Holiday #Golf Gifts and Stocking Stuffers for your Favorite Golfers

The holiday season can really take a bite out of your wallet - golf can be a very expensive game! Prices for clubs, accessories, clothing and more, make golfers a difficult group to shop for, especially if you want to show your love but forego the high price tag.

Golf for Beginners has compiled several fun and interesting golf gifts - gadgets, accessories and thoughtfulness that you may be able to stuff into a stocking...or maybe not, depending on how big that stocking is...

Here is a list of Holiday Golf Gifts and Gadgets that won't bust your budget but will get you a big thank you (and, perhaps, a kiss under the mistletoe):

1. Mobitee GPS Golf Assistant: Your golfer comes home from a round on the links frustrated that his/her ball found every hazard on the course. He couldn't gauge the distance to the bunkers, he didn't know the right club to select to the green because he wasn't exactly sure of the distance there either as the course he played had no markers, no GPS on his cart.

Place Mobitee in their stockings this Christmas - it's a GPS, Rangefinder, club advisor and will help with handicap, track statistics and even offer up a friendly wager! One of the best all-in-one apps for iPhone, Android and Windows phone that I have ever used: http://www.mobitee.com.

2. Trust-Tee Innovative Golf Tee - Golfers in your life will LOVE this game improver if they consistency slice or hook their ball with the driver. The camber on the tee adjusts the spin on the ball to reduce those dreaded, airmailed banana balls.

Save your golfer (and his wallet) from losing those expensive Titleist Pro V1 golf balls! Trust-Tee is a much less expensive option than a $400 adjustable driver which basically does the same thing as this box of four tees which sell for only $9.99! Great for making golf fun again...and, isn't that is the object of getting new people into the sport and keeping them there? http://bit.ly/1vww6QP.


3. Golf Shots 2015 Calendar - Every year I wait for Evan Schiller's golf calendar to arrive so that I can pin it to my bulletin board and sigh while viewing the most beautiful courses in the world from Evan's perspective!

It is December and I am currently dreaming about playing golf on the 9th hole of the Corales Course at Punta Cana Resort and Club: http://www.golfshots.com.



4. Mistake Free Golf Book - First Aid for Your Golfing Brain by Robert K. Winters PhD - The Mental Game is probably more important than the Physical Game, although they both work in tandem when you are firing on all cylinders.

Mistake Free Golf teaches you how to believe in yourself, how to commit to every shot and how not to lose composure or get anxious over those three-foot putts (choke): http://www.amazon.com/Mistake-Free-Golf-First-Golfing-Brain/dp/1250044685


5. Under Armour Eye Wear for Golfers: If your golfer is a fashionista and requires all of the hottest clothes and accessories that money can (or cannot) buy, the new Fire and Marbella lines of Under Armour Sunglasses will not only help you track your golf ball off the tee, they will be your super-hot "go-to" sunglasses! Engineered for the female athlete who wants performance - these specs are lightweight, adjustable and durable: http://www.UnderArmour.com.

Yes, these are my Under Armour Sunglasses - I love the green accents!

6. If you believe in the gift of giving, why not check out these worthy charities:
National Navy UDT SEAL Museum - dedicated to preserving the history of Navy SEALs (originally known as frog men), while honoring the fallen heroes and assisting the families of warriors who have perished in battle.

Stowers Institute for Medical Research: with a dedicated team of scientists, continues to make "a significant contribution to humanity through medical research by expanding our understanding of the secrets of life, and by improving life’s quality through innovative approaches to the causes, treatment and prevention of diseases." #ACCGolf via The American Century Championship.


Share your coolest Holiday Golf Gifts and Gadgets with us on our Golf for Beginners blog or on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

Happy Holidays to all of our readers!

NFL Legends and Navy SEALs Attack Pebble Beach Golf Event

Aside from being one of the most anticipated golf events of the year, the mix of sports and football legends as well as Navy SEAL maneuvers made the 24th Annual Legends Invitational one of the most unique happenings I have ever attended. Here is my take on the festivities and why you should mark your calendar for next year's celebration.

After flying from east to west coast, I arrived in sunny Monterey, California to meet the Navy SEALs and play golf at the Legends Invitational Event. The trip was long but, as I stepped onto the back porch of The Inn at Spanish Bay illuminated by blazing fire pits, I became mesmerized by a scene of calm and storm; peaceful flag-fluttering greens were accentuated by waves crashing from behind. Long first day with the prospect of the adventure to come.

The Inn at Spanish Bay

Day two, standing on the porch having a cocktail at the Jack Daniels tent, I was awed as I watched a swarm of Navy SEALs parachuting onto the fairway of Spanish Bay Golf Links, gliding softly into three-point landings to the sounds of patriotic songs performed by The American Rogues.

It was a touching moment which made me realize how fortunate I am to be living in the greatest country in the world.

I had never seen demonstrations so realistic nor had I been in the immediate presence of so many Military in full gear – guns (not loaded) by their sides, GO Video cameras atop their helmets and canine SEAL-in-training MIKO ready for center stage – talk about up-close-and-personal, this was in-your-face cool.

SEALs warmly took the spotlight as cameras were flashing; Lauren Seaver, news anchor at KSBW-TV mentioned, "it was one of the coolest demonstrations I had ever seen" and that nothing like this had ever occurred before at Spanish Bay.

With Mrs. Kay Crabb and Navy SEALs Team

Nick Buoniconti, NFL Hall of Fame middle linebacker who played for the Boston Patriots and Miami Dolphins said, "I had chills. You get chills up and down your spine because you know, that, in real life, they're putting their lives on the line."

Watch KSBW-TV headlining news story: Navy SEALs and NFL Legends Team Up for Good Cause

The Navy SEALs, heroes of Sea Air and Land, are special forces who go into situations of grave danger and provide reconnaissance - they are the ultimate warriors. Navy.com states that SEALs bring "a threatening act of sea piracy to resolution in the blink of an eye."

The National Navy UDT SEAL Museum is dedicated to preserving the history of SEALs (originally known as frog men), while honoring the fallen heroes and assisting the families of warriors who have perished in battle.

The Navy SEAL Museum receives no federal funding and relies solely on the patriotic support of our citizens which is why the Legends Invitational Golf Event has chosen The Navy SEAL Museum and these brave responders as the recipients of their support.

After a night of meet and greet with HOF Football Legends and Navy SEALs complete with delicious buffet prepared by the Spanish Bay Inn chefs, the next morning brought a few hours of respite before the official event start, so what did I choose to do?

Walk Pebble Beach Golf Links!

Being a golfer and knowing you are going to play Pebble Beach the next day, thoughts arise such as, “I wonder if hole number 7 is as treacherous as I read” or “does the 18^th hole really look that beautiful in person? The answers are yes to both questions.

Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill and Spanish Bay, three of the most beautiful courses in the world, each have a natural, rugged beauty that cannot be justified through the lens of a camera.

Pebble Beach Golf Course View from 11

If I could offer one tip that stands for all three of the golf courses mentioned above, whether you have played here before or not, it is to invest in a caddie. I thought my distances, reads on greens were close but I was off on almost every decision I would have made, so the caddie definitely saved my group and I a number of strokes.

My group consisted of Pete and Wayne Kostroski, Vice Admiral Joe Kernan and Kerry McNally.

Yes, I played golf with an ADMIRAL! While teams were captained by football and sports legends, other teams were led by Navy SEALs. In my opinion, our team hit the jackpot-the Admiral is an approachable leader and a true gentleman.

The additional three team members were a memorable group of excellent golfers. McNally is an Emmy Award winning videographer, Wayne Kostroski is the founder of Taste of the NFL whose annual Superbowl Party with a Purpose rallies the country's top chefs and the NFL's greatest players to raise money in support of food banks throughout the United States. Pete is his son and an awesome golfer (with a single-digit handicap).

As we got to the 7^th hole at Pebble Beach, we were greeted by Jack Daniels crew and we toasted to good health and good fortune with Legends Invitational owner John Lee (who stood and watched our shots) …and then we proceeded to par the hole!

The rest of my Pebble Beach golf round was equally as spectacular as this 18-handicapper forged ahead to shoot a 94.

What could make this golf event even more memorable for me? Playing Spyglass Hill and Spanish Bay the following two days.

Legends Invitational title Sponsor, IZOD, created memorable gift bags including their outstanding golf apparel for all of the participants. A great deal of thanks for their devotion to the Event and for their support of The Navy SEAL Museum.

This is how to support the The National Navy UDT SEAL Museum.

More information on Legends invitational Golf Event and how you can attend next year's extravaganza.

Voice your thoughts on our Golf for Beginners blog and on Twitter: @Golf4Beginners, @NavySEALMuseum and Legends Invitational @SEALsGolf. 

Navy SEALs Rappelling Into Legends Invitational Golf Event

The Navy SEAL Museum, which honors SEALs and their predecessors for their contributions to our national security, has more support coming its way.

The 24th Annual Legends Invitational, a golf event which takes place from November 14-17, 2014 at three of the most beautiful golf courses on the Monterey coastline, Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill and Spanish Bay, will be assisting the efforts of the Museum.

Teams of Navy SEALs, in conjunction with Legends Invitational and the Museum, will kick-off the tournament with tactical demonstrations, from parachuting maneuvers to rappelling with canines out of a helicopter onto Spanish Bay golf course. SEALs will also be "up-close-and-personal" for the duration of this one-of-a-kind golf event.

John Lee, owner of the Legends Invitational and member of the Navy SEAL Museum Board stated, 

“I am proud to serve on the Navy SEAL Museum and also have the 24th Legends Invitational raise funds to support SEAL families in times of distress, provide scholarships and answer the significant needs of the Museum.”

The Navy SEAL Museum currently receives no federal funding and relies on contributions from patriotic and grateful supporters to continue to preserve Naval Special Warfare history, honor fallen heroes at the SEAL Memorial and care for warriors and families through the Trident House.

“The National Navy SEAL Museum is delighted to be the beneficiary of the 24th Legends Invitational,” said Rick Kaiser, Executive Director of the Navy SEAL Museum. “We will be invading Spanish Bay via parachute and helicopter with help from our Military Working Dog Miko.  Should be fun for all!”

In addition to the excitement and fanfare surrounding the Navy SEAL's, Celebrity Sports Legends including several of Football's Greatest will be playing in the event alongside of corporate executives and business professionals helping to secure needed funding for the SEAL's and their families.
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You can also help the families of fallen SEAL's! Click on the links below to find out more:

Support The National Navy SEAL Museum

 Play in this once-in-a-lifetime golf event

If You Got Any Closer You Would Have to Enlist

Join us on Twitter to discuss the Legends Invitational and show support for the Navy SEALs - @Golf4Beginners and @SEALsGolf and show your support by liking the Legends Invitational Facebook page

And, as always, we welcome comments on our Golf for Beginners blog.