Golf Ornaments with a Kohler theme via artist Cassy Tully while they last, see Cassytully.com for details and information. White Pines Golf Club in Bensenville has 36 holes, still open and a fun 37th. Book your holiday parties now at Whitepinesgolf.com.    ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on facebook, linkedin and twitter @gogblogguy. On the 7th green at Mt. Prospect Golf Club.

It’s Mid-November so it’s that time of year, holiday shopping will be coming on Black Friday in less than two weeks.

Some people will start before then to beat the rush, and will be ordering online.

Based on popular demand, I have decided to write again about shopping for yourself, or for the golfer or golfers in your life.

If your shopping for the members of your regular foursome, you probably have them figured out. Player A losses a lot fo golf balls, so get him or her some. Player B needs something other than his 2002 Western Open golf shirt to wear every weekend. Player C can’t make a putt inside of two feet and really needs a new putter. Player D needs a gift card for a free round of golf because they are always complaining about how much it costs to play.

But if your golf gift ideas don’t come that easy, here is the way to do it. Save yourself some time or money now and get it right the first time.

Kohler Golf holiday ornaments created by Artist Cassy Tully, see Cassytully.com

When it comes to golf there are plenty of ways to go. There are options in golf clubs, balls, bags, towels, head covers, bag tags, pull or push carts, ball retriever, practice alignment sticks, the famous Perfect Putting Aid by Chad Johansen, golf lessons, golf outerwear in terms of jackets, pullovers, shorts, shirts, hats, caps, gloves, socks, slacks, rounds of golf, or credit toward that golf getaway or golf trip of a life time.

Even that gift card for the Friday night Fish Fry at the club is not a bad deal.

Many of the above products are or will be available with Chicago Cubs 2016 World Series Champions logo’s on them. The perfect way to get two things with one gift out of the way. One thing you get now for next year, that likely you could not get for the World Series is tickets.

The NCAA trophy

The NCAA Men’s and Women’s national championships will be contested next May in 2017 at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove in back to back weeks.

Tickets to go all week or just one day, or to wait until it’s down to the Final Four, are on sale NOW on line at NCAA.com/Tickets.

If you attend this event you will have so much fun that you will then want to attend the 2017 US Open at Erin Hills. Yes the U.S. Open makes a rare Midwest appearance next June at Erin Hills. Tickets at USGA.org/tickets.

Tickets will soon be on sale for other area tournaments such as the KPMG/PGA/LPGA championship at Olympia Fields for late June. In July tickets for the John Deere Classic, in September the BMW Championship returns to Conway Farms in Lake Forest.

NEXT WEEK on The Golf Channel the winner of the Wilson Sporting Goods contest of Driver vs Driver will be announced, the winning driver will be on sale as of black Friday. Wilson rep and PGA Tour player Kevin Streelman will have one in his bag when he starts play on the PGA Tour in 2017.

WAY TO SHOP… DO NOT just go buy clubs off the rack and give them to someone, especially an established regular player. Make sure they are properly fitting for the club before buying them, it will help them hit the ball longer and straighter. Golfers might prefer to play only a certain brand. Getting your golfer fitted before buying clubs, is like going to the tailor before you buy the suit.

The NEW Titleist 917 Driver, now in the pro shops and retail stores.

It doesn’t matter what kind of clubs you are buying, Woods, Irons, Wedges, Hybrids, or Putters, get fitted first.

A few of the major companies now have ball fittings as well. Golfers can be fussy about what type of ball they play, but them the right brand and type, you will be glad you did. How to know what they play, look in their bag, odds are it’s the type you see several off in the ball pocket.

As far as golf bags go, it can be the same thing as golf wear products. Some people need a certain size to carry or travel with, some want a certain company or golf course or resort logo on the product. try to find out where he or she likes to play.

The Perfect Putting Aid, by Chad Johansen.

Putting or swing aids are another option, as most but not all golfers do like to practice.

The best putting aid I have seen in over 30 years in the golf business is the Perfect Putting Aid by Chad Johansen, the head professional and GM at Blackberry Oaks in west suburban Bristol. The PPA is used by over 100 PGA Tour players, that should tell you something right there. Johansen has also created the Guide for Golf, a way to take the lesson you need, when you need it, see Guideforgolf.com or chadjohansen.com.

Clothes, just check on sizes and go from there. Some brands are better than others, and make sure you get something they can wear while trying to swing, on hot, cold, rainy or windy days.

Does your golfer need to getaway, for a destination trip. Gift card or book the trip, if you don’t play make sure that gift card to the golf resort, includes a shopping spree or spa visit for you.

Pictures, posters or golf paintings is another option. For example golf artist Cassy Tully in Wisconsin has golf art from Kohler and some other name golf properties. See cassytully.com.

Some golfers can enjoy food and beverage before during or after golf. Make sure he or she has her favorite golf wine, beer, cigars, a can of Arnold Palmer (iced tea/lemonade), or Jack Nicklaus ice cream now in 14 flavors.

Golf books are out on the market in numbers, getting your golfer the right book is a good idea, if you order soon enough sometimes you can get them autographed by the author.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS on how to shop for yourself or your favorite golfer, contact me via Rory Spears on Facebook, Linkedin and or Twitter @gogblogguy. Make your favorite golfer or golfers holiday one to remember. RS