Ho Ho Ho and Happy Holidays! As we are in the midst of my absolute favorite time of year, where the wifey has no qualms about spending money on more golf $h!t for me - I thought I would help your spouses out by curating a list of some of my favorite things.

Try to be good, say “Yes Dear” a lot - and see if you can get your significant other to splurge a little on you this holiday season.

These are a Few of My Favorite (Golf) Things:

I could create a list here that goes on ad nauseam - but instead I’ve tried to whittle this down to a few things every golfer could benefit from. Clubs are too personal in my opinion for a recommendation (you need to get fit by a top-notch club fitter), so you won’t see those on this list. Instead, here are some other jewels that will make your season brighter:

• The Stack System - If you only have room for one thing in your stocking, make it the Stack System. It’s no joke folks…I’ve picked up 18mph of clubhead speed and 54 yards of distance….and the on-course results prove it out. We’ll get into this more in a future issue, but trust me - you want this one…

  

• The PRGR Pocket Launch Monitor - This kind of goes hand in hand with The Stack System above (you need a device to measure your swing speed for the Stack to be of benefit). However, even without The Stack System, you can use this personal monitor to measure clubhead speed, ball speed, carry distance and total distance. I’ve checked it against Trackman and GC Quad - and the ball speed is spot on.

  

  PRGR (older model) showing clubhead speed, ball speed and carry distance

• Tin Cup Products - This is one of my absolute favorites to give as a gift. A very simple and effective tool to very creatively personalize and mark your golf balls. I know it sounds ridiculously silly; but the immense satisfaction I get from sitting down with a brand new box of ProVIx balls and carefully putting my mark on there with a bunch of colored Sharpies is hilarious.

  

  Old Glory

• Shoes….I used to make fun of my wife for all of the shoes in her closet. I mean, how many shoes can she need?? No more….golf shoes are like my Kryptonite. I can always use another pair - and it seems like a new version makes it onto my birthday and Christmas list every year. Two of my current favorites are OluKai and G/Fore. OluKai offers off the charts comfort with a wide toe box and a great waterproof casual look. G/Fore has a unique interior footbed that massages your feet as you play with exceptional style. I have several pair of each and they cover the style gamut from casual summer rounds with an untucked shirt to country-club looks with some smart Peter Millar.

  

  Olukai Wai‘alae

  

  G/FORE Golf Shoes

You would be happy with any of the above choices. Make sure you stay off the naughty list and perhaps Santa will slip one of these under your tree…

This Week’s YouTube Recommended Follow

There are plenty of good YouTube golf vlog channels out there. In a future issue we’ll rank our favorites. But for now, a good one to start with is Bryan Bros Golf. Featuring George and Wesley - two brothers who have been exceptional golfers for a long period of time. Out of all the YouTube golfers out there, these two are at the very top of this list (perhaps behind Bryson) in terms of actual ability to play the game at a very high level. Wesley is a PGA Tour winner, and George, although older, just played in his first PGA event this year at 35 years old - and both made the cut! Wesley is certainly the more brazen of the two - and can be an acquired taste (you either love him or hate him.) But George truly seems like a genuinely nice guy - making it very easy to root for him. Add to that the fact that his swing is absolutely beautiful, and you can see how it’s entertaining content.

The Fairway Chronicles: Teeing Up the Top 5 Golf Novels That Score a Hole-in-One with Readers

While we are on the subject of great golf gadgets, gear and gifts - we might as well offer up some literary options. Grab one of these stocking stuffers, a glass of Scotch (maybe a Macallan 12 neat), crank up the fire, and get lost in one of these great stories.

1. "The Legend of Bagger Vance" by Steven Pressfield
   This timeless classic whisks readers away to the golden age of golf in the 1930s. It follows Rannulph Junuh, a disillusioned war veteran turned down-and-out golfer, who finds himself facing off against two golfing legends in a high-stakes match. Enter Bagger Vance, a mystical caddy who becomes Junuh's guide, imparting wisdom that transcends the game itself. It's a tale of redemption, self-discovery, and the enduring power of the human spirit set against the backdrop of the lush fairways of Savannah, Georgia. The book's popularity stems from its rich storytelling, vivid characterization, and the seamless blend of golf and spiritual allegory.

2. "Final Rounds" by James Dodson
   Dodson takes readers on an emotional journey as he recounts his final golfing escapades with his father, Arnold, who is battling terminal cancer. This poignant memoir chronicles their pilgrimage across the iconic British golf courses, reflecting on life, mortality, and the deep bond between father and son. The book resonates with readers for its raw honesty, heartfelt reflections, and the universal themes of family, love, and the bittersweet farewell to a cherished pastime.

3. "The Match: The Day the Game of Golf Changed Forever" by Mark Frost
   Frost transports readers back to a historic match held in 1956 between two titans of golf—Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson—against two amateur players, Harvie Ward and Ken Venturi. This gripping narrative unfolds as the players battle it out in an exhilarating, high-stakes competition that showcases not only their golfing prowess but also the camaraderie and sportsmanship at the heart of the game. Frost's meticulous research, coupled with his knack for storytelling, captivates golf enthusiasts and history buffs alike, making this book a must-read for its insight into a pivotal moment in golf history.

4. "The Greatest Game Ever Played" by Mark Frost
   Frost strikes again with this compelling tale centered around the improbable journey of Francis Ouimet, an amateur golfer, during the 1913 U.S. Open. Set against the backdrop of class divisions and societal norms, Ouimet challenges the established order of professional golf by facing off against British titans Harry Vardon and Ted Ray. Frost's meticulous attention to detail, coupled with his ability to evoke the drama and tension of the tournament, makes this underdog story an absolute page-turner, celebrated for its portrayal of courage, determination, and the triumph of the human spirit.

5. "Golf in the Kingdom" by Michael Murphy
   Murphy's novel is a mystical odyssey that weaves together golf, metaphysics, and spirituality. The story unfolds when a young American traveler, Michael, meets a mysterious Scottish golfer named Shivas Irons in the mystical Scottish links of Burningbush. Through their conversations and Shivas's unconventional teachings about the deeper essence of golf, Michael undergoes a transformative journey that transcends the physical aspects of the game. This book's popularity lies in its philosophical exploration of golf as a spiritual path, inviting readers to contemplate the transcendent nature of sports and life itself.

These novels have earned their stripes in the literary golfing world for their captivating storytelling, rich character development, and their ability to transport readers into the captivating world of golf while exploring deeper themes beyond the greens. Whether you're a golf enthusiast or simply a lover of compelling narratives, these books offer a swing into a world where the sport becomes a metaphor for life's most profound lessons.