Father’s Day Gift Guide: Best golf gifts for dad in 2023

Get dad something he’ll love this Father’s Day.

Father’s Day is nearly here which means it’s time to start the hunt for the perfect gift for dad. Don’t know where to start? We’ve got you covered.

Whether he’s a 30 handicap, a scratch golfer or somewhere in between, we’ve found gifts every dad will enjoy.

Apparel, equipment, accessories and more can be found on this list but be on the look out for more lists in the coming weeks which will have your gift list checked off in no time.

Don’t have time to wait? Check out our lists of some of our favorite golf shoes, golf shirts, drivers, golf bags and more.

Laser or GPS: Which distance-measuring device should you buy?

Discover how golf lasers and GPS devices work, and which could help you most on the course.

As with every other sport, golf is filled with debates. Who is the greatest of all time, Tiger Woods or Jack Nicklaus? Which would you rather play, Pebble Beach or Bandon Dunes? Which would you rather win, the Masters or the U.S. Open?

Another that many golfers struggle with is a more practical question: Which should you buy, a laser rangefinder or a golf GPS device?

Many players who started playing golf over the past three seasons have discovered how fun the game can be, and they are now deciding to start investing in equipment instead of relying on borrowed gear or the used equipment they picked up. That not only means clubs and balls but accessories that can help lower scores, such as a distance-measuring device. 

Choosing between a laser rangefinder or a GPS device can be tricky, because both distance-measuring devices have benefits and drawbacks. Before you reach for your credit card, discover how each type of distance-measuring device works and think about a few frequent situations that can help make an intelligent purchase.

Laser rangefinders: How do they work, and what are the pros and cons?
Laser rangefinders all work using the same basic principles. When a player presses the button on the unit, it sends out a beam of light that hits an object and reflects back. The device can measure the time it takes the light to bounce back, and because the speed of light is constant (at least as far as the practical use of rangefinders goes), the device can calculate precisely how far the object is from the rangefinder.

What separates one laser rangefinder from another is the speed at which a unit can do the calculations (all are reasonably quick), the clarity of images seen in the viewfinder, the level of magnification in the viewfinder and extra features such as water resistance.

Often referred to as a “slope” feature, many laser rangefinders can measure whether a target is uphill or downhill, then factor in the distance and the angle to create a playing distance that can be longer or shorter than the actual straight-line distance. Using features such as this is legal for recreational golfers, but in tournament play these features are rarely allowed. Laser rangefinders with a slope feature allow golfers to disable the feature for tournament play, often by simply sliding a button.

Most laser rangefinders are accurate within a foot or two from as far away as several hundred yards, so they are almost always the go-to distance-measuring device for elite golfers and caddies. They also typically come with a protective carrying case that can snap onto a golf bag, and many have a magnet on one side that allows players to attach them safely to a golf cart’s roof supports for easy access – make sure not to forget the unit on a cart at the end of a round, an all-too-common occurrence. A few laser rangefinders even have Bluetooth technology and can tether to a smartphone to obtain weather and atmospheric conditions to make the plays-like distances even more accurate.

All of that is great, but there are two downsides to laser rangefinders to keep in mind.

First, you need a direct line of sight to your target. It sounds obvious – and on the tee box of a par 3 or in the fairway it’s rarely a problem – but if you are off the fairway and can’t see the flag or trees obstruct your view, a laser can’t help you.

Second, obtaining accurate distance readings to bunkers, hazards and other features on the course using a laser can be challenging. Yes, you can zap the lip of a bunker or a creek, but to discover how far away a hazard is and what distance you need to hit to clear it, you will need to get several numbers, and that’s not always possible.

These shortcomings are minimal for pros and accomplished players who use yardage books in tournaments and often scribble laser rangefinder notes in those yardage books. They want to-the-flag accuracy above everything else, and lasers can provide that.

Golf GPS devices: How do they work, and what are the pros and cons?
Golf GPS devices come as a wearable, such as a watch, or handheld units that resemble smartphones. They work by linking with satellites that circle the earth, and after connecting with several satellites at once, GPS devices use internal software to determine what course you are playing and where you are located on that course. Map software can determine how far you are from other areas on the course such as bunkers, water features and different portions of the green.

The most basic GPS devices display the yardage to the front, middle and back of a green from where you are standing, but colorful touch screens and sophisticated software designed into some units allow them to do much more. They can display the distance to a bunker and the yardage required to clear it. They allow you to touch the screen to determine the yardage to a layup spot on par 4s and par 5s, and some let you adjust the hole location on the screen for better accuracy.

For inexperienced golfers, information such as this can be very reassuring and help simplify club selection. Plus, if you are a player who struggles to break 90 or 100, knowing the distance to the front, middle and back of the green is more valuable than knowing the precise distance to the flag, which frequently shouldn’t be your target.

However, that’s the shortcoming of GPS devices. They can’t tell you exactly where the hole is located. For many better players, that’s a deal breaker. 

So which should you play?
Understanding the strengths and shortcomings of laser rangefinders and golf GPS devices, and how they relate to your game, can simplify figuring out the ideal device.

If you are an accomplished golfer and typically play the same courses, a laser rangefinder will probably be a good choice because you will value precise numbers on approach shots. And even if you hit a tee shot into the woods, if you are familiar with the course you’re playing, you should be able to judge recovery shots and layup areas when necessary. The most important thing for you is knowing exactly how far the flag is from your position on par 3s and from the fairway, and a laser does that well.

If you play a wide variety of courses, want to know how far away bunkers and hazards are from the tee and don’t want to do a lot of math to figure out the ideal layup shot, then a watch-style or handheld GPS can deliver what you are looking for.

Here are several models you might want to consider:

2023 PGA Show: Coolest things we saw

2023 PGA Show: Coolest things we saw

The PGA Show is an annual event that showcases the latest and greatest products in the golf industry held in Orlando, Florida. The show brings in brands from all over the world to showcase their hot new products.

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While there were tons of amazing products across the convention center, Averee Dovsek sat down with the brands to find out a little bit more on what makes their technology special.

The floor is packed with must-see items, and Golfweek spoke to Toptracer, Bushnell Golf and SuperSpeed Golf about their new releases.

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Watch and check out below for the coolest things we saw this year.

Golfweek’s 2022 Holiday Gift Guide: David Dusek’s favorite golf technology this holiday season

This holiday season, Golfweek can help you find the perfect electronic gift for every golfer on your holiday list.

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All you need to play golf is a ball, a set of clubs and a bag, but as any golfer knows, modern accessories can make the game much easier and a lot more fun.

When Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus were winning majors, figuring out how far your ball was from the hole involved finding a marked sprinkler head, counting your steps from it to your ball and then doing some math with a hole location sheet.

Today, we have laser rangefinders that can instantly give you a yardage and GPS systems that can reveal how far you are from hazards, and how far you need to hit the ball to get over them. Instead of having an instructor standing by your side on the range, you can get helpful feedback and information from launch monitors.

Any golfer would be thrilled to get one of these electronic devices this holiday season.

2022 Gift Guides: Best golf gifts | Personalized gifts | Affordable gifts

Bushnell Pro X3 laser rangefinder

The Pro X3 is the most advanced laser rangefinder Bushnell makes.

Gear: Bushnell Pro X3 laser rangefinder
Price: $599.99
Specs: Waterproof construction with 7X magnification, 1,300-yard range and “plays like” slope distance.

Who It’s For: Golfers who want a combination of ease-of-use and state-of-the-art technologies in a distance-measuring device.

The Skinny: The Pro X3 is the most advanced laser rangefinder Bushnell makes, combining outstanding optics and functionality to make it easy for golfers to quickly get accurate information and yardages.

The Deep Dive: Bushnell laser rangefinders are used by more professional golfers and their caddies than any other brand because they are well-constructed pieces of equipment that quickly and easily provide you with yardages. With the Pro X3, Bushnell has packed its most popular features into one unit that now can be tethered to your smartphone to deliver even greater accuracy.

Holding it in your hand, the Pro X3 feels substantive and solid, with a small notch designed into the lower portion of the unit to help golfers hold it comfortably and stably in one hand. On one side is a powerful magnet that affixes the Pro X3 in place on your golf cart and keeps it within reach on the bumpiest fairway or cart path. On the other side is a silver button that switches the numbers and information you see in the viewfinder to either black or red.

When you hold the Pro X3 to your eye and press the power button on the top of the unit, you will see the battery life and the distance to your target in yards. When the Slope feature is activated, you will also see a “plays like” distance below the actual distance and a percentage showing how much the unit compensates for your target is uphill or downhill.

In addition to adjusting the Slope distance based on elevation changes, the Pro X3 can connect to your smartphone using Bluetooth and a free app, then utilize Elements Compensation to factor things like temperature and barometric pressure to increase accuracy. You can also enter your home course’s elevation into the unit to increase accuracy even further.

Bushnell Pro X3 laser ranmgefinder
The Pro X3 has a magnet on one side and its Slope functions can be disabled by sliding a cap over the top of the lens area. (Bushnell)

When the slope features are working, golfers will see a thin orange stripe that has the word SLOPE on it, but in tournament play where laser rangefinders that use slope features and distance-compensation features are not allowed, pulling a small tab near the lenses down and then pushing a small lens cover piece forward disables them and makes the Pro X3 legal for use.

To ensure you are getting a measurement to the flag, the Pro X3 vibrates in your hand and a circle in the viewfinder flashes when the flag is detected. Bushnell claims the Pro X3 is accurate to within three feet from 600 yards away.

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Bushnell Pro X3 laser rangefinder

The Pro X3 is the most advanced laser rangefinder Bushnell makes.

Gear: Bushnell Pro X3 laser rangefinder
Price: $599.99
Specs: Waterproof construction with 7X magnification, 1,300-yard range and “plays like” slope distance.

Who It’s For: Golfers who want a combination of ease-of-use and state-of-the-art technologies in a distance-measuring device.

The Skinny: The Pro X3 is the most advanced laser rangefinder Bushnell makes, combining outstanding optics and functionality to make it easy for golfers to quickly get accurate information and yardages.

The Deep Dive: Bushnell laser rangefinders are used by more professional golfers and their caddies than any other brand because they are well-constructed pieces of equipment that quickly and easily provide you with yardages. With the Pro X3, Bushnell has packed its most popular features into one unit that now can be tethered to your smartphone to deliver even greater accuracy.

Holding it in your hand, the Pro X3 feels substantive and solid, with a small notch designed into the lower portion of the unit to help golfers hold it comfortably and stably in one hand. On one side is a powerful magnet that affixes the Pro X3 in place on your golf cart and keeps it within reach on the bumpiest fairway or cart path. On the other side is a silver button that switches the numbers and information you see in the viewfinder to either black or red.

When you hold the Pro X3 to your eye and press the power button on the top of the unit, you will see the battery life and the distance to your target in yards. When the Slope feature is activated, you will also see a “plays like” distance below the actual distance and a percentage showing how much the unit compensates for your target is uphill or downhill.

In addition to adjusting the Slope distance based on elevation changes, the Pro X3 can connect to your smartphone using Bluetooth and a free app, then utilize Elements Compensation to factor things like temperature and barometric pressure to increase accuracy. You can also enter your home course’s elevation into the unit to increase accuracy even further.

Bushnell Pro X3 laser ranmgefinder
The Pro X3 has a magnet on one side and its Slope functions can be disabled by sliding a cap over the top of the lens area. (Bushnell)

When the slope features are working, golfers will see a thin orange stripe that has the word SLOPE on it, but in tournament play where laser rangefinders that use slope features and distance-compensation features are not allowed, pulling a small tab near the lenses down and then pushing a small lens cover piece forward disables them and makes the Pro X3 legal for use.

To ensure you are getting a measurement to the flag, the Pro X3 vibrates in your hand and a circle in the viewfinder flashes when the flag is detected. Bushnell claims the Pro X3 is accurate to within three feet from 600 yards away.

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Best golf GPS watches and wearable devices for 2022

It’s almost like wearing a caddie on your wrist … almost.

Whether you choose a GPS or a rangefinder, you’re making the correct choice. Playing without one leads to inconsistent play throughout your round.

Without knowing your number, you’re pretty much lost on the course.

Having a GPS in your pocket or on your wrist is almost like having Stevie Williams, Ted Scott, and Bones MacKay with you every time you tee it up … almost.

While you won’t get the expert analysis that a top-tier looper brings, you will get a bigger picture of the information that you need to hit the best shot possible.

Throughout the month of August, Golfweek is compiling some of the best training aids, putting aids, health and fitness, and other devices to help you get better at the game you love.

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Best rangefinders for 2022

The difference between thinking you have the right club and knowing you have the right club.

Using a rangefinder is a near necessity nowadays. Rangefinders can be found at your weekly four-ball, junior golf, and all the way up to the PGA and LPGA tours.

Knowing your yardage is an essential part of getting better. The difference between thinking you should hit a 7 iron and knowing you should is huge. It could even be the difference between breaking 80 and hanging your head after yet another 85.

Golfweek is here to help push your game in the right direction. Whether it be putting, fitness or anything in between, we have exactly what you need to hit your goals.

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Amazon Prime Day: How golfers should take advantage of big savings

Happy Prime Day, golf fans!

For shoppers around the world, July 12 and 13 are practically holidays.

That’s right, Amazon Prime Day now spans two days, giving all of you twice the chance to save on your favorite golf gear.

Golfweek has scoured the depth of the internet and compiled a list of some of the best golf items available on Prime Day.

We’ve got equipment, we’ve got apparel, we’ve got accessories, and we’ve got two more Prime Day lists coming out later today, so check back for more savings.

We occasionally recommend interesting products, services, and gaming opportunities. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Golfweek operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Simplicity of Golf: Launch monitors for recreational golfers can reveal helpful data and insights

A new crop of launch monitors at affordable prices delivers surprisingly good accuracy, valuable data.

The word “about” is used far too often by weekend golfers. Ask nearly all of them how far they hit their driver in the air and you will get an answer along the lines of, “My driver, about 240 yards.” Ask about another club and you will hear, “My 6-iron goes about 160 yards.”

As the pros you see on TV how far they hit each club in their bag and you get a totally different answer. “Driver carry is 297 in the air.”

Players on the PGA Tour know that because nearly all of them use a launch monitor on a regular basis, and units like a TrackMan 4 or a ForeSight GC Quad, which can cost well over $12,000, deliver accurate information about how far shots go, how much spin they have and what the player’s club was doing as it made contact. Insights like that can help players improve, make smarter decisions and play better golf.

Thankfully for club players, a new crop of launch monitors at more-affordable prices are coming to the market. They deliver surprisingly good accuracy and many also collect valuable ball and club data, as you can see in this video.