Label golf clubs: name labels for clubs and bags
The simplest way to mark golf clubs is a self-adhesive name label on the shaft, just below the grip, with your name and phone number. It is visible when the club is left by the green, and it does not get in the way of your hands or the clubface.
Here we go through where the label should go on each part of the equipment, what to write on it, what it can withstand, and when a pen or another solution is better.
Why clubs go missing
Most clubs are not stolen. They are left behind. The most common is the wedge or putter you place in the grass by the edge of the green while chipping, then walk on to the next tee without it. Other places where clubs change owners:
- The driving range and practice green. Many people place their bags next to others' and pick up the wrong club on the way.
- Shared golf cart. Two bags on the same cart, the same brand of irons, and a club ends up in the wrong bag.
- The bag stand by the clubhouse. Headcovers come off and are put back on the wrong driver.
- Fitting and lessons. Clubs are placed in a pile on the mat and have to be sorted afterward.
If someone finds a club with only a mark and a number on it, it ends up in lost property waiting for someone to ask about it. If it has a name and phone number, the finder can call you directly.
Marking golf clubs: where the label goes
Lappu labels stick to metal and plastic. Place them where no hand, ball, or ground will rub against them.
| Part | Place the label here | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Irons, wedges, and hybrids | On the shaft, a few centimetres below the grip, preferably elongated and lengthwise along the shaft | The grip, clubface, and sole |
| Driver and fairway woods | On the shaft below the grip | The top of the clubhead and the clubface |
| Putter | On the shaft below the grip | The clubface and alignment line on top of the head |
| Leather or faux-leather headcovers | On the inside or on a smooth outer surface | Knitted and elastic surfaces |
| Knitted headcovers | On the care label | The knitting itself |
| Golf bag | On a hard plastic part, such as the top or the handle attachment, and a label on the care label inside a pocket | Soft nylon directly |
| Golf trolley | On the frame or a plastic part | The wheels and folding mechanism |
Do not cover the manufacturer's text on the shaft. It often shows the flex and model, and you will want to be able to read it if you sell or replace the shaft.
How to attach the label to the shaft
- Wipe the shaft clean. Grass, sweat, and grease prevent the adhesive from sticking. A damp cloth followed by a dry one is enough.
- Make sure the club is at room temperature and dry. If the bag has just come from a cold car or a rainy round, wait until the shaft is dry.
- Place the label lengthwise along the shaft. A narrow shaft is round, so an elongated label placed lengthwise lies flatter than a wide label wrapped around it.
- Press firmly for about ten seconds. Pay extra attention to the corners.
- Wait one day before the round. The adhesive needs approximately 24 hours to cure.
What to write on the label
A name and phone number are enough. The number fits on a second line. All labels in a set have the same text, so write something that works on all your belongings. If several people in the family play golf, the surname may be enough, but then the finder will not know whose club it is until you answer.
For a more discreet look, choose a simple design without a motif, or just initials and numbers, as many adults do. The label should still be readable from a couple of metres away; otherwise, it will not help the person who finds the club in the grass.
The 15th club in the bag
According to the Rules of Golf, you may have no more than 14 clubs during a round, and you may not hit with a club that someone else on the course is using. If you breach this rule, you receive two penalty strokes for each hole where it happened, up to a maximum of four strokes per round in stroke play, according to Rule 4.1b from the R&A.
It happens more easily than you might think: your playing partner's wedge came home in your bag last week, and now you start with 15. If all your clubs have your name on the shaft, you will spot the unfamiliar one immediately when counting your clubs at the first tee.
Bag, trolley, and headcovers
For the bag and trolley, large name labels are a better fit. They are visible from a distance and have room for both a name and a number in large text.
Headcovers are the items most often swapped in a golf bag, since many players have identical ones from the same manufacturer. Put a label on each headcover, on the care label if it is knitted. Learn more about how to do this on the care label.
Golf ball: pen, not label
The Rules of Golf say that you should put your own identification mark on the ball you play with; see Rule 6.3a from the R&A. A name label is the wrong tool here: the ball is small, round, and hit hard. Use a waterproof pen and draw the same symbol on all your balls.
What the label can and cannot withstand
The specifications say that the labels withstand washing at 60°C, tumble drying, and dishwashing at up to 60°C. There is no published test covering an entire season in rain, wet grass, and sun on a golf club shaft. Check the labels in spring and replace any that are lifting at the edges.
- The grip: rubber that you hold tightly on every shot. No label will stay there, and it interferes with the grip.
- New grips: a label a little below the grip can withstand a grip replacement; a label right at the edge often comes off with the old grip.
- The clubface and sole: never put anything there. The clubface should be clean, and the sole gets worn against the ground.
Rule of thumb: the name label is intended to help return the club to its owner and to identify an unfamiliar club in the bag. If you want a marking that can never be removed, for example as theft protection for an expensive driver, an engraving or registered theft marking is a better choice than a sticker.
Calculation example: a full bag
A calculation example for a player with a full bag:
- 14 clubs: 14 labels
- 3 headcovers (driver, fairway wood, putter): 3 labels
- Bag (top and pocket): 2 labels
- Cart, rangefinder and umbrella: 3 labels
That makes 22 labels. With standard name labels, 124 labels from SEK 139, that is approximately SEK 1.12 per label, or around SEK 25 for the entire bag. The rest of the set is enough for golf shoes, a water bottle and much more. For narrow shafts, small name labels costing SEK 129, made for pens and other narrow items, also work.
Selling or passing on clubs
If the clubs are to be sold second-hand or passed on to the children, slowly peel the label off from one corner. Wipe away adhesive residue with a little dish soap and warm water, let the shaft dry, and apply a new label with the new owner's name. A buyer wants to see the manufacturer's text on the shaft, so it should not be covered.
Frequently asked questions
Which clubs should I label?
All of them, since any one of them can be left behind. The ones most often forgotten are the wedges and the putter, which are placed on the grass by the green. A typical bag has a driver, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, wedges and a putter.
Where on the golf club should the name label be placed?
On the shaft, a few centimetres below the grip. It is visible there, does not get worn away by your hands, and does not affect the clubface. Place an oblong label lengthwise along the shaft.
Does the name label withstand rain on the golf course?
The labels withstand washing and dishwashers up to 60°C, but there is no published test of an entire season outdoors on a shaft. Apply them to a clean, dry shaft, let the adhesive cure for 24 hours, and check them when the season begins.
What should you write on a golf label?
Name and phone number, so whoever finds the club can call you. The number fits on a second line.
How do I remove the name label before selling the clubs?
Slowly peel from one corner and wash away adhesive residue with dish soap and warm water. Let the shaft dry before applying a new label.