Could there be a better golf present than a round at Pebble Beach? (Photo: Getty Images)

Dec. 22, 2008 -- Tis the season --- to panic at the sight of the ol' Shopping List. It is the week of Christmas and you still haven't found that perfect gift for the golfer in your family. What to do?

In these winter months, keeping golf at the forefront of your golfer's mindset can be a challenge, but one he/she will greatly appreciate if you can pull it off. But there's always a risk. What do you buy for the avid golfer? To get the best answer, look no further than your local PGA Professional.

"Typically, the holiday buyer looking for a golf gift is not a golfer," says PGA Professional John Crumbley, the Head Professional at Mystery Valley Golf Club in Lithonia, Ga. "They end buying something that looks pretty compelling in the shop, but many golfers would not find very practical. Iron covers, plastic shot counters, things like that -- there are lots of those items stuck in basements somewhere. It's not hard to find good golf gifts, but if you don't have good guidance, you need to get some. Just because it has a golf theme doesn't mean it's going to be a good present for a golfer."

So the first option should be to contact your local PGA Professional for help in shopping for your favorite golfer. If he or she has an instructor or is a member at a local course, it's an easy call to make. But for those that need a little more help, here's a quick start guide to finding the perfect gift for your golf-loving loved one.

If your golfer insists on playing despite temperatures that rival their nine hole score, anything that will make their time outdoors more bearable will be a welcome sight. Warm weather gloves are always a big hit as are all-weather golf jackets. Apparel that makes golf more convenient is a "can't go wrong" package.

(Photo: Access Communications)

If weather makes playing outside prohibitive, golf simulators are a big hit. Full Swing Golf is one of the industry's leading simulator franchises and though it would not fit under many trees, it would certainly make the biggest splash of the holiday season. If its size or price tag make it an unlikely purchase, DancinDogg Golf. makes a much more affordable version. And of course, with the growing popularity of Nintendo's Wii, games such as Tiger Woods '09, and We Love Golf feature simulated golf motions. And for something a little bit different, Carnival Golf's MiniGolf offers an opportunity to use a golf premise for hours of family entertainment.

In fact, many forms of non-traditional golf games seem to resonate with passionate golfers. GOLO is a board game invented by a PGA Professional and has become a clubhouse and locker room favorite at many courses in the country. The premise of the game is simple, but it keeps the scoring fundamentals and the competitive nature of the game intact. This would be a favorite for golfers and non-golfers alike.

2008 was such a phenomenal year in golf, any way to commemorate the magical moments of the year will be a big hit with your favorite golf enthusiast. There may be no better one-stop market than the PGA.com Shop. The big story of the year was the incredible victory by the United States Team at the Ryder Cup matches in Louisville, Ky. The official DVD or a commemorative Louisville Slugger are sure to be big hits. And of course, no golfer can have enough golf shirts. Other accessories from the PGA.com shop, especially with an event theme, will be cherished for a long time to come.

Many PGA Professionals believe the perfect gift for golfers are the gifts they really need but often do not want to buy for themselves. A series of lessons might have the most impactful benefit to a golfer and could be a perfect gift for many. A round of golf at a nice course is not only a great present, it also gives "permission" to play golf -- something that many spouses would feel as significant as the price of the round itself. And if you really want to make it a special Christmas, why not buy a round of golf at a course that's not in the same zip code -- say Pebble Beach?

This guide is by no means complete or comprehensive, just intended to stir your thoughts as you dive into the last minute frenzy of gift buying. The bottom line is that for those that love golf, the best gifts mean more than just opportunities to play the game their so passionate about. The best gifts are the gifts that state you understand that passion and what to do something to help them nurture and support their enthusiasm. Here's hoping that your gift is appreciated and welcomed in the way you intended. And even more, here's hoping that 2009 brings about great times for your golfer as a result of your thoughtful purchase at this often chaotic time of year.