The FairwayPal Blog

The Golf Trip Packing List: Everything You (and Your Partner) Actually Need

Q: What should I pack for a golf trip?

Essentials: golf shoes (wear on the plane), clubs (or rent on arrival), balls and tees, golf glove, a few shirts and trousers/shorts, waterproof jacket (even in Scottsdale for early-morning cool), comfort insoles if you're walking 36 holes, sunscreen, a power bank, and a rangefinder if you use one. For 3 nights: 3 golf shirts, 2 pairs of trousers/shorts, 1 waterproof jacket, 1 pullover.

Q: Do I need to bring my own clubs on a golf trip?

No, but it's usually better value. Club rental at courses runs $50–75/day. If you're playing 2–3 rounds, that's $100–225 in rental fees — often more than shipping your clubs (typically $50–100 each way with a golf travel bag). Exception: international trips where checked-bag fees and risk of damage tip the calculation toward rental.

Q: What should a non-golfer pack for a golf trip?

Pack for the activities you've planned, not for spectating golf. A crossbody bag (not a backpack) for days out. Comfortable walking shoes — you'll cover more ground than expected. A packable jacket for evenings, which cool down fast. Layers, regardless of destination. A small daypack if hiking is on the itinerary.

Q: What's the best bag for a golf trip?

A hard-case golf travel bag or a padded soft travel bag is the most important purchase for frequent golf travellers. Airline baggage handlers are not careful. For checked clubs: Sun Mountain or Club Glove hard cases are the standard recommendation. For carry-on and personal items: a 40L carry-on sized bag handles 3–4 nights of non-golf clothes comfortably.

Q: Do I need waterproofs for a golf trip to Scotland or Ireland?

Yes. Non-negotiable. Scotland and Ireland are links golf destinations — the weather is part of the experience and it changes in minutes. A waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers are essential, even in August. Good waterproofs (Galvin Green, Footjoy HydroLite) pack small and make the difference between a memorable round and a miserable one.

April 17, 2025·8 min read

The thing nobody packs until they wish they had it: comfort insoles. 36 holes in two days is roughly 12–14 miles of walking. Your feet will know. Everything else on this list is optional by comparison.

Two lists below — one for golfers, one for non-golfers — plus the shared items that travel better as one per couple or group.

For Golfers

The golfer packing list

Golf gear

Wear your golf shoes on the plane — they're the heaviest item and won't count toward your luggage weight. Bring twice as many balls as you think you'll need for links or water courses.

→Golf travel bag (hard or padded)→Golf shoe bag →Rangefinder →Golf gloves (pack 2–3)

Clothing

For 3 nights: 3 golf shirts, 2 pairs of shorts or trousers, 1 light pullover for early mornings. Layers matter more than you expect — even Scottsdale is cold at 7am in October. Scotland and Ireland require full waterproofs, non-negotiable.

→Waterproof golf jacket →Waterproof golf trousers →Golf rain glove →Golf hat or cap

Comfort (the ones people skip and regret)

36 holes over two days is 12–14 miles. Insoles make a tangible difference. Cooling towels for Scottsdale in shoulder season. Ear defenders if you're a light sleeper sharing a house.

→Comfort insoles for golf shoes →Cooling towel →High SPF sunscreen spray →Ear defenders / sleep earplugs

Tech

A power bank that charges two phones simultaneously is a group MVP on any trip. Wireless earbuds for the round if your playing partners are tolerant of that. International trips need adapters — pack one per couple, not per person.

→Power bank (20,000mAh, dual port)→International travel adapter →Wireless earbuds (sport/water resistant)

For Non-Golfers

The non-golfer packing list

Pack for the activities you've planned — not for spectating golf (you won't be doing that). The single most useful thing a non-golfer can bring: comfortable walking shoes. The golf destinations worth visiting involve more walking than expected.

→Crossbody bag (day bag, not a backpack)→Small daypack (if hiking is planned)→Packable jacket (for evenings)→Comfortable walking shoes

Destination-specific additions: Scotland and Ireland need a waterproof layer regardless of season. Scottsdale in summer needs a wide-brim hat and good sunscreen. Myrtle Beach needs beach bag, towel, and sunscreen. See individual destination guides for specifics: Scottsdale, Myrtle Beach, Scotland, Ireland.

Shared items: one per couple, not per person

These pack better as shared items. Brief the group in the group chat so everyone doesn't show up with their own.

→Power bank (shared)→Travel first aid kit →Portable Bluetooth speaker →International travel adapter

What not to bring

The things that add weight and never leave the bag.

More than 3 pairs of golf trousers/shorts

You will wear the same two pairs the whole trip. Everyone does.

Full bag of range balls

The course has them. Paying $5 for range time is fine.

Golf GPS watch if you have a rangefinder

Pick one. You don't need both.

Formal clothes for the evenings

Unless the trip explicitly includes a formal dinner, you won't use them. Golf destinations don't require it.

Multiple pairs of golf shoes

One pair is enough for 3 rounds. Take up the space with comfort insoles instead.

International trip extras

If you're heading to Scotland or Ireland, add these to both lists.

Full waterproof set (jacket + trousers)

Non-negotiable. Pack it, wear it, be grateful for it.

Universal travel adapter

UK/Ireland use Type G plugs. Pack one per couple.

Golf bag shipping vs check-in decision

Shipping services (Ship Sticks, Luggage Forward) often work out cost-neutral vs airline fees and eliminate the risk of damage. Worth pricing up.

Travel insurance that covers golf equipment

Clubs get damaged. Check your policy before you go.

Waterproof golf bag cover

If you're walking in Scotland, your bag will get wet. A bag cover costs £15 and prevents a soggy clubs situation.

Packing sorted. Trip still needs planning.

5 questions. Golf and partner itinerary. One link for the whole group to vote on.

Plan Your Trip

Common Questions

Packing FAQ

What should I pack for a golf trip?+

Essentials: golf shoes (wear on the plane), clubs or plan to rent, balls and tees, golf glove, 3 shirts and 2 trousers/shorts, waterproof jacket, comfort insoles, sunscreen, and a power bank. For 3 nights, that fits in a carry-on plus a golf travel bag.

Do I need to bring my own clubs on a golf trip?+

No, but it's usually better value. Club rental runs $50–75/day. For 2–3 rounds that's $100–225 vs ~$50–100 each way to ship your clubs. Exception: international trips where the calculation on shipping vs damage risk tips toward rental.

What should a non-golfer pack for a golf trip?+

Pack for your activities, not for spectating. A crossbody day bag, comfortable walking shoes, a packable jacket for evenings, and layers — regardless of destination. Scotland and Ireland add waterproofs to that list.

What's the best bag for a golf trip?+

A padded soft golf travel bag handles most trips well. Hard cases offer more protection but are bulkier. For carry-on and clothes: a 40L bag handles 3–4 nights comfortably. Don't pack your clubs and clothes in the same bag — it usually doesn't work out well.

Do I need waterproofs for a golf trip to Scotland or Ireland?+

Yes, non-negotiable. Even in summer. Waterproof jacket and trousers — not just a rain mac. Good waterproofs (Galvin Green, Footjoy HydroLite) pack small and make the difference between a memorable round and a miserable one.

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