As the festive season approaches, if you’re lucky you’ll be being asked any day now for present ideas. Trouble is, if you’re not suitable prepped, that vague mumbling response is only going to mean one thing… delivering an Oscar-worthy performance on Christmas morning, as you unwrap the socks, a(nother) scarf, and a bottle of something that was clearly on a 3 for 2 at Boots. Or maybe you’re blessed with other golfers in your family, or close friends that are worthy of a gift or two with a little forethought? Either way, Sunday Slicers has got you covered, with completely independent and impartial ideas to help make this Christmas a vintage one!
Best of all… getting organised for Christmas now means there’s plenty of ‘Black Friday’ (/November) deals to be had, for maximum smugness!
Stocking Fillers (<£20)
The Golfers Club Clikka Tube
Stuck for a Secret Santa, or money a little tight? If there’s one thing that can hamper that all-important practice, in the garden, on the putting green or out on the course, it’s that faffing around with balls. This simple little gizmo can slide into your golf bag, hold up to 20 balls, and making collecting them a breeze, without all that bending down and pocket stuffing!
Best deal: £4.50 (presuming, like most, you don’t need it posting) via Sport Direct.
Vice Duro Glove
Munich-based Vice have been disrupting the golf world since launching in 2012, initially with their range of funky / pastel / speckled balls that claim to be on a par with Pro V1s, for almost half the price. These days, there’s a huge range of branded apparel and accessories, for those who like to subtly stand out from the crowd. Whilst a nice new cart bag would set you back a couple of hundred pounds (and we daren’t even look what a Shag Bag is!), there’s plenty of lower priced items, like caps from £15, divot tools (currently all sold out), and gloves, like this black ‘Duro’, starting at £10,99 (all plus £4.99 P&P).
Best deal: £15.98 including shipping via Vice Golf
You’ve been good this year (Under £100)
Shot Scope CONNEX Performance Tracking Golf Tags
It’s almost 10 years since US firm Arccos pioneered the concept of aftermarket in-club sensors. But hot on their heels was Shot Scope, a Scottish company launched in 2016, that now claims to have 20% of the UK golf tech market, and 180,000 customers across 160 countries. Their entry-level product, ‘CONNEX’, includes 16 tags, which sync to an app on your phone pre-loaded with 36,000 courses, for a one-off fee and no subscription. Now, you will need to tap the relevant tag to your phone before every shot, which won’t suit everyone. Otherwise, another £60 should get you a setup with dedicated screen to attach to your bag, and bundles with GPS watches start from around £160.
Best deal: £69 including shipping (RRP £99) via Clubhouse Golf
Adidas S2G Mid Golf Boots
It’s hard to enjoy anything – even golf – with cold wet feet. Waterproof shoes can be a godsend, but even they sometimes aren’t a match for the boggiest of courses. So imagine the sense of satisfaction, as you stomp through (almost) all known terrain, protected by your far superior boot design. This one by Adidas has a ‘mid’ rise that balances practicality with comfort and maneuverability, looks the part, and has a waterproof guarantee. Hotgolf even have Footjoy and Stubert alternatives for women.
Best deal: £79.99 (RRP £100) including free shipping via Hot Golf
Blow the Budget (>£100)
Garmin Approach S12
Garmin have built a reputation as the go-to golf watch, since launching with the first GPS golf watch, ‘Approach S1’, in 2010. Putting aside the now discontinued S10, that can still be found for not far into 3 figures, the S12 is the entry-level option, and includes 42,000 courses, with yardages to the hazards on each hole, and to the front, middle and back of each green. Now, funds willing, another hundred quid (or three) would secure a colour screen, or even ‘Virtual Caddie’… and the ‘MARQ® Golfer’ makes us a little weak at the knees. But if you’ve not got £2k burning a hole in your pocket, then the S12, shown here in a rather fetching ‘tidal blue’, and also available in slate grey or pale aqua hues, should more than do the trick.
Best deal: £129 (RRP £179) via American Golf
Fyfe Premium Headcovers
What do you get for the golfer who has ‘everything’? Well how about some really gorgeous headcovers, that would be the envy of your whole club, as you stride to the first tee? Well Scottish relative newcomer Fyfe Golf is offering the most divine collection of headcovers and accessories, in tweeds, tartans and waxed canvases, made down the road from the home of golf, St. Andrews. Prices start at £29 for a Harris Tweed putter cover, but if you’re feeling flush, a set of 3 covers for woods, with customised fabric and lining, and your initials on each is just under £200, shipped.
Best deal: £198 (Driver + 2 Fairway Woods), including customisation and embroidered initials via Fyfe Golf
Got some great inspiration for an amazing Christmas gift that we need to hear about? Let us know here.
Disclaimer: the above is intended as informal inspiration, and whilst every effort has been made to validate the relative quality of items, doesn’t constitute product recommendations. Please ensure product specifications are validated with the appropriate retailer. Prices are correct as advertised on the day the article was published (16/11/23) and naturally subject to change.
