I have seen too many golfers drape a towel over their shoulder and then watch it slide off halfway to the green. Or they shove it in a pocket and have to dig for it. The way you carry a golf towel to the green matters.
It affects how fast you can clean your ball, how dry your hands stay, and how much you annoy the group behind you. The single most effective universal technique is a magnetic clip or a weighted loop system.
That lets you grab the towel with one hand while you walk, and it stays put when you let go. It works for almost every bag type. Below I will walk you through the setup, the carry, and the green routine so you never fumble again.
The Setup for the Walk
Your bag type decides where the towel attaches. Get this right before you leave the cart or the tee box.
For a Stand Bag
Stand bags like the Sunday Golf Ranger or Ryder have a strap system. The metal D-rings on the strap are perfect for a carabiner clip. Clip the towel’s loop into the ring closest to your back. That keeps the towel behind your arm, not swinging into your side.
If your towel has a magnetic strip, stick it to a metal part of the bag frame near the top. Avoid the strap itself because the towel will slide off when you set the bag down.
For a Cart Bag
Cart bags like the Sunday Golf Big Rig sit flat on a cart. The best attachment point is the special towel ring built into the bag’s top handle. Failing that, use the loop on the outside of the rain hood pocket.
Clip the towel so it hangs over the outside of the bag, not inside the pocket. If you are using a push cart, wrap the towel around the handle and secure it with a Velcro strap. Do not hook it to the basket; it will drag on the ground.
For a Sunday Bag
Lightweight Sunday bags (like the Loma or El Camino) have minimal hardware. The metal D-ring on the strap is often too small.
The only reliable method is a magnetic towel that attaches to the bag’s steel frame or to the handle’s D-ring. A standard loop towel will swing and hit your legs the whole walk.
I use the Sunday Golf Magnetic Towel; it snaps onto the side of the bag and stays flat. If you do not have a magnetic towel, fold the towel in half lengthwise and tuck it under the bag’s top strap. That locks it in place.
The Mechanics of the Carry
Once you have the towel attached, you need to keep it stable. Before you walk to the green, shake the towel out. Grass clippings and sand will fall off. If the towel is wet, roll it up from the bottom, so the wet part is inside the roll.
That way the exposed side is dry enough to touch. When you walk, keep the towel behind your body. If it swings forward, adjust the clip point. A good test: take ten steps and see if the towel hits your hip. If it does, move it higher.
The Green-Specific Ritual
This is the part most articles miss. When you arrive at the green, you have to put the towel somewhere while you read the putt. Do not throw it on the ground. The green is sacred. Instead, hook the towel to the flagstick holder on your bag, or drape it over the edge of your bag’s top opening.
If you are using a magnetic towel, stick it to the side of the bag where you can see it. Now you have both hands free. When you mark your ball, grab the towel. Wipe the ball with the dry side, then wipe the putter face.
Hang the towel back on the bag before you leave the green. That way it is ready for the next hole.
The Sunday Bag vs. The Full Setup
Carrying a towel to the green is different depending on how much you carry. Here is a comparison of the two main scenarios.
| Feature | Sunday Bag (Lightweight) | Full Setup (Stand or Cart Bag) |
|---|---|---|
| Best attachment | Magnetic towel to frame or handle D-ring | Carabiner clip to strap D-ring or towel loop |
| Towel size | 12×12 inches or smaller | 15×15 inches or larger |
| Stability while walking | Excellent with magnetic grip; poor with loop towel | Good with clip; can swing if not centered |
| Green placement | Attach to bag handle or lay on top of clubs | Hang from bag top or flagstick holder |
| Wet towel handling | Fold wet side out; store in pocket (if dry) | Clip outside bag so water drips away |
If you use a Sunday bag, invest in a magnetic towel. It changes everything. If you use a full-size bag, a simple carabiner works fine.
The Wet Towel Dilemma
Wet towels are a pain. They soak your pants, drip on the cart seat, and leave a puddle on the green. I have two solutions that work.
Solution 1: The “Wet Side Out” Fold. After you use the towel, fold it so the wet side faces outward. The air and sun will dry it faster. The dry inner side stays clean for your putter. Fold it in half, then half again, and clip it so the wet side is exposed to the breeze.
Solution 2: Bag-Specific Drain. For cart bags, clip the towel to the outside of the bag’s rain hood pocket. The water will drip away from your bag and your clothes. For stand bags, use the bottom strap D-ring so the towel hangs below the bag.
For Sunday bags, drape the towel over the top of the bag with the wet side facing out, then secure it with a magnetic clip. Never store a wet towel inside a pocket. It will mildew and smell.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should a golf towel go on a push cart?
Wrap the towel around the handle and secure it with a Velcro strap. Do not hook it to the basket because it will drag. If your personal push cart has a special towel ring, use that.
Can you carry a towel in your pocket?
Yes, but only if you use a mini-towel or a large microfiber towel folded twice. A bulky pocket will affect your swing. I only do this for a quick wipe on a dry day.
How do you keep your towel from smelling?
Rinse it with water and a drop of dish soap after every round. Then hang it to dry completely before the next round. Never store it wet in your bag.
What size towel is best for walking to the green?
A 12×12 inch or 15×15 inch towel is ideal. It is large enough to clean a ball but small enough to stay put on a stand bag strap. Bigger towels swing too much.