Golf Gifts for Every Budget When You Know Absolutely Nothing About Golf!
Have you ever needed to buy a present for someone who is really into a hobby you know absolutely nothing about? You want to get them something they’ll genuinely appreciate, but you haven’t got the faintest idea where to start. That’s exactly how I feel about golf gifts!
I know it involves hitting a little ball around a very big field (sorry, golf course!), trying to get it into a hole and apparently spending quite a lot of time looking for balls that have gone missing. Beyond that, I am pretty clueless. I wouldn’t know a good golf club from a bad one, and if someone started talking to me about handicaps, birdies and bogeys, I would probably just smile politely and hope they didn’t ask me any questions. That is why I have researched some golf gifts for you.
This article includes products I have been gifted from adidas as part of an ongoing collaboration. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The problem
The problem is that when someone loves golf, buying them golf gifts seems like an obvious choice. After all, surely something connected to their favourite hobby is better than another generic present they’ll never use? The difficulty is knowing what to buy when you don’t understand the hobby yourself.
Fortunately, you don’t actually need to know much about golf to find a lovely present. There are plenty of practical, thoughtful and affordable options that don’t involve choosing complicated equipment or pretending you understand what makes one golf club better than another.
So, whether you’re shopping for a birthday, Christmas, Father’s Day or simply want to treat someone who loves golf, I’ve put together some ideas for different budgets that even a complete golf beginner like me can understand!
What should you buy someone who loves golf?
Before you start shopping for golf gifts, I think it’s worth remembering that golfers aren’t all the same. Some people head out to play every weekend, whatever the weather, while others might only manage a round occasionally when they have some spare time.
Someone who has played for years might already own every bit of equipment they need, whereas somebody who has only recently taken up golf could still be building their collection.
If you’re anything like me, the temptation might be to search for golf gifts, find something that looks vaguely golf-related and hope for the best. However, I think it’s much better to look for things that are genuinely useful without needing specialist knowledge.
Clothing, shoes, accessories and little everyday essentials are often much easier to choose than technical golfing equipment. You can also think about the person rather than just their hobby. Do they enjoy practical presents? Are they always complaining about being cold? Do they like having everything organised? Sometimes those little details tell you more about what to buy than knowing anything about golf ever could.
Golf gifts under £15 – little presents that are actually useful
You don’t have to spend a fortune to buy something thoughtful, and I think smaller presents can be particularly good if you’re buying for a colleague, putting together a Christmas stocking or just want something extra to go alongside another gift.
Golf balls might seem like the most obvious choice, but I’d be a little careful here because apparently golfers can be quite particular about which ones they use. Who knew there was so much to consider about a tiny white ball?
Instead, you could look at things like golf tees, which are the little pegs used to raise the ball for certain shots, or a small golf towel that can be attached to their bag. Neither sounds particularly exciting to someone like me, but practical presents are often the things people end up using the most.
A ball marker is another little option. These are used to mark where a ball is on the putting green, and you can even find personalised versions if you want something that feels a little more special.
If you don’t want to buy anything too technical, a pair of comfortable sports socks could be a lovely little present too. Golf involves a lot of walking, so anything that helps someone feel comfortable while they’re out playing seems sensible to me.
You could even put together a small golf-themed gift bag with a few useful bits and pieces. It doesn’t need to cost much, but it shows you’ve put some thought into what they might enjoy.
Golf gifts from £15 to £30 – affordable but thoughtful ideas
If you’ve got a slightly bigger budget, there are plenty of options that still don’t require you to understand the rules of golf.
One thing I hadn’t really thought about until looking into golf presents is just how much time golfers spend outdoors. Depending on the time of year, they could be dealing with sunshine, wind, rain or the sort of chilly weather that makes me want to stay indoors with a cup of tea.
A golf cap or visor could be a useful present, particularly for someone who plays regularly in warmer weather. Likewise, a warm hat or neck warmer might be appreciated during the colder months.
You could also look at a golf glove, although I’d suggest checking which hand they wear it on and what size they need before buying one. That is definitely the sort of detail I would overlook and then wonder why I’d bought completely the wrong thing!
Another idea is a reusable water bottle or insulated drinks flask. I know that doesn’t sound especially golf-specific, but if someone is spending several hours outdoors, having a drink with them is pretty important.
Personally, I think golf gifts like these are ideal when you’re not completely sure what equipment someone already owns. They’re useful, affordable and much less likely to leave you wondering whether you’ve accidentally bought something completely unsuitable.
Golf gifts from £30 to £60 – clothing they’ll actually wear
This is probably the budget where I would start looking more seriously at clothing, because it feels like something you can choose without having to become a golf expert overnight.
There is quite a lot of golf clothing available, including polo shirts, trousers, shorts, skirts and layers designed for spending time on the course.
I like the idea of buying clothing because it can be useful beyond golf too. A comfortable polo shirt, for example, might be something the recipient wears for other activities or even casually, depending on their personal style.
If you’re buying for someone who plays regularly, think about what they might need at different times of year. A lightweight top could be ideal for summer, whereas something warmer might be more useful for autumn and winter.
I’d also consider what they normally wear. If they’re someone who always chooses fairly plain colours, I wouldn’t suddenly buy them the brightest patterned top I could find just because it looks fun. Although, knowing me, I’d probably be tempted!
The main thing is to check their size and choose something that suits them rather than getting too caught up in whether it’s the most impressive-looking golf present.
And don’t forget that some golf clubs have dress codes, so choosing clothing designed for golf can make things a little easier.
Golf gifts from £60 to £100 – something a bit more special
If you’re buying golf gifts for a partner, parent or someone particularly close to you, you might want to spend a little more on something they’ll get plenty of use from.
A good pair of golf shoes could be a lovely present, especially for somebody who plays regularly.
I think footwear is one of those things that’s easy to underestimate if you don’t do the activity yourself. However, golfers can spend hours on their feet, walking around the course, so comfort and grip are really important.
Golf shoes are designed with the demands of the game in mind, and there are different styles available, including spiked and spikeless options.
If you’re buying shoes as a surprise, I’d definitely recommend having a sneaky look at what the person already wears. Check their size, whether they prefer a particular style and perhaps even whether their current shoes are looking a bit worse for wear.
You don’t want to spend a decent amount of money only to discover you’ve bought something completely different from what they find comfortable.
If shoes feel a little risky, you could look at a smarter golf outfit instead. A nice top with matching trousers or shorts could make a thoughtful gift, particularly if the person has been wearing the same golfing clothes for years.
Golf gifts over £100 – bigger presents for someone who really loves golf
For a special birthday, Christmas or milestone celebration, you might be considering a more expensive present.
This is where I’d be especially cautious about buying technical equipment. Golf clubs, for example, can be very personal choices, and I certainly wouldn’t feel confident choosing one without knowing exactly what the recipient wanted.
Instead, I would look at something like a complete golfing outfit, a good quality waterproof jacket or a pair of shoes combined with some smaller accessories.
A waterproof jacket could be particularly useful for someone who plays throughout the year. After all, we’re in the UK, and relying on a lovely sunny day whenever you’ve arranged to play golf seems a little optimistic!
You could also consider contributing towards golf lessons, a round at a course they’ve always wanted to play or a golfing experience they could enjoy with a friend.
If you do want to buy expensive equipment, I’d suggest asking them what they need rather than trying to make it a complete surprise. I know that takes away a little of the excitement, but surely it’s better than spending a lot of money on something that ends up sitting in a cupboard?
Buying golf gifts on a budget? Don’t forget the sales!
One thing I always recommend when buying presents is thinking ahead rather than leaving everything until the last minute. I’m not always brilliant at following my own advice, admittedly, but it can make quite a difference to how much you spend.
If you’ve got a golfer in the family and know you’ll be buying them something for Christmas or a birthday, it’s worth keeping an eye out for offers throughout the year.
For example, checking the black friday sales/deals could be a good way to look for discounted clothing, footwear and other presents, depending on what’s included in the offers.
I think sales are particularly useful when you’re shopping for somebody who enjoys an activity that can involve quite expensive equipment and clothing. You might be able to afford something a little nicer than you originally planned without actually increasing your budget.
Of course, I wouldn’t recommend buying something just because it’s reduced. A bargain is only really a bargain if the person is going to use it, and I’ve definitely been guilty of forgetting that in the past!
It’s worth deciding roughly what you want to buy beforehand, checking sizes where necessary and comparing prices so you know whether you’re getting a genuinely good deal.
Golf gifts I’d be careful about buying if you’re clueless like me
As much as I love the idea of finding someone the perfect present, I also think there are certain things that are best left to people who actually understand golf.
Golf clubs would be at the top of my list. There are so many different types, and I imagine buying the wrong one could be a bit like someone buying me a new camera lens without checking whether it fits my camera. A lovely thought, but not necessarily much use!
I’d also be cautious about expensive golf balls, specialist training aids and electronic gadgets unless the recipient has specifically mentioned wanting them.
It’s not that these are bad presents. They’re probably brilliant gifts for someone who knows exactly what they’re looking for. It’s just that when you’re completely clueless, there’s a much bigger chance of getting it wrong.
If you really want to buy something technical, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with asking a few questions first. You could even get someone who plays golf with them to help you choose.
I think most people would rather receive something they genuinely want than a complete surprise they feel obliged to pretend they love.
How to make golf gifts feel more personal
Sometimes it’s not the amount of money you spend that makes a present special, but the thought that goes into it.
If you’re buying something relatively simple, such as a polo shirt, cap or golf towel, you could combine it with a handwritten note or a few little extras to make it feel more personal.
You could put together a golf gifts hamper for a day of golf with snacks, a drinks bottle, a towel and some small accessories. If the person has a favourite snack or drink they always take with them, including that could be a nice touch.
Another idea is to plan a day around their hobby. Perhaps you could arrange for them to enjoy a round of golf while you organise something nice afterwards, such as a meal together.
I also think there’s something lovely about showing an interest in somebody else’s hobby, even when you don’t really understand it yourself.
You don’t have to suddenly become an expert or learn all the terminology. Simply taking the time to find out what they enjoy and what they might need can make a present feel much more thoughtful.
My advice for choosing golf gifts when you know nothing about golf
If I’ve learnt anything from looking into golf gifts, it’s that you really don’t need to understand the sport to buy someone a lovely present. You just need to think about the person you’re shopping for and choose something that fits their lifestyle, budget and preferences.
For smaller budgets, I’d stick with practical accessories and little everyday essentials. If you’ve got a bit more to spend, clothing is a great place to start, and for bigger presents, shoes, waterproofs or a golfing experience could be worth considering.
I’d leave the really technical equipment to the experts, or at least ask a few questions before spending a fortune.
Most importantly, don’t feel that you need to spend hundreds of pounds just because golf has a reputation for being an expensive hobby. A thoughtful £15 present that somebody uses every week is far better than a £150 present that never leaves its box.
And if you’re anything like me and still don’t know your birdie from your bogey by the time you’ve finished shopping for golf gifts, don’t worry. As long as the person opening the present knows what to do with it, I think you’ve done your job!
Who knows, perhaps one day I’ll even have a go at golf myself. Although, knowing my coordination, I suspect I’d spend more time looking for the ball than actually hitting it!
