Last minute Christmas gifts for the golfer who has everything

Have you given up hope that you can find the perfect gift for your golfer that seemingly has everything? It’s not too late! Sure, this might fit neatly under the tree but below are some gift ideas that will be long remembered after the latest club technology has become passé or the newest golf shirts have faded into the back of the closet.

If you’re looking to make a splash with the golfer who has, and has done, just about everything in golf – take a look at these gift ideas.

1. Caddy For A Cure: Caddy For A Cure, now in its eighth year, is a foundation started by PGA Professional and former PGA Tour caddie Russ Holden which offers opportunities for golf fans to work/partner with a high profile Tour player (PGA or LPGA) inside the ropes for an entire day during the week of a tournament.  You can bid on each opportunity via the Caddy For A Cure website. Winners in the past have caddied for Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Lee Westwood, Stewart Cink, Anna Rawson, Brittany Lincicome and even Jack Nicklaus – among dozens of others. 100% of all proceeds go to charity. Imagine the face of your favorite golfer when you tell them your gift to them is a day out at the course with Natalie Gulbis!  Prices vary depending on player and venue. Most bids start around $3000, some end at substantially higher. Prize package includes lots of golf goodies, so great combo of gifts, unique and special memory and a great donation to charity.  //caddyforacure.com/
2. The TaylorMade Tour Experience:  Exclusive to The Kingdom at Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Georgia – this incredible package offers golfers a chance to experience golf that very few players ever have. From five-star accommodations to the finest cuisine to apparel and bags to the best golf instruction to custom-made clubs as you wait – each golfer will live the life of the top players in the world. Included are meetings with TaylorMade Tour Professionals (including dinner!) such as Sean O’ Hair or Justin Rose.  Prices start at $6500/person for the two-day option.  //www.thekingdomatreynolds.com/packages/
3. FullSwing Golf simulator – Give your favorite golfer rounds at Pebble Beach, St. Andrews, Bay Hill and virtually any other course they can imagine. The key word is “virtually” as the full-swing simulators can recreate the world’s top venues down to the most incredible details including leaves blowing in the trees and different types of golf balls that produce different types of ball flights.  Prices can vary from a few hundred dollars for basic models up towards over $50,000 for the most elite models. My favorite is from Full Swing Golf.  //fullswinggolf.com/
4. Golf School – It’s hard to overstate the impact that great golf instruction can bring to a golfer, from the never-played-before beginner to a touring golf professional. That being said, a two or three day immersion into the best instruction today’s teachers and technology can provide will give the gift of a lifetime, for a lifetime. The golf skills and training that are learned in such a setting will change a golfer’s game, their outlook and their enjoyment level – all for the better. There are many great golf schools out there. Of course, we have a preference for the PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance. //www.pgavillage.com/stlucie/index.cfm?page=pga_learning_center
5. Tickets to PGA Championship – The season’s final major, often referred to as “Glory’s Last Shot”, typically hosts the strongest field in golf and stages some of the most dramatic endings for any major championship. (See 2009, Y.E. Yang comes back against Tiger Woods or 2010, Dustin Johnson’s bunker ruling and Martin Kaymer’s playoff win.)  In 2011, the venue will be historic Atlanta Athletic Club and select ticket packages remain. In 2012, the championship moves to Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course, though some tickets are already sold out. Yes, we have a bias here, it's the PGA's major, but the facts bear out, it's always a great gift for a golf fan to attend. So if you want your favorite golfer to witness the best players performing under the most pressure in golf, here’s your chance. //www.pga.com/pgachampionship/2011/

Regardless of what Santa brings to your favorite golfer, here's hoping that 2011 brings the most unique, memorable and exciting golf of their lives. Merry Christmas!