Recently, I attended a charity auction at my youngest’s elementary school. It was an entertaining affair, with a jazz band and lots of food from nearby establishments. Local businesses had donated everything from a $1500 laser wrinkle treatment to a movie gift certificates to tee shirts. And parents with an artistic bent (no shortage of artists in Ann Arbor) had donated jewelry, paintings and crafts. There were even a few rounds of golf to be had.

I would expect to see that sort of thing at a school auction, of course. But what I would not have anticipated was the large number of “gift baskets” that people had assembled. More surprising was the wild bidding that ensued over these baskets. I am sure that each went for at least twice the retail value of the items included. 

When I commented on that, Mrs. GolfBlogger told me that I was being ridiculous. The baskets, she informed me, were cute, and a perfect gift. I am certain that I “harrumphed.”

So imagine my surprise when I was browsing through the GolfSmith website and discovered dozens of golf-related gift baskets. I am apparently more “out of it” than I knew.

How about the Shoe-Shine Gift Basket, or the Desk Duffer Gift Basket or the The Pampered Golfer Gift Basket?

I am reliably informed by Mrs. Golfblogger—who has far better taste than I—that people would like to receive these.

Harrumph.

I’ve bought several pieces of framed art from Art.Com over the last couple of years, including the one you see at left, which now hands over my work desk.

Art is, I think, a pretty good gift for a golfer (or for anyone). It’s certainly better than a box of novelty golf balls, an ugly golf shirt, or a club you don’t need.

Since I’ve bought from them in the past, Art.Com has been sending me notices of “secret” sales and they’ve got a pretty good one going now. You’ll apparently get 25% off your order if you use the code: Holly25 . I have no idea how long that code will work.

Buy Golf posters and prints at Art.com

Tank Art of Daytona, a company which does custom motorcycle art, now has branched out into golf.

For $85, Marc Johnson’s will strip the finish on your club (you have to send it to him), put a custom image on it, and then rebuild and polish the original finish so that it looks like new—except now it will have the logo of your choice.

The photo shots a WWII pinup, but he apparently can do most anything, including sports and military logos. I should get one done with West Virginia’s “Flying WV” logo.

You can get a custom driver done through his Ebay “Buy It Now” auction.

This would make a terrific gift.

Golf Chess Set

Ridiculous Golf Item of The Week

Green Friendly Golf Men’s Classic Series Belt

Grade: A
Teacher’s Comments: A brilliant idea

I received a Green Friendly golf belt in the mail the other day and was immediately impressed by the design and engineering. From first appearances just another fine quality leather belt, the Green Friendly Belt hides a clever secret.

As shown in the photo at left, the metal tip of the belt slides out to reveal a forked ball mark tool. On the reverse side of the tool is a small, magnetic ball marker.

It’s a wonderful idea, beautifully executed. Leaving my mark tool and ball marker behind in the car now is a thing of the past. I just make sure that I’m wearing the belt before heading to the course. It also helps keep a pointy tool from sticking me in the leg when I swing.

If there’s one concern that I have, it’s with the ball marker. It’s very small, and I’m not convinced that—over the long haul—it will stay on the back of the metal tip. It would have been much better, I think, to have figured out a way to move it to a position where it stays inside the belt until needed. I"m afraid that, as I walk about, the tip will flop and the marker will come off. It hasn’t happened yet, but ...

The Green Friendly Golf Belt would make a great gift for the golfer in your life.