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Golf Gifts - A Suggestion

© Bill Howard

The holidays are upon us. Golfers can present the most difficult choices on your gift list. What on earth do you buy them? It's always a bad idea to buy clubs unless you have received a specific request. Golf shoes won't be the right size. Ball retrievers, though you probably mean well, are a little insulting. Golf balls are tough because everybody prefers to play a particular type, and there are hundreds to choose from. Lastly, we all know that it's best to let golfers dress themselves.

After years of buying gifts for golfers, I can safely say that books are the best way to go. Some can be found at the book outlets or in mall bookstores. This is especially true of the "coffee table" books. I have found that the most enjoyable place to shop for golf books is at used book stores. There is a used book store near you. You might not be aware of it, but it's there. Go and browse. You'll have a blast. Every used book store I've ever been in has a golf section, but don't limit yourself. Take your time and be thorough.

I try to avoid "How To" golf books unless they are old or written by a respected teacher. I feel obligated to point out here that respected teachers and famous teachers are different things altogether. Best just to avoid the category.

There are still a wide variety of options. Any book on golf history is an excellent idea. This is especially true of books on golf history in Europe. I always buy anything I see that is written by Herbert Warren Wind. He is the best golf writer to have graced the planet. P.G. Wodehouse is also very good. The recipient of a book by either of these gentlemen will be very pleased.

There is also a sub - category that the golfer on your list might get a kick out of. Let's call this category "Goofy Stuff". The best example of this genre is a small paperback titled "5 Simple Steps to Perfect Golf". It was written by one Count Yogi, a gentleman from India. The book is a bizarre mix of self promotion, braggadocio, and dime store mysticism. It's quite simply hilarious. I've had a copy for fifteen years and it still makes me laugh. If you see it, get it. There are other examples along those lines. You'll know them when you see them.

Now that I think about it, there really aren't any bad choices in the book category. The