Let's Go Shopping!

I know just about every golf related web site and blog shares their list of great gifts for golfers this time of year, but I’m going to be honest – half of them feel like promotions for their sponsors or just not applicable to the “average” golfer.  Yes, somebody please give me a golf trip to Hawaii or Brandon Dunes…or a week at Annika’s Golf Academy.  But lipstick and nail polish? (yes, these were all on holiday gift guides for golfers)  Please, we can do better!

I've already posted an older list of ideas for female golfers, so I’ll build off of that and hopefully give you some links to a few neat gift ideas.

But first, let me say that it’s always good to be checking the golf shopping web sites this time of year, because many of them are doing daily or weekly sales/specials that will be too hard for me to keep track of.  More and more sites like to do the “24 hour sale” so just when you think you've found something the sale is gone! 

My favorite shopping sites are:  1. www.budgetgolf.com  They usually have a weekly sale email and right now they are doing the 12 days of Christmas sales with a group of items lasting 24 hours on sale.  Be sure to go to their clearance tab for some great sales.  2. www.rockbottomgolf.com  Rockbottom always has deals, but doesn’t always have the same level of hot new items like some of the other sites, so if you’re okay with getting some older models (and some may only be 6 months old or less) this is a great site! (20% off site-wide right now!)  3. www.tgw.com  I haven’t purchased anything from them lately, but I have been a good customer in the past!  4. www.golfsmith.com  I’ve gotten a few things here, but I find better deals and selection in their stores vs. online.  It can be hit or miss for me. (free shipping specials now!) 5. www.ebay.com  There are several retailers that sell via ebay and it can be worth a weekly or daily check to see if your favorite items are available.  But as we get run out of time make sure you can get it under the tree before Christmas.  

I also encourage you to shop around!  If you love a sale (and you know I do!) you can often find deals on at least a few sites, and if you are loyal to some more than others, you might find price matching guarantees so you can buy from your favorite place with a great price.  I know it can be a pain to get all kinds of emails when you sign up for lists, but you can find some good deals!  Just send them right to a Golf Folder in your email!  Check out free shipping (TGW is having free shipping right now!)  or Google for coupon codes for golf sites so you can get the best deal.  Of course if getting the best deal isn't important to you, then shop away!

Okay!  Let’s get to some golf gift ideas.

Novelty Golf Head Covers – If you have a golfer in your world that has a favorite animal, cartoon character, sports team, or just about anything else, you can probably find a head cover.  Check out http://www.headcoversonline.com/  to see all the ones they have to offer.  And right now they are having 25% off and free shipping!  You could find a neat gift for under $25.

Golf Socks – nothing beats a great golf shoe, but a nice golf sock can make a day on the course even more enjoyable!  There are all kinds of high performance golf socks out there, with prices ranging from $4.00 a pair to over $20!  I think nice golf socks are a great gift because it might not be something a golfer would invest in themselves.  I’m a fan of FootJoy, but there are many comfortable and sporty looking socks from golf manufacturers and specialty brands like Kentworth ($19.95 a pair).  Golf socks make a great stocking stuffer! (pun intended)  

If you’re looking for a gift idea say, from the kids, here’s what I think would be a neat idea and it might not even cost that much.  Buy a pencil bag or medium zipper pouch and then fill it up with all kinds of golf stuff so your favorite golfers can put it in their bag – throw in some golf balls (you can buy over runs by the single at many shops or just buy a sleeve and throw them in, golf tees, a couple ball markers or quarters, some Band-Aids, a mini-bug spray, aspirin, repair tool, golf pencils, etc.   You know we all have gotten some of this stuff as tee-prizes at events, but then we use up all the Band-Aids or take the quarters out and then we don’t have what we need.  I would love a present like this (hint, hint!).

I’m always leery of recommending buying golf clubs, wedges, or putters unless you specifically know what it should be.  Equipment is just too expensive not to get what is best for their game.  A gift card to your local pro shop or golf retailer would be great here!  Yes, I know that can seem impersonal, but let me say from experience, a gift card has been one of my favorite presents!

Speaking of gift cards – getting rounds of golf is a great idea – I’m amazed at how many online auctions or “deal sites” have buy 1 get 1 free offers or 50% off on golf at many area courses – heck I wouldn't feel bad if someone got me discounted rounds of golf.  Be sure to buy one for yourself, too, so you can go together.

If you have a little more to spend, I think the new wrist GPS offerings are great.  They seem to get great reviews and it sounds like you can get just about any course.  All the big brand names are making one (Garmin, Bushnell, Sky Caddie) and they range from around $150 for the basic to up to $350 for more features.  Of course you can go to full GPS hand helds or a ranger finder, too…save your cell phone battery.

For those of us that only golf half of the year, I’m thinking a putting mat would be a nice gift idea for home or office.  You can get a basic floor flat model for between $20-$40, or get a special order raised floor model for a few thousand dollars.  It’s a great incentive to get out of your office chair.

Of course I never think you can go wrong with a great Titleist hat or a box of Pro-V’s…and you can often get both personalized for free.

Other stocking stuffers could be a nice water bottle, a personalized golf towel, a nice extra-large umbrella, a trunk organizer or the jazzy ball markers for women.

Now hurry up and get out there to get me something!!  Okay, just kidding, but I do hope some of your Christmas shopping might include some golf items this year.

AND, if you find any great deals out there, please comment here so we can all share in the joy.  Happy Shopping!!