A Shopping Scorecard for the Serious Golfer

‘Tis the season for golfers everywhere to wince, cringe and clench their teeth.

It happens every holiday season. Everyone with a golfer on a shopping list thinks it’s a clever idea to give golf-related presents. Unfortunately, the non-golfer generally has no idea how to shop for the golfer.

Gadgets, trinkets and gimmicks are no good. No respectable golfer uses a ball engraver, none wants silly elastic and plastic contraptions that are supposed to fix your swing, and the exploding golf-ball trick never works.

Novelty club-head covers? No. Think any golf items from The Sharper Image are a good idea? Think again.

Serious golfers are interested in serious golf gifts, so for all the last-minute shoppers out there, here is a guide to golf gifts golfers will appreciate:

* A round of golf. The No. 1 thing golfers like to do is play golf. Some courses are even open Christmas Day. A round at Pebble Beach would be especially nice, but a round at the local public course would also be appreciated.

* Golf lessons. There isn’t a golfer who doesn’t need them, but most have too much pride to sign up for them. Do a little homework and find the best teachers in your area, or lessons that best fit your price range. Many instructors offer rates that are much more affordable than you might think.

* Get-out-of-the-house-free certificate. Perfect for the budget-conscious. Write the following on a piece of paper: “You may use this certificate to leave the house for golfing purposes at any time.” Beware: This comes in most handy when it’s time to do chores or visit the in-laws.

* Tickets to a golf tournament. The No. 2 thing golfers like to do is watch golf. The PGA Tour, Senior PGA Tour and LPGA Tours will visit Southern California in February and March. The PGA Tour is at Torrey Pines for the Buick Invitational in La Jolla, Feb. 8-11, goes to the Palm Springs area for the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, Feb. 15-18, and completes its Southland visit with the Nissan Open at Riviera in Pacific Palisades, Feb. 22-25. The Senior Tour is at Newport Beach Country Club for the Toshiba Senior Classic, March 2-4, and at Valencia Country Club for the SBC Senior Classic, March 9-11. The LPGA Tour has its first major of the year, the Nabisco Championship, March 22-25, in Rancho Mirage.

Visit www.pgatour.com or www.lpgatour.com for ticket information.

* Binoculars. Anyone who’s going to watch a golf tournament will need them, especially if they plan on attending any future Hyundai Team Matches at Pelican Hill.

* Books. The No. 3 thing golfers like to do is read about golf. The first book every golfer should have is “The USGA Rules of Golf.” From there, it depends on taste. Find out your golfer’s favorite player and get a biography. John Feinstein’s “A Good Walk Spoiled” and “The Majors” have been around awhile, but if the golfer in your life hasn’t read them, he should. How about a book on the history of golf? Coffee table and course picture books are OK in a pinch, but they are mostly pictures of courses many golfers will never play.

* A magazine subscription. The gift that gives year-round. “Golf” and “Golf Digest” are the obvious, but there are others. “Maximum Golf” tailors to the younger, hipper player. “Golfweek” and “Golf World” are weekly magazines that cater to statistics and news junkies. Look around, there are dozens.

* Gift certificates. Unless your golfer has mentioned a specific item, do not buy clubs, putters, golf bags or any other equipment. These are personal items and golfers want to pick out their own stuff. Instead, get them a gift certificate.

* Tees, ball markers, divot tool. These items are perfect stocking stuffers. Save your golfer from searching tee boxes for usable tees. Coins usually pass for ball markers, but too often are given away at the end of the round to pay off bets. Make sure the divot tool comes with instructions.

* Soft spikes. Clickity-clicking through the parking lot is passe. There are still too many people wearing metal spikes and, incidentally, these are the same people who complain about spike marks on the greens. Even if your golfer already has soft spikes, they can probably use a new set.

* A new wardrobe. Make sure it’s not the same old polo shirt-and-khaki pants stuff. Cotton mesh with three buttons has gone the way of metal spikes. Today’s golfer needs shirts with a zipper or buttons all the way up the front. Lycra and brushed cotton are more comfortable and look much cooler. See Sergio Garcia’s choice in garb for examples of hip clothing.

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A Holiday on the Links

The following courses are open Christmas Day and are offering the noted specials (reservations necessary):

* Aliso Viejo Golf Club, 10 a.m. shotgun for $80. Normal holiday rate is $125

* Coyote Hills, $75 until 12:30 p.m., $40 after that. Normal holiday rate is $40-$105

* Cypress, 8 a.m. shotgun for $55. Normal holiday rate is $80.

* San Juan Hills Golf Club, 8 a.m. shotgun for $53

The following courses are open Christmas Day, but are not offering special rates:

* Aliso Creek

* Anaheim Hills

* Birch Hills

* Brea

* Casta del Sol

* Costa Mesa, Mesa Linda course

* David L. Baker

* Fullerton

* Hyatt Newporter

* Dad Miller

* Meadowlark

* Mile Square

* Monarch Beach

* Newport Beach Golf Course

* Rancho San Joaquin

* Ridgeline

* San Clemente

* Shorecliffs

* Tijeras Creek

* Tustin Ranch