Learning how to load a gold bag properly will not only ensure your clubs aren’t damaged, but it also ensures your bag is easier to carry and it can even have an impact on your game.
The United States Golf Association allows you to carry 14 clubs in your golf bag and by learning how to organize a gold bag, you’ll ensure it doesn’t become overweight and cluttered, plus you’ll be able to find your clubs with ease, and thus maintain your tempo out on the course.
The Steps Of How To Load A Golf Bag
Nearly every golf bag is divided into three or four sections for your clubs and the key to organizing your golf bag well is splitting different club types into different sections.
First, Empty Your Golf Bag
The first step of how to organize a gold bag is by emptying it. This means removing all your clubs and laying them out in order and going through all the pockets to remove any tees, scorecards, pencils, and leftover sandwich wrappers.
This is also an ideal time to clean your golf bag by giving it a wipe and dusty off any crumbs or debris that might be in the pockets.
Pick Your 14 Clubs
Next up is picking the 14 clubs you want to have with you on your round of golf. You’re only allowed 14 clubs as per association rules and will be penalized two strokes for having any more than this, so don’t try and sneak an extra in there.
Once you have chosen your 14 clubs, lay them out neatly in order of length and/or number. This will make the how-to-load a golf bag steps a lot quicker and easier.
Then Start With Your Woods/Drivers
Your woods/drivers are the longest and heaviest clubs in your golf set and should go in the top section of your golf bag. You will most likely be carrying at least 3 woods/drivers including a driver, 3 wood, and 5 wood all of which should go in this top section, along with any extra woods you might be carrying.
By putting them in the top section, their extra length will have their heads sitting higher than the rest of your clubs stopping them from being banged around or getting buried beneath others so they are easier to pull out.
Next Up Are Your Long and Middle Irons
When we discuss long and middle irons we are referring to any irons between a 2 and a 7 iron. These ling and middle irons should go into the middle section of your golf bag. They will sit below your woods and drivers in the top section so they don’t bounce into each other, and they will be easy to access.
Now Your Short Irons and Wedges
All your short irons, from 7-9 irons plus any wedges including your sand wedge and pitching wedge, should go into the bottom section of your golf bag. No matter how many wedges you use, make sure they all go into this section.
As these clubs are shorter than all the rest, they will be protected by sitting below your woods, drivers, long and medium irons, and be organized for easy access to keep your flow going when you’re having the round of your life.
But Where Does Your Putter Go?
Being the shortest club, you might think your putter should go in the bottom section along with short irons and your wedges, but it’s actually the opposite. You should slot your putter into the top section with your drivers and woods. This may seem counter-intuitive based on club length but it’s all about protecting your putter.
The clubs you will use the least will be your drivers and woods and therefore by storing your putter with them, you’re less likely to damage it when removing clubs from your bag.
Tees, Balls, & Glove
Every golf bag comes with a few extra pockets along its body and these are perfect for your tees, balls, and glove. Try to separate them into different pockets if you can as this will kind of efficient organization to make your rounds go a lot smoother.
There is nothing more frustrating than when it’s time for you to tee off and you’re having to rummage around in your bag for tee. It’ll knock you off your game and probably end up with some frustrated looks from the other members of the golf club.
Extras
When you’re out golfing, you always need to carry extras such as a windbreaker, hat, lunch, water, your cell phone, extra layers for warmth, and sometimes even an umbrella if playing in really bad weather.
Think about where you’re going to put these extras in reference to the weight distribution of your golf bag. You don’t want heavy things weighing you down if possible, especially if you’re walking an 18 hole round with a bunch of par fives in it.
Also, try to limit the number of extras you bring to a minimum to reduce clutter and the amount of energy you’re going to have to exert carrying your bag around for hours. Carrying a heavy bag will affect your game and can make the difference between a great and average round.
Umbrellas & Ball Retrievers
If you carry an umbrella or ball retriever with you on the course, where do you think they should go? It makes the most sense for these to sit in the top section with the clubs you use the least, your woods and drivers.
You also carry fewer woods and drivers than irons, so there should be ample room for an umbrella and ball retriever to fit in there with them.
Driving Away
You now know how to load a golf bag and how to organize a golf bag to protect your clubs, make them easily accessible and help you manage the load when walking 18 holes. It’s quite a simple task at the end of the day but doing it right can make all the difference to how relaxing your round of golf is.
