If you have a golfer on your gift list, selecting the right gift can be



daunting. Golfers have very real opinions about what's right for them. The

scratch golfer that plays a soft cover high spinning golf ball may be

gracious about the 15 ball pack of Top-Flites, but will probably give them

away to friend struggling with distance.

Matching the gift to the golfer's preferences and skill level can be an art

and a science, but we can help.

First, be very careful about purchasing clubs unless you obtain personal

data on what the golfer really wants. A set of irons can now be configured

with hybrids in place of long irons. Shaft options are have increased and

may be the most important single element in the club make up. For example,

the speed a golfer swings the club and the tempo of the swing should be

matched. Many golf retail outlets and country club pro shops are equipped to

custom fit the individual golfer. Unless you have specific data, you can

purchase a gift card that your special golfer can use to be fitted by a golf

professional.

Some specialty golf clubs, like putters and wedges, are a much easier

choice. Most serious golfers have several and are usually ready to try

something new. I have been known to have 8 to 10 back up putters waiting in

the garage. A round with multiple 3 putts will usually initiate a move to a

new putter while the offending putter receives penance in a dark corner. I

also have an affinity for wedges and own different models with lofts of 48,

52 54, 56, 57, and 60 degrees. Depending on the golf course and turf

conditions different wedges may provide an advantage on those little finesse

shots.

Drivers and fairway woods or iron-woods offer many choices, but really

require specific knowledge. The golf club reviews on internet sites like

www.golfclubsntips can assist you in making an

appropriate choice. Generally, we advise staying with name brand golf clubs

from the major club manufactures like Titleist, Callaway, Taylormade, Ping,

Cleveland, and Mizuno.

Golf balls, the right golf balls, are always welcome. The dedicated golfer

always needs golf balls. Yes, even good golfers lose, scuff, and otherwise

destroy golf balls. Current golf ball technology has significantly

specialized golf balls. We can now buy golf balls that fly higher or lower,

spin more or less, and roll more or less. Golf balls have become

personalized to the golfer's game. Finding out the individual's preference

is important. Again, reviews of golf ball characteristics are on the web.

You can not be too wrong if your choose a dozen tour level golf balls like

Titleist Pro V1's or the Callaway Tour i/ix.

Golf accessories can offer many good choices from head covers to desk items.

The off-course retail shops like Austad's Golf



offer a wide array especially

around the holidays. Austad's is family owned and has been in business since

1913. They have an excellent customer service record and most items are

available on their web site.

When all else fails, all golfers wear golf shirts. Happy shopping!