Golf Aficionado Gift Guide
2017 FATHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE: GOLF GIFTS FOR DAD
The Masters Tournament is in the books; graduates have received their diplomas, the U.S. Open Championship is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to pick up that perfect gift for Father’s Day. This year we’ve decided to do something new, it’s been five months since the golf industry’s biggest event, the PGA Merchandise Show and we wanted to highlight some of the products we can’t live without here at Golf Aficionado. As you might recall, I wrote a piece just following the show that highlighted several different items. Now that several months have passed and our team has had ample opportunity to field test all sorts of products, we wanted to highlight ones that we think Dad will love the most this Father’s Day.
MISSION BELTS HAVE NO HOLES YET THEY OFFER THE PERFECT FIT! MISSION BELTS ADJUST EVERY 1/4″ UNLIKE TRADITIONAL BELTS THAT ONLY HAVE HOLES EVERY 1”.
First up is a new golf belt from Mission Belts. Now, I know there isn’t any game improvement involved with a belt, but I’ve been so happy with my Mission belt I just had to brag on them. In fact, I don’t think I’ve played golf without wearing this belt since I received it in January. Mission Belts feature their click-fit system which adjusts to give you the perfect fit. In January, I had all sorts of resolutions about losing weight and I did lose about 20 pounds; over February and March I slowly gained back about 10 pounds of that. However, with my Mission belt I never had to worry about fit, and as my waist size expanded so did the fit. I’m hoping to lose a few pounds before beach season and the good news is I know my Mission belt will be ready either way.
FOOTJOY’S SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION ALLOWS FOR THE ULTIMATE IN UNDERFOOT COMFORT AND FLEXIBILITY
Next up, the ContourFIT golf shoes from FootJoy. I picked up a pair of these shoes shortly after trying them out at the PGA show, as you know from my past articles I’m a big fan of FootJoy and the BOA system. This time I did something I’ve never done, I ordered a size 11.5 instead of my normal size 12. During the PGA Show, I had a chance to get a state of the art shoe fitting which helped me realize my proper shoe size is a half size smaller than I thought. FootJoy never seems to disappoint and that’s the case again, the comfort and traction provided by the ContourFIT is second to none and has been my go-to golf shoe since arriving in early February.
MADE WITH INTERCHANGEABLE TEMPLES AND NOSE PADS THAT LET YOU ADAPT STYLE AND PERFORMANCE FOR A LIFE THAT NEVER SLOWS DOWN, CROSSRANGE™ BRIDGES THE GAP BETWEEN YOUR LIFESTYLE LOOK AND YOUR ACTIVE INTERESTS BY GIVING YOU THE ULTIMATE IN VERSATILITY
Onto eyewear, there were a ton of new eyewear on display at the PGA Show and all the major players seemed to have a new product as well as some new kids on the block. However, the pair I haven’t been able to put down since receiving them are the new Oakley Crossrange PRIZM Golf sunglasses, the same ones you’ll see Bubba Watson wearing on the course. I’m not only wearing these shades on the golf course but their also my go-to pair of sunglasses off the course. The interchangeable arms allow you to easily switch from a sporty look perfect for the course to a relaxed casual fit that’s ideal on the beach or strolling around town. Combining interchangeable arms with the crisp resolution of the PRIZM lenses is a hole-in-one.
QUALITY AND CRAFTSMANSHIP MAKE A MACKENZIE BAG AN HEIRLOOM THAT CAN BE PASSED DOWN FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION WITHOUT EVER GOING OUT OF STYLE
What do you get the Dad that has everything this Father’s Day? How about a hand-crafted golf bag from The MacKenzie Golf Bag Company? Yes, it’s expensive, it’s over the top, but it is a gift that is sure to please even the most discriminating father. A golf bag from MacKenzie is a piece of art that any golfer will cherish for a lifetime. The lightweight and minimalist design of a MacKenzie golf bag make walking 18 holes a breeze. Quality and craftsmanship make a MacKenzie bag an heirloom that can be passed down from generation to generation without ever going out of style.
THE VERTICAL GROOVE DRIVER IS THE FIRST RADICAL CHANGE TO THE FACE OF THE GOLF CLUB IN DECADES–AND YET IT COULDN’T BE SIMPLER.
Next up, I wanted to talk about the new big stick that has taken up residence in my golf bag and helped to shave off a few strokes from my handicap. Coming out of the PGA Show in January, I had three new drivers to try out, the new TaylorMade M1, Yonex EZONE XPG, and The Groove. After playing several rounds with each driver, the driver from Vertical Groove Golf is the one that’s in my bag. Prior to the show, I had been using a TaylorMade M1 (2016 model), and couldn’t have been happier. Coming out of the show, I thought for sure the new generation M1 driver would be the best of the three. However, after several rounds with the new M1 driver, the distance was there but I was still struggling with control and tended to lose one or two balls off to the right each round. With the driver from Vertical Groove Golf, I was hitting the ball just as far but had more control hitting the ball straighter than ever. I’m currently working on an article where I detail all 3 drivers so I don’t want to spoil all the details but I couldn’t resist mentioning it here. All-in-all, looking back this has been the biggest surprise coming out of the PGA show, especially considering I had never heard of Vertical Groove Golf before the show. I have no doubt that your Dad will be more than pleased with a new driver from Vertical Groove Golf, not only will it help him hit it further and straighter, it’s going to turn heads as the vertical grooves are an instant conversation starter.
NEW TITLEIST PRO V1 AND PRO V1X GOLF BALLS OFFER TOTAL PERFORMANCE FOR EVERY PLAYER. EACH ELEMENT OF A NEW PRO V1 AND PRO V1X IS PRECISELY FORMULATED AND DESIGNED TO WORK TOGETHER TO DELIVER THE PERFORMANCE YOU NEED ON EVERY SHOT.
Last but certainly not least, if you’re reading this article the day before Father’s Day and don’t have time to special order the perfect gift for dad you can always go with the best standby gift for any golfer, a dozen Titleist Pro V golf balls. Titleist has recently launched an all new version of the #1 ball in golf that offers improved distance and more consistent ball flight. Rest assured that a dozen Pro V golf balls will always bring a smile to Dad’s face. If you’re reading this article early, and you still have time to order online for Father’s Day, order Dad a dozen personalized Pro V; either way Dad will be happy!
WHAT BETTER WAY TO SPEND TIME WITH DAD THAN OUT ON THE GOLF COURSE
Finally, this Father’s Day the best gift of all could just be spending time with Dad. What better way to spend time with Dad than out on the golf course? If you’re on a tight budget then take Dad out to the driving range or the local course and treat him to 18 holes, the hours you spend together might just be the best of his year!