The Open Championship is always special for golf fans, but it’s magical when the third of the PGA’s annual Major Championships returns to the home of golf, the Old Course at Royal St. Andrews.
Scotland gave the world golf, scotch and bad weather, and all three blend well at St. Andrews. In fact, rumors fly that the reason it’s now called the Open Championship instead of its long-standing British Open moniker because the Scots weren’t overly thrilled with their Brit brothers and sisters claiming ownership of their game — even if they’re all one big, happy family within the United Kingdom. In fact, calling it the British Open these days is consider an act of war in Aberdeen.
Related: Whistling Straits Ready to Host PGA Championship
As the pros walk the long, wide and lonely fairways, the average golfer can set a bucket list item to play the cradle of the game. For now, to ease any sense of envy or longing, we put together a short list of golf gifts you can buy yourself to improve your game and the enjoyment of it in Scotland or wherever your clubs take you.
2015 Open Championship Golf Gifts
Celebrate the birthplace of golf and the oldest Major with these varied gift ideas.
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PowerBilt Air Force One DFX Tour Black Driver
Custom made and bespoke — with the quality of drivers hundreds of dollars more expensive, the PowerBilt AFO DFX Tour Black Driver offers something every golfer should experience — a top shelf club made from advanced materials specifically for him or her.
MSRP: $299
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VPAR
Both an app for staying connected to the game (amateur and professional) and a social network bringing golfers around the world together, the VPAR tracks and improves performance while giving you GPS layout of real world courses.
MSRP: $8.99.
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Vice Golf Balls
You can play with some excellent golf balls (bespoke with your name, if you like) from this upstart company taking on the big boy ball manufacturers with style attention to detail. Vice Golf Balls offer professional feel without the major expense.
MSRP: Varies.
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Arccos Golf Performance Tracking System
Looking to improve your swing with every club in your bag, the Arccos Golf Performance Tracking System tracks your swing data, your course position, your distance, etc., all with provided sensors to attach to your clubs. It's one of the most informative and thorough teaching and playing aids available.
MSRP: $299
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Golf Channel Academy Lesson
If you need to improve your game and don't have your own coach handy, the Golf Channel Academy app offers virtual real time lessons with multiple pros via smartphone.
MSRP: $29.99
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Blast Golf
From Blast Golf, this (deep breath) Blast Motion Golf Replay/3D Motion Capture Trainer with Smart Video Swing Analysis and Performance Data Overlay puts its sensors to work to improve your driving and putting.
MSRP: $149.95
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A Round at Whistling Straits
It's closed to the public from now through the end of the 2015 PGA Championship, but (with a splurge) you can experience a round of championship caliber golf at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin along Lake Michigan. Just be prepared for one of the toughest public courses in the world.
MSRP: $385
