What To Get the Golfer in Your Life for Christmas
It seems like it was just yesterday we were all complaining about the terrible and boring golf Tiger and Phil were playing during “The Match” while we were recovering from eating far too much turkey this Thanksgiving. Instead that wasted $20 is but a distant memory, and Christmas is coming faster than Cameron Champ’s swing speed! So to all you last second holiday shoppers (myself included) here are some ideas to get that special golfer on your list (or some things to drop hints to Santa)
1. ANYTHING BESIDES Golf Balls!
So you know your friend, relative, secret Santa target is a golfer…”golfer use golf balls right? Let me get them some of those!” WRONG! While a golfer can never have too many golf balls, a golf ball is an incredibly personal thing to a golfer. Yes there are a seemingly endless amount of brand and colors, but there is far more to it than that, and getting the wrong type (while full of good intentions) can be a waste of money if your recipient wont play them cause they don’t suit his game.
I can’t count the number of times someone has gifted me a sleeve or box of balls and I play it off like a wonderful gift, only to toss them into the pile of balls I wont ever play in my garage. I normally will donate them at the end of the year to The First Tee (so the gift does not go to waste) but I strongly advise that you stay away from getting your golfer any particular gear (balls OR clubs) this Christmas unless that person has made it abundantly clear what exact ones that they want.
2. Get Them Parspective From An Expert
So, you know what not to get, but if your golfer definitely needs some new clubs, or he is new to the game and doesn’t know where to begin -what do you get him?? That’s where all the hundreds of PGA certified ‘elves’ come into play. You can go to your local pro shop, golf store, or online golf aficionado (cough cough) and sign them up for lessons and or a club fitting session. Club fitting sessions are great! They ensure that your golfer is getting the best equipment for their game and usually the same professional that can fit them for new gear can double as a great instructor for private lessons. Not only are you going to give them an incredible experience, but you are also giving them the best gift a golfer can ever ask for….a path to better golf!
3. A Round With Their Golf Buddies
Your golfer is all set with gear? GREAT! Give her a chance to use it! Whether your golfing person is a weekend warrior, golfing novice, or a full fledged golfing nut, they are ultimately crazy enough to enjoy this crazy game and keep coming back for more. So that’s what you should give them.
This could be a round at their favorite local course with their buds, a weekend getaway where he can play new courses on his bucket list, or maybe try taking them to a course and promising to play with them. Some of my fondest memories on a golf course is when my girlfriend joined me for the round. She didn’t even play, just rolled around the course with me on the cart enjoying some drinks and fresh air.
IF you are like me and live in a part of the country where getting out on the golf course isn’t quite feasible or just flat out wouldn’t be enjoyable given the weather, than I’d suggest a happy alternative……
4. A Round of Top Golf or Indoor Golf Simulator
Ask any golf and they will all tell you the same thing – golf is great, but golf when you normally wouldn’t be able to play is THE BEST!!! There is no better feeling than when I get the chance to play a round of golf in the northeast in December or January on a fluky 46 degree day. You are out their on a chilly day kept warm by the fact that you know that you got an extra round of golf in on “the rest of the field”. You find a way to take that bad shot a little bit more in stride, and the good shots will hold you over until the season starts and mother nature goes back to work.
This post is by no means sponsored, but TopGolf is a great way for your golfing bud to survive a harsh winter full of a lack of golf. They are hitting balls with friends, getting some rust off, competitive juices flowing (along with an adult beverage or two) and doing this all in a heated/protective hitting bay. Is it the same as a round of golf….no, but does it beat the alternative (not playing)…. HELL YEAH!
The even better option is an indoor golf simulator. Your golfer gets to experience a full fledged virtual round of golf, AND many of these places allow you to play incredibly exclusive courses that you wouldn’t normally be allowed to play. I am, fortunate enough to have access to one at my local golf range (shout out to “Julz” and the Umbria Golf Center of Philadelphia) and it is AWESOME! I ended up getting myself a package of 10 hours of access last year for Christmas and it was the best thing I could have done for my game. Not only did I get to experience playing golf in the winter, but I got to share the time with my dad and a few golfing buds which was even better!
5. Cold/ All Purpose Weather Gear
I know… I just told you with number 1 NOT to get your golfing buddy gear and here I go telling you to get them gear. Let me explain… I still believe that you should not be getting you buddy equipment that they would use to play the game because it is far to personal and difficult to get the right things; BUT I do think getting your special golf someone weather proof golfing gear is an AWESOME idea.
Every golfer starts the year by envisioning how “this year will be their best year of golf yet” and that every round will be their personal best, that they will finally fix their slice with the driver and start knocking down more putts. What they also envision is that every round is in perfect 80 degree weather with their best Bermuda shorts and dri-fit polo on. While most of these dream scenarios are tough to accomplish, the one thing that is for certain, is that you will never fix that slice if you keep “casting at the top”…. JUST KIDDING! The thing that is for certain to not happen is that every round of golf will be in perfect weather.
Me and my golf bud have played in so much sub optimal conditions that we have this running joke:
“One day Doug and I will play a round of golf in 75 degrees of sun shinny weather……but today will NOT be THAT day!”
The fact is that there are far more crummy or not ideal days than there are perfect days. In fact, most of the perfect days will be spent with family, or cleaning garages, or baby sitting nephews, or weddings (My GOD there has been an outbreak of weddings lately! -Is it just me??) So when you get a day that is 40/60 on a chance of rain, hell even 70/30, and you and your buddy are free, you HAPPILY take it.
That means a lot of wet and/or cold golf gets played every weekend; and you would be surprised at the number of golfers that are unprepared…every…single…..time. (Golfers are notoriously stubborn!) SO, rain pants, rain gloves, rain jackets, golf umbrellas, thermal shirts, pull-overs and beanies are all GREAT gift ideas that your recipient will be beyond appreciative that you got for them! (Now if you could only ensure that they remember to put it back in their bag after each round!)
Honorable Mentions:
$$$ Golf GPS watches or Laser range finders – honestly the third best thing behind proper golf equipment & practice that can help you improve your game!
$$ Sunglasses – On those days when you finally get the 75 and sunny, its best to be prepared! These are super clear, lightweight, comfortable, and stay on during your hardest of golf swings!
Light weight Oakley Sunglasses
$$$ New Golf Bag – The new ones are so light and make your round that much more enjoyable after the 12th hole of walking! Keep in mind what brand of clubs the recipient plays. It by no means has to match the brand of the bag, but lots of golfers love the continuity!
$ Golf towel and Club Cleaner Brush – These inexpensive gifts are absolutely clutch! Golfers often forget to get one at the beginning of each year (or loose theirs mid season) and end up having to buy the over priced ones at the pro shop at the last second. Help your golfer be ahead of the game! (At least until that 235 yard par 3 protected by water….clean clubs wont help then! -But they wont hurt!)
$ Range tokens – Very thoughtful gift, and a lot of ranges now offer digital cards to keep your tokens on instead of coins which end up lost in drying machine filters across the country
$$ New golf shoes – proper golf shoe not only help your swing, but also improve comfort which everyone can enjoy. I definitely recommend any pair that is waterproof and if you ask me, Adidas happens to make some of the most comfortable ones around.
Ultimately, Christmas is not about receiving gifts, but rather about spending quality time with loved ones……..so that when you miss a barbecue or two in the summer to play another round of golf, they are willing to forgive you with all the good will you built in the winter! Happy Holidays everyone!
—-and THAT is my Parspective.
