Playing golf is a challenging sport that requires hard work and determination. However, I found that you want to avoid adding stress to your game by learning how to organise golf bag contents. An optimised golf bag setup is critical for a stress-free round. Below are some tips for organising your golf bag effectively.
Factors To Consider in Organisation
Organising your golf bag depends on several things: your type of golf bag, the set of clubs you own, any additional equipment, and your mode of transportation around the golf course. Additionally, there’s a limit to how many clubs you can carry when playing professional golf.
Type of Golf Bag
Golf bag layout varies between models and brands. There are 6-way tops, 4-way tops, and even 16-way tops to choose from. How to organise golf bag compartments depends on the layout of your existing bag and the clubs that you favour. Once you understand the package and divider arrangements, you can sort your belongings effectively.
In my experience, it would be best to select a golf bag that provides enough space for the kit that you are currently used to.
Number of Clubs
The second consideration is the total number of golf clubs and the types of clubs you own. A beginner or junior set will only require a smaller bag. If you are a golfer who plays mostly hybrids and woods, you would organise your bag differently than someone who uses mostly irons and a few woods.
Extra Equipment
If you bring other gear apart from golf course necessities like golf balls, clubs, and tees, organising your golf bag will take more planning. Here are some extra golf equipment you need to make room for:
- Rangefinder
- Gloves
- Hats
- Water bottles
- Umbrellas
- Rain gear
Mode of Transportation: Walking or Riding
Your transportation method around the golf course also affects how you organise your golf bag. Golfers can either ride a gas or electric cart, push a push cart, or walk with the bag on their back.
When you load a golf bag onto a cart or push cart, there is a front and back. You will always prepare the bag with the backside facing toward you.
Tips and Tricks: How to Organise a Golf Bag
As to how to arrange clubs in golf bags, I’ve rounded up several tips and tricks to eliminate wasted time fumbling with your equipment.
Organise Golf Clubs by Number
Where to put clubs in golf bags? The ideal order of clubs in golf bags depend on your preference. I found that the best place to start when organising your bag is to divide your clubs by type and number. Standard golf bags include four sections: a single compartment in the back, a set of double compartments in the centre, and a single compartment in the front.
You want to position your tallest clubs (woods and hybrids) in the back. Conversely, you want to place your shortest clubs (wedges, short irons, and putter) in the front. This arrangement ensures that the clubheads will be accessible and “waterfall” toward your group.
When your clubs waterfall, you can easily find the number of clubs you wish to swing with. Whether you walk or ride, this strategy is the most effective way to organise the clubs.
Back Compartment for the Woods and Long Irons
Your woods include your driver and any other smaller wood you use for longer shots. Your long irons could be anything between a 1- and 3-iron, depending on your full set. All these clubs should sit in the large, rear compartment. The woods and long irons will have a longer shaft, meaning they will sit taller in the bag. Since the tall clubs are in the back, the entire set of clubs will tend to waterfall.
Middle/Double Compartment for Middle Irons
Your middle irons could consist of a 4- through 6-iron. They are middle irons because they travel shorter than your long irons, but further than your short irons.
Front Compartment for Short Irons and Wedges
To complete the waterfall, you should place your short irons and wedges in the front compartment. Your short irons could be 7- through 9-iron, while your wedges consist of the pitching wedge, sand watch, lob wedge, gap wedge, and attack wedge. These shafts are the shortest, so they should be at the bottom of the waterfall.
Maintain Order in the 14 Or 15 Club Bag Design
Before placing the clubs in your bag, you should verify their configuration. Several cart bags come with 14 or 15 individual sections for each club.
If this is the case, begin at the bag’s backside with your longest club, which will be your driver or 3-wood. From there, position the rest of your clubs in the subsequent slots. It would be best to arrange the clubs in descending order. Utilise the right and left halves of the bag for your even- and odd-numbered clubs.
The putter goes with the long clubs like the driver, 5-wood, or 3-wood. The reason for this is so that the putter does not rattle around since the larger club heads keep it in place. This way, you’re also less likely to lose your putter’s cover while walking along the fairway.
Tees, Ball Markers, Gloves, and Other Tools
Now that you placed the clubs in their rightful home, it is time to learn how to pack a golf bag. How to organise golf bag essentials like tees, ball markers, balls, and gloves depend largely on the layout of the bag you chose. Scan your bag for the most accessible pockets.
Place the most useful items in these areas for quick and easy access. You can hang three gloves by tucking them in the secondary straps on the side of your bag.
For ball markers and tees, find a shallow pocket that won’t require you to go digging. You can get smaller pouches to put the tees in, and then place that in an accessible pocket.
For large items like gloves, rangefinders, and sunscreen, place these in the easy-access essential pockets at the side of your bag.
Packing the Non-Essentials
You don’t always have to pack your rain gear and umbrella, but when the forecasts are dire, it’s best to come prepared. Roll up your rain gear and tuck it neatly in the side pouch. As for umbrellas, the long ones usually strap neatly on the built-in elastic loops. You can pack short umbrellas by tucking them inside the side pouch with your rain gear.