If you have someone special in your life who loves playing golf, then you have virtually limitless choices of what to buy them for their birthday, for Christmas or just as a general gift. Whether your budget is £10 or £1000, you – and by definition, they – really are spoiled for choice, however seriously they take their play.
The only problem, of course, is they’ve probably already got plenty of novelty socks and unusual tees, which means it’s time to get creative. So, if you want some inspiration and ideas for golf gifts that will genuinely surprise, you’ve come to the right place.
In this guide, we’ve collected ten gift ideas for golf lovers that you might not have considered before, from the cheap and quirky to the expensive and extravagant, and plenty in between.
Personalised golf gift ideas
Just about every golf gift you can think of can be personalised in some way, either with the recipient’s name, their initials or even a special message. These can include balls, tees, golf towels, gloves, shoe bags, socks, hats, ball markers, water bottles, jackets, pitch repairers and much more. Looking for personalisation is a great way to buy a meaningful gift for someone if your budget is relatively limited.
Club head covers
There’s a world of creativity to explore when looking for club head covers. You could go for something that looks smart and professional, and matches well with the club bag and clothing of the person you’re buying for. Alternatively, you can go completely off the wall and buy some completely wacky designs, like puppets and cartoon characters, which are bound to get some attention and plenty of laughs out on the course. Your choice comes down to the type of person you’re buying for.
Golf swing analyser
The amount of technology that exists to help golfers improve specific areas of their game is simply staggering, and can make a real difference to players who want to perfect their technique. One particularly interesting area of innovation is swing analysis, with various products available that can track the movement and ball-striking of a player, and assess where they might be going wrong. It’s not the cheapest gift to buy, but could deliver the improvements that help your loved one get so much more from their golf.
Indoor putting green
Keeping skills sharp can be tricky during the winter months, when it’s cold, wet, dark, and even a trip to the driving range can look unappealing. That’s where an indoor putting green can help keen golfers active all year round, and in the comfort of their own home. It can be laid out on almost any surface, and the best sets come with an automatic ball return system that will send the ball back down to the player after it’s been sunk.
A trip to watch the pros
Watching professional golf isn’t just a chance to marvel at the best players on the planet – it’s also an opportunity to learn new skills and techniques for any amateur that wants to improve. So, a trip to one of the big pro golf competitions, either in Europe or the United States, is a great way to combine golfing passion into a holiday. It’s even better if you can take your loved one’s clubs with you so that they can play a round themselves while they’re away.
Rangefinder
Rangefinders are handy bits of kit for players of all levels, helping them accurately judge how far away they are from the hole (or target area for a tee shot) and informing their swing and strategy. Small enough to fit in a club bag, many golfers find them indispensable as they can take much of the guesswork out of their game. You can explore some of the leading rangefinders on the market in our special guide here.
Golf GPS watch
Global positioning systems can also help golfers understand how far away they are from the hole and make better shot selections – and can be carried around on their wrists. Some of the best golf-specific GPS watches on the market can even give players a visual representation of the hole and its surroundings on the screen, almost like a digital version of a green-reading book. Given it can be used as a normal smartwatch away from the course too, it’s a versatile and handy golf gift.
Home golf simulator
Of all the ideas for golf gifts in this guide, this is the one that probably needs the most amount of space – ideally in a garage. But it has the power to transform a golfer’s game entirely. A home golf simulator system allows amateur players to practise their skills in a warm, dry environment, using similar technology that you might have seen on TV coverage of pro tournaments. Players strike balls into a net (so nothing gets broken!) and the play is linked to a computer and TV system that delivers a digital representation of a golf course. The technology is so advanced that golfers can play entire rounds on courses all over the world – without having to leave home.
Ball retriever
Golf balls get lost – it’s a fact of life. But whether a particular ball has sentimental value or not, there are always occasions when it’s important to get them back. A ball retriever can help players fish out balls that have been swallowed up by nature, whether they’re at the bottom of a pond, buried in sand, or deep in thorny or nettle-infested undergrowth. They can also be especially handy for players who have some mobility issues, where reaching down to pick a ball up can be troublesome. It’s a simple tool but one that really proves its worth on the occasions when it’s needed.
Accessory organiser
As this guide ably demonstrates, there are so many pieces of equipment and accessories that come with playing golf that it can be hard to keep track of everything. So much so, that if a player can’t keep his or her things organised, then it’s easy for items to get lost (or take far too long to find). Accessory organiser cases that can fit in a car boot is the perfect way to keep spare items tidy and secure, from balls and tees to hats, sunglasses and even golf shoes.
Get golf insurance with SportsCover Direct
For any golf lover, their clubs and accessories are their pride and joy. As well as the emotional impact of any loss, theft or damage, there’s also the financial aspect to consider – and that’s why good insurance cover is so important.
At SportsCover Direct, we provide comprehensive golf insurance including golf travel insurance for players of all abilities and levels of experience. As well as protection for your clubs and equipment, we’ll also make sure you don’t end up out of pocket if you get hurt on your round, or accidentally injure someone else. And if you’re lucky enough to score a hole in one, we’ll even pick up your tab for the traditional round of drinks at the bar.
Our cover starts at just a few pounds a month – and could turn out to be the most valuable gift you ever buy a golfing friend or relative. Find out more about our golf insurance today.