It's the 2014 Devil Ball Golf holiday gift guide!
The holiday season is here, and that means it's time to do some shopping for the loved ones in your life, as well as picking up a few things for yourself. We here at Devil Ball Golf are here to help with our holiday gift guide, with 20 suggestions for all kinds of golf gifts that could be perfect for the hacker in your life or in the mirror.
Titleist ProV1 golf balls (MSRP: $62): The ProV1 and ProV1 X balls are gold standard for the sport, dominating sales. By no means are they inexpensive, but, for the better player, they offer spin where you need it, feel with the scoring clubs and distance off the tee. You need golf balls every time you play, though, so why recommend a box as a holiday gift? Right now, you can get free personalization with an order. That customization can be a little fun or inspiring (or ego-stroking) through the coming season.
Bushnell Tour Z6 Jolt laser rangefinder (MSRP: $399): Who wants to pace off yardages like a putz when there are distance-measuring devices that will give you a tour-grade number? You can use a GPS unit, but it's hard to argue with the exact measurement from a laser rangefinder. The Bushnell Tour Z6 Jolt is one of the best, offering an easy-to-use unti with clearly marked yardages. The unit also buzzes, like your phone does when you get a text message, when you've hit your target. This bad boy is worth its weight in gold...because you'll be winning your weekend games.
Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts “Bucket List Golf Package” ($501 per player, quadruple occupancy): Myrtle Beach has everything a golfer wants: a bazillion courses, oceanfront accommodations, great food and as much off-the-course fun as you can imagine. This package featues four nights of oceanfront accommodations in a two- or three-bedroom condo and four rounds on some of the best publicly accessible courses in the U.S.: Caledonia Golf and Fish Club, Dunes Golf and Beach Club, True Blue Plantation, and Barefoot Resort's Love Course. You'll also get a daily breakfast and a prime rib dinner. Available through January 14, 2015.
Kentwool Tour Profile performance golf socks (MSRP: $19): There is no better golf sock in the world than Kentwool, backed by a family with over a century making wool products. Their socks are comfortable, durable and come in a large variety of styles and colors. Take it from a guy whose toe bursts through socks too often, the Kentwool socks are my go-to on the course.
The Annika Academy Soren-Slam package ($9,250 per person): Odds are, your game could use a little work. So why not take a lesson or two? And who would be a better instructor than 10-time major champion Annika Sorenstam? Sorenstam opened the Annika Academy at Reunion Resort in Orlando, Fla., in 2007, employing her long-time team to teach students simple techniques to improve their game and fitness, Annika's passions. In the Soren-Slam package, students learn under Sorenstam's watchful eye for three days and includes a nine-hole round, instructional clinic, lunch and autograph session with the Swedish-born star.
Arccos Golf (MSRP: $399): If you want to get better at golf, you have to know what's keeping you from better scores. Arccos Golf is the product to help you learn just that -- and if what you're doing to fix your problem areas in actually helping. The product comes with nubs that are inserted in the butt end of the grip of each of your clubs that are then paired with your Apple device via Bluetooth. Arccos automatically recognizes when you swing the club and tracks your shots over the course of a round in conjunction with the mobile device's GPS unit. You get stats and feedback in real time, as well with more data and analysis afterward. You'll learn how well you do in five facets of the game, as well patterns in how you approach golf. It's a great investment in your game.
Seamus Golf hand-crafted headcovers (MSRP: $40-$65): Headcovers serve a dual purpose: They stop your clubs from getting dinged up while sloshing around in the golf bag and to make a fashionable statement. Seamus Golf headcovers excel at both with brilliant simplicity. Stitched by hand in Oregon, the headcovers look beautiful, often favoring tartan patterns. The headcovers come in driver, fairway wood and hybrid styles, as well two different types of pouches.
59 Belts buckle/strap set: If you don't have a nice belt and buckle combo for when you play golf, you're either too old to care or lack personal flair. But that's not you, Devil Ball Golf reader. And that's why you should consider getting a 59 Belts buckle and strap set. Whether it's a pre-made design, a custom initials buckle or a completely unique-to-you job, 59 Belts will produce a beautiful, long-lasting look you can wear for years.
Pebble Beach Golf Academy experience ($3,300 per person): If you haven't been to Pebble Beach, why on Earth are you waiting? There are few places on the planet as beautiful at the Monterey peninsula and few courses that can compete with Pebble Beach Golf Links. The California resort is offering an opportunity to improve your golf game and play three rounds of golf at Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill and Spanish Bay. The four-day experience includes first-class instruction from director of instruction and 2003 PGA of America teacher of the year, Laird Small, at the new Pebble Beach Golf Academy & Practice Facility, which opened this year. Dates are available in January, February and March.
TPC Sawgrass golf package ($475): The par-3 17th hole at the Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass is a hole you know you want to play, even if you dunk 10 in a row in the water surrounding the green just 140 yards away from the tee. But you may think it's a little too pricey to play. Wrong! With a TPC Network package, you get a round at the Stadium Course, a night at the Sawgrass Marriott, just steps from the gates to the property, as well a golf shirt and commemorative photo frame.
2nd Guy Golf apparel: Former Major League Baseball pitcher Russ Ortiz founded this small fashion label with a simple idea: selling golf apparel as a means of giving to others. The company donates proceeds from its sales to various charities. The threads look great, too, with simple designs that can appeal to every fashion taste. And for the ladies, there's 2nd Girl Golf, so the good looks and giving aren't limited to the fellas.
Adams Golf Tight Lies (MSRP: $250): The Tight Lies is back! Continuing the recent trend of resurrecting old brand names with new technology, the Tight Lies invokes the easy-to-hit club you saw on Golf Channel infomercials every day for a decade. A tri-level sole helps get the ball launched at impact from any lie. The Ghost Slot Technology hides a portion of the popular slot technology that delivers more forgiveness and distance. A low-profile design provides plenty of square inchage to make good contact.
Traditions Golf Club and Community ($249 per person, double occupancy): Who doesn't want to relive the glory days of college for a weekend? And what if you could stay in luxury accommodations and play a top-rated Jack Nicklaus design instead of sleep in a dorm and eat Ramen noodles? Traditions Club and Community, the private golf club and residential development located in College Station, Texas. home of Texas A&M University, has a stay-and-play package for January and February. The package includes a round of golf on Traditions Club’s Jack Nicklaus/Jack Nicklaus II design -- home of the Aggie men’s and women’s golf teams -- and lodging in the Southern Living-inspired cottages and casitas located onsite, as well access to the club’s resort-style amenities.
Callaway Golf Big Bertha Alpha 815 driver (MSRP: $450): This driver is the end-of-year sequel to the successful Big Bertha Alpha driver. The central feature to the original Alpha is the “gravity core,” a removable weight placed in the center of the club’s sole. One end is weighted with 10.5 grams of tungsten, while the other end is 1.5 grams of nylon. When the tungsten weight is placed facing inside the club, the weight creates a higher center of gravity with more spin. Flip it over and the ball spins about 300 rpm less off the face.
A forged composite crown allows weight to be moved to other places on the club (including in your hands with the adjustable weights). The club also comes with two plug weights — 7 grams and 1 gram — that can be placed in the heel or toe to create shot-shape bias. The company's OptiFit system offers customization with settings for loft and lie.
Hilton Head Island golf vacations: Hilton Head in South Carolina is the place to be in the winter, boasting average temperatures in the 60s and 70s. There are over 20 courses in the area, including the seven Heritage Collection courses including Palmetto Hall, Palmetto Dunes, Old South Golf Links and iconic Sea Pines Resort. And don't forget about Harbour Town Golf Links, home to the RBC Heritage.
Bandon Dunes golf vacation: If you haven't been to Bandon Dunes yet (like me), you've probably heard at least one of your golf buddies talk about how incredible it is. So what are you waiting for? It's not cheap to make the trip to Oregon, but it's well worth it. With four incredible 18-hole courses, a magical 13-hole short course and the Punchbowl putting course, Bandon Dunes is golf heaven. Excuse me now while I dial them up to make my first reservation.
Mizuno JPX-850 irons: Mizuno quietly makes some of the best golf clubs on the planet. In particular, they're recognized by people in the know as manufacturers of outstanding iron sets. However, they've typically catered to the better player. That's not the case with the JPX-850 irons. Designed for players with handicaps ranging from 10-25, these irons are designed for maximum distance and forgiveness. Take 'em for a spin, and if they're for you, then get custom fit for a set you'll enjoy for a long time.
3 Up golf balls (MSRP: $23-$33/dozen): 3 Up Golf is a unique company in the golf ball space. They're an independent ball maker out of New Hampshire that just introduced its second ball, the 2S14. The ball is designed for the player with average swing speeds, offering the right amount of feel with the right amount of spin for the average player. The dimple design promotes a higher trajectory to help players land the ball softer. Consider it the ProV1 for that player who falls under the big portion of the bell curve of golf skill. And $3 from every dozen sold goes to charity, so you can give forward, too.
Ashworth Golf Encinitas golf shoes (MSRP: $200): Golf shoes used to be the absolute worst thing about golf apparel. They were clunky, offering good traction but only in one position. Today, they're light, comfortable, stylish and made for every taste. The Encinitas shoes area a mix of modern technology with a classic look, offering the wing-tip look you remember with lightweight materials that still provide maximum traction through the golf swing on all golf terrain.
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
