Some golf products make perfect holiday gifts. Because they don’t need to be custom-fitted, they show that you really put in some thought, and they’ll help your special someone enjoy their favorite sport even more. With the holidays just around the corner, we decided to help narrow your search. Our suggestions:
OGIO bills the Cirrus stand-bag ($200) as its lightest-ever, weighing less than four pounds. It’s offered in an array of bright colors and packs plenty of gear. But the innovative FIT DISK shoulder strap system really stands out. The adjustable, molded base conjoins the straps, while allowing them each complete and free independent movement. Thus, they can custom-fit to any golfer while evenly distributing weight, greatly enhancing carry comfort.
adidas Golf’s Crossknit Boost shoe ($160) looks inviting and soft. Full-length foam midsoles enhance the cushioning, while returning energy to your feet with each step. The golf-specific upper is breathable and stretches to keep your feet dry and comfy. Yet the viscera provides lateral stability and top-notch traction while you swing.
Bridgestone’s e6 Speed ball ($29/dozen) feels soft but packs a ton of energy. Its high initial velocity translates to impressively straight distance, as its “flight stabilizing” dimple technology helps minimize air resistance, to improve both length and accuracy. The combination of its speed core and anti-sidespin mantle help Average Joes generate the speed needed to get distance.
You’ll wow any golfer with a new Scotty Cameron by Titleist putter. The brand’s new Cameron & Crown Newport 2 putter ($419) is intentionally built to a shorter length — 33 inches as opposed to the more-common 34 and 35 inches — thus making it ideal for women and juniors. Unlike cut-down models, this is proportionally weighted for its length, ensuring optimal feel and balance throughout the stroke. Even the soft white grip has a smaller diameter.
Grips make excellent stocking stuffers: they’re reasonably priced and can make an old set of clubs feel new. Lamkin’s multi-compound Z5 grips ($8/each) features five distinct zones that each perform a specific function. For example, a horizontal pattern and soft cord under the upper hand helps stability and traction. And a shallow micro-texture on the bottom portion improves comfort for your lower hand.
An ideal gift for golfers, Nikon Sport Optics’ lightweight COOLSHOT 80i VR laser rangefinder ($450) features golf’s first-ever optical vibration reduction technology to compensate for a person’s natural shaking. It grabs a distance measurement in roughly half a second. It has an effective measurement range of eight to 1,000 yards, and displays distances in .1-yard increments.