With 2022 coming to a close, there are innumerable options available for the golfer in your life. Clubs, shoes, clothes, hats and books. It’s all a bit overwhelming.

We’re going to highlight a few intriguing options for this year’s holiday season through the new year. Some are appropriate based on the season, while others are just a bunch of fun.

Let’s take a look at some of the products available as 2022 moves into 2023.

Holderness & Bourne Ward sweater ($175 | Holderness & Bourne): This is my favorite sweater Holderness and Bourne makes. It’s incredibly versatile — I wore it to a wedding last weekend but have worn it on the golf course as well — as well as extraordinarily comfortable. Full send on pretty much all H&B sweaters (full disclosure: author is outfitted by Holderness & Bourne).

Prime Putt putting mat ($299 | Prime Putt): There are two things I love about this putting mat. The first is the quality of the turf. Prime Putt calls it “Tour-grade turf” and that’s the right way to describe it. Even when you put it on carpet, the ball rolls so well. The other is how easy it is to roll up and store. I’ve tried other putting mats that were a nightmare to keep in the home, and this one is the opposite of that. My kids cannot stop putting on it.

Ralph Lauren cashmere hooded sweater ($330 | Ralph Lauren): This is one of the more expensive products I’ve ever included in this gift guide, but I also cannot stop wearing this hoodie. It’s as comfortable as material gets and looks great in any and all environments. Light but warm, sharp but casual, the Ralph Lauren cashmere hooded sweater is a tremendous golf product.

TRUE All Day Ripstop ($220 | TRUE): I have yet to try a TRUE product I didn’t enjoy. These golf shoes are no different. They were “crafted to keep you moving comfortably when you opt outside while simultaneously leaving a light footprint on the planet,” and I think TRUE accomplished that goal here. Again, my favorite thing about TRUE is how versatile its products are. The shoes don’t look out of place when you wear them off the golf course and into a cofee shop or on a date. One shoe to rule them all, and TRUE is making a run at that.

Swiftwick Flite XT Zero Tab socks ($20 | Swiftwick): I’m always in need of better socks, and these Swiftwicks are a really solid product. They’re light but not too light (I don’t want to feel like I don’t have any socks on at all), and it’s easy to envision them lasting years and years. Swiftwick says they are good for fitness, running, golf and racket sports, and I’m sure that’s true but I enjoy them just as much for lounging around the house.

Seamus yardage book cover ($95 | Seamus): The Seamus products are all of the highest quality, and this yardage book cover is no different. Though Seamus makes a variety of yardage book and scorecard holders, the leather versions are certainly my favorite.

PGA Tour 2K23 (Price varies): The latest edition of PGA Tour from 2K offers more options than ever before. Whether entering MyCareer mode for an authentic PGA Tour experience, creating your own dream courses or competing in TopGolf activities, playing golf on a console has never been better. There are more controls and options than ever before, and you can even start from scratch with MyPlayer, which has new archetypes and skills along with licensed gear and apparel. You can even buy a bundle with NBA 2K23.

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Tiger Woods has won the PGA Tour’s Player Impact Programme (PIP) for 2022 despite having played just nine events during the season.

Woods won $15m for topping the list, which is designed to reward players who boosted engagement and publicity for the PGA Tour.

First introduced in 2021 as a means of offering extra cash to the game’s most influential players, five of the players who appeared in the top 10 of the PIP last year – Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Bubba Watson – have left to join LIV Golf.

While last year’s PIP bonus pool offered $40 million to the top 10 players, the 2022 PIP pool has increased to $100m and has doubled its reach from 10 players to 20.

The tour used five measurements for putting together the list: internet searches, the number of unique news articles that include a player’s name, duration that a player’s sponsor logos appeared on screen during Saturday and Sunday PGA Tour TV broadcasts, a player’s general awareness score among the US population, and social media score that considers a player’s reach, conversation and engagement metrics.

Rory McIlroy, who won the FedExCup, took second place, which comes with a $12m pay out, while Jordan Spieth took third, which comes with a $9m bonus. Victor Hovland finished in 20th spot and earned himself an extra $2m on top of the $4.68m he earned in prize money for the 2021-22 season.

Rickie Fowler, who placed 16th in the PIP list, had just three top-25 finishes in the 2021-22 season and finished 133rd in the money list with just over $1m in prize money, but he trebled his earnings with a $2m PIP pay out thanks to his popularity on social media. His Twitter account boasts over 1.6m followers.

Reigning US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick boosted his season’s earnings of $7.5m with a $5m bonus for finishing in eighth place, while 2019 Open Championship winner Shane Lowry finished 12th in the PIP list and almost doubled his season’s earnings from the PGA Tour with a $3m bonus on top of the $3.6m he collected in prize money.

Making the top 20 in this year’s PIP list will have major ramifications for those players in 2023, as the PGA Tour’s new schedule of 12 elevated events will require top-20 PIP players to compete in at least 20 tournaments across the season.

PGA TOUR 2022 PIP winners

1. Tiger Woods $15m
2. Rory McIlroy $12m
3. Jordan Spieth $9m
4. Justin Thomas $7.5m
5. Jon Rahm $6m
6. Scottie Scheffler $5.5m
7. Xander Schauffele $5m
8. Matt Fitzpatrick $5m
9. Will Zalatoris $5m
10. Tony Finau $5m
11. Collin Morikawa $3m
12. Shane Lowry $3m
13. Kevin Kisner $3m
14. Max Homa $3m
15. Billy Horschel $3m
16. Rickie Fowler $2m
17. Adam Scott $2m
18. Jason Day $2m
19. Patrick Cantlay $2m
20. Viktor Hovland $2m

Although outside the top 20, Hideki Matsuyama, Cameron Young and Sam Burns will also will receive a $2 million payment and be eligible for PIP events in 2023.

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I’ll never forget my first big golf trip to Florida. It was a terrific experience, other than failing to pack my golf shoes. Thankfully, I still had tennis shoes to play in, but it was still an embarrassing experience.

Luckily, thanks to this packing list, you won’t have to worry about forgetting an essential item like I did. If you’re heading out for a golf trip soon, use this packing checklist to make sure you are covered.

We’ve split this packing list into four sections to make things a little easier on you.

Essentials

This list contains several essential items, like all of your golf equipment. It also includes things like your wallet, passport, and boarding pass that you simply cannot travel without. Though everything on this list is listed as essential, some of the smaller items can be purchased at your destination if you forget to pack them.

• Golf Travel Bag: This one may be the most important, especially if you are flying to your destination. You need a golf travel bag large enough to carry your golf bag. Also, make sure that the travel bag protects your golf clubs.
• Golf Clubs: Study the golf course you are going to be playing on and make sure that you have all of the clubs that you are going to need. Remember, you can only keep 14 clubs in your bag.
• Extra Tees and Golf Balls: These can be bought at the course but are usually marked up quite a bit in price.
• Divot Tools and Ball Markers
• Golf Gloves: The last thing you need is a bad blister! Keep a couple of extra gloves in your golf bag in case one gets a hole in it.
• Golf Umbrella: This is always good to have on hand, even if the weather forecast is perfect. Remember, popup showers happen all the time in the summer months.
• Pair of Golf Shoes: I learned this one the hard way!
• A Golf Towel or Two: One to wipe the sweat off your head and hands and the other to clean your clubs.
• Packaged Snacks: This can save you a ton of money instead of buying them at the pro shop. Saving money is never a bad thing!
• Water bottle: Pro tip – Find one that will clip on the side of your golf bag.
• Suitcase: For all of your non-golf luggage and other items.
• Carry-On Bag: This is optional but could be handy during flight delays or long layovers at airports. I rarely travel without a carry-on.
• Sunscreen: A sunburn will ruin a golf trip in a hurry! Bring enough sunscreen for the golf course and the pool (if necessary).
• Sunglasses: You don’t want to be squinting the entire round.
• Shower bag for all your toiletries
• Toothbrush and Toothpaste: toiletries that you should never leave home without.
• Deodorant: This is essential since you’ll definitely be sweating on the golf course. Make sure it’s under three ounces if you are keeping it in your carry-on bag.
• Lip Balm: This will come in handy during windy conditions. Chapped lips are actually quite painful.
• Razors: This may or may not be essential depending on how long your getaway is. I never bring a razor if it’s going to be a short trip.
• Wallet
• Bottle Opener: This is essential if you drink beer that doesn’t have a twist top, but most hotel rooms will have one of these for you.
• Cash: To tip the cart girls that are selling drinks on the course
• Passport
• Boarding Pass (if not stored on your cell phone)
• Books or Magazines: For folks that don’t want to read on their phone at the airport
• Tee Time: The golf course you are playing on may not accept walk-up customers.

Clothing: Fall or Winter

We decided to split the clothing section into two parts, one for cooler weather and one for warmer weather. No matter what time of the year your golf trip is, make sure to pack proper golf clothing. The last thing you want is to show up for your tee time and not be in the proper dress code.

While most golf vacations are planned in warmer areas of the country like Florida, it can still be fairly cool if you happen to book an early morning tee time. Your best bet is to dress in layers if you are worried about feeling cold at the beginning of your round. The beauty of dressing in layers is that you can always take some off once the temperature starts ticking up.

• Long pants: Remember, most golf courses have a dress code that doesn’t allow jeans, so stick to black slacks or khaki pants.
• Vests: For extra warmth, if you think you’ll need it.
• Golf Shirts: I like to pack a couple of extra shirts to be on the safe side
• Long Sleeves: If you have an early tee time, it may be best to wear lightweight layers
• Beanie: Depending on the temp, you may need to keep your ears warm
• Underwear
• Socks: maybe opt for extra thick ones if it’s going to be cool
• Belt: This is always easy to forget
• Rain Jacket: always pack your rain gear, regardless of what season it is.
• Tennis Shoes or Dress Shoes for non-golf activities

Clothing: Spring or Summer

If it’s spring or summer, you probably won’t need to worry about packing any sort of long sleeves. In hot temperatures, it’s best to pack golf clothing that is lightweight, wicks sweat off your skin, and breathes well. Any of the Under Armour or Nike short sleeve golf shirts are a great choice for summer.

Also, if the weather is supposed to be extremely hot, it’s not a bad idea to take an extra golf shirt with you to the course. This is especially true if you are in south Florida or Arizona during the summer months. I’ve found that putting on a dry shirt after the first nine holes helps keep me more comfortable.

• Plenty of Golf Polo Shirts: Preferably the dri-fit versions if it’s going to be brutally hot on the course. Stay away from cotton shirts because they get weighed down with sweat too easily.
• Golf Shorts or Golf Skirts: Nobody wants to wear long pants if it’s going to be 90+ degrees outside
• Golf Hat or Visor: This will keep the sun out of your eyes and will help keep your head and face from getting sunburned
• Outfits for non-golfing activities
• Underwear
• Socks
• Belt
• Rain Gear: Did we mention those pesky summer popup showers?
• Swimsuits if you plan on being near a beach or using the hotel pool
• Extra Towels
• Tennis Shoes or Dress Shoes for other fun activities
• Flip Flops or Sandals: for the pool, beach, or other fun outings

Electronics

In this day and age, we feel like we simply cannot live without our electronics. On this list, you’ll find essential items like your cell phone and charger. However, most of this list is made up of items that aren’t necessarily essential but nice to have on hand during your golf trip.

• Cell Phone: Self explanatory
• Phone Charger: Just don’t leave it in the hotel room when you check out
• Headphones: To listen to music or watch videos at the airport or while on the flight
• Laptop or Tablet: In case you have to do any work while you are away or want to download some movies to watch during a long layover or flight
• Laptop / Tablet Charger(s)
• Range Finder: You may keep this in your golf bag, but some folks choose to put it in their carry on bag since airports can be kind of rough on luggage (Read my Bushnell Tour V4 review if you’re looking for a good range finder)
• Extra Batteries: for your range finder or headphones
• Golf GPS Watch

Mike Noblin

Mike has been involved with sports for over 30 years. He’s been an avid golfer for more than 10 years and is obsessed with watching the Golf Channel and taking notes on a daily basis. He also holds a degree in Sports Psychology.

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