What Is a Terry Cloth Golf Towel? Uses, Benefits, and Care
Quick Answer
A terry cloth golf towel is a looped-fabric towel, usually made from cotton, that golfers use to clean clubfaces, golf balls, grips, and hands. Its raised loops absorb moisture and give you enough texture to wipe away grass, mud, and sand during a round. The PGA of America also recommends keeping a towel handy to help keep golf grips clean and dry.
Why golfers use terry cloth towels
- High absorption: Terry loops can hold useful moisture for cleaning clubs throughout a round.
- Useful texture: The raised surface helps wipe loose dirt, grass, and sand from clubfaces.
- Soft feel: Cotton terry feels comfortable when drying hands or wiping grips.
- Simple maintenance: Most basic terry towels can be washed repeatedly when their care instructions allow it.
- Traditional design: Large terry caddie towels remain popular with golfers who want plenty of usable fabric.
If you’ve seen a large, soft towel hanging over a golf bag, there’s a good chance it used terry cloth. It’s one of the simplest pieces of golf equipment, yet I reach for a towel on almost every hole.
The important question isn’t whether a towel looks good on your bag. It’s whether its material, size, and cleaning routine suit the conditions you normally play.
In This Guide
What Exactly Is a Terry Cloth Golf Towel?
A terry cloth golf towel is a towel with loops of yarn raised from its surface. Those loops create the familiar soft, textured feel associated with bath towels and traditional cotton golf towels.
Definition: A terry cloth golf towel is a loop-pile fabric towel designed or used for cleaning and drying golf equipment, golf balls, grips, and hands during play.
Many terry golf towels use cotton because cotton handles moisture well and feels soft in the hand. However, the term terry describes the fabric construction rather than automatically guaranteeing one exact fiber.
You’ll find terry golf towels in compact bag sizes and oversized caddie formats. Some include grommets or clips, while traditional caddie towels may simply drape over clubs or a golf bag.
What makes terry cloth different from a flat towel?
The biggest difference is the looped surface. A flat woven cloth has less raised material available to contact moisture and debris.
Those loops give terry fabric more usable surface texture. On the course, that makes it practical for wiping wet clubheads and picking up loose dirt.
- Loop pile: Creates a soft, textured working surface.
- Moisture capacity: Gives water more fabric structure to soak into.
- Cleaning contact: Raised fibers help reach dirt sitting across the clubface.
- Comfort: Terry usually feels softer against hands than aggressive cleaning fabrics.
One current example is the Titleist Players Terry. Titleist lists its dimensions as 20 by 40 inches and describes the terry material as designed for maximum absorption.
That size also shows why terry cloth works well in a traditional caddie-towel format. There’s enough fabric to keep separate damp and dry areas during a round.
Why Do Golfers Use Terry Cloth Towels?
Golfers use terry cloth because one towel can handle several routine jobs. The biggest advantages are moisture management, straightforward cleaning, and a familiar soft feel.
Cleaning clubfaces between shots
Wet grass, soil, and bunker sand can collect on an iron or wedge after impact. I prefer removing that debris before the club disappears back into the bag.
A slightly damp section of terry cloth works well for routine wiping. The dry section can then remove the remaining moisture.
- Wipe loose mud from iron and wedge faces.
- Remove grass stuck around grooves.
- Dry clubheads after playing from wet turf.
- Clean dirt before placing the club back into the bag.
Keeping grips and hands dry
A towel becomes even more useful during humid or rainy rounds. A wet grip can feel less secure, especially when your glove and hands are already damp.
Golf Digest’s 2026 review of wet-weather rules notes that golfers may towel off a club’s grip before making a stroke. That makes keeping a clean, dry portion of the towel particularly useful.
Cleaning a golf ball when the Rules allow it
Terry cloth also works well for wiping a golf ball. However, you can’t automatically pick up and clean your ball anywhere you want.
Under USGA Rule 14.1c, a ball lifted from the putting green may be cleaned. Different restrictions can apply when a ball is lifted elsewhere for specific reasons.
- On the putting green: You may normally clean a properly lifted ball.
- For identification: Cleaning is limited to what is needed for identification.
- To check damage: Cleaning isn’t automatically permitted.
- When interfering with play: Cleaning restrictions can apply.
That’s a useful distinction for newer golfers. Owning a towel doesn’t change when the Rules permit you to clean the ball.
Section Takeaway: Terry cloth earns its place because it handles several small jobs without complicated features. Keep one section damp for dirt and another section clean and dry for grips or hands.
Is Terry Cloth or Microfiber Better for Golf?
Neither material is automatically better for every golfer. Terry cloth favors softness and moisture capacity, while microfiber often appeals to golfers wanting lower bulk and faster drying.
I choose between them based on playing conditions and how I carry my bag. A large terry towel makes sense on a cart, while lightweight microfiber can be more convenient when I’m carrying.
| Comparison | Terry Cloth Example | Microfiber Example |
|---|---|---|
| Product | Titleist Players Terry | Titleist Players Microfiber Towel |
| Published size | 20 × 40 inches | 16 × 32 inches |
| Material style | Terry material | Performance microfiber |
| Manufacturer emphasis | Maximum absorption | Easy carrying and use |
| Best practical fit | Golfers wanting a large traditional towel | Golfers prioritizing a smaller towel |
Titleist lists its Players Microfiber Towel at 16 by 32 inches. That is smaller than the company’s 20-by-40-inch Players Terry example.
Choose terry cloth when…
- You want a soft towel with plenty of absorbent fabric.
- You often play in wet or dewy conditions.
- You like a traditional oversized caddie towel.
- You routinely use separate damp and dry sections.
- Extra towel bulk isn’t a major concern.
Choose microfiber when…
- You carry your bag and want to reduce bulk.
- You prefer a thinner cleaning towel.
- Fast drying matters more than plushness.
- You like textured or waffle-weave cleaning surfaces.
Some golfers carry both. A textured microfiber towel can handle dirty clubfaces while a clean terry towel stays available for hands, grips, or heavier drying.
Section Takeaway: Choose terry for softness, absorbency, and generous cleaning space. Choose microfiber when compact size and quicker drying are higher priorities.
What Should You Look for in a Terry Golf Towel?
Start with size, fabric quality, attachment, and your normal playing conditions. A premium-looking towel is useless if it drags on the ground or stays buried in a bag pocket.
1. Choose enough size for wet and dry zones
A larger towel lets you damp one end and preserve another section for drying. That’s the system I find easiest during muddy or rain-softened rounds.
Large caddie towels around the 20-by-40-inch format offer plenty of usable fabric. Smaller towels can make more sense for lightweight carry bags.
2. Check the attachment style
- Grommet and carabiner: Clips directly onto a bag loop.
- Center slit: Can slide over a club or bag component.
- Magnetic attachment: Useful on compatible metal surfaces.
- No hardware: Traditional caddie towels can simply drape over the bag.
There’s no universally best attachment. I care more about whether I can reach the towel without slowing down my routine.
3. Inspect the loops and stitching
A terry towel works through its looped surface, so inspect that surface before buying. Loose threads and weak edges can become annoying after repeated washing.
Also check the manufacturer’s care instructions. Different cotton weights, blends, dyes, logos, and decorative elements can require different washing methods.
4. Think about towel separation
I don’t like wiping my face with the same dirty section that just cleaned a muddy wedge. Separating tasks makes a simple towel much more pleasant to use.
- Keep one section damp for clubheads.
- Reserve one clean section for drying grips.
- Carry a second towel for sweat or your face when needed.
- Protect one dry towel inside the bag during rain.
Section Takeaway: Size and organization matter as much as material. Pick a towel that stays accessible and gives you enough clean fabric for separate jobs.
How Should You Use and Care for a Terry Golf Towel?
The easiest method is to create a damp cleaning area and a dry finishing area. This keeps you from soaking the entire towel before the back nine.
How to use it during a round
- Dampen one section: Add enough water to loosen dirt without saturating the full towel.
- Wipe the clubface: Remove mud, grass, and loose debris after the shot.
- Check the grooves: Use an appropriate brush when packed debris remains.
- Dry the club: Finish with a clean, dry area before returning it to the bag.
- Protect grip sections: Don’t smear clubface dirt onto the area used for grips.
I usually decide which end will stay wet before the first tee. That tiny habit prevents me from searching for a clean corner later.
How to wash a terry golf towel
Start with the towel manufacturer’s care label because materials and decorations differ. Wash it when dirt, grit, odor, or heavy moisture builds up.
- Shake or rinse away heavy sand and loose mud first.
- Follow the specified washing temperature and detergent directions.
- Avoid washing muddy golf towels with delicate clothing.
- Let the towel dry fully before storing it in a closed golf bag.
- Replace a towel when damaged loops or persistent buildup make it unpleasant to use.
One mistake is leaving a damp towel stuffed into a bag after the round. I take mine out when I unpack the clubs so it can dry properly.
That habit also gives me a chance to notice whether the towel needs washing before the next tee time. Clean equipment starts with clean cleaning tools.
Section Takeaway: Use separate damp and dry areas, then clean the towel before dirt becomes embedded. Always follow the specific manufacturer’s care instructions.
Terry Cloth Golf Towel FAQ
Is a terry cloth golf towel usually cotton?
Many terry golf towels use cotton because cotton provides a soft, absorbent surface. However, terry cloth describes the looped fabric construction rather than guaranteeing a specific fiber, so check the product’s material label before buying.
Can you use a normal bath towel for golf?
Yes, a clean household terry towel can perform basic club and equipment cleaning. Golf-specific towels may be easier to carry because they often use more convenient dimensions, clips, grommets, center slits, or other attachment systems.
Is terry cloth good for cleaning golf club grooves?
Terry cloth works well for wiping loose grass, moisture, and surface dirt from clubfaces. Packed soil inside grooves may need an appropriate golf brush or more detailed cleaning rather than relying on the towel alone.
Should a golf towel be wet or dry?
Both can be useful. Keep one section slightly damp for cleaning dirt from clubs, while preserving another section for drying clubheads, grips, or hands. During rainy rounds, keeping an additional dry towel protected inside the bag can help.
How often should I wash my terry cloth golf towel?
Wash it whenever visible mud, sand, unpleasant odor, or substantial grime builds up. A towel used during a muddy round may need immediate washing, while light use may require less frequent cleaning. Follow the manufacturer’s care label.
Does towel color matter?
Color doesn’t change the basic purpose of terry cloth, but darker towels can hide visible dirt more easily. White and lighter colors make contamination easier to see, which can remind you when the towel needs washing.
Is a Terry Cloth Golf Towel Right for You?
A terry cloth golf towel is a strong choice if you value absorbency, softness, and plenty of usable cleaning space. It suits golfers who regularly deal with wet turf, dirty clubs, damp grips, or morning dew.
Microfiber may be better when lower weight and faster drying matter most. Neither option needs to be complicated.
- Choose terry cloth for a traditional soft and absorbent towel.
- Choose a larger size when you want separate wet and dry zones.
- Choose microfiber when compactness and drying speed matter more.
- Keep it clean so you’re not transferring old dirt back onto your equipment.
For most golfers, the best towel is simply the one that stays within reach and gets used after dirty shots. Set up a damp side, protect a dry side, and let the towel quietly do its job for all 18 holes.