NEW BALLS PLEASE

You can never have too many golf balls, and it’s always nice to spoil Dad with a dozen premium balls, like Callaway’s Chrome Soft and Chrome Soft X.

The X is slightly firmer in feel and designed for swing speeds exceeding 105mph, while the standard will suit a wide variety of players and both models use space-age graphene in the outer of the ‘Dual SoftFast’ core.

Known for its strength, graphene allows for a greater compression differential between the two cores and helps deliver softer feel, lower long game spin and increased distance, as well as improved greenside performance.

RRP: $64.99 (dozen).

Contact: For more information including where to buy, visit www.callawaygolf.com.au or phone 1800 217 777.

A BETTER STRIKE

A comfortable pair of golf shoes is the gift that keeps on giving, and the new Ecco Golf Men’s Strike are designed by the renowned footwear company to be just that.

Performance-driven leathers developed in Ecco’s own tanneries are used in the construction of the Strike to deliver a stylish and athletic look as well as a good fit that is enhanced by the company’s Fluidform technology, which ensures a balance between cushioning and rebound.

Gore-Tex waterproof technology keeps Dad’s feet dry, while the hybrid elements incorporated into the sole combine with Zarma-Tour spikes for stability regardless of the conditions.

RRP: $289 (Available September).

Contact: To see the entire Ecco golf range and to find your nearest stockist, contact American Golf Supplies on (02) 9524 8233, or visit www.americangolf.com.au

DISTANCE WITH BITE

The pocket sized Bushnell Phantom GPS is the perfect distance measuring device for any father who struggles with technology or just wants easy to read distances without having to press multiple buttons during the round.

Pre-loaded with over 36,000 courses, the Phantom features auto course recognition and auto hole advance as well as a rechargeable battery that lasts for over two rounds.

Displaying front, centre and back green distances and up to four hazards per hole, the Phantom has Bluetooth for wireless course upgrades, and its ‘Bite’ magnetic mount sticks to any metal surface, like the frame of a golf cart for easy reference. The unit also comes with a clip to attach to a belt or golf bag.

RRP: $169.

Contact: Champion Sports to see the entire Bushnell range and find your nearest stockist by calling (08) 8268 5841 or visit, www.championsports.com.au

GLOVE LOVE

If your Dad is undeterred by a little rain on the course, he will need a glove designed for those rainy days in the bag at all times.

FootJoy’s RainGrip features an ‘Autosuede’ knit palm, which is specially created with wet and humid conditions in mind – offering increased grip and traction, as well as conforming to golfers’ hands and club for added security.

To ensure the fit and comfort of the RainGrip matches the wet weather performance, FootJoy utilises its ‘QuikDry’ knit material across the back of the hand for breathability and flexibility, while the ‘ComforTab’ closure system is optimally placed.

SRP: $22.95.

Contact: To locate your nearest FootJoy stockist and to find out more, visit www.footjoy.com.au or phone 1800 660 535.

MAKE DAD BETTER

Offer any golfer the chance to hit the ball further and they will take it. And the OnsongSwing training aid does just that, through real time graphical feedback on players’ swings.

Simply clipped onto the shaft of the club, the OnsongSwing instantly measures and graphs clubhead speed and all-important clubhead acceleration, which allows smooth looking golf swings to produce impressive power, meaning Dad can develop an improved understanding of his swing to achieve maximum power.

Benchmark swings for each club type can be saved to compare your best against your most recent swings, and the OnsongSwing also has an audio feedback capability that helps train acceleration at the right stage of the golf swing, to increase power rather than simply speed.

RRP: $247.50.

Contact: To learn more about the OnsongSwing and to purchase, go to www.onsongswing.com

A NEW CLASSIC

There is a reason socks are a classic gift for father’s day, but Falke golf socks are far more than just an essential everyday item. The AG2 Anklet and AG1 Low Cut Advance Golf socks add technology and a unique composition of materials to deliver comfort, fit and performance.

Made in South Africa, like all of the company’s range of sport socks, ergonomic left and right specific socks feature mesh panels for ventilation, while silver fibre is used for its anti-microbial and anti-static properties.

Reinforced in common wear areas of the heel and toe to last longer, both models feature cushioning for a comfortable walk around the course.

RRP: $20 (AG2 Anklet); $17 (AG1 Low Cut)

Contact: To see the full range of Falke socks and to buy, visit www.falkeau.com.au

A SMALLER SPIDER

If the golfer in your family watches professional golf there is a good chance they have commented on the TaylorMade Spider Tour putter used by Jason Day and Jon Rahm. The new Spider Mini combines the technologies that have made the Spider one of the most used putter models on Tour with characteristics of a traditional blade putter to allow a wider variety of players to benefit from the design.

Fifteen percent smaller, primarily through its wingless design, the Spider Mini maintains high moment of inertia (MOI) for stability. And in addition to releasing more like a blade, features a T-sightline for alignment and ‘Pure Roll’ insert for improved forward roll.

RRP: $449.

Contact: For more information, including where to buy, visit www.taylormadegolf.com.au

TIGER DAD

Tiger Woods is back on the PGA Tour, and now your Dad can use the same golf ball as the 14-time major champion when he steps out on course.

Bridgestone Golf has released a limited edition version of its top of the line Tour B XS ball that features the exact markings of Tiger’s own golf ball he plays on Tour.

In addition to the Tiger stamp and special edition box, the ball offers softer feel through its ‘SlipRes’ cover technology as well as increased ball speed and distance from the gradation core construction.

RRP: $69.99 (dozen).

Contact: To find out more about Bridgestone Tour B golf balls and to locate your nearest stockist, visit www.bridgestonegolf.com.au

GET DAD MOTORING

Part of Australian company MGI’s popular Zip series of motorised buggies, the Zip X1 offers Dad an easy walk around the course thanks to its quiet 230 watt motor, which takes the push out of push buggy and allows complete focus on his play.

Like all Zip series models, of which the remote control Zip Navigator is the top of the range, the Zip X1 features a lithium battery and an ultra-light frame that is compact when folded down. The ergonomic T-bar handle houses the variable speed control, while a foldable fourth wheel offers added stability.

RRP: $1029.

Contact: To learn more about the entire MGI Zip series and to find your nearest stockist, visit www.mgigolf.com or call (03) 8872 6700.

ADD SOME ZIP

There is nothing worse than a non-working zipper on one of the pockets of your golf bag. Or the embarrassment of a zipper mishap on your favourite pair of golf pants mid round.

The FixnZip offers the perfect solution in such situations, sliding over the top of the broken zipper, instantly replacing it with no tools or sewing required.

Available in a range of sizes and capable of working on a variety of zipper materials, FixnZip is part of tactical kits carried by Navy Seals and can be reused again and again on anything from clothing to luggage.

RRP: $20.95.

Contact: To see the FixnZip in action visit www.fixnzip.com or to see the list of Australian stockists go to www.probioticpower.com.au/Stockistsf.html

WHAT A RELIEF

There is a good chance if Dad is a golfer, he will have some sort of golf-related ache or pain. Relievamed is a natural plant based formula offering relief from joint tension, arthritic joints, lower back issues and soreness caused by the overuse of muscles and joints.

Australian made and owned, Relievamed was co-founded by Dr Donna Marcal, PhD and uses a range of anti-inflammatory ingredients including curcuma xanthorrhiza, boswellia serrata, comfrey, rosemary and capsicum frutescens.

Relievamed goes to work instantly to help get Dad ready for the first tee and in addition to containing no harsh chemicals and drugs, the formula is non-greasy.

RRP: $28 +GST (75g).

Contact: To learn more about Relievamed and to purchase, visit www.relievamed.com

FOR THE BOOKSHELF ...

A LIFE IN GOLF

Peter Thomson with Steve Perkin

If you missed out getting the first edition of this wonderful book, make sure you get this second edition.

With a foreword by Geoff Ogilvy, A Life In Golf presents Thomson’s insights across a range of golfing topics from his career, to the golf swing, current players and course architecture.

The five-time Open Champion was one of the game’s greatest players and observers, which makes this book a must for any golfer’s library.

RRP: $23.75 www.booktopia.com.au

TIGER WOODS

Jeff Benedict & Armen Keteyian

If there is one word that best describes this latest Tiger Woods biography it is ‘detailed’.

This is not surprising given investigative journalists Benedict and Keteyian spent nearly three years researching the rise and fall of the world’s first billion dollar athlete.

While some old ground is covered by the writers, there is also plenty of detailed information drawn from more than four hundred interviews including members of Woods’ inner circle.

Once you get started you will find this one hard to put down.

RRP: $27.35 www.booktopia.com.au

GREAT GOLF DOWN UNDER (VOLUME 3)

Gary Lisbon

Gary Lisbon has established a reputation as one of the world’s leading golf course photographers … and he’s based right here in Australia.

This latest coffee table book from Lisbon features spectacular images and information covering 136 courses across Australia and New Zealand. From NZ’s Cape Kidnappers to Western Australia’s Kennedy Bay and all points between, Lisbon’s imagery is striking.

RRP: $69.95 (standard edition); $199.95 (leather bound limited edition) plus postage. www.greatgolfdownunder.com.au

PREFERRED LIES

Charles Happell & Mike Clayton

Veteran journalist Charles Happell and long-time Golf Australia magazine columnist, former Tour pro and course designer Mike Clayton take you inside the ropes with this great selection of golf yarns.

A host of contributors – including career caddie Steve Williams, award-winning writer John Huggan, the late Peter Thomson and comedian Rob Sitch – add to the wide range of topics and voices telling stories about the great game.

RRP: $29.99 (all good book stores).