Why Do Golfers Carry Two Towels? What Each One Is For
Quick Answer
Golfers carry two towels so they can keep one towel damp for cleaning clubs and a second towel dry for grips, hands, clubfaces, and other gear. Separating wet and dry jobs keeps mud and moisture from spreading around the bag and gives the golfer a clean towel when it matters most. Golfers should also follow the Rules of Golf on cleaning a lifted ball.
Why two towels work better
- Wet cleaning: A damp towel removes mud, grass, sand, and dirt from clubfaces and grooves.
- Dry finishing: A second towel dries the clubface after cleaning so moisture is not left behind.
- Better grip: The dry towel helps keep hands and grips dry during rain, humidity, or sweaty summer rounds.
- Less contamination: Dirt from the cleaning towel stays away from the towel used on hands and grips.
- Weather backup: A protected dry towel is useful when the towel hanging outside the bag becomes soaked.
I used to think two golf towels looked unnecessary until I paid attention to how quickly one towel becomes dirty or wet during a round. Once that happens, it is no longer useful for every job.
In This Guide
Why Do Golfers Carry Two Towels?
Golfers usually carry two towels because cleaning equipment and keeping equipment dry are different jobs. One towel often cannot do both well for an entire round.
Definition: A two-towel golf setup means keeping one towel available for dirty or wet cleaning jobs and another towel clean and dry for hands, grips, and final drying.
Think about a damp morning after overnight rain. Your wedge may collect wet grass after one shot and mud after the next.
- Clubfaces: Dirt and turf can collect in the grooves.
- Golf balls: Mud can stick to the ball when conditions are soft.
- Grips: Rain, dew, or sweat can make them slippery.
- Hands: Moisture makes maintaining a comfortable hold harder.
- Shoes and accessories: Grass and mud can also end up on other equipment.
If you attack all those jobs with one towel, the towel quickly becomes dirty and damp. Wiping a grip with that same towel can make the situation worse.
That is where the second towel earns its place. It stays cleaner, drier, and ready for jobs where moisture is the problem rather than the solution.
Why clean clubs during a round?
Clean contact begins with a reasonably clean clubface. Mud, sand, and grass can pack into iron and wedge grooves during normal play.
I like to clean a club before returning it to the bag rather than waiting until the next shot. That routine takes seconds and prevents dirt from drying inside the grooves.
- Use the damp area of the cleaning towel on stubborn dirt.
- Wipe across the grooves until loose debris is removed.
- Use the dry towel or dry section before returning the club to the bag.
This routine becomes especially useful with wedges because those clubs regularly contact sand, soft turf, and wet grass.
Section Takeaway: Two towels separate dirty cleaning jobs from dry equipment jobs. That simple division keeps the second towel useful throughout the round.
What Is Each Golf Towel Used For?
The first towel is normally the work towel. The second is your clean, dry backup.
| Towel Setup | Moisture | Best Uses | Typical Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleaning towel | Partly damp | Clubfaces, grooves, permitted ball cleaning, mud and grass | Outside of bag for fast access |
| Dry towel | Kept dry | Hands, grips, clubfaces, rain management | Protected by bag or rain hood |
| Single-towel setup | Mixed | Basic cleaning in mostly dry conditions | Outside of bag |
The first towel cleans clubs
I prefer a larger towel for dirty equipment because I can dedicate one section to moisture and leave another section relatively dry. It also provides enough surface area for repeated cleaning.
The towel does not need to be dripping wet. A lightly damp section usually handles normal dirt without soaking everything around it.
The second towel protects your grips and hands
The second towel becomes most valuable when conditions turn wet. A dry grip can feel far more secure than one covered with rain or sweat.
Keeping this towel separate also makes basic hygiene more sensible. I would rather not wipe my hands with the same patch of fabric I just used on bunker sand and muddy grooves.
What about cleaning the golf ball?
Golfers commonly use a towel to clean a ball after marking and lifting it on the putting green. The Rules allow a ball lifted from the putting green to be cleaned.
Cleaning is more restricted in several situations elsewhere on the course. The USGA Rules FAQ on cleaning a golf ball explains the main exceptions.
- Checking damage: You cannot clean a ball simply because you lifted it to check whether it is cut or cracked.
- Identifying a ball: Clean only as much as needed to identify it.
- Interference: Cleaning is not allowed when the ball was lifted because it interfered with play.
- Checking a relief condition: Cleaning is restricted unless you then take relief as permitted by the Rules.
The towel is useful, but permission to use it on your ball depends on why the ball was lifted.
Why Keep One Towel Wet and One Dry?
A wet-dry system gives each towel one clear purpose. The damp towel loosens dirt, while the dry towel removes moisture.
This is much more useful than soaking your only towel at the first tee. You need some dry fabric available later.
A damp towel handles mud better
Dried soil can be stubborn on an iron face. A little moisture softens the dirt and makes it easier to wipe away.
On soft courses, I usually dampen only part of the cleaning towel. That gives me a wet section and a reasonably dry section without carrying another soaked item.
A genuinely dry towel matters in rain
Rain changes the priority. Keeping grips and hands dry can become more important than cleaning every small mark from a clubhead.
A towel hanging fully exposed from the bag may become useless during sustained rain. Protecting the second towel under a rain hood or inside an accessible pocket helps preserve it.
- Keep the dry towel covered until needed.
- Dry your hands before gripping the club.
- Wipe the grip before a shot if rain reaches it.
- Dry the clubface after cleaning when practical.
Two towels also help in hot weather
Two towels are not only for rain. Hot, humid rounds create another reason to separate equipment cleaning from hand and sweat management.
A golfer who sweats heavily may prefer the second towel for hands and face. Keeping that towel away from club-cleaning dirt makes obvious sense.
Section Takeaway: The wet towel removes dirt; the dry towel manages moisture. Keeping those jobs separate is the main practical reason for carrying two.
Where Should You Keep Two Towels on a Golf Bag?
Keep the cleaning towel where you can reach it immediately after a shot. Protect the dry towel from rain, dirty clubs, and wet grass.
Attach the cleaning towel outside the bag
Most golf bags provide an accessory ring, loop, clip, or suitable attachment point. An outside position makes club cleaning quick enough to become automatic.
I like the cleaning towel near the side of the bag rather than directly among the clubheads. That placement reduces the chance of it wrapping around clubs when I remove them.
Protect the second towel
Position the dry towel under the bag’s rain hood, beneath another protective cover, or in a dry compartment when conditions demand it. The exact setup depends on your bag.
A smaller towel can also work well for the dry role. You do not necessarily need two large tour-style towels.
What if you use a golf cart?
A cart gives you more storage choices. You can keep the dirty towel outside and place the dry towel somewhere protected from rain or splashed water.
Walkers should prioritize convenience and weight. A compact microfiber towel often provides plenty of cleaning surface without adding much bulk.
- Walking: Use a light cleaning towel and compact dry towel.
- Push cart: Place the cleaning towel where it will not drag against the wheels.
- Riding cart: Keep one towel accessible and the dry towel sheltered.
- Rain: Protect at least one completely dry towel before conditions worsen.
Do You Really Need Two Golf Towels?
No rule requires a recreational golfer to carry two towels. It is simply a practical setup that becomes more useful as weather and course conditions get messier.
One towel can be enough in dry conditions
If the course is firm and dry, a single towel may handle a full round without becoming saturated. You can also divide one larger towel into damp and dry sections.
That is often enough for casual golfers who rarely deal with mud or rain.
Two towels make sense in certain situations
- Morning dew: Clubs, balls, shoes, and grass may stay wet for several holes.
- Rainy rounds: You need a protected towel for hands and grips.
- Soft turf: Irons and wedges can collect more mud.
- Bunker-heavy courses: Sand frequently ends up on wedges and equipment.
- Hot weather: A separate towel can help with sweaty hands.
What type of towel works best?
Microfiber is popular because it is light, absorbent, and easy to pack. Cotton towels can also work well, especially if you already have a suitable one.
Size matters less than having enough usable fabric. A huge towel that becomes completely soaked is not automatically better than two smaller towels with separate jobs.
A simple two-towel setup for beginners
- Choose one medium or large towel for clubs and dirty equipment.
- Lightly dampen one section before the round when conditions require it.
- Carry a second clean towel for hands, grips, and drying.
- Keep the second towel protected if rain is possible.
- Wash both towels after muddy or heavily used rounds.
You do not need an elaborate system. The goal is simply to avoid reaching for a clean grip towel and finding that it is already covered in mud.
If grip control or equipment setup continues causing problems, a qualified PGA professional can help you evaluate the practical side of your setup. The PGA of America is a useful starting point for finding professional golf instruction and resources.
Pro tip: If grip pressure, hand discomfort, or equipment fit affects your swing, work with a certified instructor or club fitter rather than trying to solve a physical or fitting issue with accessories alone.
Golf Towel FAQ
Why do professional golfers carry multiple towels?
Multiple towels let players and caddies separate club cleaning from drying grips, hands, and equipment. Tournament rounds can involve rain, dew, sand, mud, sweat, and repeated club cleaning, so having a clean dry towel available can be useful.
Why do golfers wet one end of their towel?
Golfers often wet one section so it can loosen mud and grass from clubfaces while leaving another section dry enough for finishing. Some golfers carry a completely separate dry towel instead, especially when rain is expected.
Should you clean your golf clubs after every shot?
You do not need a full cleaning after every swing. However, wiping visible grass, mud, and sand from the clubface before returning the club to the bag keeps the grooves cleaner and prevents debris from drying in place.
Can you clean your golf ball with a towel during a round?
Yes, when the Rules permit cleaning. A ball lifted from the putting green may be cleaned, while several specific situations elsewhere restrict cleaning. Always consider why you were allowed to lift the ball before wiping it.
Where do golfers put their towels?
Most golfers attach the main cleaning towel to an accessory loop, ring, or clip on the outside of the golf bag. A second dry towel may be stored under a rain hood or in a protected compartment.
Is microfiber better than cotton for a golf towel?
Both can work. Microfiber is lightweight, absorbent, and packs easily, while cotton can provide a familiar feel and good cleaning surface. Choose a towel that stays accessible, absorbs moisture well, and is easy to wash.
How many golf towels should a beginner carry?
One towel is enough for many beginner rounds in dry weather. Carrying two becomes helpful in wet, muddy, humid, or hot conditions because one can handle dirty equipment while the other remains available for hands and grips.
Simple Takeaway: Build a Clean, Dry Routine
Golfers carry two towels because one towel can clean while the other stays dry. It is a small piece of organization that becomes surprisingly useful once the course gets wet, muddy, sandy, or hot.
Start with one damp cleaning towel and one protected dry towel. Use them consistently, keep your clubs reasonably clean, and you will spend less time dealing with muddy grooves or slippery grips during the round.