Waiting until the last minute to shop for the favorite golfer in your life isn’t all that rare. The explanation usually boils down to one of two problems: either you’re habitually late for everything that means that you will probably be late for your own funeral, which makes for an interesting wake; or, with all the high-tech gizmos on the market, you are not sure what to buy.
If the latter is the problem, help is at hand. With the aide of a few local merchants and a quick trip on the Internet, I was able to determine the top picks in several leading categories, give you some price guides, plus a helpful hint or two to narrow your selection.

Pro Golf Discount in Gulf Shores was tasked with picking the top drivers. They chose the Callaway Epic with a graphite shaft for $499 and the TaylorMade M2, also with graphite shaft, for $399.

A helpful hint when selecting any driver, wood, or iron, is to be sure to learn which shaft flex your player hits. They come in a variety such as stiff, extra stiff, regular, senior, and ladies. An easy way to make the pick is to look at the driver or clubs already in their golf bag. You will usually see a label on the shaft marked S, R, or L that signifies flex. Just duplicate it and that usually works. Another idea is to ask a playing buddy, just be sure they’re not a blabber mouth and will ruin the surprise.

Edwin Watts Golf Shop in Mobile touted the TaylorMade M2 irons as their big seller, eight clubs for $799.99 with steel shafts, or $899.99 graphite; also the Ping G400 in steel $899.99, or graphite $999.99. Another tip is that unless your intended recipient is extremely short or tall don’t worry about shaft length, just flex.

Looking good is always important. Golf 4 Less in Foley has Zero Restriction Outerwear for men and women on sale for $40, and Ladies SoFit clothing top and bottoms also for $40.

Dick’s Sporting Goods’, in Daphne and Mobile, top pick for putters, the club that no golfer can do without, is the TaylorMade Spyder in two models for $219 and $299. They also recommended the Callaway Odyssey O Works at $229.

Amazon’s hot golf gifts this year are 10LOL Golf Bags w/ Golf Bag Holder, $17.30-$21.38 and Emoji Golf Balls Gift Edition which includes 14 balls, 10 tees, a divot tool and carry bag for $25.97.

Tgw.com, a top Internet golf shop, offers FootJoy Men’s Hyperflex golf shoes on sale for $79 and Ecco Ladies Casual Hybrid golf shoes discounted to $99.

For the golfer that has everything try golf packages good for rounds or lessons at local courses. Most links offer a multi round deal.
The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail sells an annual Trail Pass that works all over the state and worthy charities offer similar statewide golf cards. Local golf professionals will put together a lesson package to fit your golfer and your budget. Shaving a few strokes off a favorite player’s game is a gift that lasts a lifetime.

These suggestions should take the stress out of last minute shopping and please any golfer on your list. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and visit our local links as much as possible.

Phillip Ellis is a local golfer, Publisher of Golf Today Magazine 1999-2017, author, Golf n’ Grits The Misadventures of Orville and Calvin Clyde, 2009 and the upcoming “Desi Quina Murder Mysteries.