Giving the gift of golf

I know this post is probably too late for all you shoppers out there buying gifts for the golfers in your life. I’ve already survived my first of four family Christmas celebrations and the office party, and I’ve already experienced the “bad golf gift” first-hand.
Here’s a quick guide:
Good golf gifts:
Golf Balls – Doesn’t it amaze you that no matter how many people give you golf balls as gifts, you still need more by the end of the season. Tip: Don’t buy low-budget balls for serious golfers. They’ll mock you behind your back.
Golf towels – Chances are the golfer already has a ton of them, but we all need more rags for the garage or the laundry room.
Golf pro shop gift certificates – Who doesn’t want $50 from their local favorite golf course. I’d much rather have that than my mother pick out an ugly shirt I’ll never wear.
Golf picture frame – This goes particularly well if your golfer has a famous picture of himself/herself standing on the tee at Pebble Beach or Whistling Straights or by the lighthouse at Harbour Town. It will warm their hearts everytime they see it.
Bad Golf Gifts:
Golf gadgets – You’ve seen them. In fact your spare bag in the garage is probably filled with them – little yardage finder binoculars, earth-friendly golf tees. The worst gadget I got was just last week, a dreaded putter clip for the outside of your bag. That’s a sure sign you’re a hacker.
Golf instruction books – What better way to remind your golf partner that their swing stinks worse than your neighbor’s dog?
Golf Clubs – Chances are you’ve spent $350 on a driver this person will hit three times and hate it. Let the golfer in your life pick out his own clubs. It’s the only way to do it right.

If you follow these simple rules, you’ve got a shot at a Merry Christmas.