| p>Besides the obvious clubs, balls and tees there | | | | overlooked, but think about it. If you break a lace |
| are several things that everyone should carry to | | | | on your golf shoes it's gonna be a long day of |
| improve their golf experience: | | | | discomfort, heel slippage and blistered feet. In the |
| 1. Sunscreen- You should always keep sunscreen | | | | long run a pair of shoe laces could save a lot of |
| in an easily accessible pocket of your bag and | | | | extra strokes. |
| USE IT. At least 30 spf. | | | | 11. Eyeglass repair kit- You never know when you |
| 2. Extra score cards- If you are a member or | | | | will be glad to have this but when the time |
| just play a course regularly, grab a couple extra | | | | comes, you will. Even if you don't wear |
| score cards and pencils (erasers optional). There | | | | prescription glasses, sunglasses break too. Most |
| are times when you forget to grab a card at the | | | | kits include a screwdriver, extra screws and a |
| clubhouse and there may or may not be one | | | | magnifying glass. If you wear contact lenses, put |
| already in your cart, if you are using a cart. | | | | some in your bag in case you lose one. |
| 3. First aid kit- This doesn't have to be fancy or | | | | 12. Tissues- Tissues or toilet paper are items you |
| bulky. Just grab a few flexible cloth bandages, a | | | | will find many uses for. Either put some in a plastic |
| roll of white medical tape, a gauze pad or two, | | | | bag or get the small tissue packs (my wife |
| some antiseptic wipes, ibuprofen or aspirin and | | | | carries these in her purse) that are sold at your |
| anything that you may need personally (antacid, | | | | local drug store. |
| benadryl for bee stings etc). Put these items in a | | | | 13. Coolie cup- If you live in a hot region like I do, |
| zipper type plastic bag and just leave them in | | | | these are invaluable. I prefer the thinner neoprene |
| your golf bag. | | | | style because they fit in the cup holder in a cart |
| 4. Rain suit- A rain suit is optional but can sure | | | | or pull cart better. |
| make your golfing experience more pleasant if | | | | 14. Business cards- You meet a lot of people on |
| you get caught in heavy rain. If not a rain suit, | | | | the golf course and you may find a new lead or |
| then an umbrella at least. | | | | prospective partner. Maybe you will need to write |
| 5. Rangefinder/GPS- No explanation needed here. | | | | a phone number on the back for your own use. |
| 6. Glove- If you get caught in the rain or its hot | | | | 15. Multi-tool- If you carry one in your bag, you or |
| and humid, having a couple spare gloves to use is | | | | your golfing buddies will find many uses for it. |
| much more pleasant than wearing a soggy golf | | | | There are many different types that have a |
| glove all day. You can fasten the velcro on the | | | | variety of tools on them. Find what works best |
| back of the glove around a handle or loop on | | | | for you. |
| your golf bag to dry. | | | | 16. Cell phone- Hold on! I agree that cell phones |
| 7. Collapsible cup- These can be found in the | | | | can be very annoying at the links but they do |
| camping section of most department stores and | | | | have valuable uses too. If a phone is turned off |
| they sure will come in handy. You can use it to | | | | or set to vibrate only they are no bother to |
| drink from and many have a small storage box | | | | players. There may be times when you really |
| built into the lid. Stick one in your bag and you can | | | | need one though. What if someone in your group |
| thank me later. | | | | has a heart attack or other life threatening |
| 8. Snacks- Suit yourself, but I prefer things like | | | | problem? What if there is a question of the rules |
| granola bars or hardy fruit like an apple. DON'T | | | | during a tournament? What if there is a family |
| FORGET to take uneaten snacks and any | | | | emergency?These and other reasons are why I |
| wrappers from your bag. You will have a bag full | | | | am not opposed to cell phones on the golf |
| of ants and other critters or rotten fruit if you | | | | course, provided they are used with respect to |
| forget. | | | | other players. |
| 9. Permanent marker- There is no point in getting | | | | You may already have several of these items in |
| into an argument with your golfing buddies. It only | | | | your bag and there may be important items that |
| takes a second to put an identifiable mark on | | | | I have overlooked but hopefully there is a gold |
| your ball. I carry two or three colors. | | | | nugget or two here that you can use. |
| 10. Extra shoelaces- This is an item that is often | | | | |