Best Golf Gifts for New Dads (That They’ll Actually Use)
By Dave · Golf · showingupdad.com
Heads up: some links in this post are affiliate links. If you buy through them I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend gear I’d actually put in my own bag.
Shopping for golf gifts for new dads is trickier than it looks, and it starts with one thing you should probably skip. Don’t buy him golf balls.
I know. It feels like a safe bet. It’s golf-related, he needs them, done. But unless you know exactly which ball he plays, you’re guessing. Golfers are picky about their ball. A lot of us have been playing the same one for years. Buy him a sleeve of something random and there’s a decent chance they sit in the garage. It’s not your fault, it’s just how it goes.
The good news is there’s a lot of other stuff he actually wants, and most of it is more interesting than a sleeve of Pro V1s anyway.
Headcovers
This is the move. A good headcover is personal, practical, and most golfers don’t buy them for themselves because it’s hard to justify spending money on something decorative. Which is exactly why it makes a great gift.
The best ones have some personality. Animal covers are perennially popular. Pins & Aces and Stitch Golf both make premium options that feel like actual quality, not a novelty item you toss after one season. Swag Golf does NFL-themed covers if he’s got a team. Daphne’s headcovers have been around forever and they have a cover for basically every personality, from classic to absurd.
If you want to go the fun route, ReadyGOLF does covers with actual humor. Think “How’s My Driving?” embroidered on a driver cover. For a dad who doesn’t take himself too seriously, that lands.
Price range: $30 to $80 depending on the brand and style. Most of them are available on Amazon or through Dick’s.
A Quarter Zip He’ll Actually Wear
Here’s the thing about golf apparel: a lot of it looks like golf apparel. Which is fine on the course but means it never leaves the golf bag. A good quarter zip is different. A dad who golfs will wear it on the course, to grab coffee, to watch his kid’s stuff, everywhere.
TravisMathew is the sweet spot here. Good quality, not too flashy, looks like real clothes. Johnnie-O is another strong option, the Sully pullover specifically has a cotton blend that feels broken-in without looking sloppy. Both run around $150 and are available at Dick’s. They’re not cheap, but either one will get worn way more than a typical piece of golf apparel.
If the budget is tighter, Walter Hagen is worth a look. It’s Dick’s house brand for golf apparel and it punches above its price point. You’re not getting the same fabric as TravisMathew but for $40 to $50 it’s a solid quarter zip that holds up.
Tip on sizing: golf quarter zips tend to run a little trim. If he’s between sizes, go up.
The Small Stuff That Actually Gets Used
A magnetic divot tool with a ball marker attached is one of those things every golfer uses on every single round and rarely thinks to replace. The Pitchfix Switchblade is the one most guys on the course have for a reason. It’s clean, the magnet actually holds, and it doesn’t feel like a piece of junk after six months. Under $20 on Amazon.
A good golf towel is in the same category. Ghost Golf makes a magnetic one that clips to an iron and holds without flopping around. Small thing. Noticeable every round.
And if he doesn’t already have a bluetooth speaker on his bag, the JBL Clip 5 is the one to get. It’s small, waterproof, clips right onto the bag with a built-in carabiner, and gets around 12 hours of battery on a charge. Runs about $60 to $80 on Amazon. Walking 18 is a lot more enjoyable with music.
What to Skip
Beyond the ball issue already mentioned, avoid swing aids and training equipment unless he specifically asked for something. Buying a dad a “fix your slice” gadget is a lot like buying someone a diet book. You might mean well. He won’t love it.
Same goes for GPS watches at the high end unless you know his exact wrist size and preferences. Great gift in theory. Complicated in practice.
The Honest Summary
A fun headcover. A quarter zip he can wear off the course. A divot tool that doesn’t feel cheap. Any of those three lands well, doesn’t require you to know his handicap, and will actually get used. That’s the whole list.
Links Below:
Pins & Aces NASA
ReadyGolf Putter Cover
johnnie-O Sully 1/4 Zips
TravisMatthew 1/4 Zips
Pitchfix Divot Tool
Ghost Golf Towel
JBL Clip Speaker
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