? A discreet Bluetooth tracker (e.g., AirTag) helps you locate your bag fast and protects a big investment with a tiny one.

• Pack: 1 tracker hidden in an interior pocket.
• Pro tip: Name it “Golf Bag” in your app for quick pings.

4) Portable Charger

Yardage apps, photos, and scoring can drain your phone long before you reach 18. A slim power bank keeps GPS, ride shares, and emergencies covered—especially during five-hour weekend rounds.

• Pack: 5,000–10,000 mAh power bank + short cable.
• Pro tip: Charge both the night before; store in a water-resistant pocket.

5) Sharpie Marker

Mark your ball so there’s no doubt it’s yours—penalties for playing a wrong ball sting. A simple line can also double as an alignment aid on the green.

• Pack: 1 fine-point Sharpie (dark color shows on any cover).
• Pro tip: Add initials + a unique dot pattern to avoid look-alikes.

6) A Protein-Rich Snack

Energy crashes lead to loose swings and three-putts. Keep a non-melty, protein-forward snack so you stay steady on holes 13–18.

• Pack: 1–2 bars or nut packs (check dates each round).
• Pro tip: Pair with water; sip a few ounces every tee box.

7) Extra Golf Balls

Running out is avoidable—and stressful. Choose a “set it and forget it” number so you’re always prepared without overloading your bag.

• Pack: A personal rule like 9 balls (restock after each round).
• Pro tip: Keep the same model for consistent feel and distances.

Quick-Glance Checklist

Bottom Line

Stock your bag with a few smart essentials and you’ll play more comfortably, keep pace, and avoid avoidable strokes. Review this list as you unload after each round—restock what you used so your bag is always ready for the next tee time.