What do you get for the golfer who has everything? Even with thousands of worthy products on offer, selecting the right one can seem like the world’s toughest task.
If you’ve been procrastinating on buying the perfect holiday gift for the golfer in your life, GOLF’s staff is ready to rescue you. For the last two months, we’ve been publishing our editors’ favorite items from 2025, and this guide was created to house them all in one place.
Below, you will find 60 selections that our editors specifically named as their favorite products of the year. Some were so good they were even selected by multiple staffers. But if you’re looking for a last-minute gift that a golf writer will personally vouch for, this is your list.
So sit back, relax, and take a scroll through our favorite items below. And if you like what you see, make sure to click the links to buy now. Happy shopping!
Jessica Marksbury’s 8 favorite products of the year
TravisMathew dress and jacket
I received this dress-and-jacket combo as a gift, and I just can’t say enough good things about them. To me, these two pieces are exactly what multi-functional golf apparel should aspire to be: perfectly appropriate for wear on the course, but with a cut and style that make for a seamless transition anywhere.
The golf dress is notoriously hard to get right, and this one is my favorite I’ve ever worn. It’s super comfortable, snug-fitting (and waist-cinching!) in all the right places. The length is sporty, without being too short. And the feel is superb. A 10/10! Plus, the jacket so lightweight, I even wore it on a 90-degree day, just for sun protection.
TravisMathew Moveknit Sleeveless Polo Dress 2.0
TravisMathew Travel Day Tech Woven Jacket
Johnnie-O skirt
Finding a golf skirt that fits just right is a tough ask — especially for someone with a short frame like me. Length is a delicate balance — an inch too long looks frumpy, too short just feels wrong once you turn a certain age. Finding that perfect middle ground feels like a victory, and this Johnnie-O skirt wins the prize. I’m a fan of many pieces in their newly-launched women’s collection, but this skirt became a fast favorite. It is so flattering, with comfy, snug and stretchy fit, front pleat and fun contrast undershorts.
Johnnie-O Ashlyn Performance Skort
WMP sunglasses
As an Arizona resident, I live in sunglasses — both on and off the course. And this year, I fell in love with a new-to-me brand. WMP makes sunnies that are trendy, lightweight and durable, with crystal-clear lenses. These babies look like designer shades but are a fraction of the price, which I appreciate because my glasses tend to take a beating. Browse through WMP’s selections for men and women and you’ll struggle to select just one frame. But at such a reasonable price point, you’ll still feel good about buying several.
WMP Eyewear Stormi
Adidas shoes
My favorite golf shoe characteristic is its ability to function as a lifestyle shoe off the course, and it really doesn’t get any more lifestyley than these awesome Adidas Gazelles. I have two pairs, and wear them everywhere. And as an added bonus: they’re just as comfortable without socks as they are with.
Adidas Gazelle Spikeless Golf Shoes
Asher gloves
Once you go colorful, there’s really no going back to standard, boring white gloves, and Asher offers a number of beautiful, colorful options. I’m especially partial to the muted shades like Nimbus and Eggshell, which go with everything, but still offer a bit of fashionable flair.
ASHER Ladies Evergreen Eggshell
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Sunday Golf Stand Bag
I reviewed this bag for GOLF’s weekly “I Tried It” series several months ago, and it remains one of my favorite products of the year. This bag has received a multidtude of compliments, and for good reason. The color is rich without being too bright, and the vegan leather is easy to keep clean. Eight pockets provide ample storage for walking or riding — and I especially love the “Frosty” pocket, with room for four beverages.
Sunday Golf Ryder S-Class | Dusty Pink Vegan Leather Full Size Stand Bag
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BIG MAX Dri Lite Silencio Prime
This cart bag has a unique 14-way “Silencio” top, which keeps clubs separate and silent. It really works — my test round was on a mountain track in Flagstaff, and despite multiple bumps in the cart going up and down hills, my clubs didn’t clank at all. The premium SoftGuard PU material on the body of the bag is water- and scratch-resistant and easy to clean, and there are pockets galore — 12 in total! — for all your storage needs.
BIG MAX Dri Lite Silencio Prime
Jack Hirsh’s 7 favorite products of the year
Sun Mountain Matchplay Swift Sunday golf bag
I am a walking golfer, no exceptions. So when I first laid eyes on Sun Mountain’s Matchplay Swift Sunday bag at the PGA Show, I knew it was for me.
It has just a 5-inch top, but it fits a full set of 14 clubs and it’s super easy to carry. Lightweight, exactly the number of pockets I need and a super sturdy stand. This has become my go-to travel golf bag.
Sun Mountain Matchplay Swift Sunday
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Jones Sports Co. Trunk Caddie
My trunk became a mess this season when I started using a remote power trolley and kept it in my car.
Just this simple trunk organizer from Jones has helped me immensely by allowing me to store my shoes vertically and giving me a place to throw golf balls, jackets and other miscellaneous items that were just floating in my trunk.
Trunk Caddie – Charcoal
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Sun Day Red Osprey golf shoes
I’m not a spiked shoe guy, so Sun Day Red’s first footwear releases didn’t really catch my eye, but their newest release, the Osprey, really surprised me.
I guess I shouldn’t have been shocked that a shoe designed for Tiger Woods would be super stable, but it’s without doubt SDR’s most comfortable shoe so far, too.
Sun Day Red Osprey Golf Shoes
Bushnell A1-Slope rangefinder
I got several new rangefinders this year, but my favorite was actually the simplest and the smallest.
Bushnell’s new A1-Slope rangefinder fits very nicely in my hand and adds no weight to my golf bag when I play.
Bushnell A1-Slope
Golf Pride Reverse Taper Small
I’ve never used a putter grip like the Golf Pride Reverse Taper. As someone with smaller hands, but still wants to use an “oversized” putter grip, the new RT smalls fit perfectly in my hands.
The unique larger lower-hand section of the RT also really makes my right hand feel like it’s working for my stroke, rather than against.
Golf Pride Reverse Taper Pistol (Small)
Garmin R50 launch monitor
If you want an all-in-one launch monitor and simulator system that doesn’t even require a screen, the Garmin R50 is your answer.
Not only is it an optical launch monitor system, which makes it more accurate indoors, but the huge screen also makes it an easy transformation for your backyard hitting net. The applications are almost endless.
Garmin Approach R50
ALSO AVAILABLE ON: Amazon, Garmin
Grooveit Mini-G brush
I never realized how useful a club brush would be to me until I tried the Grooveit Mini-G. This is the same brush that you see PGA Tour pros clip to their belt loops while their on the range and I see why so many do it.
No longer do I need to go back to my golf bag to wipe off my clubface every few swings. And now, they have NCAA-licensed options so I can rep my Penn State Nittany Lions (despite their performance on the football field this season…).
Read Zephyr Melton’s review here.
Penn State University miniG Club Brush
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Jake Morrow’s 5 favorite products of the year
Wilson Staff Model X Golf Balls
I have not been shy about my love and infatuation for the Wilson Staff Model X golf ball. I credit the ball for giving me more confidence on the golf course this year than any year previously, and it was the single piece of equipment that didn’t change once the entire year. I put the ball in play super early on this year and it stuck. It’s a spinnier golf ball that’s super stable in the wind, rips on wedges, and still spins in a reasonable window off the tee. There’s very little they could do to improve this golf ball in my eyes, but I’m excited to see what they might do with the next generation.
Check out my article to understand my infatuation.
Wilson Staff Model X Golf Balls
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Mini Drivers
Mini drivers are awesome for so many reasons. And the best part is that the market now has plenty of options. My personal favorite is the Callaway Elyte Mini because it sits in a really nice spin window, it’s incredibly accurate off the tee, and if I really have to hit it off the deck I can. The best part about any mini driver is the versatility in the build. I’ve done everything from build a 42-inch R7 Quad Mini with an 83 gram shaft to a 45″ BRNR with a 50 gram shaft. There’s so much you can do with a mini driver. I’m still not a fan of trying to replace your actual driver with a mini but, your clubs are your clubs. So whatever puts the ball in the fairway is good by me. (If you want to know why I don’t think it’s a driver replacement read my article).
If you’re looking for control, like I do, I suggest trying the Elyte Mini from Callaway. If you’re looking for an absolute bomber, I suggest trying the TaylorMade R7 Quad Mini.
Callaway Elyte Custom Mini Driver
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TaylorMade R7 Quad Custom Mini Driver
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Payntr Eighty Seven SC Golf Spikes
First-off, spikeless shoes are not golf shoes. Anybody who says so is wrong. There are significant advantages to proper golf spikes with replaceable traction. (As a disclaimer, I’ve been working with the Softspikes team for a couple of years now and there’s some research and testing I have seen to prove this, which I can’t wait to continue to share on this platform.) That being said, the Payntr Eighty Seven SC golf spikes are by far my favorites. Right out of the box they were more comfortable than every other golf spike that I own minus the Skechers (yes the Skechers). I can walk 36 holes a day with zero issue, and they are a great combination of stable and comfortable. The only downside I can think of is that there’s only two spikes in the heels, but honestly that’s just me nitpicking. I’ve never had an issue with any slipping. Playing in the rain, walking through the fall leaves, or standing on side hill lies; none of it’s a problem. Plus, they were co-designed with Jason Day, who’s my favorite golfer. So bonus points for that.
PAYNTR Jason Day Eighty Seven SC (Men’s)
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Motocaddy M7 Remote (New Style)
Getting an electric trolley last year was a great shift for my game. I really enjoy walking, particularly in colder spring or fall weather when it doesn’t make you sweat so much, but I have problems with my knees and having to either push a manual cart or carry a bag can be tougher than I want it to be. So when Motocaddy entered the equation things go so much better. I have other friends who have electronic trollies and it’s even more fun to play and walk with them. There’s something about walking a round with your buddies that’s so enjoyable. The conversations you have walking down the fairway, and feeling a bit more free to think through your shots as you walk to your ball is great. The new style Motocaddy M7 Remote is super sleek, comes with their new battery design that doesn’t have a wire coming from it, and it’s incredibly simple to use. The remote is self-explanatory and easy to use, and the range of control is freakishly far. It’s also very easy to travel with to the course. It folds up with the flip of just a couple levers to a very compact size. If you like walking, but you want to make the physical load just a bit easier, the Motocaddy M7 Remote is the way to go.
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Toulon Golf Formula 45
The Toulon Golf Formula 45 is a really unique offering. When Toulon decided to enter the low-torque putter market, they wanted to do something different. They wanted to do something to add to the category rather than just throwing a Toulon-branded option out there for the sake of having an option. The Formula 45 is a 45º toe up putter. It’s still incredibly low-torque compared to something like the standard Miami mallet from Toulon Golf, while allowing the player to more traditionally arc the putter during the stroke. Players who have been using a blade for most of their career, or players who are just so engrained in their standard putting stroke can see a large benefit in the Formula 45 compared to the Formula 90 or other face-forward style designs.
Toulon Golf Formula 45 Putter
Maddi MacClurg’s 6 favorite products of the year
1. Dunning 16″ Player Fit Pleated Skort
16″ Player Fit Pleated Skort
When it comes to golf apparel, Dunning strikes the perfect balance of performance and polish. This skort clearly has women in mind, with thoughtful details like four roomy pockets, plenty of stretch, and a sleek, athletic silhouette that moves with you on every swing. The high-tech fabric, engineered with UPF 50 and COOLMAX technology, keeps you cool and protected from the sun all day long. Honestly, it might just be the best skort I own.
2. Grooveit Mini G Brush
Grooveit Mini G Brush
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A clean clubface means better spin—especially around the greens—and this little gadget makes that easy. The compact, magnetic design snaps securely onto your bag for easy access, and the stiff bristles quickly remove dirt and debris from your clubface. It’s a simple tool that will level up your game and keep your clubs looking good too.
3. Balega Socks
Balega Hidden Comfort No Show
If you’ve ever walked 18 holes and had to change your socks mid-round because of blisters or sweat, Balega socks are worth every penny. I first discovered them while prepping for my annual hiking trip, when I needed a sock that could keep up with 16-mile days. Now, these soft, moisture-wicking, almost suspiciously comfortable socks are the unsung heroes of my golf wardrobe—and the reason I finish every round blister-free.
4. Short Game Gains Signature Stainless Steel Putting Mirror
No training aid has helped me dial in my putting quite like this mirror from Short Game Gains. I love the instant feedback it gives me on keys like: eye position, alignment, distance from the ball, stance, ball position, contact and even start line. It saves me from guessing where my misses are coming from, and unlike plastic mirrors, its stainless-steel build never warps, so feedback stays true.
5. Hoka ORA Recovery Slide 3
ORA Recovery Slide 3
These might not be a “golf” product, but they’re the first thing I reach for after every round. They’re cushioned, supportive, and blissfully forgiving—a total game-changer after walking 18. Hoka also has other variations of the Ora if you prefer a more futuristic silhouette, a classic sneaker design or even flip flops.
6. Firefly Starter Pack
Firefly Starter Packs
The last item on my list is one I’ve been eager to try: the Firefly Recovery Starter Pack. I’ve seen these pop up all over social media, used by both elite athletes and everyday folks seeking a little relief after a long run or a marathon travel day. The system works by delivering gentle pulsing stimulation to boost blood flow and speed recovery, helping you feel ready to move again sooner. I can already see them being perfect after an 18-hole round—or on flights en route to a new golf destination.
Johnny Wunder’s 1 wish for Christmas
I have had so many friends dig into TheStack and 100 percent of them got faster.
With the sticks and training protocols (and, if you really want to go deep, a radar device to chart speed) TheStack will help you build speed, sequence and flexibility incrementally over the winter. As we all know, players on Tour are getting faster and faster, and this product is of the main things I see trainers use with players. Keep in mind that just getting fast is good, but it’s not the whole story. It’s how you get fast and how you maintain the speed that’s the secret sauce.
TheStack system gives us a plan and a digestible way to build speed across the bag and keep it with simple maintenance. At my age, with two kids and 100-plus travel days a year, I’m not in a position to be in the gym or on the range for hours on end to dial it all in. This system gives me a foundation that’s easy to follow.
So to all of Santa’s helper out there, all I want for the holidays is TheStack. Let’s hit 170 mph in 2026!
TheStack + Stack Radar Bundle
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Zephyr Melton’s 5 favorite items of the year
Grooveit Mini G Brush
Grooveit Mini G Brush
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The Grooveit Mini G Brush is my favorite golf item I’ve put in the bag in years. You see, this brush isn’t your average groove cleaner. It’s small enough so as not be a hassle hanging from your bag, but it’s large enough to get all the grass and grime out of your grooves on the course.
Perhaps the best feature of all, though, is the strong magnet that secures the brush to the carabiner. With this magnet holding it in place, you can snatch the brush from your bag and use it without fussing with a wire or chain. And thanks to the strength of the magnet, it easily snaps back into place when you’re putting it back; there’s no need to worry about losing it after use.
Sun Mountain Clubglider
Sun Mountain Clubglider Meridian Travel Cover
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After over a decade of using my original travel case, this summer it was finally time to upgrade, and I opted for a Clubglider from Sun Mountain — and boy am I glad I did. With retractable support legs on the underside of the case, moving through airports is a breeze. No longer do I have to strain myself lugging a hefty bag behind me on the way to the baggae counter. With the Clubglider, my clubs cruise behind me with minimal effort. After a few months of the luxury the Clubglider provides, I’m not sure I’ll ever go back to a traditional travel bag.
Heathlander Men’s Wind Sweater
Heathlander Men’s Wind Sweater
Since adding the Heathlander Wind Sweater to my wardrobe this fall, I’ve become obsessed. While it looks like your typical sweater at first glance, it’s actually fully lined with warm insulating material that keeps the cool fall winds from penetrating. From the second I put it on for the first time, I was hooked. This sweater is the perfect piece of gear for fall golf up north.
Reebok Club C Golf Shoes
Reebok Club C Golf Shoes
There’s not a lot to dislike when it comes to the Reebok Club C. As soon as they were released, I knew I had to get a pair. (I’ve since gotten two.) With a classic streetwear style and plenty of comfort, these shoes are perfect to wear anywhere from the fairways of a country club to the streets of Brooklyn. I can’t reccomend them highly enough.
Vokey SM10 Wedges
Titleist Vokey SM10 Jet Black Custom Wedge
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Fresh grooves are important for any avid golfer, and this year, it was time for me to upgrade. I got a set of the Vokey SM10s, and couldn’t be happier with their performance. When it comes to wedges, no one does it better than Titleist.
Claire Rogers: The 5 items our readers want most this year
A lightweight bag
“Vessel, Jones Sports Co. and MacKenzie were the brands I saw over and over again in my replies,” Claire said.
Players Series – Charcoal
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Socks
“Del Campo and Flag & Bow were highly recommended,” Claire said. “Both come with subtle designs on them that add some personality. Jason Kelce tucks his golf pants into his Del Campo socks, but you can wear them however you like.”
Del Campo Performance Golf Socks
Headcovers and leather goods
“Smathers & Branson, Dormie Workshop were the most recommended brands here, and Tremont was recommended for customized head covers and more,” Claire said. “You can personalize them for your favorite golfer for a thoughtful touch.”
Dormie Money Bag Driver
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Golf balls
“Every golfer’s favorite stocking stuffer,” Claire said. “People like Titleist ProV1xs, but you can always take a peek inside their golf bag to see what brand they prefer. Bonus points if you personalize them with their favorite number and initials.”
Titleist Pro V1x Golf Balls
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Holderness & Bourne
This was the No. 1 most requested golf gift, Claire said. Choose from beautifully-constructed polos, quarter-zips, sweaters and more.
Holderness & Bourne The Berwick Crewneck Sweater
Dylan Dethier’s 5 top picks for the minimalist winter golfer
1. The best gloves in golf
Most rain gloves look kind of stupid and some don’t even work that well. Get these white/gray FootJoys, which solve both problems for just $28. This is literally a must-buy for every golfer. I cannot emphasize enough that if you play golf, like, ever, you need to own these gloves. Stick ’em in your bag, grab ’em when necessary. Thank me later.
Footjoy Raingrip
2. An extra layer
If we’re playing golf in Seattle we should wear a little bit of Seattle, too. If it’s pouring I’ll send you to Galvin Green or FootJoy for a rain suit; if it’s just damp or chilly grab yourself a Radmor hoodie (I’ve become obsessed with cotton and these are the best on the market), hybrid jacket or both.
Radmor Higgins Hoodie
3. A simple bag
You might think you need a bag with a stand for wet conditions. I dunno, maybe you’re right. Maybe I’m the idiot. But the Ping Moonlite is the one for me; I’ve tried a bunch of small bags and this one acts the biggest and most durable for some reason — and it’s easy to chuck in your trunk at a moment’s notice.
4. Shoes built for the job
Another Pacific Northwest brand, True, knows what they’re doing when it comes to setting you up to walk a golf course. The Lux Hybrids are built for wet conditions (just check the descriptions for each True shoe; some are built for warm weather, some are built for all weather.)
TRUE LUX Hybrid
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5. A speaker with perks
It’s a good speaker, it hangs off your bag, somehow it’ll tell you the yardage, too? Yes please.
Bushnell Wingman Mini GPS Golf Speaker
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Bonus: The Stack.
This is the winter we get speedy, gang.
TheStack + Stack Radar Bundle
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Josh Berhow’s 3 favorite items of the year
Bushnell Pro X3+ Laser Rangefinder
Bushnell Pro X3+ Laser Rangefinder
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The Bushnell Pro X3+ Laser is on the more expensive side, so if you splurge on this one please (and I mean please) try not to leave it behind. It has more bells and whistles than I was used to with previous rangefinders — even things like wind speed and direction when using the mobile app; although I never used it much — and has seven-times magnification. It’s also extremely accurate, which (you guessed it!) is an important feature for rangefinders.
Blue Tees Golf Series 2 Pro Slope Rangefinder
Blue Tees Golf Series 2 Pro Slope Rangefinder
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Conveniently enough for you, dear reader, is the fact that the two specific rangefinders I’m talking about are on two very different price tiers, so you can choose accordingly. Blue Tees Golf has rangefinders at a competitive price and this one does everything you need — including the handy pulse vibration when you lock on to the target — and won’t break the bank. This one, the Blue Tees Golf Series 2 Pro Slope Rangefinder, is a great option.
Sunice Hamilton Element Shield Hybrid Thermal Hooded Jacket
Sunice Hamilton Element Shield Hybrid Thermal Hooded Jacket
Those who hit the slopes might be familiar with Sunice, but the activewear brand is also a player in the golf space. One of my favorite items I added to my closet this year was a thermal hooded jacket from Sunice, which, living in Minnesota, is perfect for spring and fall golf. It’s warm, waterproof, breathable and doesn’t hinder your swing. It also looks great — and is currently on sale. I love it. You will too.
Josh Sens’ 5 golf-travel essentials
KJUS Pro3L Rain Jacket
Plenty of outerwear will keep you dry, but much of it makes you look like you’re prepping for a moon landing or restricts you like a straight jacket. The Pro3L does neither. It’s sleek, breathable, stretchable and loaded with smart, almost sneaky performance touches — rain gutters at the wrists, a hidden waist cinch that cuts bulk when you’re chipping and putting, and a featherweight feel that all but disappears once you pull it on. Think Burberry meets Batman: the aesthetic of a high-fashion house crossed with Alfred’s knack for futuristic gadgetry. Dry never looked so good, or moved so well.
Club Glove Golf Travel Bag
This is not a fresh discovery. It’s more like an old friend. I’ve had my Club Glove for the better part of a decade, and it has taken a beating on all six continents where golf is played. It has yet to tear or fray, and its zipper’s teeth remain in perfect shape. I wish the same were true of me. The bags are industrial-strength, with tough straps and nylon-reinforced stitching, in-line skate wheels that glide quietly over airport floors, and pockets for shoes and sundries you don’t know you’ll need until you do. Three sizes cover every kind of golf bag. They pack snugly around your clubs and fold down neatly when empty. The Tour-pro user list is long — DJ, JT, Rory, Brooks, and others — but those guys fly private. This bag is a luxury the rest of us can actually afford, and one that will likely outlast us. Pro tip: don’t forget to buy the arm bar as a safeguard against snapped drivers. The airlines will replace lost clubs, but they won’t reimburse for damage.
Club Glove Pro Traveler Golf Travel Bag
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Payntr X 004 Golf Shoes
I have bone spurs on my heels that would make a rooster proud. Don’t get me started on my bunions. So you can imagine my delight in discovering these Payntrs, which come with something called a Blister-Free PMX Fit Heel. I don’t know what the acronym means, but I do know they guarantee the shoes with a blister-free warranty, and I haven’t had to send mine back. They’re water-resistant but still ventilated, flexible but supportive, that rare shoe you can walk in all day without having to triage your feet at night.
PAYNTR X 004 RS (Men’s)
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Sun Bum Sunscreen
Breaking news: sunscreen is supposed to protect you from the sun. But on a golf trip, you want it to do more. You want something that lasts, doesn’t feel greasy, doesn’t leave you looking like a mime, and doesn’t drip into your eyes on the back nine. Sun Bum checks all those boxes. It’s moisturizing, it rubs in cleanly, and you can get it in a TSA-friendly, 3-ounce tube, which is nice, as sunscreen only works if it doesn’t get confiscated at security.
Buc-ee’s Hill Country Beef Jerky
Like Tiger, I can’t play when my glutes aren’t firing, and I’m even worse when my stomach’s grumbling. So I always keep a snack in the bag. The problem is that many “energy bars” sold in pro shops are candy bars in health-food wrapping. Jerky, though — good jerky — is different. High-protein, easy to carry, slow to spoil and actually tasty. Buc-ee’s Hill Country Beef Jerky has become a go-to. It keeps me fueled, steady and ready to make at least one good swing before lunch. There are more than a dozen flavors, but the old-school “steakhouse” version suits me fine.
Sean Zak’s 3 favorite items of the year
Titleist T150 4-iron, $215
Mid-summer I was fitted into T100 Titleist irons, which comfortably replaced a set of 10-year-old Mizuno blades. The one thing I’ve never really been able to do? Lift and launch the longest iron in the bag. The 4-iron. But I got fitted into a T150 4-iron — a higher-launching step up from the bladey T100s — to just really help get that ball up into the air, and the results are delightful. I feel that club will be in the bag for a very long time. And the good thing for you? It’s at the end of the bag, so you can easily add it to your full set of other irons and feel good about it complementing your current set.
Titleist 2025 T150 Custom Irons
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Reebok Men’s Club C Shoes, $100
As a golf writer, one of the most important elements of my job is trudging one yard inside the ropes, skirting around bunkers, walking through fescue and heavy rough, all in search of an angle to the action that people aren’t getting at home. All of which means, I often suit up with spikeless golf shoes at tournaments, and if I find a pair that are particularly comfy, I’m sticking with them for years at a time. These Reebok classic-styled golf shoes were on my feet all year long, from Augusta to Portrush and Bethpage. I probably played golf with them maybe 5% of the time, but used them on 90% of my days. At just $100, they’re extremely affordable, too.
Reebok Club C
Jones Player Series Bag
I’ve probably shouted out this set of golf bag half a dozen times, but I don’t regret it. It’s far more affordable and nimble than any other bag I’ve come around. Sure, it lacks the stand that a lot of people look for, but it takes up next to no space in the trunk. It encourages minimalism while still having plenty of storage space. No, you don’t need to carry a dozen golf balls. No, you don’t need pockets for all kinds of outerwear. But if you are playing in a breezy Irish wind, you can pack it as tightly as you’d like and still save plenty of room for tees.
Players Series – Charcoal
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James Colgan’s 7 must-have items of 2025
1. Normatec Boots
I wrote about Normatec’s leg compression boots for the first time last year and was surprised to learn how many golf fans had never heard of the product. These space-age, LeBron-approved recovery products are my go-tos for after a long day on the course or a long workout at the gym. The pants are essentially big balloons, trained to inflate and deflate in specific patterns to promote blood flow and speed up recovery. The secret sauce is something called dynamic compression technology, which encourages circulation, flushes metabolic waste and mimics a natural muscle “pump.”
I’m recommending this product first because it was the product I most agonized over including in the packing process. At the time, it felt like a lot to surrender trunk space in the name of recovery. But since arriving out west, any initial headache has proven well worth it. The pants are a weekly inclusion in my routine, and though we’re well into the offseason now, they’re also a terrific way to stay fresh between rounds on 36-hole day or multiple-round weekends.
HyperIce Normatec 3
2. Rhone Commuter Pro Pants
If you’ve seen my face in a GOLF.com video in the last two years, you’ve probably seen a Rhone Commuter polo in action. And, if you’ve seen me in person, you’ve probably seen me rocking these Commuter Pro pants.
Most of Rhone’s athleisure gear lives at my preferred intersection of high-quality, understated and not cookie-cutter, but these pants are top of the heap. They’re heavy enough to wear out in the cold, flexible enough to wear in the heat, tasteful enough to wear out to a nice meal and athletic enough to wear out to the course. If you need an all-around pant, a king of versatility, look no further.
RHONE Commuter Pro Trouser
3. Stio Hometown Down Jacket
A decade ago, I made the worst great decision of my life and elected to move to Syracuse for four winters to attend school. For the uninitiated, Syracuse is one of the snow capitals of the world. The winters run from October through May and are a mix of interminably cold and perpetually gray.
I got into the golf industry in large part because I had freezer burn from my time in Cuse, and even as my career brought me to greener (and warmer) pastures, I found that I hadn’t quite kicked the chill of my younger years. I dreaded the winter months with a passion, and I hated dressing to play golf in the cold so much that I hardly played once the temperatures dipped below 50.
Earlier this year, with winter arriving, I was gifted the jacket that changed my worldview: The Stio Hometown Down Jacket. Stio says the Hometown Down is a “midweight jacket,” but I can attest that I’ve already successfully worn it in temperatures well below freezing. It doesn’t take much time to realize why it’s such a popular buy among those in cold-weather communities: It’s thick but not oversized and nimble enough to wear for a variety of activities. If you’re going to a sporting event in the cold or merely have plans of sticking out winter on the golf course until the snow arrives, I can say confidently that Stio is the best bang for your buck.
Stio Hometown Down Jacket
4. Momentous supplements
I’ll be honest: I’m not really a supplement guy. It took many years before I brought myself to the altar of protein powder, and many more to reach my recent flirtation with creatine.
Part of the reason for my tepidness was that I resented feeling like a gym bro. My brother (who is studying to become a doctor) often reminds me that eating widely in moderation is good enough for the vast majority of people. Adding powders and chunky water bottles seemed like a great way to lose what little dignity I still clung to at little ostensible gain.
But then I found Momentous. Their branding is subtle (sensing a theme here?), their recipes are minimalist, and their standards are top-of-the-line. I still don’t carry around the chunky water bottle or the string tank top, but their products keep me feeling strong and energized without feeling gross about it.
Momentous Plant Protein Powder
5. Arc’Teryx Proton Jacket
A funny thing happens as you get deeper into the golf world: You learn that some of the best golf clothing brands aren’t necessarily marketing to golf. Like Arc’Teryx, whose hiking and outdoor gear is some of the best all-weather golf gear on the market.
Now, I’m not sure I’d recommend intentionally walking into a driving rainstorm in the Proton hoody, nor am I sure that it’d be suitable as a one-layer solution for a 35-degree day — but if either thing happened while you were wearing it, I’d feel pretty good about you surviving in one piece. That’s the essence of the Proton jacket: Its value comes from its ability to work in every potential Scottish weather pattern … meaning some space saved in your carry-on (or trunk) in the packing process.
Arc’Teryx Proton Jacket
6. Bose SoundLink Flex Portable Speaker
I change portable speakers less frequently than the United States changes Presidents, so when it finally came time to purchase a new one over the summer, I took the task seriously.
I wound up with the Bose SoundLink Flex (which is on sale for around $100 for the holidays) and goodness, I’m glad I did. The thing is basically indestructible (waterproof, dustproof), its battery lasts for 12 hours at a time, and the sound quality is good enough to fill a foursome on opposite sides of the fairway in the summer (thought you might not want to play at that volume).
Bose SoundLink Portable Speaker
7. Blue Tees portable speaker
I don’t own this speaker, nor did I pack it with me on my journey, but it deserves inclusion on this list for a simple reason: I witnessed a friend’s willingness to drive three hours through rural Michigan to pick up this speaker from the course where he’d accidentally left it. If that’s not a ringing endorsement of a product, I don’t know what is.
Blue Tees Player+ GPS Golf Speaker
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