Packing for a golf trip to Southeast Asia is a bit different to packing for a weekend at Barnbougle. The heat and humidity change what works on the course, and there are a few practical items that seasoned Thailand and Vietnam regulars swear by that first-timers consistently forget. Here's a complete, honest packing list built from real experience.

Golf Gear: What You Actually Need

Gloves - Bring More Than You Think

This is the number one equipment tip for Southeast Asia. Humidity destroys gloves. A glove that lasts three or four rounds in Perth or Melbourne might last one round in Phuket in February, let alone during the warmer months. Bring at least two gloves per day of golf planned. If you're playing five rounds, pack ten gloves. They're light, they're cheap in Australia, and running out is genuinely irritating.

UV Protection Clothing

Long-sleeve UV-protection shirts are worth their weight in gold in Thailand. Playing in a collared long-sleeve UPF 50+ shirt sounds counterintuitive in 32-degree heat, but quality UV shirts are designed for airflow and they protect your arms from hours of direct sun exposure. Your arms will thank you on day three when the rest of your group is sunburned and sore. Most courses accept long-sleeve golf shirts that meet their collar requirements.

Golf Shoes

Spikeless shoes are generally preferred for Thailand and Vietnam golf. Most courses either require or strongly prefer spikeless or rubber-sole shoes to protect their greens. Hard metal spikes are often not permitted. Bring spikeless shoes you trust. If you only have spiked shoes, soft rubber spikes are accepted at most courses - check before you travel.

Rangefinder

A rangefinder is legal on most Thai and Vietnamese courses and your caddies will work alongside it rather than against it. GPS is also fine. Your caddie will give you distances and club advice, but having your own device to cross-check is reassuring, especially on longer par fours where course management matters.

Balls

Bring enough balls for the trip. Premium golf balls are available in Thailand but prices are higher than Australian retail. A sleeve of Titleist Pro V1s at a Thai pro shop can cost significantly more than you'd pay at home. Bring your usual game ball and enough to cover any losses.

Personal Items: The Essentials

Sunscreen

SPF 50+ is the minimum you should be using on a Southeast Asian golf course. Bring more than you think you need - a full tube per week of golf is not excessive. Apply before you leave the hotel, top up at the turn, and don't forget your ears, the back of your neck, and the tops of your feet if you're wearing low-cut socks. The sun at latitude 13 degrees north is genuinely strong.

After-Sun Lotion

Even with good sunscreen, extended time in strong heat takes a toll. Aloe vera gel or a quality after-sun lotion applied each evening helps enormously and keeps you comfortable for the next day's round. It's easy to forget until you need it - pack it at home.

Blister Plasters

If you're walking courses (which you will be, with caddies), new terrain and heat means blisters are possible even in well-broken-in shoes. A small supply of Compeed or similar blister plasters takes up almost no space and can save a painful hole or two.

Travel Adaptor

Thailand uses Type A and Type B plugs - the same flat-pronged style as the US. Australia uses Type I (the angled pins). You'll need an adaptor for your phone charger, electric shaver, and anything else. Pick up a universal travel adaptor before you leave - they're available at any Australian airport or electronics store and usually cost under $30.

Passport Copy and Travel Documents

Carry a photo of your passport on your phone and a physical photocopy packed separately from your actual passport. If your passport is lost or stolen, having a copy makes the replacement process significantly faster. Also store your travel insurance policy number and the 24-hour claims line in your phone before you leave Australia.

Lightweight Casual Clothing

Off the course, pack light. Linen shirts, lightweight shorts or pants, comfortable sandals. You'll be in air-conditioned hotels and restaurants for some of the time, but Bangkok and Pattaya street temperatures can be 35 degrees. Over-packing non-golf clothes is a common first-timer mistake. Three or four casual outfits is plenty for a week.

What NOT to Bring

Too Many Clubs

You do not need every club in the bag. Many experienced travellers trim their set to 12-13 clubs for travel, leaving behind the clubs they rarely use. A lighter bag is easier to manage at airports, less expensive if checked baggage fees apply, and your caddie will appreciate carrying something more manageable in the heat.

Formal Attire

Unless you're planning a specific formal dinner or a night at a high-end Bangkok hotel, you won't need anything formal. Smart casual covers virtually every dining and social situation on a golf tour to Thailand or Vietnam.

Too Much Australian Currency

Bring AUD to exchange in Thailand rather than exchanging in Australia before you leave. Exchange rates in Australian airports and banks are typically less favourable than rates at currency exchange booths in Bangkok, Phuket, or Pattaya city centres. Major hotels also offer exchange but usually at slightly lower rates than the street booths. ATMs are widely available if you need additional local currency during your trip.

Pro Tip: Shipping Your Clubs

If you're flying with an airline that charges significant baggage fees for golf clubs, or if the thought of handling a club travel bag through multiple airports and connections is unappealing, look into specialist sports luggage shipping services. Several companies offer door-to-door golf club shipping from Australia to major Thai golf hotels and back again. The cost can be surprisingly competitive with airline golf bag fees and removes a significant logistical headache.

For more practical advice, check out our 10 things to know before your first Asia golf trip before you go.