If you walk into a golf shop or look online as a beginner it can feel overwhelming. There are rows of GPS watches, laser rangefinders, automated swing analysers, and specialised alignment aids.
The message from the golf industry is loud and clear: If you want to play well, you need to buy all of this stuff.
But here’s the truth: 90% of the gadgets in that store will not save you a single stroke. When you’re learning the game, your focus should be on making clean contact with the ball and keeping up the pace of play—not adjusting settings on a £200 digital screen.
To save your wallet and keep your game uncomplicated, here are the only three accessories you actually must have in your bag, along with three you can leave on the shelf.
The 3 Must-Haves
1. A High-Quality, Breathable Cap
A great golf hat isn’t just about looking the part on the first tee (though that’s a nice bonus). It is a piece of performance gear. When you’re out on a public course for four hours under the summer sun, a cheap or heavy cap will trap heat, causing you to sweat through your face and lose focus. Look for a lightweight, moisture-wicking hat with a structured brim to shield your eyes from glare so you can actually track where your ball landed in the fairway (or the woods).
2. A Dedicated Club Towel (With a Clip)
You cannot hit a golf ball cleanly if your club grooves are packed with mud and grass from your last swing. A simple, durable microfiber towel that clips directly to the outside of your golf bag is non-negotiable. Wipe your club face down after every single shot. It takes three seconds, keeps your gear looking pristine, and ensures your next shot actually has a chance to get airborne.
3. A Properly Fitted Glove
Unless you want a palm full of blisters by the 6th hole, you need a golf glove. For right-handed golfers, it goes on your left hand; for lefties, your right hand. Don’t overcomplicate this—you don’t need ultra-premium Cabretta leather that wears out in three rounds. Look for a durable synthetic blend that offers a tacky grip so the club doesn’t slip out of your hands mid-swing.
The 3 You Can Safely Skip
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Skip: Laser Rangefinders. You do not need to know that you are exactly 142.6 yards away from a pin when you’re a beginner. A free smartphone app (like 18Birdies or The Grint) will give you the front, middle, and back of the green via GPS for free. That is more than enough info.
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Skip: Expensive Ball Markers. The pro shop will try to sell you custom magnetic ball markers for $25. Use a plastic tee from your pocket or a loose coin instead. The golf gods won’t mind.
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Skip: Fancy Alignment Sticks. You see pros on the driving range using bright neon rods to check their stance. Do not buy these. Simply pull an extra club out of your bag (like that 4-iron you’re no longer using) and lay it on the ground pointing at your target. It works exactly the same way for zero dollars.
Uncomplicated Gear for the Everyday Golfer
At GolfThing, we are obsessed with keeping things simple. We don’t believe in the luxury hype, and we don’t think you should have to pay a country club tax just to get premium accessories.
That’s why we engineered our launch collection to focus entirely on the essentials. Our performance golf caps are built from lightweight, ultra-breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics designed to keep you cool, comfortable, and looking sharp under pressure—minus the corporate markup.
We make the gear you actually need, at a price that lets you play more golf.
Grab Your Essential GolfThing Cap and Gear Here
Over to You
What’s the most useless golf gadget you’ve ever bought? What’s the one item in your bag you absolutely cannot live without? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!