Golf Gift Ideas for Father's Day 2013

By: Joel Zuckerman

It was more than 20 years ago that Mars Blackmon (a fictional character created by actor-director Spike Lee) kept insisting "it's gotta be the shoes!" in an iconic series of Nike TV commercials alongside Michael Jordan. In homage to Mars, this season's Cybergolf Gift Guide will focus, though not exclusively, on footwear. We will begin with the face, move to the midsection, then get to the feet as we recommend:

Tifosi Sunglasses have all sorts of high-tech features found in shades that cost far more. Things like object illumination, which enhances the wearer's ability to pick up a ball in flight by providing a balance of target and background brightness. Certain lenses increase light contrast by filtering the blue-light spectrum responsible for optical blurring and decreased contrast in bright light conditions. But all you really need to know is that they are light, durable, stylish and generally cost just 60 bucks. www.tifosioptics.com

NexBelt is one of the coolest belts on the market. Instead of holes, it uses a proprietary ratchet system that allows the belt to "click" into place, and the effect is like "a belt from the future." It's all sleek and unbroken lines, expanding and contracting in quarter-inch increments as needed depending on the day, size of the meal and workout schedule. In short, there's nothing quite as cutting edge on the market today. www.nexbelt.com

Ecco Shoes continue to gain traction (pun intended) in the golf world. It doesn't hurt that recent World Golf Hall of Fame inductee Fred Couples wears them. But what really doesn't hurt are the shoes themselves. New models like Biom and Golf Street are as comfortable as bedroom slippers right out of the box, and in cutting-edge styles and colors that are perfectly appropriate on course or in the cafe;. www.ecco.com

Rife Putters put a true and consistent roll on the ball, which is the most important fundamental to being a great putter. The company's patented RollGroove Technology minimizes skipping and skidding, and gets the golf ball rolling end-over-end more quickly and consistently than other putter brands. Owing to their reduced loft, Rife Putters help minimize backspin, which gets putts tracking more accurately to the target. www.rifeputters.com

Adizero golf shoes are lighter than a bag of feathers, and as comfortable as your college-era loafers. This is the lightest 10-cleated men's tour shoe the company has ever created, and they help to reduce fatigue down the back nine. The ultra-light, perforated tongue offers enhanced breathe-ability and comfort, and the shoes, particularly in their signature lemon-yellow hue, are true attention-getters. www.adidasgolf.com

Sun Ice makes some of the most fashion-forward and technically sound outerwear on the market. Its Allendale SuperLite FX Pullover is a great example - ideal for cool mornings or damp dawns early in the season when an extra layer is needed without the extra bulk or weight. A chest-pocket zipper surrounded by laser-cut seal tape, moisture-wicking properties, and bright color combinations are just a few of the details that make this piece a standout, both in style and performance. www.sunice.com

FootJoy's M-Project are golf shoes unlike anything else the venerable company has ever produced. Dare we call them "golf moccasins?" Perhaps that's overstating their low-to-the-ground design but, if so, not by much. Constructed with leather and mesh for a thin but strong upper, a slender mid-sole for tremendous feel and flexibility, and the lowest profile spikes available ensure the golfer's feet are completely in tune with the ground. www.footjoy.com

M-Clip is the finest money clip in the world. And while some may argue the merits of Breitling over Rolex, or Ferrari versus Lamborghini, no one can argue there is a superior product for holding cash and credit cards than this slim, elegant technical marvel. You'll find no better piece of engineering than this well-designed piece of jewelry the size and shape of a tie clip. www.m-clip.com

Garmin S-2 is a wristwatch device that provides scads of relevant information with the touch of a few buttons. It can keep score, measure total distance walked, track the length of any shot, give lay-up yardages to the 150- or 100-yard markers and, most imperatively, provide accurate distances to the front, middle and back of every green. It comes preloaded with 30,000 courses. One of the coolest features is that it quickly homes in on whatever hole you're playing, even if the device is turned on in mid-round. www.garmin.com

Joel Zuckerman, called "One of the Southeast's most respected and sought-after golf writers" by Golfer's Guide Magazine, is an award-winning travel writer based in Savannah, Ga. His seventh and latest book, entitled "Pro's Pros - Extraordinary Club Professionals Making Golf Great!" is scheduled for release in April 2013. This is the first-ever golf book to shine the spotlight on the beating heart of golf - the unsung, yet hard-working club professional. Joel's course reviews, player profiles, essays and features have appeared in 110 publications, including Sports Illustrated, Golf, Continental Magazine and Delta's Sky Magazine. He has played more than 800 courses in 40-plus states and a dozen countries. For more about Joel, visit visit www.vagabondgolfer.com.

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