We’ve focused a lot of our content on ensuring you know exactly which gifts to buy this holiday season. However, some gifts stand out as something you just shouldn’t buy. If you are wondering where the real mistakes are, the gifts we don’t recommend investing in, here are the 10 worst golf gifts you can buy in 2024.
Non-adjustable drivers
In our Best Golf Driver testing of 2024, we found that non-adjustable drivers are becoming obsolete. Having the ability to adjust a golf driver is important, especially important if you are buying one as a gift. The golfer you purchase for will want the ability to adjust the driver to their needs.
Here are a few of our top drivers from 2024 to try instead:
- Best Overall: PING G430 Max 10 K
- Runner-Up: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond
- Best for Distance: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D
- Best for Forgiveness: PXG 0311 XF GEN 6
Poorly rated golf balls
Not sure which golf balls are rated poorly? Take a look at our testing and our Ball Lab quality awards. Not all golf balls are the same and if you are going to spend money on them, get something that golfers will truly benefit from. Stay away from matte golf balls. They cut spin rates too much.
A few options are:
Uncomfortable golf shoes
More golfers are walking the course and realizing comfort is just as important as any other feature in a golf shoe. When we did our best golf shoe testing this year, we rated each spiked and spikeless model for comfort. The most comfortable shoes were the Skechers Go Golf Blade and the Skechers Go Golf Max 2 Rover Slip-In.
Non golf-specific apparel
Buying a basic polo not made specifically for golfers is a mistake. Look for something with moisture-wicking fabric, four-way stretch, performance material and some style. Our favorites include the Rhoback Classic Stripe, Lululemon Evolution and the TravisMathew Heater Pro Polo. If you want a fun design, check out the options from Bogey Bros.
Cheap Rangefinders
It’s tempting to scroll through Amazon and see golf rangefinders priced at $49 or less. Some of the top models are over $400 so this can seem like a great deal at first glance.
Trust us on this one: it’s not. We did the testing to prove it.
The cheap rangefinders aren’t accurate or reliable enough to make them worth using. Instead, look for something like the Shot Scope Pro L2. It’s on sale right now for $129 and was the Best Value Golf Rangefinder we tested in 2024. It’s accurate, has a cart magnet and features slope technology.
Golf cart speaker without GPS
Golf cart speakers were a big deal last year. You could find magnetic options for carts or small ones with the carabiner clip to attach to the bag.
In 2024, it’s all about the speaker with the GPS. We can take it a step further and say it’s all about the GPS speaker with a screen.
The Player+ Golf GPS Speaker and Bushnell Wingman View are great options. Pricing on the Wingman just dropped to $149. Golf cart speakers are a fun gift but at least give something with yardage capability and great functionality on the course.
Short tees
We tested tees of varying heights and the results proved shorter tees hurt distance capability. If players aren’t teeing their driver high enough, they lose distance, sometimes up to 15 yards. Tee height will impact the launch angle, backspin and angle of attack. If you buy golf tees as a stocking stuffer or part of a gift, get the long ones.
The Pride Professional 3 1/4 inch is a good option.
Expensive sunglasses
Expensive sunglasses for golfers may not be worth it in 2024. With new sunglass brands offering great options made specifically for golfers, it’s hard to pass up value choices from Knockaround or Goodr.
Something like the Goodr Just Knock it On pictured below is just $35. If you have a friend who is bound to leave their sunglasses on a table at the 19th hole or sit on them as they are getting in the golf cart, go for a more affordable (practical) option and even get two pairs!
More gifts
It’s is not necessarily about spending more money on the best golf gifts. It’s about thinking like a golfer and getting something practical and useful. Here are some other golf gift guides if you want more ideas.
- Best Golf Gifts Under $100
- Best Golf Gifts Under $50
- Best Golf Gifts for Men
- Best Golf Gifts for Women
- Best Golf Gifts on Amazon
- Cool Golf Gifts
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