Field Notes
The Golf Pre-Round Checklist: What to Verify Before the First Tee
The 14-item pre-round checklist for recreational golfers — what to verify, pack, and check before the first tee, from tee time to first drive.
The Night Before
Check the weather forecast and pack accordingly — rain gear if there is a 30%+ chance. Charge your GPS watch or rangefinder. Confirm your tee time and the course GPS is loaded. Clean any dirty clubs from last round. Replace worn tees and restock ball markers.
Bag Checklist (Morning Of)
Count balls — minimum of 6, 9 is comfortable. Gloves: at least one fresh glove, two if it is hot. Tees: 20+ minimum. Ball markers: 2 in your pocket before the round, not just in the bag. Divot tool, towel (clipped and accessible), and your scorecard holder.
Tech Check
GPS watch: charged and the course is loaded? Rangefinder: battery good, lens clean? Phone: notifications off or Do Not Disturb on for the round. If you use a phone mount on the cart, clip it on before the tee — not after the third hole.
Physical Prep
Arrive 20 minutes before tee time to hit 10-15 practice putts and chip a few times. Two things to calibrate: pace (how far is a medium-firm putt rolling?) and feel (do the clubs feel heavy or light today?). The range is optional; the putting green is not.
First Tee Protocol
Identify your ball (stamp or mark it now). Confirm which rules apply — scramble? net scoring? stroke play? Who is keeping score? Start the GPS watch or rangefinder. Take two practice swings with a mid-iron to feel the tempo.
WYX Bag Kit
The WYX Bag Essentials Kit covers: a clip-on towel, a club brush, a ball marker, and a divot tool — the four items most often forgotten at the first tee. Under $50 for the full kit.
Continue with WYX golf essentials or read The Long Game.