The gifts that get a genuine laugh and then get used. From the toilet golf set and the rude tees to a gift-boxed hip flask, a beer-can headcover and a sleeve of the value balls every golfer burns through, this is the shelf to raid for Secret Santa, Father's Day or 'I owe him one'. Cheap enough to grab on impulse, good enough that they won't end up in a drawer.
Cheap novelty balls that puff into a cloud of white powder when someone smacks them, aimed at anyone wanting a laugh on the first tee or a stocking-filler for a golf mate.
What's great
When they go off properly, they genuinely deliver. A full-blooded driver swing turns the ball into a satisfying cloud of white "smoke" and the reaction is usually worth the few quid on its own. The better ones (Laughing Smith get singled out for this) look close enough to a real ball with proper dimples that your mate won't twig until it's too late, and the powder is harmless and washes straight off clubface, clothes and grass. Dirt cheap, no setup, and they make an easy gag gift that always lands a laugh.
Worth knowing
Two real catches. First, the "explosion" is hit and miss: plenty of owners report a feeble little puff instead of a proper cloud, and a soft or mishit swing barely sets it off, so the prank can fall completely flat. Second, they are strictly one and done, they can crumble in the bag if knocked about before the big moment, and despite the marketing they are NOT loud, so do not expect a bang. Cheaper or oddly logo'd ones can also be spotted on close inspection. Not for anyone wanting a reusable or guaranteed gag.
The verdict
A proper cheap laugh that's worth a punt for the gift or the wind-up, just go in knowing it's single use and the big cloud is a coin flip, not a certainty. Hand it to someone you know swings hard and you'll get your money's worth.
A novelty bathroom golf set, the classic gag gift: a thin putting mat that wraps round the base of the loo, a tiny extendable putter, a couple of balls, a cup and flag, and usually a "Do Not Disturb" door hanger. Aimed squarely at white elephant, Secret Santa and stocking-filler territory for the golf mate in your life.
What's great
For what it is, it genuinely lands the laugh, and that is the entire job. Setup is nothing, you drop the mat round the toilet, plant the cup and you are putting in seconds, and it fits most standard loos fine. Owners consistently say it is a reliable crowd-pleaser at parties and gift exchanges, and the kids tend to love it too. As a cheap, low-effort gift that gets a proper chuckle on the day, it does exactly what it says.
Worth knowing
Do not mistake this for actual putting practice. The putter is a flimsy bit of extendable plastic, the mat is thin with no real roll, and the balls are too light to behave like anything resembling a golf ball, so it teaches you nothing about your stroke. Novelty wears off within a few uses and then it lives in a cupboard. Quality is hit and miss across the many near-identical listings, and a recurring gripe is parts (usually the putter or balls) turning up missing in the box, so check the contents before you wrap it.
The verdict
I rate it for exactly one thing, a cheap gift that gets a laugh, and nothing more. Buy it as a gag, not as a present someone will actually use twice, and give the box a quick check for missing bits before you hand it over.
A driver headcover shaped like a beer can, pure novelty kit for the lad who treats the 19th hole as the best hole. It protects the driver while making your mates grin on the first tee.
What's great
The good ones (Foretra, Shanker and similar) are not the tat you'd fear. Owners consistently rate the build: thick PU leather shell, soft velour or felt lining, tidy embroidery, and a centre-elastic that genuinely grips so it does not ping off in the bag. It does the actual job of a headcover, stops your crown getting dinged, while looking properly funny on the bag. Cheap as chips compared to a posh leather cover, and it makes a cracking gift that gets a reaction every single round. For the money, the quality on the better-known brands punches above its weight.
Worth knowing
It is novelty first, so know what you're buying. The barrel shape can be a faff to wrestle on and off compared to a normal sock cover, and on a chunky 460cc head it sits snug, so check it actually fits yours. There's no number tag or club-ID slot, it's just a can. And the bargain-bin versions are where it goes wrong: peeling decals, loose stitching, fabric like a carrier bag. Stick to a brand with real reviews. Also worth saying, the joke wears thinner the more serious your playing partners are.
The verdict
A genuinely decent novelty cover that protects the club and earns a laugh, just buy a reputable one and check it fits your 460cc head. I'd rate it as a gift or a bit of fun, not as a serious bit of gear.
These are plastic 4-prong golf tees with a cheeky "DON'T SUCK" slogan slapped on, sold as a 50-pack with a reusable pouch. Half gag gift, half actual tee, aimed at the mate who needs reminding before he steps up on the first.
What's great
As an actual tee, the basics are sound. Plastic prong tees genuinely outlast wood, so a 50-pack lasts a proper while and you stop leaving snapped tees all over the box. The four little prongs cradle the ball instead of a flat cup, and the low-resistance design means slightly cleaner contact at impact, which is real enough. The pouch is a nice touch so they don't end up as confetti in the bottom of your bag. And as a gift it does the job, it gets a laugh and it's something he'll actually use, which beats most novelty tat.
Worth knowing
Let's be honest about the claims. The "straighter, longer drives" line is marketing, every proper tee test going shows tee design barely moves distance or spin, so don't expect it to fix your slice. Prong tees are a faff to push into hard or dry ground, and the ball has a habit of rolling off the prongs when you're teeing up, which winds people up no end. Plastic also bends and goes brittle over time rather than snapping clean. And if your club runs branded tees or you're fussy about looks, "DON'T SUCK" stamped on your peg might not be the vibe.
The verdict
A solid, durable everyday tee dressed up as a gag gift, and on that level I rate it. Just buy it for the laugh and the longevity, not the distance promises, because those are nonsense.
A set of magnetic enamel ball markers in rude or funny designs, sat on a hat clip, aimed at the golfer who likes a bit of banter on the green and treats their kit as part of the joke. Classic stocking-filler and impulse buy.
What's great
For what it is, it does the job a plain marker does with a lot more personality. The hat clip is the genuinely useful bit, the marker lives on your cap peak and snaps off when you need it, so no patting your pockets on the green. They get a laugh off the first tee, they photograph well, and the rude designs are exactly the sort most polite club shops won't stock. As a cheap gift that actually gets used rather than shoved in a drawer, it's hard to fault.
Worth knowing
This is a generic import, so quality is a lottery and the magnet is where it bites. Owner reviews repeatedly flag weak magnets that drop the marker mid-round, sometimes after one wear, so look for a set with a chunkier (12mm) magnet. The enamel can chip if it rattles loose in a pocket, and the hat clip doesn't grip every cap brim equally well, thinner peaks can let it slide. Buy it for the gag and the convenience, not as a precision bit of kit.
The verdict
A proper cheap, cheerful win that earns its place as a gift or impulse buy. Just go for a set with a strong magnet and recent decent reviews, because the weak-magnet versions genuinely do fall off.
Novelty funny golf socks: a cotton-poly crew sock with a cheeky print (angry golfers, "hole in one" gags, course scenes) aimed squarely at the gift pile. This is a stocking-filler for the mate who has every gadget already, not a performance bit of kit.
What's great
As a laugh, they nail it. The frustrated-golfer and rude-caption designs genuinely raise a smile, and owners consistently buy them as gifts that land well. The common blend (roughly 70 percent cotton with a bit of poly and elastane) is soft enough for a full eighteen, has decent stretch so they hold their shape, and the ribbed cuff stays up reasonably well during a round. For the money they punch above their weight as a bit of fun, and most reviewers rate the print quality and the fact each figure on the better sets is different.
Worth knowing
These are novelty first, sock second. The knit is thin with little to no arch support or cushioning, so anyone wanting proper performance or plantar support should look elsewhere. Sizing is the big one: a lot are sold as one-size or a wide range (UK 9-12 style), which runs loose and slides down on smaller feet. Printed designs can fade or bobble if you tumble dry hot rather than wash cool and air dry, and the thin fabric means they wear quicker than a dedicated sports sock. Buy for the gag, not the green.
The verdict
I rate these as a gift, not as golf gear. Get them for the laugh and the wrap, wash them gently, but if your mate actually wants comfort over four hours on the course, pair them with a proper performance pair.
A golf ball turned into a bottle opener, either a real ball machined onto a steel opener plate (the BeerWedge type) or a moulded ball with a magnet built in. Aimed at the golfer who wants a daft, on-brand way to crack a beer at the 19th or on the fridge.
What's great
The good ones are genuinely satisfying. A real golf ball machined onto a stainless steel plate has proper weight in the hand, and owners consistently say it feels like quality rather than tat. The carabiner versions clip straight onto your bag, so you have got an opener with you on the course instead of hunting for a lighter or a buddy's tee. The magnetic fridge versions double as a cap catcher, which is a nice touch for the man cave. As a stocking filler or fourball gift it lands every time, because it actually works and it makes people grin.
Worth knowing
It is a novelty, so judge it as one. The cheap moulded ABS versions feel hollow and light, the magnets are often weaker than the listing claims, and a thin pressed-steel lip can flex or bend if you lean on it. The carabiner is a keyring clip, not climbing gear, so do not trust it to hold anything heavy. The standout real-ball ones (BeerWedge from Buffalo BottleCraft) drift in and out of stock, so you are often left choosing between generic Amazon clones of varying quality. And let's be honest, it opens a bottle no better than the opener already on your fridge.
The verdict
A proper grin of a gift that does the one job it claims. Spend a bit more for a real-golf-ball-and-steel version, skip the hollow plastic clones, and do not expect it to be the best opener you own, just the most golf one.
A novelty boxed gift set built around a small stainless steel hip flask, usually with a funnel, a few tees, a divot tool and a ball marker, aimed at being the easy birthday or Father's Day present for a golfing mate.
What's great
As a gift it nails the brief: it looks the part in the box, it raises a smile, and the funnel plus tees plus pitchmark repairer are genuinely usable bits and bobs that end up living in the bag. Most of these flasks hold around 170 to 200ml, which is plenty for a couple of warmers on a cold round, and a decent one with a screw cap (not a hinged lid) actually seals well enough to chuck in a pocket. For the money it is a lot of stuff and a tidy presentation, so it ticks the thoughtful-but-affordable box.
Worth knowing
Be honest about what it is: budget kit dressed up nicely. The faux leather wrap is plastic, the divot tool and tees are flimsy and often the first things to get binned, and a brand new cheap flask usually needs a vinegar-and-water rinse to shift the metallic taste before anything drinkable goes near it. Leave spirits sitting in it for days and they'll taste of the tin. Watch for hinged or push-fit lids rather than a proper screw cap, because those are the ones that leak in a pocket and go walkabout on the course. This is a gift item, not a flask a serious flask person would buy for themselves.
The verdict
A solid, crowd-pleasing present for the golfer who likes a nip at the turn, just don't expect heirloom quality. Buy it as a bit of fun, give the flask a vinegar rinse first, and check it's a screw-cap model.
A novelty barware gift set: a glass golf-club-shaped decanter (usually holds a full bottle, around 750ml to 1000ml) paired with two to four golf-ball-shaped tumblers, often on a little wooden stand. Aimed squarely at the golf-mad bloke who has the clubs sorted and now wants the bar looking the part.
What's great
As a talking point it genuinely delivers. The club-shaped decanter and dimpled ball glasses look the business on a shelf or a home bar, and across listings it's one of the most reliable "he loved it" golf gifts going. The borosilicate glass on the better versions is clear and properly weighty rather than flimsy, the ball glasses sit nicely in the hand, and for a milestone birthday, retirement or Father's Day it lands every time. If you're buying it as a centrepiece ornament that occasionally pours a dram, it does that job well.
Worth knowing
It's a novelty first, a decanter second, and the honesty bit matters here. The ground-glass stopper on a lot of these does not seal tight, so it's no good for long-term storage, your whiskey will go flat and lose its nose over a few weeks, decant only what you'll drink soon. The ball glasses are small and round-bottomed, so they hold less than you'd think and are easy to knock over. Breakages in transit are a common gripe, so check it the second it arrives. The club neck and round glasses are a pain to clean and dry, and quite a few turn up with a chemical or dusty smell that needs a good rinse before first use.
The verdict
Buy it as the fun, look-at-this gift it is and it's a winner. Just don't expect it to keep good whiskey in good nick, it's a showpiece that pours, not a serious decanter.
Golf balls that light up so you can play after dark, either LED balls that flash on impact and run off an internal battery, or glow balls you charge up with a UV torch. Pure fun-round kit, not serious gamers.
What's great
For mucking about after sunset they genuinely deliver, and the main job (not losing your ball in the dark) is nailed. The LED ones flash on for roughly 8 to 10 minutes per strike with no torch needed, and decent ones run 40 to 70 hours total, so a pack lasts ages. The UV charge-up type are brighter and fly much closer to a normal ball, and a 15-minute charge gets you going. Brilliant laugh for a summer evening, wedge shots and putting in the garden, or roping the kids and the mates in.
Worth knowing
Don't expect proper golf. The LED balls feel like tapping a stone, putting is grim, and distance and feel are well off a real ball. Owners regularly report duds straight out the box that never light, balls that quit lighting after a few ground bounces, and on the impact-activated ones the timer doesn't reset when you hit it again, so it can die mid-hole. The surface scuffs and marks easily too. UV balls dim within about 20 minutes and need re-charging between most shots, which gets old fast.
The verdict
A proper novelty I rate for what it is: a cheap, daft night-golf laugh with your mates, not a ball you'd ever put in play in daylight. Buy a pack expecting a couple of duds, keep spares in your pocket, and don't overthink it.
A little enamel ball marker that lives on a magnetic clip pinned to the brim of your cap, so you've always got a marker on you without digging through pockets. Aimed at anyone tired of borrowing a tee or a coin on the green.
What's great
The whole point is convenience and it delivers: clip it to your peak once, slap the marker on the green, and it snaps back to the brim every time. The good ones have a genuinely strong magnet, so the marker doesn't ping off on a cart ride or a hard swing, and the enamel designs actually look the part rather than cheap and plasticky. Owner reviews on the better versions consistently call out the magnet strength and the finish quality, and reviewers like that one marker covers you for the whole round.
Worth knowing
Quality is all over the shop on these. Cheaper ones have a weak magnet that drops the marker mid-round (the exact thing it's meant to fix), and the spring clip can lose its bite and slide off your brim over time. Funny enough some owners report the opposite, a magnet so strong it's a faff to prise the marker off with cold hands. The enamel can chip if you're rough with it, and a thin marker is fiddly to pick up off the green if you've got sausage fingers. Not for you if you already keep a marker in your glove and never lose it.
The verdict
A cheap, genuinely useful bit of kit that solves a real annoyance, as long as you buy one with a proper magnet and a clip that grips. I rate it for most golfers, just don't expect a bargain-bin one to last.
