Opinion & Analysis
GolfWRX’s 2015 Father’s Day Gift Guide
Not that you need reminding, but Father’s Day is June 21. And if your pops is a golfer, you’ve come to the right place. GolfWRX presents its annual Father’s Day Gift Guide with options for every budget.
If pops isn’t a golfer, may we make a recommendation? Get your dad a lesson from a PGA professional. It’s never too late to start chasing the little white ball, and there’s nothing better on Father’s Day than playing 18 with your paternal unit.
Here’s our suggestions for your Father’s Day shopping list in three price ranges.
Gifts on a Budget: $50 and Under
How Champions Think by Dr. Bob Rotella ($26)
Golf’s resident shaman of the mental game, Dr. Bob Rotella’s new book examines the foundational elements of high performers. While pops may not be competing in tour events or even for his club championship, he’s likely to find many morsels of value in Dr. Bob’s latest opus.
[wrx_buy_now oemlink=”http://books.simonandschuster.com/How-Champions-Think/Bob-Rotella/9781476788623″ oemtext=”Learn more” amazonlink=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1476788626/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1476788626&linkCode=as2&tag=golfwrxcom-20&linkId=NVT5IIHR3NQD7C7A”]
Nike Dri-Fit Victory Polo ($50)
A solid, no-nonsense performance polo from Nike at a good price. Available in nine colors. If you’re going to get pops a polo and don’t feel like dropping more than $75, this is a good play — whatever his tastes.
[wrx_buy_now oemlink=”http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/pd/dri-fit-victory-golf-polo/pid-10200482/pgid-647487″ oemtext=”Buy it from Nike” amazonlink=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009PPEPPC/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B009PPEPPC&linkCode=as2&tag=golfwrxcom-20&linkId=U4AVRZDIPF7YYUPI”]
Callaway Chrome Soft Golf Balls ($37.99/dozen)
We called Callaway’s Chrome Soft the “have your cake and eat it too” of golf balls, because they’re really long, really soft and spin like crazy around the greens for a low-compression ball. The three-piece design features Callaway’s Soft Fast core, which is paired with a stiffer mid layer to create more distance for golfers with less than 105 mph of club head speed.
[wrx_buy_now oemlink=”http://www.callawaygolf.com/golf-balls/balls-2015-chrome-soft.html” oemtext=”Buy them from Callaway” amazonlink=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QQ0VMBY/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00QQ0VMBY&linkCode=as2&tag=golfwrxcom-20&linkId=SPQL6HWJ4LTIZNSH”]
Middle of the Road: $50 to $500
A round with dad
We said it last year and we’ll say it again this year — this may be the best gift on the list. If you have a solid relationship with your father, 18 holes together at a fine golf course will be a treat. And if you don’t, the game of golf can be a great facilitator for patching things up. It can also facilitate epic blowouts…but we’re a glass-half-full golf outlet.
ARCCOS System ($299)
The Arccos system features 14 sensors that attach to the grip end of a club and pair via Bluetooth with the company’s free iPhone app. Once your dad begins a round of golf, the system maps, measures and records every shot taken, automatically capturing critical data. If dad has a little geek in him and uses something more sophisticated than the Jitterbug phone, this is a great gift.
[wrx_buy_now oemlink=”http://www.arccosgolf.com/products/the-1-performance-tracker-in-golf” oemtext=”Buy it from Arccos” amazonlink=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OZDGLCY/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00OZDGLCY&linkCode=as2&tag=golfwrxcom-20&linkId=JKUTFEPBDQEKDGCN”]
Ecco Golf Casual Hybrid ($160-$170)
We reviewed these earlier this year and they earned high marks. Ecco’s Golf Casual Hybrid is the golden standard in spikeless golf shoes. While pros and better players may still be living the spiked life, it’s no secret which way the wind is blowing in the world of dads and seniors: spikeless is the order of the day. Learn more from Ecco.
Titleist Professional Travel Gear ($225-$325)
If your dad is a bit of a traveler, consider Titleist’s new line of Professional Travel Gear, which the company has designed exclusively to cater to the business and lifestyle needs of serious golfers. With quality construction and premium materials — ballistic nylon, jacquard lining with grosgrain webbing and polished gun metal — these are great pieces from a respected golf brand.
Also on the Titleist front: The company is currently offering free personalization on custom orders of all Titleist golf ball. If there’s a foolproof gift for a golfer on Father’s Day, it’s a dozen Pro V1’s.
[wrx_buy_now oemlink=”http://www.titleist.com/golf-gear/travelgear/default.aspx” oemtext=”Learn more from Titleist” amazonlink=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ELM5KQM/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00ELM5KQM&linkCode=as2&tag=golfwrxcom-20&linkId=Q6N6NEKWI2Y7WLMU”]
Hopkins Golf CJ1 wedge ($129.99)
Go crazy and have dad’s fraternity nickname stamped on wedge for him. Or his favorite team colors. Even better: Get him a grind that will actually help him, say, get out of a bunker in one shot. Hopkins offers trillions of CJ1 options (not a figure of speech). Buy him a great wedge and ratchet up the it’s-the-thought-that-counts factor with a sweet customization. Start building Dad’s wedge.
Bettinardi Kuchar Model 1 Arm Lock ($375)
If you’d like your anchored-putter-loving padre to be smiling like Matt Kuchar for years to come, consider investing in the Bettinardi Kuchar Model 1 Arm Lock putter. Enough said. Read our review of the Kuchar putter.
[wrx_buy_now oemlink=”http://www.bettinardi.com/product/kuchar-model-1-arm-lock/” oemtext=”Buy it from Bettinardi” amazonlink=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UIH71BG/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00UIH71BG&linkCode=as2&tag=golfwrxcom-20&linkId=ZHIURYW72ZP3IHG6″]
Caddyshack Needlepoint Belt ($165)
Here it is, the piece de resistance: Smathers and Branson’s Caddyshack Needlepoint Belt. Arguably the most brilliant device ever constructed to hold a golfer’s pants up, grandma could only dream of needlepoint majesty like this.
[wrx_buy_now oemlink=”https://smathersandbranson.com/product/caddyshack-needlepoint-belt/” oemtext=”Learn more” amazonlink=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KM62MV2/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00KM62MV2&linkCode=as2&tag=golfwrxcom-20&linkId=HCGUUA3CRXPUTB7E”]
Ping G30 ($349)
The No. 1 selling driver of 2015, Ping’s G30 builds off the G25’s technology, making it even more forgiving. As we wrote in our review: “Even more impressive is that the company was able to lower its spin, too, which was the biggest knock on the G25. With its turbulators, the G30 also delivers a novel (and real) way to boost distance. We buy Ping’s claim that the G30 is about 7 yards longer than the G25.”
If dad’s in the market for a new big dog, this is the safest play.
[wrx_buy_now oemlink=”http://www.golfwrx.com/226339/review-ping-g30-driver/” oemtext=”Read our full review” amazonlink=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LUA7R4G/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00LUA7R4G&linkCode=as2&tag=golfwrxcom-20&linkId=IOZT4YJDUZWWPEAB”]
Big Spender: More than $500
Srixon Z745 irons ($999)
If Dad’s a better player, the Srixon Z745 irons are a great play. They’re more workable than the company’s Z545 irons, and the 1020 carbon steel one-piece forged irons are a money play if your pops is a player with purist tendencies.
[wrx_buy_now oemlink=”http://www.golfwrx.com/280275/srixon-z745-and-z545-irons/” oemtext=”Learn more” amazonlink=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OK1FBMM/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00OK1FBMM&linkCode=as2&tag=golfwrxcom-20&linkId=4KSL56VIITSWDP2H”]
TaylorMade RSi 2 irons ($899)
If your father has a tendency to spray the ball a bit, consider TaylorMade’s RSi 2 irons, which feature face slots on the heel and toe of each club to improve performance on mishits. As we found, the slots are a legitimate innovation that will save dad a shot from time to time.
[wrx_buy_now oemlink=”http://taylormadegolf.com/RSi-2-Irons/DW-WZ218.html#start=2″ oemtext=”Buy them from TaylorMade” amazonlink=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OIT8JXY/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00OIT8JXY&linkCode=as2&tag=golfwrxcom-20&linkId=U3X4JE3YJJPBS5P6″]
Kalos Golf’s “Golf Around the World” package ($78,000)
For the one percent of the one percent: If money is truly, truly no object, why don’t you drop $80K to take pops on a three-week, round-the-world-by-private-jet golf tour of the world?
Kalos Golf’s “Golf Around the World” package will hook you up with tee times at the finest courses in locations such as:
- Kona, Hawaii
- Fiji
- New South Wales, Australia
- Nirwana, Bali
- Chiangmai Highlands, Thailand
- Dubai
- Mauritius
- Fancourt, South Africa
- Club de Golf Valderrama, Spain
Naturally, you’ll stay in the finest luxury hotels and travel in a private, exclusively outfitted Boeing 757. And of course, you’ll be pampered and treated to a full slate of activities throughout the trip.
Don’t say we didn’t present you with the full range of Father’s Day options.
Opinion & Analysis
AVL: My U.S. Amateur local qualifying experience
This past Monday, I played in the U.S. Amateur local qualifier at Rock Creek Country Club in Portland, Oregon. A full tee sheet from 7:30 a.m. to 1:55 p.m., the top 11 scores would make it to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying.
I teed off at 10:48 a.m.. With the 7:30 am tee time, you can get a feel for the leaders’ pace, and they were off and running on the challenging setup at Rock Creek.
View this post on Instagram
Getting to the highlight of the round on the par five 17th, a drive up the left side and 212 yards left to the front hole location. I took out a 5-iron with plans of middle of the green. The ball ended up 8 feet left of the hole, pin high. A slight downhill putt dropped in for an eagle 3 on the 17th. With the cut line looking to be anywhere from -2 to even par. This was the boost I had been waiting for all day.
With making par from the trees on 18, it was time to wait for a potential playoff with a posted score of one under par 71.
Three hours later, it was playoff time. 8 players for 6 spots. I made par on the playoff hole, which was good enough to advance to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying in July. USGA qualifiers sure deliver on all of the emotions in golf!
Club Junkie
Building my 2026 gamer WITB: Ranking the contenders and new putter projects – Club Junkie Podcast
The annual What’s In The Bag build is underway, and on this episode of Club Junkie, Brian breaks down the clubs currently leading the race for a spot in his 2026 gamer setup. From drivers and fairway woods to irons, wedges, and shafts, he ranks the equipment that’s performing best and explains what’s separating the front runners from the rest of the field.
Brian also heads into the workshop to discuss several putter projects currently on the bench. From head options and shaft choices to build ideas and testing plans, he shares what he’s working on and which putters could become serious contenders for the bag this season.
If you’re a gear junkie who loves equipment testing, club building, and the never-ending pursuit of the perfect setup, this episode is for you.
Follow Club Junkie:
Instagram: @clubjunkiepod
TikTok: @clubjunkiepod
Threads: @clubjunkiepod
X: @ClubJunkiePod
Club Junkie
Tour Edge Exotics mini driver review + TaylorMade Spider ZT Max first look – Club Junkie
On this episode of Club Junkie, I put the new Tour Edge Exotics Mini Driver to the test and break down the performance, forgiveness, distance, and where it fits compared to a traditional driver or strong fairway wood. If you have been curious about adding a mini driver to the bag, this one is worth a look.
I also dive into the new TaylorMade Spider ZT Max putter that was recently spotted and discuss the growing zero torque putter trend. Plus, there is a closer look at the new Project X Titan Yellow shaft showing up on the PGA Tour and what makes it different from other profiles currently out there.
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Pingback: This Father’s Day, give Dad the gift of better golf | Arccos Golf Blog
Bali trekking
Jun 10, 2015 at 5:42 am
I don’t know if it’s just me or if perhaps everyone else experiencing issues with your website.
It appears as though some of the written text in your content are running off
the screen. Can someone else please comment and let me know if this is
happening to them as well? This may be a problem with my internet browser because I’ve had this happen previously.
Kudos
Matthew H.
Jun 9, 2015 at 11:52 am
Another one to add to the list would be Seamus Head Covers and Ball Marks. I love the copper ones and best part is they are all made in the US unlike most of the current golf product available. http://www.seamusgolf.com