This year, Father’s Day falls on Sunday, June 18. There are no hard rules to gift-giving for Father’s Day, but if there had to be one, it might be: Don’t get Dad a golf-print tie. Combining the most predictable dad accessory (tie) with the most predictable dad hobby (golf), and gifting novelty golf-print neckwear might be the most predictable Father’s Day present of all time. (In fact, back in the 1930s, Father’s Day was literally invented to sell neckties.) Instead, to find the best golf gifts for Father’s Day, we asked eight golf-loving dads what they actually want, combed through our archives to find expert-recommended golf gear, and threw in some cool-looking suggestions of our own. And if you’re looking for other gift ideas for Dad, check out our Father’s Day hub, where we compiled all of our favorite picks.
For the golf dad who wants to track his shot
Two golf dads we spoke with were excited about the high-tech Arccos system for tracking their performance. Joe Ostrowski, director of instruction at the Concession Golf Club, says that the 14 sensors that attach to club heads paired with the accompanying app collect information in the round such as greens in regulation and how far your shots go. “Using all the information it gathers and utilizing artificial intelligence, it will help improve your course management,” Ostrowski says. Ideal for busy dads who want to make every shot count, it also topped the wish list of a golf-loving father of two.
For golf dads who want to practice indoors
For a more customizable putting set, here’s a three-holed putting mat that John Rotunno (who happens to be the dad of a former Strategist editor) used to turn his living room into a mini-golf course. “By playing each hole twice, that became an 18-hole, par-54 course — which, while far from Augusta National, allowed my wife and I to play for hours together on a recent Saturday afternoon,” he writes.
For stylish golf dads
Equal parts classy and casual, this bold-colored cardigan from Malbon Golf speaks to the brand’s fusion of golf style and streetwear aesthetic.
For the golf dad who’s a beginner
For the dad who’s just getting into golf, these FootJoy gloves are a reasonably priced gift that will help improve his game. Dan Schwabe, PGA Class A golf professional and golf instructor at Presidio Golf Course in San Francisco, recommends these for beginners specifically. He explains that golf newbies tend to “hold the club too much in their lead palm and too far to the end of the club, so it acts like a little knife high up in the heel of the hand.” This glove helps prevent that by being “a little thicker overall, and there is a thicker pad in the palm,” he says. Plus, synthetic gloves like these last longer.
For the data-driven golf dad
Scott Reid, former tournament director for the PGA Championship and father of two, admits that the best gift he’s ever received was a surprise trip to the world-famous, scenic Pebble Beach Golf Links. But in lieu of figuring out how to whisk dad away for an epic golf weekend, he suggests gifting a Swing Caddie launch monitor that measures swing speed, ball speed, and tracks stats for every club in dad’s bag.
For the golf dad who wants a shoe he can wear on and off the course
For a golf shoe that could easily double as a sneaker, these Adidas come recommended by Aaron Flink, EVP and chief strategy officer at Pebble Beach Resort in Pebble Beach, California. “The softer knit top makes it kind of like a sneaker, with a beautiful profile and super comfort,” he says. “It gives me the structure I need while playing, but I can then throw on jeans and go out to dinner and they are still fairly classy. They do it all.”
For the tech-head golf dad
The SC4 is Voice Caddie’s newest model, and it comes with improved data accuracy (compared to previous models) and the ability to tell you your launch direction.
For the golf dad who’s been wanting to plan a trip
Tim Townsend, a PGA senior professional at the Golf Club at Chelsea Piers and a father of three, said, “The best golf-related Father’s Day gift I ever received was an awesome book of hidden-gem golf resorts to visit while vacationing.” Stunning photography of courses around the world will get dad dreaming of future golf trips.
For the golf dad who wants laserlike focus
Ron McDougal, head pro at Golf & Body and father of a teenage daughter, says his ideal gift would be a good range finder: a GPS laser device for measuring distance from a flag or hazard on the course. Joe Ostrowski of the Concession Golf Club calls this one from Garmin the most technologically advanced range finder on the market.
For the golf dad who wants the course map in his pocket
Sleek and pocket-size, this nifty Garmin GPS is preloaded with maps of more than 40,000 golf courses around the world. It displays the shape of the green, locations of water hazards and sand traps, and your yardage from any point on the course. It’s also available as a watch.
For the golf dad who wants to set up his devices in the cart
As for toting all that tech gear on the course, Steve McMillan, founder of product-review site TheGolfingDads, uses these phone caddies from Desert Fox that have a velcro strap that attaches to his golf cart. “I have two on my cart at all times,” he says. “One has my GPS unit and the other has my cell phone in it.” The caddy is adjustable so it’ll work for most phones and devices.
For the golf dad who could use a golf-bag upgrade
McMillan recommends this clever bag that includes a solar-powered phone charger, a Bluetooth speaker, and room for up to six cans of his beverage of choice. Even with all these features, McMillan says the bag “weighs almost next to nothing” and is surprisingly comfortable to carry.
For the golf dad who wants to zip around the course
It’s definitely an investment, but this electric scooter, recommended by Nick Patti, first assistant at Pine Hollow Club, promises a smooth ride thanks to its front and rear suspension. There’s also the option add different accessories, like speakers or rugged tires for more uneven terrain.
For golf dads in pain
After a round of golf, a massager alleviates any muscle tension and soreness. The Hypervolt is “great for personal use to massage sore muscles,” according to chiropractor David Perna of Back & Body Medical, who adds that it’s “used a lot by therapists, masseuses, chiropractors, and athletes alike.”
For the golf dad who wants a better pair of golf pants
A favorite of fashion-conscious golfers, these lightweight straight-leg pants might be a step up style-wise from what dad would pick on his own.
For the golf dad who wants running-shoe-level comfort
These shoes (one of Pine Hollow Club’s Patti’s picks) take inspiration from Nike’s running shoes for comfort and responsiveness while adding golf-specific traction.
For the golf dad who travels
“I use this all the time and it’s just plain awesome,” says Dan McCracken, director of golf at Golfzon Leadbetter, who uses it every day while traveling to and from teaching lessons. He says the bag is “super spacious and dynamic,” and the ideal accessory for stylish golf dads who travel for business or weekend getaways. It’s versatile enough that it can be used as a weekender or unfolded and used as a garment bag. “And for those frequent fliers, it easily fits in the overhead bin of the airplane compartment.” Plus, the bag can be personalized with your dad’s initials.
For the organized golf dad
Strategist contributor Alex Olivo utilized a golf-bag organizer as an at-home gym storage space, but we think it’d be an ideal gift for dads looking to declutter their gear. This one from the Container Store is more heavy-duty since it’s made entirely of steel and has plenty of storage. It features enough space for two golf bags, plus three shoe shelves, a catchall bin for golf balls, and four accessory hooks for caps or gloves.
For statement-making golf dads
According to product reviewer McMillan, these bright checkerboard towels are “made to not match anything,” and that’s kind of the point. “It’s a fun conversation piece that people always comment on,” he says, perfect for dads who want to stand out. The moisture-wicking microfiber on the reverse side will last longer — and smell better — than dad’s old terry-cloth towel.
For the golf dad who wants to add some style to his kit
Another bold pick from McMillan, these towels from Canadian brand Uther come in a range of patterns from “Tropical Holiday” to this classic plaid print.
For monogram-loving golf dads
Custom golf balls with his name, initials, or a special message will make dad smile whenever he tees up.
For a golf dad who appreciates a one-of-a-kind gift
A personalized, etched ball marker is a better option for dads who are often “misplacing” balls in water hazards or penalty areas. McMillan, fan of the one-of-a-kind personal gift, recommends Liberty Ball Markers for copper or aluminum markers that can be customized with any phrase or design that’s meaningful for dad.
For the golf dad who likes to putt during work calls
Skip the miniature desktop putting set and get dad a gift that will really help his game when he can’t get out on the green. Features like automatic ball return and alignment lines make this putting board a serious training tool.
For the golf dad who can’t get enough of Caddyshack
This behind-the-scenes look at the chaotic production of the classic, oddball golf film will be perfect for rainy-day reading.
For thirsty golf dads
With tees, ball markers, and a divot tool included, this handsome and handy leather-wrapped flask is more than just a discreet way for dad to turn that Arnold Palmer into a boozy John Daly.
For the golf dad who loves to play Cornhole, too
“This is for the dads who love tailgates, office, and clubhouse fun,” says Golfzon Leadbetter’s McCracken. Chippo can also be set up during a backyard barbecue or beach day. By combining elements of golf with the popular game Cornhole, it is “an easy way to work on your short game while having fun with friends and family.”
With additional reporting by Karen Iorio Adelson and Arielle Avila.
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