Christmas gifts for golfers

With golf gifts, the price matters less than how well you know the person and their game. If you know their favourite ball, you can give balls. If you do not, choose something personal or an experience. My first two picks suit almost every golfer.

Number 1: a green fee at their dream course

Every golfer has a course in mind they have wanted to play for years. Often it is a course that feels too expensive or too far away for a normal round. That is where the best gift lies. A round on that course is an experience they will remember for years.

You buy green fee vouchers directly from the golf club, at the pro shop or the front desk. If the website does not offer one, ask there. From my time behind the desk of a golf office I know what matters. Check these points before you buy:

• Tee time: A voucher does not replace a tee time. The golfer still has to book the round. On popular courses in season that takes some notice.
• Handicap: Some courses require a minimum handicap. Ask whether the golfer is allowed to play there with their current handicap.
• Proof of membership: Many courses want to see a membership card or handicap certificate before the round. If the golfer has no home club, ask whether they can still play.
• Validity and days: Ask how long the voucher is valid and whether it works at weekends. Some courses charge a higher green fee at the weekend.
• Extras: A buggy or a meal in the clubhouse turns the round into a whole day out. Ask whether these can go on the voucher too.

The gift works best when you suggest a date or play along. Then the voucher does not end up in a drawer.

Number 2: my book

It is my own book, so I am not recommending it without bias. “Golftourismus: Dein Guide für Golfreisen” explains how golf travel works behind the scenes. It is written in German. Anyone who loves golf trips and reads German learns why the preferred tee time is gone, what makes a good golf hotel and what a morning in a golf office looks like.

The hardcover is the best edition to give as a gift. For someone who travels a lot, the e-book is the better choice. You find all three editions on the book page.

Gifts for women who golf

Almost every idea in this guide works for anyone. I list the following separately because they relate to clothing, hair or style.

• Cap with a ponytail opening: For anyone with long hair, a cap that stays in place during the swing. A small gift that comes along on every round.
• Ball marker necklace: A necklace with a magnetic holder for the ball marker. The marker is right at hand on the green, and the necklace is jewellery at the same time.
• Golf cart seat cover: A seat cover makes hot or cold vinyl seats more comfortable. Worth it for anyone who often rides in a cart.
• Golf skirt or outfit: A skort, a polo shirt or a jacket for the round. Cuts and sizes vary a lot between brands. If you do not know her size exactly, give a voucher for the golf shop.
• Light Sunday bag: A small, light bag for a few clubs. Handy for the driving range and the short course when the big bag can stay at home.
• Personal ball marker: A marker with initials, a date or a place that means something to her.

Gifts for men who golf

• Magnetic golf towel: A towel with a strong magnet sticks to the club or the trolley. A safe gift if you do not know his equipment well.
• Headcover with initials: A leather headcover with his initials, his club or a personal design. It stays even when he changes his driver.
• Golf balls of his model: Balls are only a good gift if you buy exactly the model he plays. Look in his bag first or ask his playing partners.
• Golf clothing of his brand: A polo, a vest or a quarter-zip for cool morning rounds. Only buy it if you know his size and favourite brand.
• Laser rangefinder: A bigger gift for keen golfers. Only worth it if he does not have one yet.
• Picture of his favourite course: A framed map of his home course or of a course where he played a special round. For golfers who have everything, often the nicest surprise.

Gifts for beginners

Someone who is just starting out is happy with anything that gets them onto the course faster. A lesson with a golf pro helps more than any new gadget. A beginner course is the right gift for someone who does not play yet but wants to learn. Ask the club about length, price and dates.

Small gifts for golfers

For an advent calendar, a Secret Santa or as an extra, small things work well. Tees, a pitch mark repair tool, a ball marker or a box of their favourite balls bring joy without taking much space under the tree.

Gifts to check first

Some golf gifts only work if they fit exactly. For these, ask first or give a voucher.

• Clubs: Length, shaft and loft depend on height, swing and preferences. A club is a gift for a shared appointment at a golf shop.
• Gloves: Golf gloves need the exact size and the right hand. Left-handed golfers wear the glove on the right hand.
• Shoes: Fit and comfort are very personal.
• Clothing: Sizes vary between brands.

How to wrap a golf gift

A voucher looks better when it does not come in an envelope. Put it in an empty golf ball box, roll it around a tee or tuck it into the pocket of a new towel. A note with the date for a round together turns it into an invitation.

And if the gift becomes a golf trip, the guide on tee times helps with the planning.