By Eileen Klink
The reminder came during my morning drive last week. The DJ on my satellite radio station announced the holiday channel and just like that, Jingle Bells and Rudolph are back. With Halloween behind us we have only seven weeks of gift buying which flies by faster than a 300-yard drive. If I start now, I get the best selection and often better prices. I'm all in for Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. Most importantly, I have more time to think about what my besties are going to truly appreciate.
This is my second annual Holiday Gift Buying Guide and I hope some of my ideas are helpful to you. Being in the retail golf industry, I am on constant watch for things that my customers will enjoy, and in all price ranges. I'll give you lots of choices under $25. A few of the items on this list are repeated from last year because they are remarkably popular. Most are new to my annual guide.
Martini Tees: Tee it up quick and easy. Those that use these tees, love them. They come in a pack of five on Amazon. With a wider surface area for the ball to sit on, your ball won't move until impact.
The Golfer's Game Book: This is a manual of golf games and side bets. I thought I was knowledgeable about course games until my group wanted to play Wolf. As a veteran golfer, I don't like to be clueless about any games, so I keep this reference book handy. This one is written by a woman which for me, is appealing. All game-loving golfers should have one.
Insulated Lunch Bag: These golf themed bags are made of neoprene to keep food hot or cold. The golf themed prints are fun to take your lunch or snacks to the course. A zipper closure keeps contents from falling into your golf cart and it's water resistant to keep contents dry.
Gotta Glove It Wristlet with Eileen's Gift Tip: Wristlets are perfect for carrying your life essentials like cash, keys, and cards with ease. But here's my great gift giving tip for these cute bags: Stuff it with emergency staples such as Advil, Band-Aids, bug spray, anti-itch cream, etc. Every girl should have one in her bag! Glove It wristlets are available in signature prints that brighten your mood and show off some fun personality. Nylon construction Removable wristlet strap . 8" x 4"
Play Nine Card Game: I hope I find this under my holiday tree because my fun-loving friend Joanne says it's a blast to play. It's golf-themed card game that is perfect for a casual game night. The mix of strategy and chance makes for an ever-changing game that never gets boring. It comes with easy to learn instructions.
Birdie Juice Tube Flask with leather outer and four attached shot cups. Celebrate her birdies in style with this unique, larger sized 12-oz tube shaped flask. Birdie Juice embossed on the side. Fill it with her favorite libation and put a bow on it!
Re-chargeable hand warmers: A swing is nearly impossible when your hands are cold. Keep them warm with battery heated hand warmers. The OCOOPA rechargeable portable hand warmers are less wasteful than disposables, charge quickly, heat up to 131 degrees and can be reused hundreds of times.
Golf Cart Seat Blanket by TUYU: More and more golfers use these blankets for the added warmth in the winter and coolness in the summer. These days there is an abundant selection to choose from online. I selected this one simply because it is the highest rated on Amazon. But poke around as well on Etsy or Ebay for a broad selection of patterns and styles. Look for a blanket that is easy to clean and wicks moisture.
Golf Marker Caddy: by Partee Girl Golf is constructed of synthetic leather and lined with velvet. The magnetic insert safely protects and stores her collection of ball markers and hat clips in a sleek holder. Never lose ball marker magnets again.
Golf Cap with Attitude: These G-4 hats are a great way to make a fun statement on the course. Girls Golf Too or Fore add a little sassiness to your game.
Daily Sport Fleece Hand Warmers: Padded hand warmers with a tab for attaching to your pushcart or keeping your hands warm on the cart ride to the course on frosty mornings. They are wind and water resistant.
The TEAM8 Golf GPS speaker combines precise distances to the front, middle and back of the greens (plus hazards intel) while doubling as a personal DJ. This is a great measuring device and has excellent sound to bring good vibes and rhythm to your game.
Amy Sport Top or Skort: When you want to gift apparel that is high quality and totally unique then check out Amy Sport. This is a popular brand for golf fashionistas looking for stand-out, couture worthy prints to sport on the fairways. They offer high tech performance fabrics with artistic flair and a great fit.
Upscale Golf Shoes: Any golf fashionista will love wearing high end golf shoes, especially if they coordinate perfectly with an outfit. To give her holiday joy, look at Royal Albatross, G-Fore or Nailed Golf (WesTees shoes) for the best selection. Pictured is one of my favorites from WesTees.
Women's Heated Golf Vest by Ororo: Lightweight, machine washable vest is water and wind resistant. A battery charge provides 10 hours of heat in both the collar and upper torso on low setting and six hours on Medium. Even Southern California gets cold in the winter!
ClubGlider Meridian: Awarded Golf Digest Editors' Choice for Travel Bags, the Meridian makes pulling a loaded golf club travel bag nearly effortless. You can pull this bag with a pinkie finger. Dense foam padding through the top of the bag protects your clubs; the leg mechanism supports the weight of your bag; and the pivoting wheels make the bag highly maneuverable.
Hopefully these ideas will help with you with this year's gift giving and bring some holiday joy to your favorite golfers. When you nail the perfect gift, it truly is more fun to give than to receive.