“Golf” and “hot” are two words that are rarely paired unless you’re talking about the weather, but since the pandemic, Scotland’s favorite game has been scorching. More than 3 million new players have taken up the sport in each of the last four years, repeatedly breaking the previous record of 2.4 million, according to the National Golf Foundation.
All those newbies soon learn — and seasoned players never forget — that the game flies on gear and gadgetry, from the best clubs and balls to items that help you play better to those that make you look and feel good to ones that are just plain fun. Keeping up with the latest and best can be tough, so CNN Underscored has scoured the aisles of the industry’s biggest exhibition and poked around pro shops to gather the best golf gifts you can buy right now. By the way, Father’s Day is June 16, so if you’re looking for gifts for the golf-loving Dad, you’ve come to the right place.
Looking for more gift ideas for Dad this year? Check out our favorite Amazon gifts, Uncommon Goods gifts, unique gifts and practical gifts for dads.
This 29-inch towel has a silicone patch that holds a magnet with 25 pounds of holding power, so you can attach it to your cart, bag or club so it’s always on hand when needed. It’s a must for wet days or early morning rounds in the dewy grass.
This Bluetooth-enabled speaker offers high-quality playback for your music, and it has a built-in GPS rangefinder that will audibly read out distances at the touch of a button. There’s even a small remote so you can get those numbers from across the fairway.
They’re stretchy so you can move comfortably, but they won’t go baggy in the knees during the day. They’re also wrinkle-proof and pull off the “looks good without trying too hard” vibe. If the slim cut doesn’t work for your body type, there’s a “classic” version too.
These top-of-the-line shoes feature breathable leather uppers, a ventilation system, Gore-Tex waterproofing, a customizable fit system and proprietary cushioning that keeps you closer to the ground for more stability. Best of all, the hard outsole can stand up to pavement, so you can wear it to and from the course. Also available in women’s sizes.
There are three things golfers need in a water bottle. It should let you drink from it without unscrewing the top every time, it should fit in a standard drink holder and it should keep your beverage cold. Check and check and check for the Takeya as long as you don’t get one larger than 22 ounces.
The latest from Vokey comes in a wide range of lofts and bounces, but the interesting part is the progressive center of gravity shift. In lower lofts, the COG is low, so the clubs feel more like short irons, while it moves higher and further back in higher lofts to create more control and less height. Too techy? They can help your short game.
Ping’s latest goes to the limit on head size, and it’s outfitted with a backweight and carbon top that allowed the designers to move the weight down and back. The result is an impressive combination of long, straight shots.
There’s no reason to continue using a skinny grip. Fatter handles are more comfortable, allowing you to relax your hands for a smoother more consistent stroke. If the Flatso doesn’t seem right for you, SuperStroke has a grip selector tool on its website.
Customized golf balls are tricky territory — names are too personal, initials are too Judge Smails-ish. TaylorMade strikes a balance with a choice of symbols that might have once seemed too goofy but fit right into our emoji-filled world.
The Ryder weighs in at less than 5 pounds and has comfy, self-balancing straps that make it easy to haul, but it also sports a flat, stable base so it sits properly on a golf cart. There are plentiful pockets with waterproof zippers, including one for valuables, another for a rangefinder and an insulated one that holds up to four cans.
The Vertx is stable and maneuverable and has a high-functioning follow feature that keeps it close by even going up and down hills. It folds into thirds, so it takes up less room in the trunk and weighs in at just over 30 pounds, which is not bad for the category. The 27-hole battery pops in without wires.
This three-wheeler has a nitrogen-filled piston that opens and closes at the push of a button. That alone makes it a winner, but it’s also lightweight, easy rolling and laid out with convenient holders for phones, water bottles, umbrellas and other items.
You’ve played with that person who stands in the fairway for a full 30 seconds trying to home in on the pin. Don’t be that person. The Coolshot offers auto-stabilization, making it easier get a number without slowing down play. It’ll even adjust for altitude changes.
Pop these tiny sensors on the end of each club and pair them with the Arccos app on a smart phone or watch. They’ll track your shots, telling you how far you (actually) hit them, and even adjust for weather to provide on-course advice or an analytics review later. It requires a membership, which is free for the first year.
The pocket-size Rapsodo connects to an iPhone or iPad (Android coming) and records your swing using radar to determine direction, launch angle, distance, ball speed, club speed, shot shape and smash factor. It’ll provide playback shot tracer lines and GPS mapping of shots.
You don’t actually hit balls with the Phigolf system but you get accurate shot projections using a trainer club on about 30 free courses. You can switch the sensor to one of your own clubs if you like the feel of it better, and you can download the company’s World Tour app for access to another 38,000 courses, which are free for the rest of 2024.
This low-tech training device addresses a laundry list of swing flaws by allowing you to position a stick in a variety of positions and several angles forcing you to stay on plane — or just slightly off as needed. It’s portable, adjustable and cheaper than lessons.
Not all clothing blocks UV rays, but Coolibar’s gear comes with UPF50+ sun protection. The Albatrose line, with options for men and women, combines that solar-stopping power with the company’s flexible wicking fabric and a hipper style.
The newest version of the Golfshot app offers in-depth data on your swing thanks to the high-frequency accelerometer and gyroscope found in the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Golfshot’s Swing ID On-Range experience is also available on the Apple Watch Series 8 and later, as well as the Apple Watch Ultra and later.
Stitch’s shirts have that stretchy, moisture-wicking fabric you need on hot days. More importantly, they have self-staying collars with buttons on the underside that keep them flat and crisp so you won’t look like a frat boy who just did laundry.
Before winning the 2021 U.S. Open, Matthew Fitzpatrick used The Stack System to increase his swing speed and gain distance. It works, although it takes effort and cash. Besides the kit, you’ll need a device that tracks swing speed (see next), but what’s money in the face of more power?
Not everyone uses an arced stroke, but if you do, or want to (Tiger does), the Wellstroke will help you groove it. The arc line helps you lock in the path while the tees force you to make a true stroke. A ball placement line helps with setup, while stroke length markers develop speed control.
With breathable four-way stretch fabric, the Flextech allows freedom of movement while water beads up and rolls off. It’s rated to keep moisture out for six hours of steady rain. Waterproof zippers on the front and pockets will keep you and your belongings dry, and there’s a microfiber ball wiper built into one of the pockets. Also available in women’s sizes.
What’s in a belt? A few things make this one stand out. It’s adjustable, it has a little stretch, it comes in an array of colors and most importantly, it has a slim flip buckle, so it doesn’t bulge out.
Dirty clubs don’t just look bad, having dirt in the grooves will impact ball flight and roll. Unless you’ve got a caddie on retainer, keeping them clean is harder than it should be. The Groove It has stiff bristles to get the job done and hangs from your bag via magnet.
Stenson, the 2016 British Open champ, is known as the “Terminator” for his brush cut and wraparound shades. Now, he’s in the eyewear business and he knows what works on course, including soft rubber grip points on the nose and temples for a secure fit and coatings that reduce glare and increase contrast.
Compact enough to fit in a golf cart’s basket but will still keep the average person hydrated, this cooler will keep your stuff cold in style.
This muscle reliever fits in a pocket of your bag and will help you loosen up pre-round or relieve any sore spots that flair up during play. It even prevents post-round soreness and increases range of motion.