Best golf gifts: Our staff’s top picks for Father’s Day
Need a gift for your dad? We have you covered.
Courtesy Photos
We owe a lot to our dads. Many introduced us to this game we love, helped craft our swings in the backyard and taught us to win like Jack Nicklaus and putt like Ben Crenshaw.
Now it’s our turn to give back to them. That’s where we come in. We asked our golf-crazed writers and editors to pick items for the fathers in their lives and came back with quite the comprehensive list. (And we’re getting it to you plenty early, so you won’t have to deal with any pesky shipping delays.)
Need something for the dad who loves to walk a morning 18 and can wear the same shoes back home? We have the perfect pick. The dad who is in the market for a new push cart? We selected one of the best. New pants for the course? Check. New stylish headcovers? Check. Custom shirts, hats and clubs? Yep, we have that, too.
A phone call on Father’s Day is nice. So is a card with a heartfelt message. But get Dad one of these gifts and he’ll really know you care.
Best golf gifts for Father’s Day
Sideways 9 T-Shirts
As a general rule, I’m not a mega-fan of hip, pricey T-shirts, golf-centric or otherwise. But the wit and whimsy of this one from Sideways 9 — founded by veteran PGA of America professional Chad Maveus — charmed me past all that. Others in the line also appealed, like “The Mulligan—2nd Team All American,” “Circle of Friendship” and “4 Way Miss.” But I’ll be lucky to get even one from my family, and it will involve me leaving hints far less subtle than “Tiger Goat.” — Evan Rothman
Imperial Design Your Own Headwear
I like to think of my father as unique. With Imperial “Design Your Own” headwear, now his one-of-a-kind personality can be on full display for all to see. Select any of the hats or visors they manufacture and choose among more than 100 different logo options. You can even add Dad’s initials in the back, too. There are lots of fun and quirky ones, like this rope hat I designed with a smoking pipe on the front. He’s going to love it. — Luke Kerr-Dineen
GOLF Mask Pack
Made in partnership with GOLF.com, this 3-pack of masks features new designs for golf enthusiasts. Proceeds go to the Golf Emergency Relief Fund, providing short-term financial assistance to those facing hardship due to Covid-19. — Staff
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A1 Speaker
I feel like I’m not alone when I say that dads love a good tech gadget. The Beoplay A1 speaker from Bang & Olufsen caught my eye because of its sleek look and super portability. It’s small and lightweight, but still packs a punch in the volume department. The extra-long battery life rocks on for 24 hours of playing time. I can already picture my dad strapping this to his golf bag or his pool umbrella. Either way, John Mellencamp is most certainly on repeat. — Emily Haas
The Stinger
You know you’ve hit a nice drive when you can just bend down and pick up the tee without even watching the ball.
B. Draddy Liam Polo
Created from the softest Peruvian Pima Cotton and with just the right amount of stretch to swing freely on the links, this polo is perfect for wearing both on the course and out with friends. (There’s also a deal right now to buy one and get another 50% off with the code: DADSANDLADS.)
Lulu Commission Pants
Dads, as a rule, aren’t good at buying pants. That’s why they could use some help — and a nudge in the right direction. My Lululemon ABC pants are my go-to, but this Father’s Day, I’m snagging a pair of Lulu’s Commission pants for Dad. They have the same super-comfortable athleisure vibe with a slightly more “workplace” look, so they translate straight from the office to the course to the couch. Perfect to upgrade your dad’s vibe and his comfort at the same time. A win-win! — Dylan Dethier
NeedleGolf Headcover
This is a slam-dunk purchase to gift my dad, brothers, friends or just about any golf dad (or golf fan) in the world. NeedleGolf’s stitched needlepoint headcovers are meticulously made and one of the coolest conversation pieces you can add to your bag. One of NeedleGolf’s newest items is also one of its best sellers, a blade head-cover that pays homage to the most famous driver sheath in the world, Tiger Woods’ “Frank” headcover. These won’t help you make more putts, but they will be a hit in any golfer’s foursome. — Josh Berhow
Ecco Street 10
How does Dad play his golf? Efficiently. First off, he doesn’t like changing his shoes in the clubhouse (nor will you catch him swapping kicks in the parking lot). Mainly, strapped for time, he wants to flow seamlessly from one task to the next, with one glove, one set of clubs and with these, one pair of shoes — The Ecco Street 10 sneaker. Ecco has long been a shoe for here, there and everywhere, with soft spikes that don’t slow you down. No straps, no discs, no unnecessary frills. Just a comfortable, durable, onetime purchase that will last for years to come. — Sean Zak
Revo Summit Sunglasses
Do you know those middle compartments between the front seats of your car? If you were to open the one in my father’s ride, you would find a thrift store’s worth of cheap sunglasses he’s collected over the years. The kind that start to fall apart the moment you rip that tiny sticker off the temple and come with a UV protection close to zero. This year I’m going to help him see the world through new, high-quality Revo Summit sunglasses. They have a timeless look that is the perfect match for a timeless man. — Tim Reilly
Greenbooks by GolfLogix
These custom-printed greenbooks contain detailed 3-D imagery and are available for over 14,000 courses. These guides include three views of every hole. Quick-view heat maps outline the undulations and easy-to-see arrows help you play the proper approach and read every putt perfectly. (GolfLogix and GOLF.com are operated by the same holding company, 8AM Golf.) — Staff
Big Max Blade IP Push Trolley
The key to Father’s Day is finding a present that Dad will actually use. Better yet, one that fits his specific needs perfectly. The Big Max Blade IP push trolley checks both boxes. Walking the course is a great way to get enjoyable, low-impact exercise. But carrying a heavy golf bag can be too much of a good thing for dads who are getting on in years. And if your dad is like mine, flashy products are a no-go, no matter how effective they are. So the Blade IP’s low-key profile is just right, and you don’t have to sacrifice any bells and whistles, either. — Kevin Cunningham
GOLF Magazine Subscription
My father is 83 and still the sharpest guy in the room. His bod, after near 60 years of rounds? Not as strong, but he still loves the game and consumes as much of it as he can, even with 18-hole excursions dwindling in each passing season. To keep him in the know and continue his passion, I’m getting him — cue drumroll for shameless plug here — a subscription to GOLF Magazine. It’s always loaded with stories, gear updates and Tour insights from the most knowledgeable writers in golf. Gifting couldn’t be easier. – David DeNunzio
Dormie Workshop Headcovers
My dad taught me everything I know about our other favorite game: baseball. And before that, my grandpa taught him. To commemorate the special place America’s pastime holds in our relationship and in our family’s history, I’m going to have Dormie Workshop transform one of my grandfather’s old gloves — currently gathering dust in the garage — into a headcover for my dad. Dormie takes just about any leather item you send them and creates a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. When they say custom, they mean it. — Rachel Bleier
Ann Arbor T-Shirt Company The Golf Father T-Shirt
If your dad is anything like mine, then he cherishes three things in the world: The Godfather movie series, playing golf, and being a dad. The shirt, made by the Ann Arbor T-shirt Co., is currently available on Amazon in a range of sizes. Don’t be surprised when he hits you with this quote when he opens the package: “A man who doesn’t spend time with his family can never be a real man,” or one of the many other quotables from the movie. — Andrew Tursky
Royal Albartross’ Woodley Grey Golf Shoes
Whether you’re on the course or out and about in an urban setting, the Woodley offers a striking look and built-in comfort every step of the way. The full side-stripe in Royal Albartross’ signature colors is an eye-catching addition to the textured Italian leather and suede uppers. A complimentary second pair of laces, in a different color, is included with each pair so the look can change quickly and easily.
William Murray Golf Glass Whiskey Chillers
They’re shaped like golf balls are also fun conversation pieces – I have them on my desk and my kids can’t help but swirl them around in their hands. This leather-wrapped flask is also quite snazzy. — Alan Shipnuck
Bombas Socks
Dad gave up on sculpting his six-pack decades ago, but despite his flabby abs, he manages to tee it up once or twice a week. One thing he always tries to do to keep fit is walk the course. There’s nothing worse than hoofing it with an inferior pair of socks. The Men’s Performance Golf ankle sock 6-pack from Bombas is just what Dad needs to make sure he stays comfortable for all 18 holes. Superior cushioning, airflow venting and thermo-regulation are just a few of the features that make this six-pack the best he’s seen in years. (Use promo code GOLF for additional savings.) — David DeNunzio
Ralph Lauren Classic Fit Polo
The classic fit polo from Ralph Lauren may not land squarely in Dad’s color palette, but when it comes to performance, protection and comfort, it’s right in his wheelhouse. The stretch jersey moves with his swing, the fabric provides a sun-protection rating of 35, the roomy silhouette makes sure it’s not too snug and the wick-away fabric keeps him cool. A little splash of color never hurt anyone, and it’s my prediction that this RLX polo gets plenty of play. — John Ledesma
Maui Jim Frigate Sunglasses
This is a Father’s Day gift I’m buying for myself. I never, ever go outside on a bright day without sunglasses … except to play golf. Standing over a ball in shades hasn’t worked for me because distortion around the edge of the lenses affects my depth perception and sweating on a hot day always makes the glasses slippery. The super-light Frigate from Maui Jim offers a crystal-clear view of the world, and the comfy nosepiece keeps the glasses exactly where they belong. A game changer for me. — Alan Shipnuck
Seamus Bronze Ball Marker/Bottle Opener
This is the perfect gift for the golfer who likes to have a little fun on and off the course — I’m looking at you, Dad! Handcrafted by blacksmiths in Portland, Ore. (no doubt after a few beers), this sleek, Seamus bronze ball marker/bottle opener provides function and fashion. For some added thoughtfulness, in-house artisans will hand stamp the marker with Dad’s initials. This is a Father’s Day memento he won’t soon forget — unless he reaches for his new gift one too many times. — Zephyr Melton
William Murray Leather-Wrapped Flask
A day of golf should not be stressful. This leather-wrapped vessel helps him remember an important lesson. – Staff
Puma Ignite NXT Pro Golf Shoes
Getting older in the game is all about relying on it more for weekly exercise. I’m talking about walking, walking, walking, and the Puma Ignite NXT Pro might be the best walking shoe out there. The upper is designed like a running shoe with a softer mold, but the base has loads of support and streams of rubber knobs that grab just enough turf to keep you grounded within the swing. They also come in at a lower-than-most price. — Sean Zak
FlagBag Golf Co. Customized Carry Bag
A customized carry bag from the just-founded FlagBag Golf Co., which will take actual flags flown on golf courses and turn them into the coolest, one-of-a-kind bags on the planet. “Every bag is highly personal,” says Matthew Smith, who co-founded the company along with his brother Josh, the superintendent at Orinda (Calif.) Country Club; the bags are made by the skilled artisans at Macdonald Leathergoods. “Maybe it’s the public course where you grew up, or the hole where you made your first ace, or the different clubs you belong to now. We can do anything.” — Alan Shipnuck
Bushnell Wingman Portable Speaker
My dad is the kind of golfer who doesn’t mind some tunes on the course, and Bushnell’s Wingman is the perfect blend of fun and function. The portable speaker is small enough to tote around but still packs a surprising stereo-quality punch. In addition to playing Dad’s favorite hits, the speaker is programmed to call out GPS distances through- out the round. With 10 hours of battery life and a magnetic strip that allows you to attach it to the cart, you can fire it up and worry about more important things — like breaking 80. — Jonathan Wall
Golf Clubs From Fairway Jockey
I finally convinced Dad to go in for a custom fitting. No easy task persuading my father to part with that amount of cash, but he understands the enormous benefit. Now I’ve got to convince him to pull the trigger on buying the clubs. At least I can make it easier by sending him over to Fairway Jockey. This group of master club builders will construct a set based on his exclusive specs, component by component. They also have a dizzying selection of stock and hard-to-find equipment to outfit even the most discerning golfer at the click of a button. (Fairway Jockey and GOLF.com are operated by the same holding company, 8AM Golf.) — John Ledesma
Foresight Sports Sim-in-a-Box
Getting out to the course isn’t as easy as it used to be, but Dad still needs his golf. And for that, there isn’t a better gift than the Sim-in-a-Box by Foresight Sports. With the “Par” package, the first thing to consider is where Dad will put it. Garage? Basement? I can think of a particular Man Cave in Wisconsin that could use an upgrade. The software comes preloaded with eight world-class tracks including Royal Birkdale, Carnoustie, Royal Troon and Wentworth. shop. — Sean Zak
Shaker & Spoon Cocktail Subscription
My dad is no mixologist, but with Shaker & Spoon, he might become one. The subscription-based service will send him a box loaded with all the goodies needed to make top-shelf cocktails from the comfort of home — all he needs to supply is the booze. Each month, a rotating list of all-star bartenders crafts drinks around a spirit and a theme, then sends along the recipes and ingredients for about a dozen alluring libations. At home or on course, one thing’s certain this Father’s Day: It’s five o’clock somewhere. — James Colgan
Dewar’s 15 Whisky
Golf is a gentleman’s game and that calls for a gentleman’s drink after the round. I’ve seen what my father’s face looks like after a triple bogey and I don’t want to see it return thanks to a sub-par drink. That’s why I’m picking him up a bottle of Dewar’s 15. It comes with a smooth, country-club, top-shelf taste at a public-track price — the best of both worlds! No matter what happened on the course, enjoying a quality post-round (possibly mid-round) drink with Dad is as good as it gets. — Tim Reilly
BreakingT Sports Apparel
“Fast fashion” — cheap clothing made by mass-market stores in response to the hottest trends — can’t hold a candle to BreakingT. The D.C.-based company monitors social-media data from Instagram, Reddit and Twitter to generate ideas for high-concept (and high-quality) sports apparel that you can be wearing while the news is still hot. (Now including, naturally, face masks and a T-shirt that reads “Can’t Quarantine the Hustle.”) So the next time something cool is trending in golf, like, say, Phil Mickelson’s calves — #Calves LikeAdonis — check to see if BreakingT has it covered. — Evan Rothman
The product(s) featured in this article has been independently selected by GOLF.com’s editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn a small commission.
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