In many parts of North America the Winter holidays are ushered in accompanied with snow, ice, wind, and bitter cold. While these aren’t the ideal conditions for playing golf, to the true connoisseur of the links the game is always on their mind which is why golf-related gifts are consistently popular this time of year.
Golf gifts are also very versatile whether it be a Chewbacca club cover for a stocking stuffer, a surprise set of clubs under the tree, or a gag gift of prophylactics “endorsed” by a 14-time major winner. Get in the spirit with the sport that invented the ugly sweater (or pants at least) and check out this season’s hottest golf gifts in our 2015 Holiday Golf Gift Guide.
SKLZ Grip Trainer
While a gift such as a new set of clubs is obviously a great gesture, the downer is that they have to be put in storage for about 4-1/2 months from Christmas Day until the tundra on the course thaws. A great gift to pass that time then is the SKLZ Grip Trainer which fits over any club from your driver all the way down to your wedge.
The product creates muscle memory when doing practice swings, which is something that can be done year-round. The grip trainer is small enough to fit in a stocking and could be the gift that keeps on giving for faster playing when the members of your foursome aren’t constantly fishing their balls out of the weeds next season.
Rukket 3 in 1 Golf Practice Net
A great combination gift with the grip trainer is an indoor / outdoor hitting net to practice with. For golfers who aren’t able to hit the course year-round, a vicious circle of life exists where you lose most of the progress gained in your swing throughout the Summer because you take 6 months off the sport. This practice net helps solve that in both the short and long game with a driving net and chipping and other training targets.
The Rukket Portable Driving Range can be used both outdoors (weatherproof) and indoors and is surprisingly easy to set up and take down. For more on this revolutionary practice net be sure to check out our full review here.
3-Hole Golf Putting Green
A practice putting green makes the perfect gift for anyone on your list who has a private office. What golf nut doesn’t like to get a few putting strokes in between meetings! A putting green really is a great way to focus, unwind, and practice virtually anywhere.
There are certainly a lot of putting greens to choose from but we recommend the Grassroots Par Three Putting Green because it features three different holes at various surfaces and even built in sand traps to catch errant shots and make practicing a bit more challenging. The Grassroots Par Three can also easily be rolled up and stored when not in use.
Four Yards More Golf Tees
Golf tees are a great stocking stuffer but plain old golf tees can be boring and we’re sure that you’ll want to make it look like you put some thought into it. The ultimate solution to this quandary is the Four Yards More tees which are reusable and feature a height gauge to give golfers consistent depth on every shot. Plus, as the name implies their non-traditional design helps these tees project the ball with less friction and lower spin which adds yardage to every drive.
Arccos Golf Performance Tracking System
It could be dubbed the ‘Siri’ of the golf communication world but instead of a condescending monotone voice the Arccos Golf Performance System serves as a virtual caddie at your fingertips. The product (currently available only for iOS) uses sensors to sync with your club and after doing so becomes a detailed and high-tech shot-tracking system with instant stats calculations and real-time club recommendations. Make no mistake, this is the gift of the year for any of the techy golfers on your shopping list.
With a built-in GPS and Tour style analytic analyzation the Arccos system could be one of the most reliable golf improvement tools on the market – much more reliable then the caddie who spent more time on the 19th hole anyway.
Voice Caddie Watch
Most golf GPS systems, distance meters, and shot trackers are available as either a smart phone app or a dedicated wrist watch. The Voice Caddie T1 Hybrid Watch combines the best of both worlds in an easy to use wrist device. The audible voice tells you distance to front, back, and center of the green for over 30,000 courses and also keeps a digital scorecard to keep track of your play while also serves as a fitness tracker (similar to the Fit Bit). Plus, the device features a swing tempo readout to help you achieve the perfect 3:1 back to forward swing.
The Voice Caddie T1 also does one thing that many golf-specific devices fail to include – it tells time (so you can avoid wearing five different wrist products on the course to fulfill all your playing needs).
OptiShot 2 Golf Simulator
When it comes to cold weather training (or playing 18 holes at 2:00 in the morning) there is really no better tool than an at-home golf simulator and the OptiShot 2 is said to be the best of the bunch. Available for both Mac and PC the OptiShot is one of the best ways to enjoy the sights, sounds, and feel of real golf from your own home.
The OptiShot 2 is calibrated for every club in your bag and is not only fun to play, it also works as a training device with feedback on club speed, face angle, swing path, face contact, distance, and more. Plus, the simulator features replications of legendary courses such as Royal St. George, Valhalla, Medina, Firestone Country Club, and many more.
Also be sure to check out our How to Build a Home Simulator DIY article for more on how to turn your OptiShot into a real-deal simulator right in your own home – you’ll be the envy of the entire neighborhood.
Boys or Girls Tour Edge HT Junior Golf Sets
A driver, an iron, a hybrid, a putter, and a bag are all included in this set – that’s everything the beginner golfer aged 5-8 will need to get started with the sport. A child’s first set of clubs are what introduces them to the sport and hopefully makes golf a family affair. This highly affordable set is sure to get any young golfer started on the right foot.
Throw in a dozen Angry Birds golf balls along with a day riding around on a golf cart and the youngsters will understand why mom and dad love spending hours on the course.
Luxury Golf Cart
For those with a little bigger budget this holiday season, a $24,000 custom luxury golf cart sure would look good wrapped up in the driveway. Sure your money is probably better spent putting your kids through college or paying off a mortgage, but if you have money to burn this is one way to ride in style!
Bonus Holiday Golf Gift Guide Ideas
It’s true that golfers can be quite picky when it comes to their equipment and apparel so when all else fails try one of these “can’t loose” golf gift ideas:
A gift card to their favorite golf store (e.g. Dick’s, PGA Superstore, Golfsmith, or when all else fails Amazon.com).
A lesson package from a local golf pro.
A round of golf or two (which you can even book online).
Now get our there and start checking all of the golfers off your holiday shopping list!
Cover Photo via Magnus Karlsson on Flickr