What Should You Do With Extra Golf Clubs Around the Green?

Golfers often bring several clubs with them when approaching a green. A shot that looks like a simple chip from the cart may require a wedge, putter or different loft once the lie, slope and ground conditions can be seen up close.

Bringing multiple options can save a return trip to the cart or golf bag, but it also creates a practical question: What should you do with the clubs you are not using?

Here, “extra clubs” means the clubs brought from the bag or cart to the shot—not clubs carried beyond the limit permitted by the Rules of Golf.

Why Golfers Bring Multiple Clubs Around the Green

Distance is only one factor in club selection. The lie, slope, firmness of the ground, bunker placement, moisture and amount of green available can all influence the shot a golfer chooses.

A golfer approaching the green might carry:

• A pitching wedge for a lower-running shot
• A sand or lob wedge for additional height
• A putter for a shot from the fringe
• Another iron for a bump-and-run
• Multiple options during cart-path-only conditions

Taking several clubs allows the golfer to make a better-informed decision after reaching the ball. It can also support pace of play by avoiding an unnecessary walk back to the bag.

The R&A’s Spirit of the Game guidance emphasizes consideration for other players and maintaining an appropriate pace. Preparing with the clubs you may need can help, provided the unused clubs are placed safely and collected before moving on.

Where Should You Place Extra Golf Clubs?

Unused clubs should be placed where they remain visible, do not interfere with another player and can be collected easily before leaving the area.

A practical location is often:

• Away from another golfer’s stance or intended shot
• Outside the direct path of play
• In a visible area rather than hidden in deep rough
• Between the hole and the cart, bag or route to the next tee
• On stable ground where the clubs will not slide or fall

Always follow the course’s instructions and remain aware of other players. Avoid placing equipment where someone could step on it, trip over it or strike it during a shot.

Placing clubs along the route you will take after finishing the hole can also make them easier to remember.

The Problem With Placing Golf Grips Directly on the Ground

The clubhead and shaft are not the only parts of the club exposed when it is laid down. Depending on how the club rests, the grip may come into direct contact with grass, sand, dirt, mud or moisture.

This happens frequently during:

• Early-morning rounds with dew
• Recently watered course conditions
• Cart-path-only days
• Bunker and recovery shots
• Wet or muddy rounds
• Greenside situations where several wedges are carried
• Shots from thick or damp rough

Even when there is no rain, grass can hold enough moisture to leave an exposed grip damp. Sand, soil and cut grass may also transfer to the grip surface.

The first article in this series explains additional ways to help keep golf club grips dry when carrying multiple clubs.

A Simple Routine for Managing Extra Clubs

A consistent routine helps keep unused clubs organized, visible and protected.

1. Bring the Clubs You May Need

Before leaving the cart or bag, consider the distance, possible lie and shot options. Bring the putter, wedges or irons that are reasonably likely to be used.

2. Evaluate the Shot

Once you reach the ball, inspect the lie and surrounding conditions. Select the club that best fits the shot.

3. Choose a Safe, Visible Location

Place the unused clubs away from another player’s stance and line of play. Keep them visible and, when practical, position them along the route back to the cart, bag or next tee.

4. Protect the Unused Grips

Before setting the clubs down, place the grips on a dry towel, elevate them with an appropriate club rest or cover them to reduce contact with the ground.

5. Play the Shot

Make the shot while the unused clubs remain safely out of the way.

6. Collect Every Club

Before leaving the area, count the clubs you brought and make sure each one is returned to the bag.

Following the same sequence around every green can make it less likely that a wedge or putter will be left behind.

Ways to Keep Unused Grips Off Wet Grass

Golfers have several options for protecting grips near the green.

Place the Grips on a Dry Towel

A folded towel can create a temporary barrier between the grips and the ground. The towel should remain as dry and clean as possible.

This method may become less effective if the towel is already wet, sandy or muddy.

Use a Tee or Club Rest

A tee or purpose-built club rest may elevate part of a club above the grass. This can work for one club on relatively level ground, although it may be less convenient for multiple clubs or uneven areas.

Use a Golf Grip Cover

A grip cover creates a direct layer between the unused grips and the surrounding ground conditions.

DryGrip™ Covers are designed to help protect the grips of one to three unused clubs while another club is being used. DryGrip is made from water-resistant genuine leather with reinforced stitching and is intended for real on-course situations.

How to Use DryGrip™ Around the Green

DryGrip fits into the same routine golfers already use when carrying multiple clubs.

1. Bring the wedges, putter or irons you may need to the ball.
2. Choose the club for the upcoming shot.
3. Place the grips of one to three unused clubs inside the DryGrip Cover.
4. Set the protected clubs in a safe, visible location.
5. Play the shot.
6. Retrieve the clubs and remove their grips from the cover.
7. Return all clubs to the bag before continuing.

DryGrip accommodates standard, midsize, jumbo and oversized golf grips. The exact number of clubs that fit at one time can vary based on grip size.

Each order includes one DryGrip Cover.

How to Avoid Leaving a Club Beside the Green

Wedges and putters are easy to leave behind because golfers may be focused on the result of the hole, recording a score or moving out of the way of the next group.

A few habits can reduce that risk:

• Place unused clubs in a clearly visible location
• Avoid hiding clubs in long grass or behind a bunker
• Position clubs along the route back to the cart or next tee
• Keep multiple unused clubs together rather than scattering them
• Count the clubs you carried before leaving
• Make one player responsible for checking the area when playing in a group
• Use a visible cover that makes the grouped clubs easier to notice

The goal is to create a repeatable process rather than relying on memory after every hole.

What Not to Do With Extra Clubs

Avoid placing unused clubs:

• Where another player could trip over them
• In another golfer’s intended line of play
• Where a cart or maintenance vehicle could reach them
• In deep rough where they are difficult to see
• On unstable slopes where they may slide
• With exposed grips pressed directly into wet grass, sand or mud
• In a location that requires walking backward after the group is ready to leave

Consideration, visibility and organization should guide the decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it acceptable to bring multiple clubs to the green?

Golfers routinely bring several possible clubs to a shot, particularly when the bag or cart is some distance away. Players must still follow the Rules of Golf, course instructions and applicable equipment limits.

Where is the best place to leave extra clubs?

Choose a safe, visible location that does not interfere with another player. When practical, place them between the hole and the route back to the cart, golf bag or next tee.

How can I keep extra club grips off wet grass?

A dry towel, tee, club rest or golf grip cover can help reduce direct contact between the grip and the ground. The most suitable option depends on the number of clubs and the playing conditions.

How many grips fit inside one DryGrip Cover?

DryGrip is designed to protect the grips of one to three clubs. Exact capacity can vary depending on grip size.

Does DryGrip work with oversized grips?

Yes. DryGrip is designed to accommodate standard, midsize, jumbo and oversized golf grips.

Is DryGrip waterproof?

No. DryGrip is water-resistant and designed to help shield unused grips from dew, damp grass, moisture and wet ground. It is not marketed as waterproof.

Is DryGrip only useful around the green?

No. It can be used during approach shots, bunker shots, recovery shots and other on-course situations where multiple clubs are brought to the ball and the unused clubs are placed on the ground.

Keep Extra Clubs Organized and Their Grips Better Protected

Bringing multiple clubs to a shot can support better preparation and reduce unnecessary trips back to the cart or bag. The key is to keep the unused clubs visible, safely positioned and easy to collect.

Protecting the grips from direct contact with dew, damp grass, sand, dirt, mud and course debris adds another useful step to that routine.

Learn more about DryGrip™ and shop the on-course golf grip cover.