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2017’s Top 5 Holiday Gifts for Golfers

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Top 5 Holiday Gifts for Golfers

Black Friday, Cyber Monday, etc., whatever you want to call it, holiday shopping always brings on anxiety.

What do I get them?  Will they like this?  I hope still they have it in stock.  I better not get re-gifted this next year. 

Well, spare yourself the headaches, check out this list, and place your orders.  Here are five gifts that I wouldn’t be the least bit upset if someone re-gifted:

1.   A Stat Tracking System 

Arccos 360 is the most talked about and, arguably, best stat tracking system.  Simply screw the sensors into your golf grips, download the app, and fire it up at the first tee.

Arccos will record every shot, how far you hit it, and “rate” each shot (helping you identify where you could’ve improved).  Record a few more rounds, and Arccos will provide your average club distances, accuracy, and handicap (with a very nice detailed breakdown of your driving, approach, chipping, sand, and putting handicaps).

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But wait, there’s more!  In addition to tracking rounds, Arccos also functions as a GPS, which can be a huge help when you’re playing somewhere unfamiliar and want to get an idea of how far away that water hazard is in front of the green.  And if all this information wasn’t enough, there’s Arccos Caddie.

For an additional fee (available in monthly or annual subscriptions), Arccos will analyze all the data from your golf game and other Arccos users who’ve played that course and compare it against the weather and elevation and recommend a strategy on how to play the hole.

Playing the Par 5 18th at Pebble Beach?  Instead of reaching for your driver, Arccos Caddie suggests your 3-Wood (since you’re much more accurate and consistent with it), following it up with a 7 iron, which will leave you ~120 yards out where you’re consistently deadly with the PW.  Boom!  Instead of drawing a snowman in the scorecard, you can brag about how you almost birdied one of the most famous holes in golf.

Besides Arccos, there’s also Shot Scope and Game Golf.  While they each have their pro’s and con’s (e.g., Shot Scope provides more detailed putting stats, but requires you to wear a watch), they all will help track your rounds, your scores, and help you identify where you can improve.

2.  Golf Fitting or Equipment Certificate

Some people aren’t big on giving gift certificates because they lack a personal touch.  However, the more serious golfer can be very particular about their equipment.

So instead of giving them a new driver and having to listen to them complain about their  super slice that, somehow, is entirely the club’s fault, buy them a golf certificate to get custom fit or for an equipment retailer.

Golf fitters like True Spec, Club Champion, Cool Clubs, and the PGA Tour Superstore all offer gift certificates, which can be used for a club fitting or the new club they’ve been dreaming about.  This offers a ton of flexibility for the recipient, who can use it to replace an outdated driver or finally get properly fit for a new putter.

3.  A Rangefinder

While a non-golfer might think a rangefinder would be redundant with a stat tracking system, they’d be wrong.  Rangefinders are another gadget in the dedicated golfer’s arsenal that can be very, very helpful.

Need to know how far that bunker is?  Zap!  185 yards to the front, 215 to carry it.

Playing into an elevated green with a water hazard in the front?  Zap!  The pin’s 85 yards away, but it’s playing 105 with slope.

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If you can budget it, Bushnell and Leupold are the “gold standard” brands, and I would highly recommend going with a rangefinder that (a) has a slope function and (b) is, at a minimum, water resistant.  That said, if Bushnell and Leupold are a bit too pricey, Nexus and TecTecTec are more affordable options that both do a great job and offer the slope function.

4.  Tickets to a PGA Event

Where you live and the PGA’s Tournament Schedule are probably going to be the two biggest factors when determining the feasibility of this gift.  But if you happen to live nearby and the PGA TOUR is coming to town, go.

While every event won’t have the same hype as the 16th hole at the Waste Management Open at TPC Scottsdale, dedicated golfers will be in heaven if they have the opportunity to watch some of the greats in action.

One piece of advice:  look for tickets on a non-tournament day.  Why?  Because you’ll be able to take pictures and less people will be attending, so there’s a better chance you’ll get that selfie with Tiger or Ricky’s autograph on your hat.

5.  High-Quality Headcovers

Every golfer has at least 2, but maybe even 4, woods in their bag, along with their putter.  And maybe an alignment stick.  But with the OEMs, headcovers are an afterthought.  Give that golfer something with a little more character and quality.

Craftsman Golf Headcovers (2)

Companies like Craftsman Golf, Dormie Workshop, Stitch, Bespoke Golf, Craftsman Golf, Rose & Fire, iliac, and Seamus Golf all offer high-quality headcovers for woods, putters, and alignment sticks that come in a wide variety of materials and designs.

It doesn’t matter if you’re shopping for a golfer who’s into Metallica and would wear jean shorts to the course or the guy who only listens to classical music and dry cleans his golf shorts, I can promise you that you’ll be able to find something.


Cover Image via Instagram

Ever since golf became a competitive outlet, nothing brings Eric more joy than a well struck 4 iron. And despite living in NYC, Eric makes it a priority to work on his game and fitness during the week, along with a round or two over the weekend. Fortunately, he’s got a very understanding fiancé who (for the time being) accepts him and his obsession. Follow Eric on IG @hozel_rocket.

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