How to Properly Arrange Clubs & Accessories in Your Golf Bag

Organization tips for golf bags with 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 14 slots

Co-authored by Michael Metz and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: January 27, 2026 Fact Checked

14-Way Bags

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7- or 8-Way Bags

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5- or 6-Way Bags

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4-Way Bags

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Organizing Golf Bag Pockets

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Adding Exterior Accessories

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Video

Are you having trouble finding the right club in your bag or digging through every pocket for an extra golf ball? Then it’s time to do a little spring cleaning and organize your golf bag. Arranging your clubs properly makes them easy to find and protects them from damage. No matter what type of golf bag you’re using, we’ll help you put every club and accessory in the right place so you know exactly where to look for them.

Things You Should Know

Arrange your clubs from the longest to shortest, so your driver and woods are in the top-most slots of your bag and your irons and wedges are at the bottom.
Keep your putter near your driver or in its own slot because it’s one of the most frequently-used clubs and will be easy to access.
Store golf balls, tees, and ball markers in the large middle pouch on your golf bag. Place any extra clothes and waterproof apparel in the largest pocket.

Section 1 of 6:

14-Way Bags

Golf regulations only let you carry 14 clubs on the course, so a 14-way bag gives each one its own separate slot in the main compartment. Take your driver, woods, and putter and place them in the top slots closest to the bag’s handle. Going from left to right in the remaining slots, arrange your hybrid or iron clubs in ascending numerical order. Place your wedges in the last open slots from the lowest to the highest angle to keep them organized.^{[1]
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- 14-way bags are normally called “cart” bags because they’re primarily used if you’re walking with a pull cart or driving a golf cart.
- Even though your putter is shorter than your driver, it’s one of the clubs you’ll use most frequently and will be easier to access at the top of your bag.

Section 2 of 6:

7- or 8-Way Bags

With fewer slots in a 7- or 8-way bag, keep your driver and any woods in the top slot by the handle. Start adding the rest of your clubs to the remaining slots going left to right from the longest to the shortest. Group 2–3 hybrid clubs in the same slot, and keep your irons in ascending numerical order. Save an open slot near the top or bottom of your bag to store your putter separate from your other clubs.^{[2]
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- Some 7- or 8-way bags have small slots along one side for individual clubs and wider openings that hold multiple clubs. Use the smaller slots for your driver, woods, and putter. Then, group together low-numbered irons, high-numbered irons, and wedges in the additional slots.

Section 3 of 6:

5- or 6-Way Bags

Keep your putter as well as your longest clubs, like your driver and woods, in the back-most compartments by the handle so they’re easy to access. If you use hybrid clubs, group them together and put them in the next slot on the left side. Split your irons evenly between the next few slots, putting them in ascending numerical order from left to right. Use the front-most compartments for short clubs like your high-numbered irons and your wedges.
- If it’s hard to access your putter when it’s in the same compartment as your driver and woods, keep it in the same slot as your wedges instead.

Section 4 of 6:

4-Way Bags

At the top compartment near the handle, store your driver, putter, and woods together. Keep your hybrids and high-numbered irons in the left compartment and your low-numbered irons on the right side. Place your 4 shortest clubs, like your wedges, in the last compartment at the bottom of your bag.
- Your driver, woods, and putter are the clubs you use the most, so keeping them in the top slot makes them easier to reach.

Section 5 of 6:

Organizing Golf Bag Pockets

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Keep extra golf balls in the center pouch. Look for the large zippered ball pouch at the front of your golf bag. If you’re walking the course and carrying your bag, carry at least 5 golf balls with you. If you’re using a pull cart or golf cart, put in as many golf balls as you want since you don’t have to worry about lifting the extra weight.^{[3]
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- Avoid putting golf balls in any other pockets because it will make your golf bag unbalanced and more difficult to carry.
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Place tees and ball markers inside a bag in the ball pouch. Toss all of your tees and ball markers into a small tee bag and cinch it shut. Keep the bag in the same place as the golf balls so they’re easy to access.^{[4]
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- Avoid tossing loose tees into your bag because they could poke you every time you reach into your bag.
If you have extra golf gloves, a waterproof jacket, rainproof pants, a hat, or a visor, put them in the largest pocket on the side of your bag. Tightly fold your clothes and fit them into the pocket so your golf bag doesn’t look bulky.^{[5]
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Place some bandages, antibacterial ointment, and over-the-counter pain relievers in a resealable bag. Keep a small bottle of sunscreen in a separate bag so it doesn’t make a mess inside your golf bag. Choose a large pocket on the side of your bag or one of the pockets near the top of your bag.^{[6]
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Keep a water bottle and snacks in the open slot on your bag. Many golf bags have a water bottle holder on the side or bottom. Put a reusable water bottle and store it in the slot. Tuck in a few snacks, like protein bars or trail mix, next to the bottle. If there isn’t a water bottle holder, then use a front pocket on your golf bag for your snacks and drinks.^{[7]
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- Throw away any snack wrappers in a trash can when you’re on the course rather than putting them back in your bag.
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Protect your wallet and phone in a small pocket higher up on your bag. Many golf bags have a small pocket near the top that has a waterproof lining. Keep your phone, wallet, keys, and any other valuables in the same pocket so they stay safe and are easy to access.^{[8]
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- If you’re carrying a scorecard, put it in the same pocket. That way, it will stay dry and you’re able to quickly reach it after you finish a hole.

Section 6 of 6:

Adding Exterior Accessories

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Strap your golf glove to one of the handles on your bag. Undo the fastener on your glove and wrap it around the handle on the front or back of your golf bag. Secure the fastener so your glove hangs from the handle. Whenever you need to wear your glove, just take it off the handle and slip it on.^{[9]
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- If you have extra gloves, keep them in their original package and place them in your golf bag’s large apparel pocket to limit their exposure to moisture and air. When you need to replace your old glove, then open up a new one.
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Clip a small towel to your bag with a carabiner. Look for a metal or fabric loop on the outside of your golf bag near the top opening. Use a carabiner to clip the corner of the towel to your bag. That way, it’s within reach if you ever need to wipe off a club.^{[10]
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- If the towel hangs down and touches the ground, fold it up and weave it between the heads of your golf clubs. The towel will stay clean and your clubs won’t rattle against each other.
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Slide an umbrella through the loops near the straps. Look for a fabric loop on your golf bag either along the side or near the handle. Slip your umbrella through the loop at the top of your bag. Look for a small fabric loop or pouch at the bottom of your golf bag, and stick the point of the umbrella inside.^{[11]
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- If your golf bag doesn’t have a spot for an umbrella, then place your umbrella in the largest pocket with your waterproof apparel.
Attach your rangefinder and its case to an exterior clip. Rangefinders are the perfect tool for finding out how far you are from the hole when you’re lining up your shot. Most rangefinders come with a weatherproof case, so just clip it around your golf bag’s handle or on a metal loop near the top so it’s right there when you need it.^{[12]
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Tips

Empty everything out of your golf bag 1–2 times a year to throw away trash and get rid of old items that you don’t use anymore.^{[13]
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