GolfPass Holiday Gift Guide: The best golf gifts for your favorite golfer

UPDATED: November, 2025.

NOTE: GolfPass may receive a portion of sales from certain links in this article.

The holidays can be a stressful time - especially when you're shopping for a golfer.

Despite its recent popularity spike, golf is – and will always be – a niche hobby. It has its own language, written and unwritten rules of etiquette and peculiar physical culture full of different products and styles that two different golfers may totally disagree on. In other words, it is incredibly easy to buy a golfer the wrong thing. It’s not so much a matter of risking insult them, but to risk giving them something they’ll never use. I can’t tell you how many cheap golf balls and weird golf trinkets I’ve ended up re-gifting.

Which brings us to a foursome of “rules” for buying holiday gifts for golfers, followed by some recommendations of gifts we believe will be appreciated by practically any golfer on your gift list this year. We constantly research and test various golf products across the full budget spectrum in order to help you fine-tune your gift selections when the big buying season arrives. If it appears on this list, you can be confident that it is something GolfPass managing editor Jason Scott Deegan and/or senior writer Tim Gavrich would personally recommend.

1. Play it safe with equipment. Buying golf clubs or even certain golf balls can be a dicey proposition, even if you feel you know the recipient and his or her golf game pretty well. Golfers tend to have strong preferences for certain brands and models, and they tinker and change their minds at will. If you’re intent on going this route, that’s fine - just make sure to request a gift receipt.

2. Bigger may not be better. Most golfers’ bags, trunks, offices/golf rooms are often cluttered already. Before opting to surprise them with any sort of bulky gift, consider what smaller but still precious options exist. A high-quality ball marker or divot repair tool may seem like a lame stocking-stuffer, but these sorts of items get considerable use and often become sentimental totems in a golfer’s arsenal. And in general, golfers like things that last a long time, so a more modest-buy, useful and high-quality gift will have a longer lifespan than something showier but ultimately cheaper.

3. Tech talks. If your gifting budget is a little higher, there are endless possibilities on the tech-infused front, from gadgets like rangefinders and handheld GPS to personal launch monitors. Be sure to do your research in these product categories, though, and realize that the lowest-end options are priced that way for good reason.

4. Things or experiences? Again, if you’ve got a more significant budget for your favorite golfer, consider going the experience route instead of adding to their collection of golf stuff. Buying them a round at their home course isn’t flashy, but it is completely useful and often very appreciated. And of course, treating them to golf somewhere special will be something they cherish longer than most trinkets.

Normally we would argue that any self-respecting golfer shouldn’t have to pay for tees (scavenging and grabbing a few when visiting nice courses tends to keep the bag well stocked), but if your favorite golfer has a favorite sports team, chances are its color scheme is represented by one of the dozens of options this company offers. We’re partial to its 1 ½-inch bamboo “shortees” ($7.99), which come in handy on par 3s and short par 4s, while there are also plenty of color choices for longer 3 1/4” hardwood striped pegs ($10.99). All pre-made Western Birch tees come in small boxes of 50 – an ideal stocking-stuffer.

It’s important to have quality tires on your car, and it’s important to have quality socks on your feet, especially when you’re on the golf course. I swear by the socks from this Kentucky company, especially its Surino line, which uses a lightweight material that is 30% Alpaca and 24% Merino wool – two fibers that wick sweat, control temperature and feel comfortable across dozens of rounds. Surino socks come in ankle- ($22 per pair) and crew-length ($26) styles and carry a rare, generous lifetime warranty. I have other golf socks in my drawer, but they get barely any wear because I always opt for my Alteras when I go out to play. —Tim Gavrich

On hot days, it’s easy to sweat through a golf glove, which is why many golfers will have to rotate between two or more during each round. Clinch’s focus on durability and breathability mean there’s less of a need to switch. One glove – available in five different color schemes ($25) – should be all you’ll need. —Jason Scott Deegan

Clean golf clubs are happy golf clubs, and while most golfers get by with a grungy towel and maybe a cheap wire brush to keep their sticks clean, there is a better way: the GrooveIt golf club brush ($24.99 at Amazon), a.k.a. "The Wet Club Scrub." The body of the brush doubles as a small tank that you can fill with water. Twist to tighten and push down the tank cap and water squirts out the brush onto your clubface. The high-quality bristles whisk away dirt and grime easily from there. Strong magnets make it easy to detach and reattach from your golf bag.

The GolfNow gift card is a perfect golf gift. You can spend a small amount and stick it in a stocking or go big and wrap it like a present. There's no expiration date, and it offers access to more than 9,000 golf courses worldwide through the GolfNow app. Shop here.

Golf books make great stocking stuffers or reasonably-priced gifts. This year saw a bumper crop of books, especially from Back Nine Press. 'The Ambassador: Alexander Findlay and Pioneer Golf in America' is the first extensive study of Alexander Findlay’s life and his contributions to golf ($34.99). Golf Photographer Patrick Koenig chronicled his world-record journey playing courses across America in 'The United States of Golf' ($59.99). For the more cerebral and business-savvy golfer, Hemingford Grey released 'The Augusta Principles: Timeless Business Lessons from the World's Premier Golf Club' ($28.50). The book outlines the winning formula to build a brand, master operational excellence and create an innovative and successful culture.

I never go on a multi-day golf trip without this reusable laundry bag that keeps your dirty golf clothes from contaminating your clean ones while they sit side-by-side in your suitcase. The best part is that the bag itself ($35) is machine-washable, so it’s easy to clean as well. The XL model will hold at least three or four days’ worth of dirty laundry. I consider this a golf travel essential. —Tim Gavrich

This company is based in the heart of college football country: Oxford, Mississippi. As a result, their comfortable, durable and stretchy belts ($54) make great gifts for golfers who are also college sports fans. All sorts of team-specific color schemes are available, including this snazzy Georgia-inspired pattern, “The Oconee.”

For years after its '90s heyday, the Maxfli brand stirred nostalgia and not much else. But it's back and as relevant as ever, thanks to three different models at attractive price points. They have even secured coveted PGA Tour street cred, as Ben Griffin, a 3-time winner in 2025 and a member of this year's U.S. Ryder Cup squad, games the Tour X ($39.99/dozen). Chances are your favorite golfer will be glad to hit the higher-spin Tour X, medium-spin Tour or lower-spin Tour-S.

There is a nice-looking golf shirt for every golfer out there, and while you certainly can tip into triple-digits for a really high-end one (see our guide to $100+ shirts here), there is tons of quality and variety in the $75 to $99 range. One brand that might stir nostalgia in your favorite golfer is Ashworth, a 90s darling that has been revived in recent years. They even brought Fred Couples back to endorse their threads, as he did years ago. Their O.G. Polo ($95), with its collar and sleeve stripes, harkens back with contemporary materials.

At another end of the style spectrum, if your favorite golfer likes bright colors and adventurous prints, then perhaps something from Sunday Swagger will be ideal. GolfPass Managing Editor Jason Scott Deegan dug the look and feel of their Sunset polo ($64) when he tried it out. There are much louder prints available for the adventurous golfer, too.

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You can easily venture into triple-digit dollar amounts for something bespoke and high-end, but the accessory boom in golf in recent years has introduced several artisanal headcover makers to the industry, adding much-needed color and sophistication to many golfers’ repertoires, with plenty of competition from passionate craftspeople.

The best-known of these clubhead haberdashers is Seamus, based in Portland, Ore. You could spend hours browsing their selection as you ponder which headcover is perfect for your favorite golfer.

Senior writer Tim Gavrich tends to favor classic wool barrel-shaped headcovers, like this Harris Tweed Fescue ($75-$95), though a dog-loving golfer might be enticed by this Lab headcover ($85-$95), which honors the faithful on-course best friends of many superintendents.

Another headcover maker that Gavrich can vouch for is the Maine-based Forewind Golf. Instead of wool, many of their products are made from retired sailcloth, giving them both a charmingly lived-in look and protective powers over your clubs. Their driver headcovers range from $60 to $92.

Let's keep the '90s golf brand revival theme going, shall we? Golf dads and uncles may well get a nostalgic twinkle in their eyes when they unwrap their new Reebok Nano kicks ($99.99). The white upper/tan sole colorway will never go out of style, but there are some more colorful accents as well.

Call it a shameless plug if you want, but hundreds of thousands of members believe in the ability of GolfPass+ ($99) to enrich their golf lives. Monthly $10 Anytime Tee Time Credits that come with membership help save on rounds booked through GolfNow. A vast library of video golf instruction tips opens up new paths to improvement and 12 months of Peacock Premium unlocks more golf at big events like The Open and U.S. Open. Sign up here.

Sunice, a Canadian company originally focused on skiwear, knows how to keep golfers warm in colder temperatures. Since hoodies are now a part of everyday golf fashion, it makes sense that a hoodie jacket could work for your next fall-winter-spring round. The hybrid layer and Climaloft quilted insulation keep golfers warm in temperatures as low as 50 degrees. A waterproof coating allows rain to roll off the breathable exterior fabric. $160-$200.

"We heard you're looking for absurdly comfortable pants," proclaimed the box that greeted managing editor Jason Deegan earlier this year from this California-based company. Their vaunted Dealmaker Chinos, typically listed at $128 per pair, are currently on deep discount at just $66. Will the sale last long enough for you to take advantage?

The Theragun Relief ($149) is smaller and easier to use than other models. Its compact size (less than 8 inches long) and weight (1.33 pounds) means it could easily fit into your golf bag. The smartest golfer I ever met was the guy using a Theragun before and after his rounds to keep his muscles loose and limber. —Jason Scott Deegan

Having reviewed several brands and models of golf sunglasses, I have settled on the Scheyden Looper ($179) as a favorite not-too-expensive choice. Scheyden has been in business for decades and they originally made sunglasses for pilots, so they score high for both quality and functionality. The half-frame CIA Grabber style (shown above) is popular among PGA Tour Champions players. —Tim Gavrich

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Why lug around a golf GPS device and a speaker when you could cover both yardage and playlist duty with one product? That’s the goal of the Player+ ($199), which not only crushes the tunes, but spits out audible distances for thousands of courses, thanks to its sleek touch screen display. It can be paired with multiple speakers simultaneously. An ultra-strong magnet easily attaches to any golf cart. A built-in USB-C power bank can charge your phone. Just in case your golf party gets a little too rowdy, the unit is fully waterproof. It comes in either navy blue or black.

Every golfer wants to putt better, and this easy-to-use gadget makes working on your stroke surprisingly simple. It sets up a clear, straight neon-green line on your home putting green or office carpet, allowing you to groove your stroke while assessing your off-line results. Managing editor Jason Scott Deegan swears by the PuttAim+ ($149.99), which is great both indoors and out.

The world’s largest manager of golf courses gives golfers a relatively low-cost way to get preferred rates at more than 150 facilities under its care. The program, rebranded Troon Access in 2024, has two tiers, with the base-level one ($199 per year) granting 15% off standard green fees and 10% off of course merchandise. The next-level Troon Access membership ($399) includes all aforementioned benefits, plus 50% off tee times booked 78 hours out or less.

I reviewed Oakley Meta HSTN sunglasses earlier this fall and came away very impressed with the AI integration, built-in camera and open-ear speakers. The Vanguard is built more for sports/outdoor performance, which makes it an even better fit for golfers. It offers a higher water/dust resistance rating (IP67), stronger integration with athletic apps (like Strava), louder speakers and up to 9+ hours battery life versus 8+ hours for the HSTN. While both share the same core camera tech (which produces 3K video), the Vanguard adds a wider field-of-view lens and a centered camera design optimized for action capture. The Vanguard frames are more specialized for rugged use and look like the throwback wrap-around shades David Duval used to climb to world no. 1. $499. —Jason Scott Deegan

Historically, it's been downright irresponsible to recommend a serious golfer buy a rangefinder made by anyone other than Bushnell. But Shot Scope's Pro L5 model ($229.99) might challenge the category leader over time. The PRO L5 is the first Shot Scope rangefinder with OLED optics, giving it their sharpest display to date. It's easy to look at, easy to hold, simple to use and accurate. As an added bonus, its price point for something that offers additional features like adaptive slope, a built-in cart magnet and target-lock vibration, is very competitive. —Tim Gavrich and Jason Scott Deegan

There are a lot of decent putting mats, but PrimePutt's artificial turf looks, feels and rolls more like an actual grass putting green than any I've encountered yet. Their Standard (9' x 3'; $490) size is ideal for most living rooms and, as the father of a 4-year-old, I can attest to the beating it can take and still roll nicely. —Tim Gavrich

I have never received so many compliments on any piece of golf gear as I have on my Shapland golf bag, which I bought in 2020 and which continues to age beautifully. The Chicago-based golf bag outfitter inspired by both PING and architect Harry Colt (Shapland being Colt’s middle name) continues to refine its high-quality designs and has expanded its offerings to a few different designs. Current inventory is limited (check back in December, per their socials) but their single-strap Caddy 1.0 bag ($460) is still available now. If your favorite golfer needs a new golf bag, Shapland will supply something that will last. —Tim Gavrich

I've putted with an Odyssey my whole golf life. It's this loyalty that has kept Odyssey as the No. 1 putter in the amateur market and on the PGA Tour for 25 straight years. By using multi-material construction, Odyssey has moved the CG of these putters far enough forward to get the shaft entering the head on the topline, eliminating the need for shaft lean, which removes one of the biggest barriers facing golfers who are trying a "zero torque" putter for the first time. The result is a more natural, intuitive and comfortable set up position. Its pistol grip is all the rage these days. $549.—JSD

This Bushnell rangefinder can be considered the top of the line, and a big part of the reason why the brand is trusted by more than 90% of PGA Tour caddies, who use them to help their players strategize pre-tournaments. Bushnell’s Pro XE rangefinder ($599) is waterproof, with 7x magnification, 500+-yard range, PinSeeker and JOLT technology, Bushnell’s strong BITE magnetic attachment and the ability to calculate distances based not just on slope but elements like temperature and barometric pressure.

If your favorite golfer has been really nice this year, you can spoil him or her with these feather-light golf sunglasses with crystal-clear lenses. Pro golfers like Michael Kim and Rose Zhang have worn them in the past. The Golfer Elite ($659) is the pair I wear; it's fantastic. —Tim Gavrich

Experiences have never been more popular as gifts, so why not join the trend and send - or bring - your favorite golfer(s) somewhere awesome? The field of golf travel services has never been stronger. GolfPass' own travel department has hundreds of stay-and-play packages on offer, from Las Vegas to Phoenix/Scottsdale, Kiawah Island, Destination Kohler and even Scotland. Browse packages here.

The highest-end model ($1,999) from one of the leading makers of powered walking carts - all the rage overseas and steadily making inroads in the U.S. - seemingly thinks of everything. It is controllable from up to 110 yards away and comes with a built-in 4-inch touchscreen that can be used to survey maps of more than 40,000 worldwide golf courses. That screen will even interface with your phone via Bluetooth. Pretty snazzy.

If money is no object, why not treat your favorite golfer to something PGA Tour pros swear by? They can leverage scary-accurate ball flight data and analytics to improve their game via this top-of-the-line launch monitor ($19,999), which can be seen alongside pros during practice rounds and range sessions.

GolfPass (and its previous life as Golf Advisor) has been reviewing the best golf gifts, golf equipment and golf fashions for more than a decade, so we have the expertise that few other websites can deliver. Managing Editor Jason Scott Deegan has reviewed golf gear going on 20 years for this site, as well as top magazines like Athlon Sports and PGA Magazine. As a former college golfer, Senior Staff Writer Tim Gavrich brings the knowledge and expertise of being a highly competitive, scratch golfer.

We write and produce monthly GolfPass Gear Reports where we review the latest golf equipment, gadgets, fashion and more. Our October GolfPass Gear Report focused on how to winterize your golf game.

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