| The list of items that form the golfer's kit grows longer | | | | You will need plenty of other items for use around the |
| and longer as new products some quite useful and | | | | course. These include a bag towel for cleaning the ball, |
| others pure gimmick come on the market. When you | | | | drying your hands and so on when it is wet. Get a |
| are starting or want to build up the essential kit, only | | | | good umbrella that is both lightning and windproof. With |
| buy what you really need, or will find helpful. | | | | this type, the frame can be pulled around quite roughly, |
| Golf bags | | | | and it will stand up to a near gale. |
| These were first introduced and used around 1870. | | | | Tees can be wooden or plastic. Wooden ones will |
| Before then, the players' caddies simply carried the | | | | break on almost every drive, but some suggest they |
| clubs in a bundle under their arms. Now a golf bag is | | | | do less damage to the environment (they rot away), |
| essential, and you are unlikely to be allowed on a | | | | than plastic ones. For the club player, castle tees of a |
| course without one. | | | | set height are an excellent idea. Use one height for |
| Needless to say, the bags come in a huge choice of | | | | drivers, another for a 3 or 4 wood and the shortest |
| shapes and sizes. As the weight of the bag is so | | | | for an iron tee shot. |
| important, many are now made of lightweight nylon. | | | | Most professionals simply play with a pocket full of |
| - Drainpipe carry bag - ideal for six or seven clubs and | | | | tees. More practical is a tee holder, which will also take |
| when practising. | | | | a pencil, your scorecard and some ball markers. You |
| - Light carry bags - make sure the strap is strong | | | | can get ones that fasten onto your golf bag. |
| enough. If it is fully collapsible, it may be unsuitable for a | | | | A ball washer that stays moist is a real boon and |
| full set and cannot be used with a golf cart. | | | | particularly useful on courses where there are few ball |
| - Pull cart bag - get one small enough to carry, but | | | | washers beside the tees. Although professionals, who |
| large enough for a full set and rigid so you can use it | | | | usually rely on spit and polish from the caddies, do not |
| on a pull cart. Again, a strong strap is essential. Look | | | | use this item it is useful for the amateur and saves the |
| for one with a hood for protection in the rain. | | | | potential hazard of licking the ball. |
| - Divider bag - with compartments for each club. Good | | | | Add to your kit a ball retriever for fishing stray balls out |
| for keeping clubs apart, particularly graphite shafted | | | | of water and a practice ball bag or tube for use while |
| ones that can chip. | | | | on the Practice ground. |
| - Tournament bag - needs a very strong strap and a | | | | Carts |
| strong base, since caddies tend to sit on it! | | | | Most players use a pull cart, either a hand cart or an |
| - All in one bag/pull cart - ideal when travelling and for | | | | electric model. With a pull cart, cheek how small it is |
| packing in the car. | | | | when folded up, and consider whether or not you |
| Look for a golf bag with a good, strong strap suitable | | | | want to remove the bag from the cart before folding it |
| for the number of clubs you want to carry around, a | | | | to pack in the car. Some players prefer to leave the |
| stiff bag if you want it for use on a pull cart, a hood for | | | | two attached, while others find this too heavy and |
| the rain, a sturdy base and enough pocket space for | | | | bulky and prefer to separate them. |
| anything you are likely to want to take on the course | | | | Check not only the weight of the cart, but also the |
| with you. If you are using graphite shafted clubs, soft | | | | way it pulls. A golf cart needs to be well balanced so |
| fabric dividers protect them. | | | | that it is comfortable whether you are pulling or pushing |
| Holdalls | | | | it. Ideally, you want to be able to pull it with your arm |
| These are available with zip off ends for storing | | | | hanging relaxed at your side. If the balance is wrong or |
| valuables. It is also a good idea to get one that has a | | | | the handle too long, your arm can be forced to hold it |
| section for shoes, to keep them separate from your | | | | at an awkward angle. |
| clothing. | | | | Look for one with an adjustable handle and try out the |
| Headcovers | | | | cart in the shop with your own bag of clubs on it. |
| These can be made of vinyl, fabric, leather or | | | | With an electric pull cart, consider its weight and that of |
| sheepskin. Although expensive, sheepskin is in many | | | | the battery. Many older players have electric ones for |
| ways the best since it is waterproof and will also | | | | case of use on the course and then find the battery is |
| breathe, so moisture doesn't build up inside. | | | | too heavy to lift into the car. Always buy an electric |
| Iron covers are very useful for keeping your set in | | | | pull cart from your own golf pro. You may need to call |
| pristine condition. But unless your irons are stainless | | | | on him to recharge the battery, a job he may not be |
| steel, make sure the covers are not holding moisture. | | | | too sympathetic about if you bought the equipment |
| Essential accessories | | | | elsewhere. |