Best Golf Gifts 2024 - My 17 favorite Christmas gift ideas right now

Unbelievably it is December already and that means one thing, Christmas is just around the corner. Therefore if you still need to get the golfer in your life a gift, then I am here to help because us golfers can be tricky to buy for. Additionally the golf space is huge and there are so many brands, types of equipment, clubs, shoes and so many other things to consider, and you need to make sure they will like it because golf gear can be expensive. This is where this post comes in because I have come up with 17 gift ideas that every golfer will like (I think!)

Along with the best golf simulators, best golf accessories and even best golf balls, we have tried to take budget into consideration with these choices. That is why this guide focuses on everything from shoes to GPS gear and golf training aids. Whatever gap your golfer needs to fill, I have got an option for you. Also, it's worth mentioning that I have included some links to my favorite sales at the moment so you can go to the retailers directly if you so wish.

Best sales

• Amazon: Big savings on wide range of golf equipment
• PGA Tour Superstore: As much as 51% off on all golf equipment
• Carls Golfland: Clearances on clubs as well as 2-day free shipping on select deals
• Scottsdale Golf: Over 700 products with big savings
• Clubhouse Golf: Up to 70% off select products
• HackMotion: Big December savings available through website
• adidas: Buy 2, get 30% off with exclusive code
• Rock Bottom Golf: 25% clearance sale
• Nike: Up to 34% off Nike Golf clothing and shoes
• Callaway: Great offers available on clubs, golf balls
• TaylorMade: Discounts on Qi10, personalized clubs and more
• Garmin: Shop the holiday sale

The Quick List

Best Golf Gifts - My 17 top gift ideas for Christmas

Editor's Pick

My first pick is a training aid because let's face it, all golfers want to get better right? Well I have picked the HackMotion Swing Analyzer off the back of a recent review by my colleague Sam De'Ath. So what is it? Well it uses a clever sensor system to help you learn and implement correct wrist angles throughout the golf swing, which will then help you hit better golf shots thanks to a neutral, stable face.

In testing, the calibration of the device was simple and obviously a crucial part of the set-up procedure. Once done, the feedback was instantaneous which just shows how cutting-edge this device is, whilst the app experience was user-friendly as well. It gives easy to understand processes, and asks what you want to get out of your practice as well so it can pick out specific drills for you.

It is worth mentioning there are three packages to choose from: Core, Plus and Pro, each of which come with varying degrees of information and features, whilst also coming with different price points. But overall I think this device is worth the investment if you struggle with wrist angle, or you want instant feedback on how you move during the golf swing.

• Read our full HackMotion Golf Swing Analyzer Review

Training aid gifts

Best glove

Holding the golf club correctly is a crucial starting point to a successful golf game and the Me And My Golf True Grip Glove can help you or a loved one do just that. It's the perfect small gift for a friend or work colleague as well.

The glove is designed to help you create a neutral grip on the golf club thanks to blue silicone areas of the glove telling you where to put your fingers. This can help correct any bad habits or tendencies that are all to easily creep into our setup without us even knowing.

The visual feedback provided can help eliminate flaws from your grip while the glove itself conforms to the rules of golf meaning you can wear this during a competition round for extra practice. The glove can come up slightly small but it does stretch well so I would recommend ordering to your usual sizing.

• Read our full Me And My Golf True Grip Glove review

Best mat

The easiest way to get in valuable practice time that will lead to shots being sliced off your handicap is by working on your putting. We use our putter more than any club in the bag and play more shots on the green than any other part of the golf course, so investing in a helpful putting match can revolutionize your game.

The Perfect Practice Perfect Putting Mat is dead easy to set up with the mat itself attached to the raised, wooden end part with two holes, both of different size, at the top of the slope.

In testing, the channel worked really well and, for more convenience, you can remove one of the slats when practicing the shorter putts. I felt that this could be one of the best golf training aids money can buy, with the mat working very well on both a tiled (kitchen) floor and carpeted floor. I should add that you must be careful with the way you store this item and take care when unrolling it. If you store it correctly, you should be able to get a smooth, consistent roll for many years.

One of testers David Usher spent a lot of time of the last winter using the mat, saying specifically; 'I can’t recommend it highly enough. I still occasionally set it up if I’ve been struggling with three or four footers as it helps massively with repetition of stroke and confidence building.'

• Read our full Perfect Practice Perfect Putting Mat Review

Best mat for breaking putts

You may be familiar with the work of Piers Ward and Andy Proudman from Me And My Golf, the Youtube-famous PGA professionals who have been giving some of the best lessons and tips videos on Youtube for over a decade. They've come up with this useful breaking putting mat so you don't have to practice straight six footers in your house on repeat.

Essentially, the Breaking Ball Putting Mat includes three revolutionary breaking balls and a putting mat. The balls have differently weighted breaks – the green ball has a slight break, the red ball has a medium break and the blue ball has a heavy break - with there also being three mats to choose from – 7.5ft (2.3m), 11ft (3.4m) and 14ft (4.3m).

An important aspect I noticed in testing though was the balls, despite the weights, aren’t clicky and don’t feel alien to other golf balls that you might use on the course and the mat is medium to fast. So it does a pretty good job replicating what we all experience on the course. It should also be added that it comes in some excellent packaging, is of very high quality and is easily packed away.

• Read our full Breaking Balls Putting Mat Review

Tech gifts

Best cheap watch

A GPS device is a must these days because there is no excuse for getting the wrong yardage when out on the course. A good way of dealing with this problem is a yardage device and, one of the best golf watches available is the Approach S12 from Garmin. It comes in at a slightly lower price point than a lot of other models on the market and as such, given the performance, there is clear value to be had here.

One of the reasons GPS watches have become so popular is that they can be worn on and off the golf course, doubling up as a neat sports-style watch when not on the course. The S12 is a perfect example of the growing popularity. It comes with more than 40,000 preloaded courses and finding your venue is quick and easy. Once on the links it rpovides distance to the front, middle and back of the green as well as hazards and other features like ponds and bunkers. It also helps with potential layup yardages and the pin on each green is movable so you can get an accurate reading to the flag from wherever on the hole.

Another performance aspect I really liked was the measure-shot feature that does as you'd expect - it tracks how far you've struck a given shot. It's also really easy to input scores and a few stats at the end of each hole, giving golfers an idea of what they've done well and perhaps not so well after the round. Finally, Big-Numbers mode, coupled with the sunlight-readable dial, is great for those whose eyesight maybe isn't what it once was, and I think it looks pretty stylish too.

• Read our full Garmin Approach S12 GPS Watch Review

Best mid-price watch

A great mid-price option is the V5 from Shot Scope, which is arguably a bit sleeker and offers more off-course appeal than the previous V3 model. Thankfully, none of the shot tracking capability has been lost in this quest.

GPS information is accurate and other features include a green preview, different yardages to hazards including how far to reach and carry as well as the movable pin feature we also saw on the S12. Shot distance measurement is useful, while there is also information on doglegs and lay up distances plus the ability to add penalty shots to your scorecard.

Overall the performance in our testing was very impressive. The V5 takes around 20 seconds to locate the course once you arrive which is pretty good and we liked the improved button navigation which was a lot less fiddly then previous Shot Scope models. I certainly feel it can help the user improve decision-making and club selection and of course the price also makes it an appealing model to consider.

• Read our full Shot Scope V5 Golf GPS Watch Review

Most fun

Combining putting with a simulator is a weird thought, but the ExPutt RG putting sim can provide players of all abilities some real fun of the holiday period. It'll also work to sharpen up your abilities on the green in the meantime.

Simply plug the simulator into your TV or tablet and suddenly hundreds of different greens from courses around the world are at your fingertips. The high tech camera, which is placed at the end of the mat, measures how well and hard you hit a putt, providing feedback that includes impact angle, putting path and more to help you hit more consistently accurate putts. I found this to be one of the best putting aids you can get your hands on.

This simulator provides you with great analytics, offering up handy graphs and visuals that will let you see all the aspects of the putter performance. This allows you to fix any problems you may have in your putting game. That isn't it though, not only does it help you to get better on the greens, but you can also compete online against any friends that have the sim or other golfers from around the world.

• Read our full Exputt RG Putting Simulator Review

Best value laser

This might be the best option for the player who doesn't want anything to flashy or fancy, instead seeking a simple 'plug in and play' rangefinder at a wallet-friendly price. This obviously means there are a few less features than more expensive models, but the functionality of the L2 is simple and reliable so what is there not to like?

The first thing I noticed in our testing is that it is very lightweight and as such perhaps doesn't feel as premium as other models, but given the price that's to be expected. A word of warning though, if you have shaky hands then lightweight lasers will not get the job done for you and you'll need something sturdier. The L2 locks onto targets very quickly, it has 6x magnification and the slope functionality is very simple to turn on or off. In terms of accuracy, we found the L2 to be competitive with many more expensive models.

• Read our full Shot Scope Pro L2 Rangefinder Review

Under $100 gifts

Best ball

If you like to stand out from the crowd on the links then these Taylormade balls should be right up your street. The brand have pushed the boat out once again with the unique design on their SpeedSoft golf ball that not only looks good but performs well too. Additionally the SpeedSoft Ink golf balls have a compression delta below 50, which is why they feel extremely soft off the face at impact.

I would say the TaylorMade SpeedSoft Ink golf balls are comparable to the likes of the Callaway Supersoft and Srixon Soft Feel in terms of both feel and performance, but you get the added color design as well with these balls. A dozen of these balls won't break the bank either which makes them a good gift for anyone.

• Read our full TaylorMade SpeedSoft Ink Golf Ball Review

Best sunglasses

A trusty pair of sunglasses than work both on and off the course can be a lot more helpful than you think, with the Veloce from Tifosi an excellent option for someone adding a versatile pair of shades to their Christmas list. They weigh just 28g and feature an adjustable nose piece, which helps create a comfortable and secure fit.

Thanks to a Grilamid TR-90 frame construction I thought these felt very sturdy and well made, and yet there is enough give in them to fit all head shapes and sizes. Along with the frames, the lenses are made of a shatterproof polycarbonate and are scratch-resistant. With the slip-resistant rubber arms and robust nylon frame, they are comfortable, secure and will do the vital job of protecting your eyes from harmful UVA and UVB rays. There are even small vents in the lenses to prevent fogging - Tifosi has thought of everything. Overall, these are some of the best golf sunglasses on the market and they don't cost an arm and a leg either, making them an excellent gift.

• Read our full Tifosi Veloce Interchangeable Sunglasses Review

Best reading material

Right now, if you subscribe to receive a copy of the world’s oldest golf magazine through your door every four weeks, you'll receive a dozen Bridgestone Tour B XS or yellow Tour B RXS golf balls for FREE!

The Tour B XS was used by none other than Tiger Woods himself, so you'd be in illustrious company. Treat yourself, or a fellow golf fan, with the gift that keeps on giving. Features, tour news, equipment, courses, travel - at Golf Monthly we have every base covered in this leading magazine that celebrates all things golf.

Under $300 gifts

Best cart

Not all players want to carry their bag on their back and there is no doubt that having a push or electric trolley can help save your back a bit for those final few holes on the back nine, especially if you're carrying in hot, sunny weather.

It is also very lightweight and compact when folded down which is ideal for transportation, and I liked how the wheels can be easily taken off and put back on which aids storage. Crucially, the Nitron isn't as heavy or bulky as other similar carts on the market and also has a number of features which you won't find on other models. Some of the features I enjoyed were the integrated beverage holder, golf ball storage, handle-mounted parking brake, mobile device holder and bungee straps that secure the golf bag with ease, making this incredible value.

• Read our full Bag Boy Nitron Push Cart Review

Best shoes

Another great gift idea is a new pair of golf shoes and one of my absolute favorite models that many will like is the Under Armour Drive Pro SL shoe, which has been constructed following two years of research and development. The newest tech is something called a Swing Support System - otherwise known as S3. This new system gives excellent performance because it covers every design element thoroughly, such as the midsole, traction and the new lacing system.

In testing, this system worked faultlessly to keep the foot planted on the ground while offering the support when moving within the shoe. The shoe was also extremely comfortable thanks to the new, softer midsole and foam.

The final point I should mention are the looks and lightweight nature of the Drive Pro SL. Despite all of this technology, it is around 12oz lighter than its competitors and, although there are better-looking models on the market, Under Armour have kept with their usual minimalist styling.

• Read our full Under Armour Drive Pro SL Golf Shoe Review

Best stand bag

One of the best golf bags on the market is the Hoofer bag from Ping, one of the classics of the golf bag industry. This model has been tweaked and changed for over 10 years and if you arrive in a golf club or country club car park on a busy day, chances are you'll see a number of these dotted about.

At just 5.5lbs it is very lightweight, and comfortable too thanks to the cushioned straps and hip pad. I was pleased to see this bag performs well when carrying, and also it worked on push carts too as the cart strap channel passes underneath the main pocket. This means that it is straightforward to attach and ensures unrestricted access to pockets.

In regards to pockets, there are 11 on the Hoofer, with all of them varying in size and depth, so there is plenty of space to put waterproofs, drinks etc. Lastly, like the best Ping golf bags, the stand itself is excellent and performed perfectly in all manner of conditions and terrain.

• Read our full Ping Hoofer Stand Bag Review

Extra special gifts

Best travel bag

Got a golf trip lined up but still using the same travel bag from decades ago? Well an upgrade is vital, especially if you want to keep golf clubs safe and secure when travelling.

The padding around the top of the bag is very thick and should mean that there are no accidents with your driver and fairway woods. The bag also comes with two spacious outside pockets, one on either side, that can easily house jackets, coats, jumpers or anything else you see fit to put in there for easy access. Inside the bag, there are two straps to keep your golf bag secured and there’s enough room for plenty more too. Overall I loved this model and I think you will too.

• Read our full Sun Mountain ClubGlider Meridian Travel Cover Review

Best rain jacket

Having tested rain jackets for a number of years, I could immediately see that the Rain Walker jacket from Peter Millar is a step up yet again. It’s all-new construction is windproof, waterproof and exceptionally breathable, with the give in the material adding to the comfort and ease of movement. There are three layers including a hydrophilic membrane which allows moisture to escape. The external surface is water repellent, and the latest improvements in seam technology mean that the stitching is robust and reliable.

We found both comfort and maneuverability while playing to be first-class, and it even comes with a waterproof bucket hat. We love the way that the overall look is so smart and understated, somehow classic and yet still modern at the same time.

• Read our full Peter Millar Rain Walker Jacket Review

Best premium set

What makes this one of the best sets for beginners? Well, Callaway have made these clubs extremely confidence-inspiring at address, with all the models making it as easy as possible to launch into the air.

The first thing to cover is what you get for your money. There are 12 clubs in total ranging from driver to putter. The version we tested featured a 10.5˚ driver, 3-wood and 4-hybrid, then 5-iron to pitching wedge followed by a gap wedge, 55˚ sand wedge and a putter. From a gapping perspective, this composition makes perfect sense and for most golfers, this line-up is more than enough to get you onto the course.

Testing-wise, all are aesthetically pleasing at address and will provide the user with plenty of confidence. The main standout is how large the heads are at address, which is a key principle when it comes to new golfers who are looking to swing at the golf ball. All the clubs have a smart, aspirational aesthetic that isn’t too dissimilar to the Callaway Rogue ST woods and, in the driver, it sits slightly closed. This means that it should fight those with an annoying slice, whilst also being easier to launch. The irons are also unmistakably Callaway and the putter looks fantastic as well.

• Read our full Callaway XR Package Set Review

How to choose a golf gift

There are a number of factors to consider when buying a golf gift for someone and this section will look to go into them all for you.

Gaps in their equipment

First things first, find out what gaps the golfer in your life has in their equipment setup. If you know they don't have a laser, or their bag is looking a bit old, then that narrows your focus in terms of gifts big time.

Gear they really want

Additionally I would recommend getting an understanding on gear they really want. I know we all want to give surprise gifts to see their faces when they open them but to find out what they really want you will need to ask them. You can then go searching for their wish list and that is a sure fire way to get them something they really want. Trust me, the world of golf has a lot of rubbish in it so sometimes it is worth sacrificing the surprise, to get them something they love.

If unsure of these things

However if you can't work out their gaps, or don't want to ask them for gift ideas, then I do think there are some universal gifts in the golf space which all golfers will like. For example all golfers need golf balls but even then you need to try and find out which model/brand they use most often. No I think a better way to go is clothing because then you just need to know their size for things like polo shirts, pants, hoodies and so on. I think golf shoes sits in this category as well.

Budget

Of course you need to think about your budget as well because golf, whilst having the stigma of being expensive, and don't get me wrong, it can be, there are actually pieces of golf gear at all price points these days. So therefore I think you need to work out your budget, and then tick off the factors above, so you can then choose a gift accordingly.

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