Welcome to The Forecaddie, a travel companion with an eye toward the refined and unexpected.

This being the inaugural edition of the series, we wanted to focus on service and share some intelligence gleaned from our adventures abroad. So, for this edition, we asked our well-traveled friends to share their overseas golf trip essential items. We've learned that the little things elevate the experience and add to the adventure that golf abroad should be.

Trillium Rose | Director of Instruction at Woodmont CC

• Good Rain Gear. Even if I don’t think I’ll need it. I brought a group to Arizona and it rained! I didn’t have rain gear and never took a risk again. If you’re traveling to play, you want to be as comfortable as possible so I often include ziplock bags with extra socks for the turn if it’s really wet. St Andrews was a blast in solid rain because I had layers, warm clothes, and extra shoes for the next (also raining) day.
• A Bag of Healthy Energy Snacks. I’m a big fan of local food, but there’s nothing worse than low blood sugar mid-round because the halfway house was closed for maintenance. I always pack nuts, dried fruit, and granola.
• My Portable Cold Brew Maker. Ok, you probably didn’t see this one coming. I like coffee and don’t like to schlep around looking for it in the morning or on my way to the first tee. Even worse, I can’t find it, or there aren’t any to-go cups, and I start the day without it. So I bring my Miir and some beans that I grind ahead of time. It’s strong and so great to walk out of my hotel room all ready to go.

Jack Davis | Director of Golf, Merion Golf Club

• Kjus Pro3L Rain Jacket and Pants. When you’re traveling to play, you’ll play in almost any conditions. I want to bring the best possible rain gear and hope to never use it! I’ve had a few of these jackets over time and they always do a great job of keeping you dry. They are a great weight, so you wear over a golf shirt or multiple layers and stay cool or warm, depending on your needs.
• Titleist ProV1X. An amply supply! I’d rather bring unused golf balls back that have to buy more while I am there. Always a ProV1X!
• Titleist Club Wrench. I unscrew the heads of my woods and throw them, protected in their headcovers, in the side of the bag. Shafts go in the bag with the Club Glove stiff arm. Important to remember the wrench to get the heads back on at the first course!
• Two Pairs of Golf Shoes. One is a FootJoy Premiere and the other is likely a more sneaker style, possibly the GFore G.112 , and bring one pair of shoe trees. Really helps dry out and preserve the shape and quality of the shoe.

Nick Sapia | The Fliers Club and The Old Ghosts

• Theragun Mini. This is the perfect size, I always toss it into one of the side pockets on my Club Glove travel bag. Golf travel involves so much walking and after a few days, my hips typically get pretty sore - the Theragun really helps my body get through the last few days of the trip.
• Matchplay Socks. These are the perfect socks for travel and I always bring 3-4 pairs with me. The tall length and slight compression make them perfect for the plane. While on the ground, they give me the option of wearing shorts at some of the more traditional clubs if it's warm, and they offer just the right amount of pop of color under golf pants. I'll almost always change into a different pair after golf with a pair of loafers. They're fun reminders of places I've previously visited, and if a course offers a long club sock, it's usually an instant purchase in the shop.

Tron Carter | Co-Founder, No Laying Up

• Foam Roller. Foam roller & lacrosse ball: stretching is one thing, but to really unlock relief after the long flight and then really get some blood flowing in the back and IT bands after day 2 or day 3, you must have the appropriate tools to move the fascia, target the knots, and get the blood flowing. I've got a small trigger point foam roller that's about a foot long and 8 inches wide and fits easily in my golf travel bag. 
• A Good Travel Bag. Speaking of golf travel bags, I've got a Club Glove Pro Traveler and it's a durable workhorse. We're sponsored by Club Glove (we approached them because we love their stuff) and I upgraded from the "Collegiate Traveler" to the "Pro Traveler" last year to unlock more space and really be able to use the 70 lbs afforded me by United 1K status. This allows me to bring 2-3 pairs of shoes, rain gear, the aforementioned foam roller, and then on the outward journey some wine for friends and hosts abroad/on the homeward journey my dirty clothes and any wines/whiskeys for the personal collection at home. These also come with a club defender stick that protects your shafts. 
• Laundry Kit. And speaking of dirty clothes, the single most functional thing I own is a mesh laundry bag we did a couple of years ago for our No Laying Up "Nest" member gift. It's made of the old Russell Athletic-style mesh that football practice jerseys were made out of—both breathable but durable and not too soft, so it stands up to moisture and doesn't break down. Keeping the dirty clothes segregated from the rest of the suitcase is a game-changer, whether it's a hot trip down to the Sand Belt or Argentina, or a wet one to the UK.

Eric Stepanian | The Fliers Club and The Old Ghosts

• Rain Gear. A good set of rain gear helps but a great set of rain gear saves the day. Remember, Americans invented the ‘rain check’, so don’t expect one in another country when you’ve planned this trip and round for over a year. There’s no choice but to play or sit out. Be prepared with a jacket, pants, gloves, hat, and a fresh pair of socks!
• AirTags. Travel happens, and with it comes some of the frustrations of delays, cancellations, and losing luggage. The airlines sometimes have no idea where your bags are, even when they say they do. This is an essential part of my packing routine, with an AirTag in every checked bag when I travel.  Peace of mind.
• Caddie Gifts. We travel to understand and immerse ourselves in other cultures. The caddie is often the lifeline of the experience around the world. They work for cash, and the good ones take pride in not only their craft but also the overall experience, of course. Share something that you have a passion for, and bring a gift from your home club for the end of your round. It's nothing big but more of a token of mutual respect. 

Ashley Mayo | Founder of Mayo & Co 

My three can’t-travel-without items (that aren’t the usual suspects) are:

• Compression Cubes. It might sound small, but keeping sweaty clothes quarantined from the rest of my gear is a game-changer, especially on multi-day trips or when I’m bouncing between hotels.
  
• Carry Bag. My lightest golf bag and a 3/4 set. I like to keep my setup lean and mean. A lighter bag not only makes getting around easier, it frees up room (and weight) in my travel bag for the really important stuff—mementoes from golf shops and whatever else I pick up along the way. I never miss the extra clubs. Simpler is better.
• A Glove Stash. I always bring my glove keeper loaded with at least four gloves. Different climates and back-to-back rounds can shred a single glove fast. Having a few ready means I’m never stuck with a soggy, crusty glove mid-round.

Alex Holderness | Co-Founder, Holderness & Bourne

• Power Up. My first thought on the overseas golf packing trip question was an international power adaptor like this one from TUMI. It's good to know you've got what you need to charge your phone or laptop anywhere around the world, and it'll probably save the day for at least one of your buddies on the trip. If you've already got that covered, I'll revert to the H&B collection and propose our Fischer Belt in navy, which we designed for both golf and dressier occasions, thanks to the full leather straps and high polish chrome buckle. It's nice to only need one belt on a golf trip! 

John Bourne | Co-Founder of Holderness and Bourne

• Cashmere Sweater(s). Overseas golf trips usually involve a lot of bouncing around, so packing light is key, and multi-tool wardrobe players are a must. On that front, you can't beat cashmere. Humbly, I submit that H&B makes some of the best pure cashmere sweaters on the market. Our Buckley is a personal favorite (it is the genuine article, made in Scotland), but whoever makes it, you need at least one in the suitcase. A quality cashmere sweater is versatile in many ways - it can be worn to dinner or on the course, and it will keep you warm on chilly mornings without overheating you when the temps rise throughout the day. We have millennia of natural selection to thank for this - the native habitat of the cashmere goat (mountain plateaus and desert plains) requires a fleece that regulates body temperature across a wide range of weather to thrive. Hygroscopic is the technical term for this temperature regulation... look it up if you like, or just take my word for it and pack accordingly!

Geoff Shackelford | Founder of The Quadrilateral

• >14. Do not bring a full set of clubs. Particularly if you’re going to Scotland or Ireland where the ground game is still a very (wonderful) thing. Ditch either the odd or even number irons. And your 60-degree wedge, too. If you’re in between clubs after you only packed 14 clubs there is no better feeling than to improvise a shot. This frees up weight to bring more golf balls and, on the return trip home, whatever refined libation you might have purchased (bubble wrapped of course). FYI, Prestwick will sell you a bottle of their rare drink of choice, kummel.
• Hand Warmers. Summer seems to bring out some of the coldest weather. Nothing is worse than trying to hit a shot when your hands feel like a pair of raw, fresh-out-of-the-freezer ribeyes. 
• AirTags or some form of luggage tracker. British Airways once tried to blame another airline for my bag sitting at Heathrow’s Terminal 5 occupied by only one airline: theirs. Having the ability to tell them the exact location expedited its return. 

Riley Harper | Writer, photographer, Hollywood stuntman

I technically haven’t done an “overseas” golf trip just yet, though I'm looking for any reason to plan one as soon as possible. I am currently packing for a trip to Cabo this weekend where I’ll be getting 2 rounds in, so what to bring is on my mind. Items probably wouldn’t change much whether it was overseas or not, so here are my 2 Staples.

• Contax T3. This is my camera, I bring with me when I want to be light and nimble. I brought it with me when I first got invited to play Pebble Beach last August so I could capture some moments that weren’t on iPhone. It’s awkwardly small and that’s why I love it. You can chuck it in your pocket, jacket or golf bag and you hardy know it’s there. (This would be accompanied by a handful of Portra 400).
• Coffee. I may be superstitious, but having a bad coffee before a round of golf is bad luck. I either travel with some of the premium instant coffee, or one of those handy dandy pour over travel bags if there aren’t good coffee options.

James Pearson | Aesthete, Fliers Club, and Royal Liverpool Member

• The first thing I will always pack ahead of any trip, golf or otherwise, is several pairs of Matchplay socks. Still proudly made in England, from the finest Italian yarn, their sport socks offer guaranteed comfort whether playing or travelling, and are perfect for those impromptu 36-hole days. After the match, and a well-earned golf club shower (ideally under a 3/4” pipe, à la Merion or Friar’s Head), I will slip on the dress socks, preferably with the Fliers’ club stripe, and am ready for the evening. Both the socks and matching striped belts make wonderful host gifts, so I try to stock up when back home in Hoylake or Rye.
• Next up, it’s my travel bag, and specifically the Club Glove College Traveller complete with the all-important stiff arm, which is still going strong after twenty years and countless golf trips. I am still blown away by how many of my friends travel without this lifesaving piece of kit, particularly given the horror stories of shafts being snapped en route to that bucket list buddies trip. No need to faff around unscrewing driver heads and trying to remember the settings. I would never fly without it. 
• Last, but by no means least, is a hip flask; typically by Smathers & Branson, and preferably containing a decent Highland Single Malt Scotch. This has the dual purpose of both warming the cockles on a dreich Dornoch day and helping to celebrate even the rarest of birdies out on the links. My current gamer depicts the beautiful flower of the Kingston Heath plant, a gift from an old friend, upon their return from a recent trip down under. 

Jeff Marsh | Photographer

• Pocket Camera. If you’re not a photographer, you will still want to capture your trip.  While photos do a decent job, it’d be nice to have a small digital camera that can fit in your bag or your caddie’s bib.  Something like a Ricoh gr iii, or even some disposable cameras.  You can rent digital cameras from lensrentals.com for a decent price, and it's well worth the investment.  If you go the disposable film camera route and are stateside, you can send them in to Boutique Film Lab in Nashville for really good professional processing.
• Field Notes. I am a huge fan of journaling my golf rounds, especially the memorable ones.  I keep it in my bag at all times, and will often have it in my back pocket during the round.  I’ll make a few notes during the round about shots I don’t want to forget, sights that I see, conversations that were had…   I will bring it out at the pub post-round and ask the fellas to contribute some of their thoughts or stories from the day.  Years, later, these journals are incredible to look back on, and will be incredible pieces to hand down for generations.
• Body Recovery Kit. Mini Therabody, mini foam-roller or massage stick, Mini Hyperice heat packs, LMNT packs, moleskin. You’ll be doing a ton of walking, and the more you can stay on top of your recovery, the more strength you’ll have throughout the entire trip. This is easy to overlook, but regardless of the shape your in, the travel and 36 hole days are a butt-kicker. Spend an hour each evening telling stories while rolling out the kinks.
• Bonus tip: Collect a flag from each course you visit on your trip. Extra credit if you are able to secure a flown flag from the Super. Send all the flags over to the fine folks at Flagbag and have an iconic custom bag made to memorialize the trip into a one-of-a-kind golf bag that will be a conversation starter for generations.

Jonathan Baker | Intown Golf Club

• Cash… in the Proper Currency. Do yourself a favor and get cash in advance. With so many overseas itineraries taking you straight from the plane to first tee, there isn’t always time to scout-out and find an ATM — which can leave you in a pinch if it’s a caddie-required situation. Plus, if you’re flush with local currency, it allows you to be the hero when one of your buddies forgets.
• A Second Pair of Golf Shoes. Unless you’re a golf sicko, you’re not used to spending a week walking 18-36 holes per day... much less doing that in the elements. Do your feet (and yourself!) a favor and bring two pairs of comfortable, waterproof shoes that are in good condition — and then alternate them. You’ll be surprised how much you’ll enjoy the “fresh” pair on the daily. 
• Cashmere Sweaters. Everyone focuses on the rain suit (which you should 1000% have…) but don’t sleep on the layers. Ditch the tech pullover for something that will keep you warmer AND help you look the part. Fine gauge cashmere can act as a light layer any time of day, or doubled-it-up with a heavier gauge (two sweaters at once!!) for those cold, misty mornings. If you don’t already have a cashmere sweater, well… you’re in the right part of the world! 
• Bonus! What NOT to Bring on the Golf Trip — A Range Finder. Links courses have a magical way of capturing your imagination — empowering you to play a totally different style of golf than you do in the States. So take a caddie and let them show you the way (which usually involves feel shots, ground game, etc.). This isn’t just more fun, you’ll look like “you’ve been there before”… and more importantly, you’ll avoid the locals rolling their eyes as you hold up the group by trying to shoot yardages from inside of 100.  

Dave McAdams | The Fliers Club and The Old Ghosts

• Rain Gloves. If my hands/grips get wet and I don’t have rain gloves, I might as well go in, and I didn’t travel all that way to have some moisture spoil my golf.Local coin currency to mark my ball - International currency is awesome, and it makes me feel a bit more like a local.  
• Local Currency. If I don’t have any local cash, I always try and get some from the currency exchange upon arrival.
• A Bucket Hat. American Needle or Imperial nail these with fit and brim.  Practically and stylistically it plays on 6/7 continents, they are pretty wind resistant and protects the ears + some neck/face from sun which I often forget to cover with SPF, especially in typically overcast locations like GB&I.

Michael Williams | ACL and The Old Ghosts

• AeroPress Go. If there's one thing I'm neurotic about, it's the coffee ritual. If I'm going to Italy, there's nothing better than going to a bar to get a coffee (Caffè lungo with steamed milk on the side, per favore). Standing there drinking coffee with locals (hopefully) is wonderful. When I'm on a trip to other places, I often want to make coffee in the same way that I do at home. Enter the Aeropress, the best way to get percolator-style drip when on the go.
• Chubb Insurance. One of my biggest fears in the world is my golf clubs getting lost on an international flight or being stolen out of my car. With this in mind, and armed with a valuable articles policy for my wife's wedding rings, I have added my exact WITB as a special rider to my Chubb policy. So for $150 a year, I know I have full replacement cost of my entire bag, no matter what bad comes my way.
• AitTag Vault. I don't trust my AirTag batteries to survive my pervasive lack of maintenance, so I'm putting my faith into this 10-year battery case. This way I know they won't go bad in the middle of the trip and I won't need to ever think about keeping them up to date and working properly.
• A Film Camera. My Yashica T4 is my favorite camera to document golf adventures. There's just something so magical about shooting film; the photos from this camera are always the ones I treasure most. It's nice not to have to get out your phone, and also to know that you only have so many shots (so make each one count!). I can't recommend golf on film enough.