Why do we golf? We may never get good at it, and even when we cross some self-imposed pinnacle of proficiency we face near-infinite new challenges and a good chance of the dreaded backslide. Yet once you catch the bug, driven by the euphoria of the perfect shot and the temperance to conquer your own emotions, you’re hooked for life.
The good news is there’s an ever-evolving bounty of gear and gadgets offering new ways to improve, enrich, and enhance the game we hate to love. To help you hone your search, I’ve rounded up my favorite golf gifts for every player and budget, all tested out on the links by yours truly. Whether you’re a hacker on the hunt or a loved one shopping for the afflicted, you’ll find the perfect gifts for every golfer below.
Updated October 2025: We’ve added the Sun Mountain Matchplay golf bag, Heathlander Golf Shoes, Juniper & James golf polo and shorts, and updated prices throughout.
WIRED’s Gear team has personally tested and vetted everything that appears in our gift guides. Also, be sure to check out Best Golf Rangefinders guide, and our gift guides for outdoorsy people, dads, and travelers.
It’s well known that golf isn’t the most sustainable game, using plenty of resources to create sculpted greens and a lovely landscape to explore. That doesn’t mean you can’t lean toward more environmentally friendly ways to play. In my Pacific Northwest home region, where the rain is aplenty, we have several courses that target sustainable ways to maintain their beauty.
That’s not always possible, especially in desert climates, but if you’re after geo-certified courses, this site can help guide you toward the best options in your area around the world. You’ll find plenty of other resources elsewhere online to help out, and it’s always nice to feel good about where you play in more ways than one.
