Golf

Santa's golf cart is full of goodies

By RODNEY PAGE, Times Staff Writer
Published December 6, 2007

Here's the good news about shopping for golf gifts: There are thousands of golf related items to choose from. That is also the bad news.

Shopping for a golfer can sometimes be a daunting task. There are plenty of practical gifts, like balls, tees, head covers or umbrellas. But there are also plenty of odd gifts, like balls that float, golf club drink dispensers, naked lady tees and any book by John Daly.

We've spent hours combing through golf gift ideas (somebody has to do it), and here are some of the best ones we found.

Practical Stuff

G-Clip Golf Tool

$15, www.finetunegolf.com.

How is this for practical: It clips on your belt or waistband. It holds two tees, a ball marker and a divot repairer. It also has velcro that holds your golf glove while you're putting. There is also a mini version for $3 less that has a ball marker and holds your golf glove.

Trunk It Golf Organizer

$39.99, www.jdgolfgifts.com.

It is a carrying case for your golf essentials that fits right in your trunk. It holds your golf shoes, shoe polish, towels, tees, sunscreen, golf balls, gloves, aspirin or just about anything that's smaller than your golf clubs. The walls inside the case are adjustable, so you can make it bigger or smaller.

Eco Golf Tees

45 cents per bag. www.golftees.com.

Yes, there really is a site devoted to golf tees. There is a minimum of 50 bags per order in some cases, but that still comes out to less than $25. The tees are made from a natural resin that biodegrades naturally within a year.

Gadgets

Callaway Rangefinder LR1200

$499.95, www.callawayrangefinders.com

Okay, it's a little pricey, but for the avid golfer that must know exact distances from tee to green, even if they're in the woods, this is the tool. It professes to give accurate distance measurements up to 1,200 yards. There is also an 800 model that measures up to 800 yards away. And both come with their own case!

The Birdie Ball

$24.99 for a set of 12, www.birdieball.com.

It looks like a napkin ring, but people swear by them. The "ball" spins like a regular golf ball, but it's flight is limited to about 40 yards. It is supposed to have the feel of a real golf ball. It is made with super polymer and is more durable than a regular golf ball. Great for taking full swings in the back yard.

The Golf Mat

$199, www.thegolfmat.net

It is a synthetic turf that claims to have the feel of real grass. The mat can supposedly withstand up to 200,000 swings. Just throw the mat down in the back yard and hit a wiffle ball, the birdie ball or even real golf balls without worrying about tearing up your grass.

The Electric Putting Cup

$16.95, www.austads.com

Very simple design that can fit in any bag. Uses two C batteries. Just putt at the hole, and when a putt is made it kicks back to you. Perfect practice at home or on the road.

Accessories

www.collegegolfstore.com: Here's a cool site to get accessories from almost any college in the country. USF, Florida, Florida State, Miami and just about any other school is represented. There are head covers, towels, golf balls, divot repair tools, umbrellas and ball markers. Plenty of good ideas for the golfer and college sports fan.

Golf Ties

$9.95-$34.95, www.wildties.com

If you're going to give dad a tie, why not a golf tie? What better way to say "I am a golfer" than by wearing a tie with golf balls all over them. Actually, some of the ties don't look too bad.

Enviro Golf Shoes

$150, www.hi-tec.com.

They are supposedly very comfortable shoes, but what makes them unique is that they are made from 99 percent earth friendly materials. Recycled plastics are used in the laces and midsole.

Videos and Books

Golf Magazine's The Best Instruction Book Ever!

$29.95, (800) 327-6388.

Not sure if it's the best ever, but it's pretty helpful. It's broken into ten sections that address different aspects of the game. There are hundreds of pictures and drills, and it also includes a DVD. Very readable. It will either help your game or give you so many swing thoughts you won't be able to take the club back.

Better Golf For Kids DVD

$14.95, www.austads.com

There are not only tips on how to hit the ball and putt, but there is also a section on golf course etiquette. A good way to teach kids about all aspects of golf.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2008 from EA Sports

$39.95. www.eastore.ea.com.

This game is for Playstation 3 or Xbox 360 and is considered one of the best. Realistic images on some of the top courses in the country. It also allows you to play against other PGA pros like Vijay Singh and John Daly or LPGA pros like Annika Sorenstam and Morgan Pressel. You can find them at places like Target, WalMart, Circuit City or Best Buy.

For the Golfer With Everything

The RadarGolf System

$199.99, www.radargolf.com

Hackers will love this. RadarGolf is like having a metal detector on the course. The ball has a tiny chip in the center and comes with a hand held device that gives off a signal. When you get closer to the ball it starts to beep. It claims to save strokes by finding balls buried in rough or in the woods. But it still doesn't do any good for the ball at the bottom of a lake. The device can be found at Golfsmith or Edwin Watts Golf Shops.

Tilia Golf Ball Retriever

$24.95. www.practicerange.com.

Okay, you're using your RadarGolf system and you pick up a strong signal from the lake next to the fairway. There's your ball, taunting you from the shoreline. No worries. Take out your lightweight retriever and get your ball back. It works like a telescope and fits in your golf bag.

Lectronic Kaddy Dyna Steer 2000

$1,495.95. www.golfcartplace.com

You want to walk the course, but you don't want to lug your clubs around. At most courses, caddies are not an option. Lectronic Kaddy to the rescue. It's got a remote control, adjustable speeds and auto breaking for steep hills. And you don't have to tip it when the round is over.

[Last modified December 13, 2007, 17:36:39]