Annually, on the Saturday following Thanksgiving, many of us celebrate Small Business Saturday. We go to the little mom and pop shops as well as some specialty shops to spend our dollars directly with local small businesses.
Share about local businesses on social media. Talk about your experience and interaction with ownership. Add an Instagram Reel or a YouTube Short about your shopping experience and encourage others to join in supporting local small businesses. You could even comment on a local neighborhood site The Patch or Craigslist to spotlight a small business.
Check out podcasts and YouTube channels focused on small businesses and entrepreneurism. Offer positive feedback and encouragement to content creators and artists sharing their work via online galleries and websites.
It sort of took me by surprise, even caught me off guard a bit. I believe in God Almighty and here was this brand boldly touting themselves as Golf Gods. I was taken aback.
Technically, that’s what good advertising, marketing and promotions should do. It should grab your attention and cause you to pause momentarily, considering what you just witnessed or experienced.
You hear a lot about the “golf gods” while on the course. A missed putt rolls in the cup and lips out like some spiritual force said it ain’t happening today. A favorite go-to club offers nothing but shanks and slices all day long. And who do many golfers blame? The golf gods seem to take the blame.
I shared on another blog about why I no longer by Nike brand gear, shoes, etc. Like I said, I believe in God. Nike is another god. I just can’t see buying the brand.
Golf Gods as a brand is nothing like that. In fact, Golf Gods the brand is just like it says. It is “not your everyday golf brand.” It’s tongue in cheek humor. It’s not saying wear our brand and be like Mike. It’s not that kind of brand.
Personally, I don’t see it as a contradiction. I see Nike as a conceptual brand, as I shared in a livestream for my YouTube channel’s Bible study. Nike’s playing off the characteristic traits of a Greek goddess of victory and using mythological references to its running shoes and trainers in particular. I see Golf Gods making a brand based on golfer idioms and taking that running joke as far as they can run with it.
Not Afraid to Say It with My Shirt
I believe you can say a lot with your t-shirts or hoodies. They’re not just fashion statements.
I wrote on this concept about message merch, discussing merch designs that I offer online through Zazzle and other online shops.
You can use your fashion statement to make a statement.
Your personal style can stand out and make a statement about your personal stance on different things. And I find that cool about fashion and society in this day and age.
I’ve been known to wear some controversial shirts from time to time.
I say to say it and show it with your shirt.
I love that what we wear on the golf course or anywhere for that matter can catch someone’s attention and draw eyeballs, even suspicious stares at times. I take some of what I wear as an ice breaker or a conversation piece. I still sport my favorite Not of This World (NTW) tee that simply says to the world: “I killed Jesus.” It really gets people talking or even asking questions. It definitely shocks some folks and causes others to ask me about my faith in God. And I’m cool with that.
Not Judging Anybody on Anything
Do I wear a lot of Golf Gods gear?
Truthfully, I don’t have much of it and most courses that I play have this collared shirt rule and dress code (imagine that). The gear that I do have from Golf Gods is mainly t-shirt and some accessories.
I don’t have time to judge someone else.
You show up in Nike from head to toe with the TW golf cap and a tiger head cover on your driver and I will still play with you. You show up in cutoff jeans with a wild-colored Grateful Dead-styled polo and I’ll tee it up with you.
Just show up. Tee it up. Have fun and swing it like you mean it.
You can even say it and show it with your shirt.
Keep swinging.
This post is not endorsed or sponsored by any brand. I receive no compensation from Golf Gods or any other brand for this post.
So why are there still ads and sales promoting ongoing Black Friday deals throughout this weekend?
Deals are Not Done
Let’s not forget that retail holiday sales have evolved into more than just Black Friday sales. Look at what retailers are doing these days:
“Friday might be over but there are plenty of deals still happening right now.” (Today.com)
“Black Friday deals have been extended into the weekend” (Techradar)
“Cyber Monday is an annual sales event that traditionally happens at the end of November, after Thanksgiving and Black Friday.” (USAToday)
Cyber Monday is still looming about. So, it makes sense that retailers maintain their Black Friday sales for an extended period of time through Cyber Monday.
You can still find deals on plenty of golf equipment and gear out there. With everything from subscription boxes to drivers and irons, you can find some deals this holiday season.
Short Par 4
Short Par 4 markets itself as “your personal style caddie.” They have various styles of apparel ranging from classic looks to stylish trendy cool gear. You can subscribe or shop. Check out the clearance sales available.
Check out the Plugged In Golf 2022 Holiday Gift Guide. The site also includes a golf podcast that could help with your golf game and equipment selection, even your golf travel destinations.
Typically, I write directly to golfers and golf fans and followers. However, today is a different day. I’m truly writing to those who love golfers. I want to share this with those who have golfers on their holiday gift list but might need helpful hints on what type of gifts might appeal to golfers.
As a caveat, I also recently wrote a short article on holiday bargain shopping that also might prove helpful to you. It might not do anything for you other than keep you from overspending on gifts or just simply serve as a reminder to you to make sure that you comparison shop before making a purchase.
All Golf Gifts are Not the Same
Gifts for golfers come in all shapes and sizes. Shopping for a golfer can be a dizzying affair for anyone unfamiliar with the sport and its nuanced knack for causing golfers to desire the ultimate equipment or the ideal experience.
Depending on what type of golfer you’re shopping for, you might want to reconsider ordering that personalized pack of monogrammed golf balls just yet. If your golfer is anything like the greater percentage of us, then those balls might end up in the creek or the bushes based on the trajectory of the golfer’s slice or hook.
Match the gift with the golfer. That’s the best practice.
Different Types of Golfers
Golfers are not all the same either.
Everyone who plays golf or might I say enjoys golf does not like the same type of golf gifts. Golfers play at different levels. Some golfers live and breathe golf, while others get out there every once and a while based on their schedule. The significance of the depth of a golfer’s attachment to the game should come into play when deciding on a gift.
Weekend Golfer: maintains a set day and tee time for a weekly round of golf with a regular foursome at the same course or a local circuit of courses.
Occasional Golfer: owns a set of golf clubs or two but only plays every so often, especially when there’s a charity golf event that the job has sponsored.
Consummate Golfer: plays frequently including tournaments and club events, practices consistently, travels with clubs in the trunk “just in case,” oftentimes stops at the range to hit a bucket of balls, and definitely can rattle off a series of data points that might leave you wondering what kind of aliens abducted this person.
These are the main types of golfers to keep in mind. In most cases, the golfer who you are shopping for falls somewhere within the range of these three types of golfers.
Golf Gifts for the Golfer in Your Life
Consummate golfers most probably have accumulated some golf equipment that they most probably want to stick with for consistency’s sake. So, unless that type of golfer has been dropping hints about specific brands and types of putters or wedges on sale at the local sporting goods store, I’d leave that part alone.
Buy this type of golfer:
Stay and Play golf packages (usually available at casinos & resorts)
Gift certificates or cards (most gift certificates or cards for courses cover a round + cart)
My only caution about golf gear is about style and fit. If you are unsure about the golfer’s style, then steer clear of the brightly-colored gear, especially the shirts with the pink flamingos or the tumbling dice. Stick with a classic look and a solid, basic color that is not too flashy. Also, consider fit. Some designs are “slim cut” that does not bode well with big guys who carry extra weight around the midsection. Go with a traditional style and fit and you should be okay.
Beginners don’t necessarily need new equipment. Golf can become a big investment if a beginner buys a full set of clubs and adds a putter and specialized clubs like hybrids and wedges, even an advanced driver. Buying used clubs could be a great place to start.
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