By ED TRAVIS
It’s the time of year to think about the ideal gift for your favorite golfer and the staff at California Golf has some ideas for you. They cover a range of prices, and each has the quality and performance any player will like while reminding them of your thoughtfulness.
Ace Indoor Golf
Maybe the ultimate gift for an avid golfer is a golf simulator and Ace Indoor offers complete packages from budget-friendly setups to high-end systems. Custom design installations may include components from Foresight Sports, Uneekor, Full Swing, TruGolf, FlightScope, SkyGolf, Rapsodo, Panasonic, Epson, Fiberbuilt, and Net Return. Space requirements call only for enough room to swing safely and comfortably. https://aceindoorgolf.com/
Cleveland Golf RTX 6 Zipcore Tour Rack Wedge
Cleveland wedges have a deserved reputation at every level of the game and the RTX 6 Zipcore builds on the results of the previous RTX models. The ZipCore feature is a hollow area from inside the hosel into the heel and filled with a very low-density material moving the head weight towards the toe and topline. The Raw Finish over time rusts eliminating sun glare and Cleveland offers lots of customization options. $189.99 https://us.dunlopsports.com/cleveland-golf/clubs/wedges/rtx-6-zipcore
Dormie Workshop Headcovers
Headcovers don’t just protect your clubs from banging around in the bag they make a statement of your feelings about the game. The Fall-Winter collection from Dormie are all quality made from Saffiano leather with an attractive crosshatch stamped surface and finished with a special wax making them durable, scratch resistant and easy to clean. Six sizes available from driver to mallet or blade putter priced from $130 to $145. https://dormieworkshop.com/collections/fall-winter-2023
MGI AI Navigator
Here’s a remote control electric trolly with just the features players want. It has an integrated GPS with a 4-inch display on the handle with access to 40,000 courses providing dependable distances to any point on every hole. The included MGI app for mapping and scoring links to the MGI Sureshot handheld device and there’s a Bluetooth connection for your phone. Stable over even rough terrain, the AI Navigator is $1,895. https://us.mgigolf.com/
Srixon ZX5 Mk II Irons
These very good-looking irons are designed for recreational players who want not only looks but performance. The variable thickness face is Srixon’s Main Frame pattern, essentially a series of cavities and channels inside the head to improve forgiveness and ball speed. The Tour V.T. sole is V-shaped with added leading-edge bounce to help with clean turf impact. Set of six irons with steel shafts $857. https://us.dunlopsports.com/srixon/clubs/irons/zx5-mk-ii-irons/zx5-mk-ii-irons/MZX5MKIIIRN.html
Tour Edge Exotics Wingman Wedge
Wedges don’t usually have offset, but the new Wingman from Tour Edge uses a 3.0mm offset an idea from Hall of Fame member Bernhard Langer which keeps the player’s hands ahead of the ball at impact for a downward clubhead path and proper impact on every shot. The Wingman name comes from the milled high toe that raises the CG for lower launch. Vibration dampening is achieved by Vibrcor filled milled pockets. $139.99 https://www.touredge.com/wingman-wedge
Vessel Lux XV 2.0 Cart Bag
It seems like this 8.45 lbs. cart bag has it all. The 15-way top includes a velour lined putter slot and there are three top handles for ease in lifting plus a club organizer is offered as an optional accessory. There are multiple pockets on either side and four forward facing which are always available since the upper magnetic closure pocket fits over the cart strap. Choose from four colors: White, Grey, Navy or Black at $455 each.
https://vesselgolf.com/products/lux-xv-2-0
XXIO Prime Driver
A lighter club especially a driver can be swung faster and the additional clubhead speed means longer drives. With a 186g head weight and 254g overall the XXIO Prime is one of the lightest drivers on the market and offers those with moderate swing speed added distance with forgiveness. The Prime driver’s features include XXIO’s Rebound Frame, alternating stiffness zones which transfer energy to the ball at impact. $899.99 https://us.dunlopsports.com/xxio/clubs/mens-golf-clubs/xxio-prime