Tag: holiday

2023 Holiday Gift Guide

Treat the golfer in your life this holiday season with the best golf gifts! The holidays are a perfect time to show the golfers in your life that you care. With these unique golf gifts, you can help take their game to the next level or simply make their time on the course more enjoyable. Consider these excellent gift ideas:

Listen and Track with the Bushnell Wingman View GPS Speaker

The Bushnell Wingman View combines two essential golf technologies – GPS distances and a Bluetooth speaker – into one sleek, lightweight device that attaches to your cart or bag. The GPS provides precise front, center and back distances to the green, both visually and spoken, so you’ll know exactly which club to use. The built-in speaker lets you listen to music, podcasts or audiobooks from your phone wirelessly while you play. This is the ultimate golfer’s gadget and one of the best golf accessories for men and women.

Give the Gift of Comfort with VKTRY Insoles

Help your favorite golfer put their best foot forward with VKTRY insoles. These revolutionary carbon fiber insoles feature a patented technology that redistributes weight away from common foot pain points, providing all-day comfort and support. VKTRY insoles reduce fatigue and ensure proper alignment and weight distribution throughout the swing. VKTRY insoles can also increase ground forces during the golf swing, which helps you swing faster and hit the ball further. Give the gift of pain-free walking and an improved game. Mens and womens models available around $99.

Upgrade Their Irons with Takomo Forged Irons

Treat your special golfer to the innovative and incredibly affordable Takomo forged irons this holiday season. The S20 Japanese forged steel heads of the Takomo 301irons provide unmatched feel and feedback through the turf, while the hollow body design of the Takomo 101 irons shifts weight to the perimeter for more forgiveness on mishits. Takomo’s sleek, playability-enhancing irons come with premium KBS Tour steel shafts and start and only $489 for a 7-club set (4-PW)!!

I have a set of the Takomo 301 MB irons, and while I was apprehensive going back to a forged blade at 49 years old, my fears quickly went away as I rediscovered my love for these forged butter knives. Paradoxically, switching from a cavity back to a blade gave me my confidence back and has immediately improved my iron play. I love these irons, and knowing they are available for less than half the price of most premium Japanese forged irons makes it feel that much sweeter.

Carry in Style with Big Max Golf Bags and Carts

Make it easy for your golfer to get from hole to hole with top-quality golf bags and push carts from Big Max Golf – The most popular golf bags and push carts in Europe. The lightweight but durable bags come in stylish designs and provide ample storage. The push carts fold up small but hold all their gear securely while gliding smoothly across the course. Big Max bags, like the popular Dri Lite Hybrid Tour Stand Bag, start at $159.00 and push carts at $99.00.

Rapsodo MLM2PRO Launch Monitor

Personal launch monitors are one of the hottest segments of the vast golf accessory market, and the great thing for consumers is that as the technology gets better and better, so do the prices! A few years ago the cheapest effective launch monitor would set you back over $10,000, but now there are several very good products available for a fraction of that price. One of the best bang-for-the-buck launch monitors is the new Rapsodo MLM2Pro which sells for only $699 on Amazon and gives you 13 metrics like spin rate and spin axis and can be used indoors or out. For more info, go to www.rapsodo.com

With these wonderful gift ideas, you can make any golfer’s wish come true this holiday season! From smart tech to performance equipment upgrades, comfort essentials to carrying convenience, these products will bring a smile to any golf lovers face. Happy holiday shopping!

November 27, 2023
3 Last-Minute Gift Ideas for Golfers

We’re in the home stretch for Christmas shopping, and most shipping deadlines are December 21, so in case you haven’t found those last few items for the golfers on your list out there, here are a few last minute gift ideas that should still arrive on time – But you’ll have to hurry!

Golfballs.com – FREE Personalization!

Prices: Options for all budgets

Golfballs.com allows customers to buy their favorite golf balls from all the top brands and customize them for FREE! Better still, customers can order as late as December 21 and still have their gifts arrive by Christmas. Not just golf balls, choose from a selection of bags, apparel, tees, and more – each available with the industry’s largest selection of customization options, including: personal photos, custom logos, monogrammed initials, personalized text, embroidery, numbers, novelty images and the best tool for lining up putts, AlignXL™. Golfballs.com also offers a variety of pre-packaged gift boxes, including the Bottle Opener, Poker Chip Set and Classic Divot Tool.

Rocket Tour Headcovers – MSRP: $39 – 43

www.RocketTour.com

Hand-crafted and finished personally by founder Helena Stanton in Boulder, CO., Rocket Tour headcovers are the perfect gift sets to get the golfer in your life ready for the next season. Sported by more than 300-plus NCAA golf programs, show off alma mater pride or just your favorite colors with the variety of signature striped, solid and argyle designs available for drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, and putters. Whichever flag you are flying, Rocket Tour has your bag covered.

TecTecTec ULT-X Golf Laser Rangefinder

MSRP: $249.99

www.US.TecTecTec.com

Amazon’s No.1 selling golf rangefinder brand, TecTecTec, has launched its most advanced model to-date, the ULT-X. Among the new features are Target Lock Technology (TLT), which vibrates when players are locked on to the target, and a visible slope toggle (displays elevation adjusted distanced) that can be easily disengaged for USGA-conforming play. ULT-X accurately measures distances up to 300 yards – precise within 0.3 yards. The premium, multi-layered optical lens combined with diopter adjustment and 6x magnification provide an ultra-clear and accurate view. All TecTecTec rangefinders are backed by a two-year warranty, 24/7 access to customer service and a full refund on products returned within 30 days of purchase.

December 20, 2018
2018 Holiday Gift Guide
2018 has been a pretty good year for golf, despite course closures all around the globe and the unfortunate trend of driver prices regularly creeping up to and past the $500 mark. There is more technology than ever out there for golfers of all abilities to get the most out of their game. Since the holiday shopping season is upon us again, here are some gift ideas for the serious golfer on your list, or yourself!

Clubs
- Ping G400 – Arguably the best driver in golf, it is among the top 3 sellers and owners of one like me will be happy to tell you how good it is. Paired with a high-performance shaft from TPT Golf, I gained 9 yards and hit it straighter too. Demand for the #1 selling G400 MAX is high, with prices rising to more than $500. ($570.00 on Amazon)
- Wilson Cortex – If you watch the Golf Channel, you are probably familiar with the hit show Driver vs Driver that gave us the controversial Wilson Triton driver a few seasons ago. Driver vs Driver 2 just wrapped up and this year’s winning club is called the Wilson Cortex, and it has already hit the market. The buzz with this club is that it produces very low spin. If you are a Wilson fan and your driver is a few generations old, the Cortex is a must hit! ($498.95 on Amazon)
- Miura irons – Japanese company Miura Golf has been forging some of the best quality irons in the world for many years, and they keep getting better. Previously available only through high-end club fitters, Miura is now making custom sets available direct from the manufacturer. The new MC-501 irons have been an object of sheer lust for me since I first saw them at the PGA Show a while back. (Iron sets starting at $1350 and up)
Wilson Cortex Driver

Training
- Putting Mirror – I’ve been using my EyeLine putting mirror for a few years now and it has helped me become more consistent on the greens. Many of the top players in the world use similar mirrors to check ball position, eye and shoulder alignment and iron out problems with their putting stroke.
- Eyeball Golf – Remember that old saying – Keep your head still? Well, the eyeball trainer can help you do that! It’s simple, easy to use and won’t break the bank. Give it a try! (.99 direct)
EyeLine Golf Putting Mirror

Software
- Golf Logix – The USGA has recently weighed in on the topic of green reading charts and maps by limiting the size and scale of the books people use, but the leading app company GolfLogix is ok with that, and the typical user of their service isn’t a tournament golfer anyway. The innovative PuttBreaks feature in the Golf Logix app is easy to use and can really help you read the greens on unfamiliar courses, or even help confirm what your eyes see. (Available for free in the iTunes and Google Play store – $29.99 for 12 month Putt Breaks membership)
GolfLogix with Putt Breaks

Shafts
- Breakthrough Golf technology – Golf industry veteran and living legend Barney Adams has set his sights on making you a better putter, and Breakthrough Golf Technology’s new Stability Shaft is how he’s doing it. Guess what – It works! My putting has improved ever since I put the shaft in play, and I’m looking forward to converting a few more putters soon. (Available direct w/ free install – $199.99)
- TPT Golf – I’m a big fan of TPT golf and their innovative new shafts. Earlier this year I tested one in my Ping G400 driver and gained 9 yards. They aren’t cheap, but for demanding golfers with spare cash, TPT is the shaft you must try when you visit your custom club fitter for a new driver.
Breakthrough Golf technology – Stability Shaft

Apparel
- Oakley – I’m not impressed too much with the apparel options available this year. That’s not to say there isn’t anything good out there, it’s just that nothing stands out. Nothing except Oakley that is. The Engineered Polo Bubba is a shirt I could live with almost every day, and they are super cheap right now. (Available direct – $24.00 as of 12/7/2018) Why not pair it with a slick Bg Emb Visor too? (Direct – $28.00)
Oakley Engineered Polo Bubba

Misc
- Craftsman Golf Headcovers – Why not customize the look of your golf bag and protect your clubs from theft by getting rid of the factory headcovers and replacing them with fun head covers from Craftsman Golf? I recently covered my Callaway XR16 LD Long Drive club with a funny cat head cover with a bell that drove my playing partners nuts! It was great fun. Seriously though, Craftsman Golf makes good quality stuff at very reasonable prices! (Available direct – www.craftsmangolf.com)
- Bushnell Rangefinders – Bushnell continues to make market-leading laser and GPS rangefinders. I’ve been using the awesome Pro X2 Laser Rangefinder for a while, and the perfectly sized Phantom GPS is a perfect compliment to any laser rangefinder and easily fits in your pocket. If you want the best of both worlds, consider the Bushnell Hybrid Rangefinder, that has both a precision laser rangefinder and GPS in one easy to use handheld device.
- Club Champion Fitting – Club Champion is the largest custom club fitting company in the US, and they are brand-agnostic, which means they aren’t going to push you towards a certain brand, just what works best with your golf swing. I recently had my Cobra F8+ driver upgraded with a new shaft from Paderson Golf and gained 6 yards and greatly tightened the dispersion. They have 40 indoor fitting centers all over the country, so weather isn’t an issue and there is probably one close to you. If you take the game seriously and want to play your best golf, there’s really no excuse not to get custom fit for every club in your bag.
- NoSweat Liners – It may be chilly outside now, but at some point, it’s going to warm up again outside and you’ll start sweating on the golf course. Living in Florida, the summer heat and humidity makes it impossible not to sweat profusely when playing golf. NoSweat liners install easily inside your hat and really help soak up the sweat coming from your forehead. Sometimes I sweat so much that it’s hard to putt because sweat keeps dripping on the ball! NoSweat liners fixed this problem for me, and they are used by professional golfers and many other athletes in sports like hockey and football under their helmets. If you are a sweater like me, you’ll want to give them a try! ($9.99 and up on Amazon)
- SkyCaddie SX500 – SkyCaddie has been around for as long as I can remember using such distance measuring devices, and their products are always recognized as one of the best GPS for golf, and their newest model is no exception. The SkyCaddie SX500 has a large (5″) bright screen, solid battery life and is easy to use. All SX500s come with a 1-year subscription. SkyCaddie maps all their own courses for greater accuracy, and I’ve always found their distances to be very precise when compared to a laser rangefinder. The difference is rarely more than a few yards, and for amateur golfers, this is certainly within the acceptable range. ($399.95 on Amazon)
Bushnell Hybrid GPS/Rangefinder
December 7, 2018
2014 Holiday Gift Guide

Every year the offices at intothegrain.com are bombarded with cool gadgets, gifts and products for review. While some of these products aren’t ready for prime time, others immediately get us excited and some even manage to surprise us. With the holidays fast approaching, I thought we could highlight a few of the best gift ideas we’ve seen come through the offices this summer. Happy shopping!

BOOM Swimmer Bluetooth Speaker

Boom is a perfect name for this small bluetooth speaker. It’s loud! We were very surprised by the level of volume and quality of sound coming from the little BOOM Swimmer bluetooth speaker. The flexible tail attachment is great to hang it from your golf bag or the cart and enjoy tunes while you play or practice. It even has a suction cup mount, and when attached to a glass surface it amplifies the bass. Did we mention the BOOM Swimmer is waterproof? Selling for $59, this is the last portable bluetooth speaker you’ll ever need.

Golf Etiquette Quick Reference

I believe golf pros are genuinely interested in helping new golfers learn the game, but I don’t think we do a good enough job teaching people the rules and etiquette of the game. We’re all at fault for this, and I see plenty of golfers that could use a refresher course from time to time. I usually carry a pocket size USGA rule book in my bag to end arguments about the rules, but what about etiquette? Enter the Golf Etiquette Quick Reference! This easy to read guide gives you all the info you need to conduct yourself properly on the golf course. I’m talking to you, “crossing into my fairway to hit your crooked tee shot without regard to my group” guy!

Gary Player DVD – A Game for Life

Gary Player is probably the greatest non-American golfer ever. He’s seen it all and been to every corner of the globe as an ambassador to this wonderful game. So when he speaks, people listen. Gary is almost 80 years old, but he’s in better shape now that I’ll ever be. Also considered one of the best bunker players of all time, now he’s sharing his lifetime of knowledge with his new DVD set called A Game for Life. Pop this 3 DVD set in, sit back and absorb the greatness.

Green Sleeve

I always thought it was pretty cool to play golf with a caddy, and even if the average caddy can’t help me much with club selection, at the very least they will keep your clubs and golf balls clean. But for the 99.9% of us that don’t have access to a caddy when we play, there is a cheaper, faster solution. Greensleeve! This little microfiber sleeve is easy to carry in your pocket and does a great job at cleaning clubs and balls. It comes in many different colors and logos, and for $10, it won’t break the bank. Greensleeves are perfect stocking stuffers. Get a couple!

Voice Caddy

We’re big fans of any invention that ~~allows us to be lazy~~ makes life easier for us. Isn’t that the reason for every good invention? Instead of subscribing to a GPS service or trying to read a dimly lit screen in the bright sunlight, or trying to shoot the flag with some laser, why not leave the work to the Voice Caddy VC300? Just turn it on, clip it to the brim of your hat and it automatically finds the course and hole you are playing from a database loaded with over 30,000 courses. From there a simple button push gives you the yardage to the front, middle or back of the green. Simple and effective. $149

Ping G30 Driver

We’re still compiling launch monitor data and play testing Ping’s newest driver, but the early results are in, and the Ping G30 is a big winner. One tester hit half a dozen tee shots with it on the course and decided right there that he had to have one. I’ve played 72 holes with it and while I haven’t kept detailed stats, my observations are that the G30 is straighter and much more forgiving than my current gamer. Distance is on par with most of the competition as well but I feel I’ve gained a few yards because I’m simply hitting the sweet spot more often. Our full review is yet to come, but I’m all-in with Ping with this one. Simply put – The Ping G30 driver is the best driver I’ve hit in over 10 years.

Antigua 2015 Collection

Antigua doesn’t make clothing with flashy European designs and crazy colors. They make simple, classic, good fitting and well made shirts. Long a favorite of mine, they use high-tech fabrics to make some of the most functional and comfortable golf shirts on the market. Their latest collection expands on the popular Desert Dry line and is sure not to disappoint. My personal favorite is the 95% polyester and 5% spandex blend that feels like you are wearing Sheex performance bedding. It’s silky smooth and very comfortable.

Aldila Shafts

Aldila makes some of the most popular shafts on the professional tours. Young phenom Jordan Speith has won twice in the last two weeks using an Aldila Tour Rogue shaft in his driver. I’ve recently upgraded a few of my own clubs with the fantastic Aldila Tour Green shaft, and they have become more consistent and playable than every before. A new custom fit shaft is all you need to revive an old driver that you love, and I bet the price of a shaft upgrade from Aldila is still cheaper than a new driver!

Renegar Wedges

Gene Sarazen invented the sand wedge in the 1930s, yet most modern wedges still use the same basic design. The problem with the design is simple. The larger flange of a sand wedge works great from the bunkers, but off the turf – not so much. With a standard wedge design the front edge of the wedge cannot slide under the ball because of that chunky flange (or bounce), leading to fat and thin shots. Renegar solved that problem with a unique, patented technology. The Renegar RX14 wedges feature the cut out sole design that simultaneously lowers the leading edge while retaining the bounce for bunker shots. The best of both worlds! I’ve been playing wedges with a similar (but not quite as effective) sole design for a long time, and it really works!

December 10, 2014