What Are the Big Golf Towels Called? Explained
Quick Answer
The big golf towels you see hanging from professional golfers’ bags are usually called tour towels, caddie towels, or players’ towels. They commonly measure around 18 × 36 inches to 22 × 44 inches, although sizes vary by brand and design. Their extra surface area helps golfers clean clubfaces and grooves while keeping another section dry for grips, hands, and golf balls.
What to Look For
- Tour towel: A large towel designed for generous cleaning coverage.
- Caddie towel: A large-format towel commonly used by caddies to clean clubs during a round.
- Waffle-weave microfiber: A textured fabric that helps lift dirt and grass from club grooves.
- Center slit: An opening that lets the towel hang over a club or suitable bag attachment.
- Wet-and-dry sections: Separate areas for cleaning clubheads and drying hands or grips.
- Best fit: Choose a full-size towel for a cart or maximum coverage, or a smaller one for a walking bag.
For more help choosing the right format, explore this guide to the best golf towels for players.
If you’ve watched a professional golf tournament, you’ve probably noticed the oversized towels draped over players’ bags or carried by their caddies. They look different from the small towels many recreational golfers clip onto a stand bag.
In this guide, I’ll explain what these large golf towels are called, how their sizes and materials differ, and how to choose one that suits your own game. The terminology can be confusing, but the buying decision is straightforward once you know what matters.
In This Guide
What Are Big Golf Towels Called?
The oversized towels used on golf courses are generally called tour towels, caddie towels, or players’ towels. These names overlap, and there isn’t one universal naming or sizing standard across manufacturers.
A large golf towel is simply a golf-specific towel with enough fabric to clean equipment and manage moisture throughout a round. Many models feature textured microfiber, a hanging slit, or a clip for convenient access.
Tour towels
A tour towel is a large-format golf towel associated with professional golf and tournament-style equipment setups. It’s designed to provide plenty of usable fabric without requiring golfers to carry several separate cleaning cloths.
You’ll often see tour towels hanging prominently from golf bags, particularly when players use a cart or have a caddie carrying their equipment. The name describes a style rather than a guarantee that a professional golfer uses that particular model.
Caddie towels
A caddie towel is a towel used by a caddie to keep a player’s clubs, golf balls, and other equipment clean. Many are generously sized because caddies need easy access to clean and dry fabric throughout a round.
Some manufacturers use the term for a specific oversized product, while others apply it to different dimensions. Always check the actual measurements instead of assuming every caddie towel is the same size.
Players’ towels
A players’ towel can refer to a large towel made for golfers, including products designed around the needs of tour professionals. The label is not exclusive to one size, material, or attachment method.
The important distinction: These names often describe similar products, so dimensions, fabric, and hanging design tell you more than the label alone.
How Big Are Tour Towels?
Large golf towels commonly measure around 18 × 36 inches, 20 × 40 inches, or 22 × 44 inches. Exact dimensions depend on the manufacturer, and these measurements are useful buying examples rather than official industry standards.
For comparison, a compact golf towel may measure around 16 × 16 inches, while a common medium format is approximately 16 × 24 inches. A tour towel gives you substantially more fabric for separating wet cleaning areas from dry ones.
| Towel type | Example size | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Compact golf towel | 16 × 16 inches | Quick cleaning and lightweight carry |
| Medium players’ towel | 16 × 24 inches | Everyday rounds and walking golfers |
| Tour towel | 20 × 40 inches | More cleaning space and separate wet/dry areas |
| Oversized caddie towel | 22 × 44 inches | Maximum coverage and caddie-style use |
These are representative sizes, not fixed categories. A towel measuring 17 × 40 inches may be marketed as a caddie towel, while another manufacturer might use a different product name for a similar design.
Why does the extra size matter?
More fabric lets you reserve one section for dirt and moisture while protecting a clean section for your hands and grips. It also gives you more usable surface between washes, provided you keep the dirty and clean areas separate.
However, a large towel isn’t automatically better. If it drags on the ground, catches in a cart wheel, or hangs awkwardly from your bag, a medium towel may be the smarter choice.
Why Do Golfers Use Large Towels?
Golfers use large towels because clean clubfaces, clear grooves, and dry grips are practical parts of equipment care. A generous towel makes it easier to clean clubs regularly without running out of a suitable surface halfway through the round.
Keeping clubfaces and grooves clean
Grass, sand, mud, and moisture can collect on a clubface during play. A towel helps remove that buildup so the grooves remain clear for the next shot.
This matters most when your ball lies in damp grass or muddy conditions. I would prioritize a towel that’s easy to reach and clean over one chosen purely for its professional-looking appearance.
Separating wet and dry areas
One practical method is to dampen a small section of the towel for cleaning clubheads while leaving the remaining fabric dry. This reduces the chance of transferring unnecessary moisture to your hands or grips.
- Wet section: Use it for dirt and grass on clubfaces.
- Dry section: Reserve it for grips, hands, and general drying.
- Clean section: Keep a reasonably clean area available for wiping a golf ball when appropriate.
A large towel makes this arrangement easier because each section has room to do its job. You still need to manage the fabric carefully; a towel becomes less useful when every part gets equally dirty.
Managing rain and changing conditions
Wet weather creates a different challenge. A towel that absorbs moisture well can help dry grips and hands, but a fully soaked towel may no longer provide a useful dry section.
For rainy rounds, consider carrying a second small towel in a protected pocket or waterproof compartment. That backup can be more useful than buying an even larger towel.
Section takeaway: Large towels offer more cleaning space and better wet/dry separation, but keeping a clean, dry area available is what makes the design useful.
Which Materials and Designs Work Best?
The best large golf towels combine a useful fabric, a practical attachment, and enough surface area for your usual playing conditions. Waffle-weave microfiber is a popular option, but terry cloth and water-resistant designs can also make sense.
Waffle-weave microfiber
Waffle-weave microfiber has a textured surface that helps lift dirt and grass from clubfaces and grooves. The lightweight fabric also makes it easier to manage separate damp and dry sections.
Look for a towel with a texture you can clean easily after a muddy round. Microfiber performance varies by construction, so don’t assume every towel with the label offers identical absorbency or cleaning ability.
Terry cloth
Terry cloth uses small loops of fabric to create a soft, absorbent surface. Golfers who prefer a traditional towel feel may appreciate it for wiping their hands and absorbing moisture.
Its suitability depends on the product’s thickness, size, and construction. A thick towel can feel comfortable but may become bulky when wet, particularly on a lightweight walking bag.
Center-slit towels versus clip-on towels
The attachment method affects how easily you can reach the towel and whether it stays out of your way. Large tour towels often use a center slit, while many compact golf towels use a grommet and carabiner clip.
| Feature | Center-slit towel | Clip-on towel |
|---|---|---|
| Attachment | Hangs over a suitable club or support | Connects to a bag ring or loop |
| Typical format | Often large or tour-sized | Often compact or medium-sized |
| Main advantage | Simple draped attachment | Flexible placement on the bag |
| Potential drawback | May not suit every bag layout | Clip or grommet may wear over time |
Magnetic golf towels
Magnetic towels use an integrated magnet to attach to compatible metal surfaces, such as some golf carts or clubs. They can be convenient when you want quick access without reaching for a bag-mounted clip.
Check the manufacturer’s attachment guidance before relying on a magnet. A magnetic towel isn’t necessarily a replacement for a large tour towel, because magnetic attachment and towel size are separate features.
For the rules governing equipment use during a round, consult the USGA’s official golf rules resources. A towel is a simple accessory, but its placement should never be used to gain an improper advantage.
Section takeaway: For a traditional oversized towel, start with waffle-weave microfiber and a practical hanging design; choose other materials or magnetic attachment when they better suit your needs.
How Do You Choose the Right Golf Towel Size?
The right towel size depends on whether you walk the course, ride in a cart, play in wet conditions, or simply want a compact setup. Choose enough fabric for your cleaning routine without letting the towel become a nuisance.
Choose a large tour towel if you want maximum coverage
A towel around 20 × 40 inches suits golfers who want a dedicated wet area, a dry area, and extra fabric for cleaning throughout the round. It can be particularly practical when a cart carries most of your equipment.
This format also suits golfers who like the traditional tour-bag appearance. Just check how the towel hangs from your particular bag before committing to the largest option.
Choose a medium towel for walking rounds
A towel around 16 × 24 inches often provides a useful balance between cleaning space and portability. It’s easier to manage on a stand bag and less likely to drag near the ground.
For golfers who carry their bags, weight and bulk matter. A medium towel may deliver enough surface area without adding unnecessary fabric to your load.
Use a compact towel for quick cleaning
A compact towel around 16 × 16 inches can work well for golfers who mainly wipe down clubs, remove light dirt, or want an easy-to-reach accessory. It also makes sense as a secondary dry towel.
The trade-off is limited space. If you regularly play in wet conditions or want clearly separated cleaning areas, a compact towel may require more frequent rinsing or replacement.
Check these details before buying
- Actual dimensions: Read the product specifications rather than relying on names such as tour or caddie.
- Fabric: Decide whether textured microfiber or terry cloth better suits your cleaning routine.
- Attachment: Check whether your bag works best with a clip, loop, or center slit.
- Wet weight: Consider how heavy the material may become after cleaning clubs in damp conditions.
- Maintenance: Follow the manufacturer’s washing instructions to protect the fabric and attachment hardware.
- Replacement needs: If you play often, a second towel can help you rotate clean, dry fabric into your setup.
When comparing models, focus on the details that affect your own round. A well-sized towel that stays accessible is more useful than an oversized one that constantly gets in the way.
For broader equipment and playing guidance, the PGA of America’s golf resources offer another useful starting point for recreational golfers building a practical setup.
Section takeaway: Pick a large towel for maximum coverage, a medium towel for everyday walking, or a compact towel for simple cleaning and minimal bulk.
Frequently Asked Questions About Big Golf Towels
1. What is the big towel on a professional golfer’s bag called?
It’s usually called a tour towel, caddie towel, or players’ towel. These oversized golf towels provide extra fabric for cleaning clubfaces, wiping away moisture, and keeping a dry section available during play.
2. What size is a tour golf towel?
Many tour-style golf towels measure approximately 20 × 40 inches, although some are closer to 18 × 36 inches or 22 × 44 inches. Check the listed dimensions because manufacturers use different sizes and product names.
3. Why do professional golfers use such large towels?
Large towels provide enough surface area to clean clubs and maintain separate wet and dry sections. This makes it easier to remove dirt from club grooves while keeping grips and hands dry, especially in damp playing conditions.
4. Are caddie towels and tour towels the same thing?
The terms often overlap, but they aren’t strict synonyms for a standardized product. A caddie towel describes a towel used by a caddie, while tour towel commonly describes a large-format golf towel associated with professional-style equipment.
5. Is a bigger golf towel always better?
No. A larger towel provides more cleaning space, but it can become bulky and drag on the ground when attached to a small stand bag. A medium towel may be more practical for golfers who carry their equipment.
6. What material is best for a large golf towel?
Waffle-weave microfiber is a popular choice because its textured surface helps clean clubfaces and grooves. Terry cloth is another option for golfers who prefer a traditional, absorbent towel, although the best choice depends on construction and personal preference.
7. Can I use a regular bath towel as a golf towel?
Yes, a regular towel can clean clubs and absorb moisture, but it may lack convenient golf-bag attachments or a compact design. A golf-specific towel is generally easier to hang, reach, and manage between shots.
Final Takeaway: Which Big Golf Towel Should You Choose?
The big golf towels you see on professional bags are usually called tour towels, caddie towels, or players’ towels. Most are designed to offer more cleaning surface than a standard compact golf towel, with many large models measuring around 20 × 40 inches.
For most golfers, a waffle-weave microfiber towel is a sensible starting point. Choose a large model if you want generous cleaning coverage, or a medium towel if you walk the course and want to keep your bag manageable.
As you compare options in 2026, pay attention to the actual dimensions, material, attachment method, and ease of washing. Those practical details matter more than whether the product carries a tour-inspired name.
If you’re upgrading your golf bag setup, start by deciding how much cleaning space you need during a typical round. The best towel is the one that keeps your clubs clean, your grips dry, and your equipment easy to manage.