I’m very appreciative of anything I get as a Christmas gift.  I don’t care if it was expensive or cheap.  I don’t care if it’s big or small.  I don’t care if it’s beautiful or ugly as sin.  It’s the thought that counts, and the fact that someone took the time to get me anything at all is good enough for me.  As a matter of fact, when someone asks me what I want for Christmas, I normally just say “Nothing.  You don’t have to get me anything.”  Because I really don’t expect anything.  I truly am one of those people who would rather give than receive.

Now, on that note, I want to put in a request to anyone who does in fact want to buy me a gift for Christmas.  But it’s not a request for something.  Instead, it’s a request to not buy me something.  My only request is that you do not buy me anything golf related.  I know that sounds funny coming from a golfer, but it’s strange…when it comes to golf equipment, I would rather just purchase it myself.

It’s not that I think someone will do a poor job getting me a gift.  And it’s not that it won’t be appreciated.  It’s just with a lot of golf equipment, it’s not easy to pick out for someone else.  Like clubs for instance.  You can’t just give someone a set of clubs.  There’s so much that goes into it that can’t be just picked off of a shelf.  Same goes for a pair of golf shoes.  There have been times when I haven’t even been able to pick out a good pair of shoes.  I mean, you can try them on and walk around the store, but you really don’t know if your feet are going to be killing you by the 8th hole until you get out there and try them out.

But on the other hand, things like balls and tees are always good.  I mean, for the most part…a tee is a tee.  Some people will argue that they can’t just use any balls and they need to use specific ones.  Not me.  I have tried all different kinds and they don’t seem to make a difference to me.  I stink.  What ball I use is not going to change that.  Gift certificates are another good idea.  This way, I can get the golf accessories that I want and still pick them out myself.

So keep these things in mind if you’re looking for some last minute gifts for the golfer, or golfers, in your life.  The big ticket items are not the ones you want to purchase on your own for someone else.  Go for the accessories or the gift certificates.  When it comes to purchasing golf gifts, like a golf score, less is more.

Swing ’til you’re happy!