How to Arrange Clubs in a Golf Bag

Last Updated: November 13, 2019 References

It can be difficult to keep track of all your golfing equipment, especially if your bag isn’t organized. Before you embark on your next golfing trip, try rearranging your irons and other equipment so the tallest items are in the back of the bag and the shortest items are in the front. With an organized bag, you’ll be able to spend less time searching through your bag and more time enjoying a fun round of golf!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Sorting Your Equipment

1
Remove all of the clubs from your bag. Place all of your equipment on the floor, taking out 1 club at a time. Don’t dump out our clubs; instead, arrange them in a single area. Once you’ve emptied the bag, shake it out in an outdoor area to get rid of any grass or dirt.^{[1]
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- If you want to fully reorganize your bag, consider emptying any of the bag’s side pockets, as well.
2
Count how many storage slots are in your golf bag. Double-check what kind of storage space you have on hand. Depending on the style, your bag might have a few large sections or a variety of smaller slots. Once you’ve confirmed how much storage space is in your bag, you’ll have a better idea of how to go about sorting your equipment.^{[2]
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3
Set aside your woods and longest irons. Group your 1, 2, and 3 irons and woods together, which you use for longer, more powerful shots. If you’re planning on going to a large, spread out golf course, then you’ll definitely want to bring along some of these clubs. You can locate these items in your bags by finding the equipment with the longest handles and the thinnest club heads.^{[3]
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- Although the name suggests otherwise, “woods” are almost always made of metal. The name refers to older equipment, which was originally made out of wood.
- The 1-wood is also known as the driver.
4
Separate your 4, 5, and 6 irons into a pile. Keep your middle irons together, which you use for moderate swings. You’ll need this equipment when the golf ball is about 150 to 170 yards (140 to 160 m) away from the hole. Aside from the numerical labeling system, you can identify these clubs through their average handle size and a medium-sized club head.^{[4]
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5
Sort out your shortest clubs and put them aside. Keep your 7, 8, and 9 irons together as you go through your golf bag. Once you’ve gathered these clubs, find your wedges and putters, which you can use for angled or short-range shots. Place all of these items into the same pile for optimal organization. You can identify these clubs by their shorter handles and chunkier, loftier club heads.^{[5]
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- You might have a ball retriever with your clubs as well. Set this aside with your short clubs, wedges, and putters.^{[6]
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Did you know? Golf clubs are ranked with a numerical system from 1 to 9. One refers to the thinnest, least lofty club, while 9 refers to a thicker, loftier club. Many golfers choose not to include 1 and 2 clubs in their bags, as this equipment is more difficult to use.^{[7]
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You can bring no more than 14 golf clubs with you onto the green, so choose your equipment wisely! If you prefer to travel light, consider packing fewer clubs for your golf trip.^{[8]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Organizing a Four-Section Bag

1
Put the littlest clubs and wedges in the bottommost section. Find your smallest pieces of equipment and arrange them at the front of the bag, where you can access them easily. If you have any golf clubs smaller than the 7, 8, and 9 irons, place those in the section. Additionally, place your wedges here.^{[9]
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- Depending on your equipment, you might have a pitching wedge for grassy areas and a sand wedge for bunkers.^{[10]
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2
Set your 7, 8, and 9 irons into the center right section. Arrange your loftiest irons above the shorter clubs and wedges so you can reach them easily. Since this equipment is a medium size as compared to the woods, drivers, and smaller clubs, keep these thicker irons in the middle of the bag.^{[11]
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- When you place these clubs in the bag, try to keep them in sequential order.
- Always insert your clubs into the bag with the handle-end facing down.
3
Use the center left section for your 4, 5, and 6 clubs. Continue going up the numerical scale by placing these irons in the section left of the 7,8, and 9 clubs. Keep the clubs in numerical order, so you can grab them quickly and easily in the middle of a game.^{[12]
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- At this point, check to make sure all of your clubs are facing the bottom of the bag.
- If you don’t have 2 center sections, arrange your 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 clubs numerically across one middle section instead.
4
Store your woods, drivers, and putter in the back portion of the bag. Put your longest, most powerful equipment together so you can access it easily at the beginning of the game. Since these are the longest clubs and drivers, keep them behind the medium and small-sized irons to make them easier to grab. Since your putter is the chunkiest piece of equipment, arrange it in the back of your bag so it won’t bang and damage your other equipment.^{[13]
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- This section will be closest to you whenever you hold the bag.
Did you know? The tallest-to-shortest organization of a golf bag works best if you’re carrying the bag yourself. If you’re planning to hang it on a golf cart, arrange the clubs from shortest-to-tallest for easier access.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Filling a Bag with Individual Slots

1
Place your driver or tallest wood in the top left corner for easy access. If you don’t this iron on hand, place your tallest wood or 2 iron there instead. Make sure that your longest pieces of equipment are situated in the back of the bag, as this will make your gameplay a lot simpler.^{[14]
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- There’s no exact formula for arranging your golf bag. Place your clubs a way that works best for you and your gameplay style.
2
Arrange your clubs from left to right in descending order. Continue adding your clubs into the bag, working your way from top to bottom. Once you’ve placed your drivers and woods in the bag, begin placing your 4, 5, and 6 irons into the next few slots. Use the next three slots for your 7, 8, and 9 irons. If you have any wedges or smaller clubs, arrange those in the bottom row.^{[15]
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- If you want to try out a different organization method, sort the equipment by odd and even club numbers. Dedicate the slots on the left half of the bag to your odd-numbered clubs, and the right half of your bag to your even-numbered clubs.^{[16]
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3
Set your putter and ball retriever in the bottom row of the bag. Place the chunkiest piece of equipment beneath the other clubs, irons, and drivers. While putters are generally stored near the drivers, you don’t have to worry about them hitting your other clubs when the putter is in its own slot. Additionally, keep the ball retriever near the bottom of the bag for quick and easy access.^{[17]
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