Dear Santa,

I’ve been pretty good this year. You haven’t come around in a while, not since I was a kid. I know you’re really busy so it’s OK. I thought I’d write anyway, just in case you can find the time this year.

I’m not worried about me so much but I thought I’d give you some Christmas gift ideas for the serious golfers on your list. I have some of these things already and some I’d really like to have, but you already knew that.

It feels too early to be thinking about Christmas, but I thought I should write now to give you time to get everything you need. I know the elves are really great at making things, but no one dislikes a counterfeit item more than a golfer or a golf club manufacturer.

Some of these are pretty expensive, but there’s no harm in dreaming, right? I’ll write you another letter later this week with more gift ideas, all under $50.

Anyway, here are eight gift ideas for golfers.

• A new driver. Golf Digest’s 2007 Hot List Editor’s Choice was the Callaway Fusion FT-5. The Tour model comes in three configurations, draw, fade, and neutral to help players overcome their flaws. It can be found for under $450. They can even be found used in like-new condition at CallawayGolfPreowned.com for under $300.
• Give the gift of yardage. Golfers are getting tired of hunting for sprinkler heads to find yardage. One option is a SkyCaddie SG4, by SkyGolf. It’s a GPS system that can give the yardage to the green and to other landmarks from anywhere on the course. You can get it for around $350. I reviewed it myself this spring. Another option is a laser range finder. The Bushnell Pinseeker 1500 is a great model. It can measure as far as 1500 yards and has a 7x optical zoom. It can even be used to calculate the slope of the ground. It can be found for under $400 but the Slope edition costs a little more. There are other quality models that cost a little less, so shopping around is a good idea.
• If you have anyone on your list that likes to read, golf books make great gifts. My essential reading list includes Dave Pelz’s Short Game Bible as well as his Putting Bible. Also, since I’m a big believer in the mental game, I’d recommend Golf is Not a Game of Perfect, by Dr. Bob Rotella. Finally, no golf library is complete without Harvey Penick’s Little Red Book. That one is perfect for junior golfers. There are tons of other great golf books out there as well. I’d be happy to provide you with more suggestions if you want. Check out my Book Reviews category for reviews of these and other books.
• Training aids are a wonderful gift for the golfer that likes to practice. Pelz Golf sells a number of putting and wedge feedback devices. These are great because the short game is so critical to scoring in golf. On my own wish list are the Putting Track, Elk’s Key^® , and Teacher^® Putting Clips. Another one that interests me is the Inside Approach Slice Correction Trainer. I don’t own one, but I tried it one day at the driving range and I think it’s a good tool to learn to stop coming over the top.
• A series of lessons is a great gift for any golfer. I’d suggest trying to work out a deal with a local pro for a series of at least three lessons. That should help a player see real improvement. The price will vary greatly, but I’d expect to pay between $150 and $300 for a series of three lessons.
• If lessons with the local pro won’t do it, then maybe a golf school is the way to go. Pelz Golf conducts three day scoring game clinics at several places in the United States, as well as a new school in Ireland in 2008. The three day school in Boca Raton, Florida costs $2,600 and includes lodging. Many of the game’s top instructors run golf schools that offer similar opportunities, but that’s the one I’d go to. The prices at other schools can range from single lessons that are much less expensive to week-long schools that cost more. Keep in mind that players are not likely to be instructed by the famous teacher that runs the school (unless explicitly arranged), but the instructors at their schools are well versed, capable alternatives.
• Getting away for an affordable golf vacation is a great gift, as well. There are many, many opportunities world-wide. For an affordable golf vacation, I can recommend Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The golf and lodging are priced very well. Depending on the time of year, a trip including good lodging and play at four great courses will cost under $700 per person. In the off-season, it will be much less.
• If we’re talking dream vacations, then a trip to Scotland is at the top of the list. If I were planning a golf vacation, that’s where I’d be going. I’ve never been, but the thought of being surrounded by all that history and playing some of the most famous courses makes me want to hop on a plane right now. The weather can get kind of nasty and so it might not appeal to everyone, but I would still love it. There are tons of different companies that can help you plan a golf trip to Scotland. I’ve never used them myself, but someone once recommended PerryGolf to me. You can visit their website and get a quote on a dream trip. I haven’t gotten a quote myself, but I’d expect to pay several thousand dollars. Even more with the falling value of the dollar right now. Keep in mind that some courses have minimum handicap requirements (like The Old Course), so that should be taken into consideration.

Well, Santa, there’s my list. I have some of those things already, but there are plenty of golfers that don’t. As you know, I haven’t done the Scotland golf vacation, but I’d really like to.

My apartment doesn’t have a chimney, so I’m not sure how you’ll get in. Breaking down my door would be a bad idea, so maybe just give me a call when you’re in the area and I can let you in. Also, there won’t be any cookies this year. I’m watching what I eat and there are no cookies in the place, not even for you. Feel free to have some fruit, though. You look like you could stand to lose a few, just like me.

I hope you don’t forget about me this year.

Mike

p.s. I used some affiliate links in my letter. I hope you don’t mind.

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