Tis’ better to give than to receive — or so I’m told. And if there’s a golfer on your list, be it for holidays or birthdays or other special occasions, odds are they’re looking for something golf-related.
And you, wanting to remain the favorite Aunt/Uncle/Parent/Sibling/Bro, know better than anyone that the perfect gift is stylish, practical and something the receiver wouldn’t necessarily purchase for themselves, regardless of how many times they’ve declared out loud to no one in particular, “damn, I want that!”
Lucky for you, we here at the SCGA are golfers — and givers, so we’ve compiled a list of must-have golf gear and accessories that every Southern California needs to have on their person or in their bag.
If you gift one or more of these items to the golfer in your life, odds are you’ll remain at the top of the family food chain for some time to come — after all, who knows golfers better than, well, golfers?
Here’s a look at the SCGA’s must-give gifts for any Southern California golfer:
SCGA Membership
Before getting into the gift guide, it’s important to note that if you’re buying a gift for a golfer, there is no gift that can top the gift of golf — actually playing golf.
Greens fees and memberships are the gift that all golfers want, so why not get the golfer in your life a subscription to the SCGA?
Membership with the SCGA is great for any Southern California area golfer because it’s kind of like Willy Wonka’s golden ticket for golf in the area. Not only does membership get you discounted tee times, it also gives you access to an official, USGA and SCGA handicap as well as access to premier private facilities in the area.
Join or Gift an SCGA membership today
Galvin Green Jacket
If you’re a diehard golfer, then you’re not afraid of playing in the elements. Problem with that, however, is that, despite the incredible advancements we’ve seen in performance golf gear, protection from the rain and wind is still a hit-or-miss proposition — but not anymore.
Now, Galvin Green Jackets offer golfers the world’s greatest protection from the elements. Their 100% waterproof, Goretex jackets are top of the line and worth every penny you’ll pay.
But the protection isn’t even the best part — that would be the stylish designs and incredibly comfortable design that goes along with the superior protection from the elements. It used to be you’d have to sacrifice one for the other — but not any more.
If you play in the rain or wind, you need a Galvin Green Jacket.
Buy your Galvin Green Jacket Starting at $299.99
Lessons with PGA Professional
After the gift of golf, the next best thing for any golfer is a gift that makes them better. Shockingly, for all that people say they want to get better at golf, relatively few amateurs are willing to pay for one-on-one lessons from a PGA Professional.
Lucky for SoCal golfers, the state of California is teeming with exceptional PGA instructors just dying to right your — or your buddies — sinking ship they call a golf game.
And trust me — these lessons are not like the one’s you get from the lowest handicap member of your group. A lesson with a PGA Professional will feel like the best first-date of your life. Colors will be brighter, the smog will be less dense and you’ll feel like it’s Friday afternoon — even if it’s Monday!
Find the right pro near you for your game
Cork Tree Grips
Golf is the best sport in the world for personal expression. With designer clothes, flashy colors, exuberant ball markers and shoes with tassels, there’s plenty of ways to show off your personality — and the latest golf item to get the designer treatment is putter grips. If you’re looking for something really cool to upgrade your game, snag a Cork Tree grip for your putter. Made from — you guessed it — cork, these grips are very cool and offer dry, comfortable performance in most conditions. Priced right, they’re hard to pass up.
Buy your Cork Tree Grips starting at $29.99
adidas ASYM Energy Boost Shoes
Have you ever played a round of golf and felt like you needed a full-body massage? Yes? Then it’s time to replace your shoes. It’s quite possible that there is no more important piece of golf gear than your shoes — they’re your anchor, they provide stability and balance and they can make you look sharp, too. If you’re in the market for new spikes, you need to get yourself a pair of adidas ASYM Energy Boost golf shoes. Designed to provide optimum comfort, stability and performance, these shoes are a necessity. They may be a little out of your price range, but are worth every penny if you’re on the fence at all.
Buy a pair of adidas ASYM Energy Boost shoes starting at $299.99
Kangol Wool 504 Hat
Let’s face it, pop culture is taking a turn for the nostalgic and has been for a while — and what’s more cool than the classic style of a wool ivy cap from Kangol? Nothing — that’s what!
Along with the iconic kangaroo logo on the back, the soft, wool 504 cap comes in about a dozen different colors, meaning you’re certain to find a color to match whatever your style may be. These solid color hats go with anything — a pair of bright shorts, plaid pants or conservative gray slacks, there’s no outfit a Kangol Wool 504 hat won’t compliment.
Kangol hats can be seen nearly everywhere — from fashionable celebrities to athletes to red carpets, there are few pieces of headgear that can separate you from the crowd. Kangol is sure to do just that.
Buy your Kangol Wool 504 Cap for $48.00
Zippo Lighter
Whether you’re a smoker or not, every golfer should have a Zippo lighter. Your may never use his Zippo to blow up a 747 full of fleeing terrorists, but you just may end up being the Humphrey Bogart to your golfing buddy’s Lauren Bacall next time there are stogies but no fuego. Zippo lighters are more than just a tool — they can be a conversation piece. Get the golfer in your life something he and his golfing buddies will be talking about with a Zippo that represents his interests and personality.
Buy a badass Zippo lighter, starting at $22.99
Stance Golf Socks
You know, I can’t stand it when I see fashionable golfers dressed head-to-toe in great, stylish outfits that look incredibly well put together — and then see that they’re just wearing a shabby pair of white tennis tube socks when they sit down of bend over to pick their ball out of the hole.
Seriously, guy — you need some new socks. And the coolest on the market today are made by Stance.
If you visit the website, you’ll find all sorts of sock designs. From striped to argyle to photo-emblazoned designs, there’s literally something for everyone — golfer or not.
Their golf collection includes everything a golfer could want, from conservative-yet stylish designs to more expressive Caddyshack themed socks and even tribute ones to the late Payne Stewart.
Buy your Stance Golf Socks starting at $12.00
PUMA Soundchucks
One of the single greatest purchases I’ve ever personally made was buying PUMA Soundchucks. These portable, Bluetooth speakers are simply the best. Not only are they great for draping over your golf bag and playing tunes during a round, they’re also great for hanging by the grill, keeping in the kitchen, taking on a road trip or bringing with you anywhere you might want to listen to some music. They’re light weight, come in a handful of colors and — best of all — deliver directional sound. That means you can rock out while the guys 20 yards over from you won’t be disturbed.
Buy PUMA Soundchucks for $130.00
GFore “Pray for Birdies” Hat
If you haven’t seen the hat before, it’s time you get familiar — GFore Golf’s “Pray for Birdies” hat is one of the most popular clothing items in the golfing world. It’s been seen on the heads of professionals and celebrities alike — and is almost always sold out on the company’s website.
GFore offers a number different colors and styles of the popular trucker hat, which means there’s a few options for you if the one you really want is sold out. Ultimately, this is a great present for any golfer on your list — or for yourself.
Let’s face it — anyone with style should want to wear this hat on the links.
Buy your “Pray for Birdies” Had for $45.00
MeUndies
Odds are you’re a busy man — and I’m sure you spend a good part of your day in discomfort from being hot and sweaty, bound up, etc. On a long enough timeline, all articles of clothing become uncomfortable — except for MeUndies. These underwear are the last ones you’ll ever buy. Twice as a soft as any other underwear, MeUndies offer superior support and comfort as well as offer stylish designs for when you’re caught (purposely or not) with your pants down.