if you are a golfer, what do you actually want?

[LowLevelWhinging]

I bet it's not crappy golf novelty themed stuff or a ball sack

DP has in the past treated himself to bits of golf gear for his birthday/christmas, but I would like to buy him something as a surprise.

He has a practice mat and net. he's recently bought new clubs.

So what else is there? is there a good brand of golf clothing or accessories?

Subscription to golf mag, vouchers for the pro shop. Ask a friend if he wants a new putter or something? Tickets to a match, likely to be in the spring?

Not a golfer, but DH is. I'd subtley ask if he needs any new clubs then head down to a golf shop with a budget in mind and get it. I did that last year and he was dead chuffed I'd remembered and had gone to the trouble of getting it.
Or, of he has a fancy phone you could get him a golf course gps thing. I think they do gadgets like that too that you don't need a phone for. Calculate the length to the hole sort of thing. Hth.

My DP always asks for new golf gloves and new balls every year. I bought him golf socks (£15 for one pair of socks!!!!!!!!) which went down well.

Last year he also got a lightweight raincoat and waterproof trousers which he loves.

Often go through golf-direct.com. Can't remember the brand though, but all golf clothes etc seem expensive IMO!

Pay for a round at Wentworth www.wentworthclub.com/golf/3158/

ooh, ooh, ooh, you are all BRILLIANT, thank you!

What price range are you looking at?

Personalised balls have gone down very well in the past (childs hand print and 'daddy's golf ball', went down very well at the toddler age, older children can draw their own designs). Forgotten the name of the company I usually use but will look up. They were extremely helpful, cheap and quick.
You MUST buy the correct type of golf ball though. Look in his bag to work out what he is currently using.

Groupon regularly have golf offers on for golf tuition or rounds.

Sour, probably £100-200? I dunno, he has a december birthday, so I'm looking for two things really.

how do I know what to look for in a golf ball? is the brand important or the er, er, weight ??????? or whatever

I think it says on the balls the make/model if that's the correct terminology. DP uses Pro V1 balls and I'm sure it says that on Them. Mind you if they're old the name might rub off...

Actually just had a look and they're actually Titleist Pro V1. He gets refurbished balls though as cheaper.

I'm trying to get the name of a decent brand of golf clothes for you. My uncle plays and always looks very dapper Will report back

my dh is obsessed with golf
he's just bought this jacket for himself

balls -the more £££ the better ime, they are a ridculous price

I think NIKE do a lot of clothing.

lots of golf shit here http://www.golfgarb.co.uk/brands/ping/ping-men-s-golf-wear?limit=45 here

here

I think Calleway are a decent make.

A golf lesson/s with a professional at a golf club. Not to teach what he already knows, but to improve his technique.

Oh you lot are ace, thank you!

right, thank you for all your suggestions and links, massively helpful.

I think I'll get him some balls and maybe a jacket or something for Christmas, though I'm nervous about buying the fussy bastard clothes that he might not like!

And I was just looking at tickets for the 2013 British Open for his birthday. Would that be good? The tickets seem quite reasonably priced at 65 quid, but would the basic tickets be rubbish?

there's an option to pay up to £250 for access to other bits

The basic tickets should be fine .
We have been and you can move around to where you need to be.

DH also uses the pro v1 balls & buys quite a few bits from that golf garb website.
He likes Oscar Jacobsen clothes (more money than sense)
He's also just bought a powa caddy thing.

I'm sure your DH will love his gifts.

thank whoneeds. So is there catering options, bar and stuff that he'd be able to get into?

The basic tickets are absolutely fine. Be prepared to seeing them being advertised quite cheaply on ebay and such like.

Balls - Pro V1 are some of the best (for that read expensive, which in golfing terms is pretty much the same thing!)
Srixon are also good
Avoid any silly coloured ones, unless you know for certain that would be his thing.

Golf GPS - these are fantastic. You can buy an electronic gizmo, or just download an app for your phone. Individual courses are then downloaded for about £1 a course. It is rare these days for a course not to be listed.

Golf insurance - costs about £30. Covers accident liability and theft. Far more importantly, it always comes with decent deals like free rounds of golf at top rate courses (Courses that would be £80 a round can be played for free with a voucher), also likely to come with spa vouchers and such like.

Or you could send him off to somewhere like the Ashbury Golf Hotel in Devon for a weekend. Costs about £50 per night for as much golf as you can play and full board. Actually its not a bad place for non golfers too as there are loads of other things to do there.

Printaball.com have been great in the past, especially for last minute ordering! Lake balls from them are fine.

2 fore 1 vouchers are good for golfing with a friend

Yes there's catering & beer tents :)

Sorry for thread high jack op but the person I've got for secret Santa is a golfer. Is there anything useful I could buy him for a tenner?