The gifting season has officially arrived. Finding something for the golfer in your life can be tough: You can’t just buy someone clubs anymore without them being fitted first. Which is a surprise-killer. Instead, anything but clubs can make great golf-related presents. Here are some stocking stuffers that are sure to produce smiles.
Golf is year-round in Southern California, but the weather can sometimes be iffy. When golf jackets are overkill, it’s nice to wear a quiet, lightweight pullover such as Galvin Green’s Insula Lite Dean half-zip ($185). Made of soft, lightweight fabric incorporating advanced thermal regulation technology, it keeps your body at an ideally comfortable temperature while never overheating. It’s breathable and comes in seven colors.
Lightweight carry and stand bags are popular because they minimize the shoulder burden — either for walking 18 holes or even for shlepping clubs from the parking lot to the cart barn. Ogio’s 2018 Cirrus ($210) is the brand’s lightest full-featured stand bag. It features a 9-inch, 7-way top with a putter pit to the side, as well as seven pockets. A self-adjusting strap system helps even the weight, to make carrying clubs a lot easier.
Does your golfer really know exactly how far he or she hits each club? If so, their scores will improve because they won’t mis-club any shot. Arccos 360 ($250) tracks a golfer’s shots and distances. It includes 14 lightweight sensors that fit into the butt end of each grip in a club set, and a smartphone app that doubles as a GPS app. Each sensor automatically records every shot, providing playing tendencies and analysis.
A dozen of Titleist’s new DT TruSoft balls ($30) will put any golfer in the season’s spirit. The ball’s large, low-compression core and soft cover help generate long shots off the tee and wedge shots with backspin. Best of all, it feels soft all along the way. Its advanced aerodynamics are optimized for a consistent, piercing ball flight.
Maybe the closest thing to gifting actual clubs is buying a clubfitting session. That will reveal the exact specs needed for any clubs a golfer ultimately chooses. One of the best places for a clubfitting experience is Club Champion, a high-end chain offering 35,000 hittable head/shaft combinations from nearly every manufacturer. There’s a location in Santa Monica, with another coming soon to Newport Beach. Gift cards are discounted for the holidays.
