Key takeaways
- Microfiber (polyester and polyamide blends): Dries fast and is light. Makers often describe the weave as scrubbing or waffle textured. Wash it separately from cotton to avoid lint transfer.
- Cotton terry: Soft and absorbent, with a traditional look. It tends to hold moisture longer, which can lead to mildew if stored damp in a bag.
- Cotton-poly blend: A compromise between softness and quick drying.
For most golfers, a microfiber waffle-weave towel in a mid-size format is the best all-round choice because it grabs dirt from clubs and grooves, dries quickly and clips onto a bag; choose a thick cotton terry towel if you mainly want to wipe your hands and face, and a compact tri-fold if you want something that stays tidy on the bag. This guide compares the main towel types, brands that golfers commonly buy, and the care habits that keep a towel useful for more than a season.
At a Glance: Golf Towel Types
| Type | Best for | Typical stated features | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microfiber waffle-weave (Callaway, Club Glove, TaylorMade, others) | Cleaning clubs, grips and balls | Textured weave, quick drying, grommet or carabiner for bag attachment | Can hold dirt in the weave; pilling if washed with fabric softener |
| Cotton terry golf towel (Titleist, Srixon, Callaway) | Wiping hands, face and wet grips | Absorbent loops, often embroidered with brand logo | Slower drying; can stain and stiffen |
| Tri-fold towel | Golfers who like a neat, bag-ready format | Folds in thirds, clips to bag; often cotton or cotton blend | Smaller cleaning surface |
| Players or tour-size towel | Walkers, those wanting a bigger cleaning area | Larger dimensions, thicker weave | Heavier and bulkier on a cart |
| Dual-sided or two-material towel | Wet and dry conditions | One side for scrubbing, one side for drying | More expensive per piece |
| Cooling or sports towel | Hot-day rounds, face wiping | Light, quick-evaporating fabric | Poor for scrubbing clubs |
What a Golf Towel Needs to Do
A golf towel has several jobs: scrubbing mud from club faces, wiping a ball, drying a wet grip, and sometimes cleaning your hands. No single fabric does all of these equally well, so most golfers prefer to carry one main towel and sometimes a second, smaller one.
Cleaning clubs and grooves
Waffle-weave and ribbed microfiber give the most grip for lifting soil. Many golfers dampen one corner of the towel from a water bottle or a ball washer, then use the dry area to finish.
Drying grips and hands
Cotton terry absorbs moisture well and feels familiar in the hand. Microfiber is also absorbent, but some golfers find it less comfortable on bare skin.
Staying on the bag
A metal grommet or built-in carabiner clips the towel to a bag strap or cart rail. Look for a sturdy attachment point and, if you carry a bag, a towel size that does not drag.
Material Notes
- Microfiber (polyester and polyamide blends): Dries fast and is light. Makers often describe the weave as scrubbing or waffle textured. Wash it separately from cotton to avoid lint transfer.
- Cotton terry: Soft and absorbent, with a traditional look. It tends to hold moisture longer, which can lead to mildew if stored damp in a bag.
- Cotton-poly blend: A compromise between softness and quick drying.
Size and Format
Common golf towels are roughly sized to hang from a bag without tangling. Check the maker’s stated dimensions before ordering, since a “players” towel may be considerably larger than a standard or tri-fold style. A very small towel gets dirty fast; a very large one gets in the way during a swing.
- Standard size suits cart users and most walkers.
- Tri-fold suits golfers who like a compact, consistent shape.
- Large or tour-style towels suit practice sessions and wet-weather rounds.
Brands Golfers Commonly Buy
Callaway
Callaway offers cotton and microfiber towels in several sizes, including a tri-fold format. Reviewers often point to dependable loops and a simple, bag-friendly design.
Titleist
Titleist sells cotton towels styled to match its bags and accessories. They are a common choice for golfers who want a clean, classic look and absorbent fabric.
Club Glove
Club Glove is known for microfiber and waffle-style towels, including multi-pack options. Reviewers like the grabby weave, though dark colors show lint.
TaylorMade and Srixon
Both brands make branded towels in cotton and microfiber. They tend to be straightforward, with a grommet and a printed or embroidered logo.
Generic microfiber multipacks
Unbranded waffle-weave packs are popular for beginners who want spares. Quality varies, so look for a clear fabric description and a metal clip rather than a plastic one.
Budget Tiers
- Budget: Multipacks of generic microfiber or basic cotton towels. Fine for casual rounds, though edges may fray over time.
- Mid-range: Brand-name microfiber or cotton towels from Callaway, Titleist, Club Glove and similar makers, with a sturdier clip and better stitching.
- Premium: Thicker tour-style towels, dual-sided designs or embroidered gift options. They add durability and presentation, but the cleaning performance is similar to mid-range towels.
Pick X If… Decision Table
| Pick this | If you… |
|---|---|
| Microfiber waffle towel | want a quick-drying towel for clubs and balls |
| Cotton terry towel | mostly wipe hands and want a soft feel |
| Tri-fold towel | like a tidy bag and a consistent size |
| Players or tour-size towel | walk the course, play in damp conditions or practice a lot |
| Dual-sided towel | want one tool for scrubbing and drying |
| Multipack of microfiber | want spares to rotate and a low-cost option |
Care and Washing
Follow the care label on your towel. As a general rule for microfiber and cotton, wash separately from items that shed lint, use a mild detergent, skip fabric softener and bleach unless the label allows them, and dry on a low setting or air dry. Fabric softener can coat microfiber and reduce its ability to absorb.
Do not leave a damp towel rolled up in a bag. Hang it to dry between rounds, since moisture can produce odor and, over time, mildew. If a towel carries fertilizer or chemical residue from the course, rinse it before washing with other laundry.
Practical Tips
- Keep one corner damp and one dry for best results.
- Use the towel on grips only after cleaning off mud so you do not grind grit into the rubber.
- Replace a towel when it feels stiff, smells persistently or stops absorbing.
- For gifts, an embroidered or personalized cotton towel is a safe, practical choice.
Alternatives
- Golf glove and grip wipes: Single-use wipes handle quick grip cleaning without a towel but add waste.
- Brush and towel combos: A club brush for grooves paired with a small towel covers mud and drying separately.
- Sports or gym towel: A light microfiber sports towel works on hot days when you mostly need to wipe sweat.
Choosing for Your Style of Play
Walkers who carry a bag usually prefer a lighter towel that clips to a strap and dries quickly between holes. Cart players have more freedom and often pick a larger, thicker towel that hangs from the cart rail. Golfers who play early in the day, when grass is wet, may want two towels: one for damp grips and one kept dry in the bag for hands. Range sessions are a different case, since a single towel mostly cleans clubs and balls, and a basic microfiber piece is plenty.
Color matters more than it seems. Light towels show grass stains and soil quickly, which some golfers like because it signals when to wash, while dark towels hide marks but show lint. Embroidered logos are decorative only, and heavy stitching can make part of the towel stiffer. If you give a towel as a gift, a simple cotton piece with a quality grommet is a safe choice, since it will suit almost any bag.
Finally, think about the ball washer and the water bottle you carry. A towel that stays slightly damp in one corner works better for grooves, so a towel with a wide, flat surface is easier to use than a very thick one that soaks through. A small loop sewn into the corner also makes hanging the towel to dry at home easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is microfiber or cotton better for a golf towel?
Microfiber is usually preferred for cleaning clubs because it dries quickly and grabs soil. Cotton is more comfortable for wiping hands and face. Many golfers carry one of each.
How big should a golf towel be?
Standard sizes suit most golfers, and tri-fold towels are more compact. A larger tour-style towel offers more cleaning area but takes more space on a bag. Check the maker’s stated dimensions before buying.
How do I clean a golf towel?
Wash it according to the care label, usually with mild detergent and no fabric softener. Dry it fully before storing it in a bag, and wash it separately from items that shed lint.
Where should I attach a golf towel?
Most golfers clip the towel to a bag ring, a strap or a cart rail using the built-in grommet or carabiner. Choose a clip that is metal and snug so it does not fall off during the round.
Can I use a golf towel on my grips?
Yes, a slightly damp towel is commonly used to wipe grips and restore tackiness. Remove loose dirt first and follow the grip maker’s cleaning advice.
How many golf towels should I own?
Two is a practical number: one in use and one clean spare. Rotating towels lets each dry completely and extends their useful life.
