From the Tips

Golf Gifts for Beginners

Are you looking for the perfect holiday present for a loved one or family member who’s newly hooked on golf? You’re not alone—golf has grown to become one of the most popular sports in the country over the last three years, and from clubs and bags to balls and tees, there’s an endless supply of golf gear to choose from. For new players especially, there tends to be a lot of uncertainty when shopping for new gear, so setting them up the right way is important. Golf Galaxy’s team of expertly-trained certified fitters and professionals is always available for you, both online and in store, to help with questions, concerns or issues.

New golfers tend to want quality gear that will enhance their enjoyment of the game, at an affordable price. To that end, here’s a list of a dozen or so products that can make great gifts, from full sets of clubs and bags to apparel and accessories. A couple of the products highlighted here are designed specifically for playing golf in the cooler months while others are ideal for year-round play.

Learning how to play is critically important, too. Consider a Golf Galaxy gift card for your new golf fan, which can be applied to golf lessons with our staff of PGA- and LPGA-certified teaching professionals. 

1. Top Flite 2022 XL 13-Piece Complete Set  

Though “starter” or “box” sets (where the clubs and golf bag come in one box) have been around for decades, they’ve become more important within the golf equipment hierarchy as more new players get into the game. The Top Flite XL 13-piece set offers beginners the opportunity to understand what it’s like to experience the sport without breaking the bank. The package includes 10 clubs, a stand bag and headcovers for the driver and fairway wood. Specifically, there’s a 460-cc titanium driver, a 3-wood, two hybrids (4H and 5H), an iron set from 6-iron to pitching wedge, and a putter. A lightweight bag with a comfortable dual strap makes carrying (and walking the course) more of a pleasure than a burden. The clubs and bag are available in a range of accent colors: blue; red/white/blue; green; or camouflage. 

2. Top Flite Women's 2022 XL Complete Set

The Top Flite XL set for women consists of nine clubs, a stand bag and headcovers for the 460-cc titanium driver and 3-wood (no headcover with the 5-hybrid). Each club has a lightweight graphite shaft, including the mallet putter. The steel-headed irons (6-iron to pitching wedge) come with wide soles that lower the center of gravity and allow the club to travel through the turf more easily and get shots airborne. A lightweight stand bag is part of the set—it features six dividers to keep clubs organized as well as three pockets to store golf balls, extra clothing and valuables (wallet, car keys, phone). Players can select the accent color (clubs and bag) of their choice: aqua; iris; mint; or purple

3. Top Flite 2022 Kids' 9-Piece Complete Set

Is the new golfer in your life a junior? The Top Flite 2022 Kids set is built for players who stand 4’5” or taller, and it includes six clubs (driver, hybrid, 7-iron, 9-iron, sand wedge and putter), a stand bag and headcovers for the driver and hybrid. The ultra-flexible, lightweight graphite shafts absorb some of the shock that could radiate into the hands on mis-hits. The oversize mallet putter has “wings” that juts back from the clubface to stabilize the head and help with aim and alignment. The kids set is available in right-handed or left-handed versions. Choose from several fun color combinations: blue/black; orange/grey; red/white/blue; or volt/black.

4. Maxfli Tour X Gloss White Golf Balls (12-pack)

Golf balls make for great gifts this time of year. Even better, the Maxfli Tour X is a premium performance product that costs 30 percent less per dozen than other tour-level balls. The Tour X has a large, reformulated core that bolsters both ball speed and distance on full-swing shots. It’s designed with a soft, cast urethane cover that provides top-shelf spin on short scoring shots such as lobs and low pitches. The soft-feeling Tour X is slightly firmer than its sister product, the Maxfli Tour, and flies marginally higher as well. One more thing: The parallel lines stamped on the side of the ball can assist with aim and alignment while putting

5. Adidas Men's Tech Response 2.0 Golf Shoes

The water-resistant golf shoe has sneaker-like styling, starting with the synthetic mesh upper (top of the shoe) which allows the feet to breathe. In addition, the company’s proprietary EVA material (soft, flexible plastic) in the midsole and sock liner make it quite comfortable to walk around in. The feet won’t tire due to the extra support. There’s plenty of built-in traction, whether swinging the driver, walking the fairways between shots, navigating uneven lies or just hanging out away from the course. That’s because the rubber outsole has dozens of “x-shaped” multi-directional nubs plus six traditional “cleats.” The Tech Response 2.0 comes in sizes 7 to 14, in choice of widths: Medium (D) or Wide (EE). Color options include black/white, grey/silver/white or white/black. 

6. Adidas Women's Tech Response 2.0 Golf Shoes

The athletic-looking Tech Response 2.0 for women is built to provide the same level of comfort as your favorite pair of sneakers. Keys to the design are the soft EVA foam foot liner and midsole, which help to put a spring in your step, while the mesh upper regulates temperature so the feet don’t overheat or over-perspire. There’s also plenty of support and stability, which puts players in total control during the swing. The rubber outsole includes six cleats and loads of humps and bumps for gripping power in a variety of playing conditions. The medium-width shoes are available in a full complement of sizes (5.5 to 11). With three catchy color motifs—black/silver, white/silver or white/light blue—players can coordinate their shoes to match virtually any outfit.

7. FootJoy StaSof Golf Glove

Few products in the game are as well-regarded as the venerable StaSof glove from FootJoy. That’s because the high-quality, durable leather this glove is made of stays soft and supple even after repeated use in all sorts of weather conditions. The glove also has a tacky feel when gripping the club, and it wicks away moisture and provides a secure fit. The mesh backing along the top, near the knuckles, enhances the fit and flexibility while numerous perforations along the fingers enable the glove hand to breathe, which boosts overall comfort. The StaSof comes in right- or left-handed in regular or cadet sizes. Choose from black or white in five sizes (medium, medium-large, large, extra-large or double-extra-large). 

8. Maxfli 3.25” Performance Series Precision Golf Tees - 100-Pack

If you’ve seen one golf tee, you’ve seen them all, right? Not exactly. Maxfli’s 3.25-inch tall wooden tee has three distinct black rings to help players tee the ball at the same height time after time. Proper tee height is an underappreciated and overlooked aspect of consistent, quality contact. Golfers who tee up the driver “too low” oftentimes cost themselves carry and overall distance. That’s because they’ll likely hit a lower-launching shot that spins too much. By contrast, hitting up on the ball with the driver can produce higher launch and relatively less spin (preferred technique for greater carry distance and roll). With the Performance Series tee, players eliminate the guesswork and can focus on making their best swing. 

9. Nike Men's Club Fleece Golf Hoodie

As the game has grown, golf apparel has come a long way. Until recently, donning a hoodie during play would’ve been unusual for traditional golfers, but that’s no longer the case—hoodies are everywhere in golf nowadays. A popular model is Nike’s Club Fleece Golf Hoodie, which is made from a moisture-repelling cotton/polyester blend with brushed back fleece. The ribbed cuffs and bottom hem give it a sleek look that also feels comfortable while swinging the club. Let’s not forget the “Kangaroo” pocket, which makes it easy to bury the hands for a little warmth on brisk mornings. The hoodie comes in a variety of colors (black; white; maroon; grey; green) and sizes (Small to XXL). 

10. Lady Hagen Women's Printed UV Long Sleeve Golf 1/4 Zip

Lady Hagen golf apparel combines high-tech performance with a tasteful look at affordable prices. The 11 stunning patterns in this long-sleeve, quarter-zip design include classic leopard, navy with cocktail glasses, daisies in black and white, strawberry-colored buds, and more. With so many options to choose from, it’s possible to outfit an entire golf wardrobe this fall. The polyester/spandex blend stretches during the swing. Better yet, the material provides UPF50 protection from the sun’s rays. Plus, the fibers are meant to wick away moisture (perspiration) from the body. The material also has a cooling technology, which means players should feel comfortable and dry from the start of the round to the final hole. The prints come in a full selection of sizes: XS to XXL.

11. Lesson Gift Card

Golf Galaxy gift cards can be used toward new clubs, balls or apparel. Even better for the beginner golfer in your life, you can get an e-gift card for lessons at your local Golf Galaxy store with a PGA- or LPGA-certified pro. The off-season is a terrific time to work out some swing kinks so you can start next season with a flourish. Golf Galaxy’s certified professionals can help fix that nagging over-the-top move, pull hook or whatever ails you. Our lesson bays are stocked with high-tech equipment, including TrackMan launch monitors, so players see exactly how their swing changes are taking hold. The gift card-giver would simply select the equivalent dollar amount to the preferred lesson package: one 30-minute lesson is $79.99 (Junior is $49.99); three lessons are $219.99; six lessons are $399.99; 10 lessons are $599.99.