Looking good and feeling good may be nice and all, but playing well and looking good is even better. A stunning, comfortable piece of apparel to give as a gift is, therefore, a perfect idea either way. For many, this time of year means that it’s time to pull out the outerwear or, if they’re lucky, the windbreakers or maybe just an added base layer. Whether the person you're warming up with a nice winter holiday present likes making a loud entrance with their golf attire or if you would prefer something more subtle for them, there’s a golf brand out there that has exactly what you need.

Golf shops have golfers' apparel needs covered from head to toe. From the bold, to the classic, and every style in-between. Several different brands can fit different needs, offering players the best look to showcase their individualism out on the golf course. If they prefer a comfortable jacket or practical vest, or prefer a base layer and a stylish polo, there is an outfit meant for them. Avoiding some obviously specific apparel options such as golf shoes or form-fitting fashions, other items that are easier to guess in terms of sizing—and more importantly, items that can advance a player’s performance—might make better gift ideas. Below is a list I have put together of winter apparel items any golfer would be happy to have available in their closet.

Base Layers

The foundation for a lot of players, base layers are tighter-fitting to enable an unrestricted golf swing and provide significant warmth through biting wind or weather. Base layers are a must-have item. For some who play in extreme conditions, bottom base layers can be a great gift. For most players, top base layers are an important item to have and a simplistic gift option to fit an array of body types; they’re not too dependent on a player’s style. FootJoy and Under Armour make excellent choices in basic colors to flow well under any outfit.

Golf Vests

Being warm out on the golf course does not have to involve swing-restrictive jackets or heavier sleeves that affect the arms and wrists. Comfortability can work in conjunction with performance in a stylish vest. For any golfer, vests are designed to keep players warm in cooler temperatures with brands such as Straight Down or Peter Millar offering pieces with contemporary colors and fashions.

Pullovers

Layering in golf and being prepared to shed a jacket after the morning sun has snapped out of its frosty start is a part of the game. Unless they are brave and are sporting shorts at dawn, having a pullover to keep players warm the first few holes or the day fills a significant need. Considering function as much as style, form fitting and well-designed technical pieces like the Allendale from Sunice, provide excellent warmth in lightweight options that keep players focused on the golf swing.

Rain Pants

For golfers who are not going to let downpours of rain get in their way or for those who live where they cannot wait for the 360 nice days—a San Diegan tradition—rain-proof pants are a terrific gift this time of year. Mizuno and FootJoy make excellent pants that are easy to put on and pull off to allow players to quickly adjust to changing weather conditions or simply stay dry throughout the round. Having these hanging in the closet or packed in the golf bag in case of rain in the forecast disables another boundary to playing the game. Basic sizes fit a vast array of golfers, making these rain bottoms a safe gift option for a golfer who plays in harsher weather.

Junior Golf Jackets

Dressing the junior golfer in your life to help them stay dry and warm on the golf course should be an easy experience. Many key golf brands are offering juniors a great combination of function and style to look like their favorite pro golfer. Whether Ricky Fowler, Jordan Speith, or Lexi Thompson, brands like Puma, Under Armour, Nike, and Garb have apparel for kids of any age to help them dress like their heroes.

Rain Jackets

When the conditions are nasty and it's inevitable that golfers are going to get wet, the desire to stay dry begins to outweigh the needs of an unrestricted golf swing. Golf-jacket designers do their best to provide players with as lightweight and flexible options as possible that still bead off water. Leading the way with highly-technical construction, FootJoy’s HydroLite jacket line, including full sleeve and half-sleeve, merge these different needs to the highest possible degree. Paired with a FootJoy HydroLite Rain Pant, staying dry through the wet days is not a problem.

Long Sleeve Polos and Mocks

For the golfer in your life who has enough cold-weather gear, follows the heat, or does not encounter extreme cold, windy, or rainy conditions, a long-sleeved polo or mock polo may be the perfect gift option. With many styles, colors, and brands to choose from, there is an amazing apparel piece out there for any player. From tighter-fitting Puma pieces, to looser men’s polos from FootJoy, to quality options from Greyson Clothiers and many more, these long-sleeved polos and mock necks provide players the extra protection they need that short-sleeved polos do not offer.

For the lady golfer in your life who prefers longer-sleeved mocks in cooler weather with fashionable designs and colors, brands such as Sport Haley, Nike, and Adidas offer many options for her. A nice, stylish piece from Jofit might also be the perfect choice.

Socks with Style

Give the gift of comfort to the golfer in your life with a present their feet will cherish for an exceptionally long time. The brand Stance has got a great gift for you to give, whether your golfer is looking to have some fun with their favorite Caddyshack character—enabling them to sport some attitude on the golf course—or simply searching for comfort. It’s a little easier on the wallet, and if guessing sizes is an issue, a pack of these socks makes for a simpler gift that will keep your golfer walking the golf course with a pep in their step.

Protection for the Noggin

From rainy-weather protection to sun protection, golf hats are a staple to have out on the golf course any time. Many different types of protection exist—rain hats, beanies, visors, and standard golf caps with various styles and colors. If your golfer prefers to look like Judge Smails or a little less profound, there is a brand and option to match perfectly with their wardrobe. Many hats are logoed by the brand or golf course that produces them, so knowing your player’s favorite course or equipment brand is a must when buying the perfect hat for them. Every golf-club brand has a hat available, but for more specific options, look at a brand called Imperial. If you cannot find Smails’ discarded hat, the Oxford Bucket Hat by Imperial might be a great substitute that still blocks harmful sun rays.

Dressed for Success

Buying the right golf gift for the golfer in your life, with the many different possibilities in styles all available at your fingertips, is a fun way of expressing your perspective of their style. Dressing them for success puts them, and any player, in the right mindset to score well. Having a starting point in terms of the type of apparel they want, the goal of the gift, and an awareness of their needs, puts you on a great course toward buying accurately and purchasing something they will love for as long as the threads will last. From the classic to the new, loud to the not-so-loud, comfortable or built for performance, the perfect piece to pull off any look is out there.

If you need any help finding the right gift, please feel free to reach out to me or one of my fellow Golf experts here on Curated for free advice and recommendations. We also offer the option of a Curated gift card which can be used towards making a golf-related purchase with free expert help finding the right apparel and gear for your golfer's needs.