What’s the worst Christmas present a golfer could receive?

What’s the worst Christmas golf gift you can think of or, even worse, actually received? Before you answer, see if you can beat anything the NCG team have been unfortunate enough to unwrap down the years…

Worst golf-related Christmas presents

Jack Backhouse:

I’ve lost count of how many golf-themed mugs have gone straight from being bought to the charity shop via a short stint under my Christmas tree. 

Matt Chivers:

Not that many howlers come to mind. I’ve got a pitch mark repairer still in its box and I’ve had the odd jumper that I’ve worn once and then burrowed into my wardrobe.

They’ve all been appreciated and warmly received and it’s not often you’ll catch me being ungrateful for a gift, no matter how bad.

Dan Murphy:

I would have to give it to a truly woeful encyclopaedia of golf I once got as a teenager.

I would and will read just about anything on golf but this was beyond me. Is there anything worse than a generalist book on a specialist subject? If you wanted to develop an encyclopaedic knowledge of golf, and I did, then you were going to need so much more than this introductory nonsense.

It had clearly been compiled by some non-golfers, which is not a bad start for such a book. I had hoped it would at least see me through a Christmas EastEnders special but I had cast it aside before Dirty Den and Angie had even had a drink.

Steve Carroll:

A very well-meaning relative bought me an indoor putting mat one year and I knew as soon as it came out of the box that it would never experience the feeling of ball on astroturf.

The fake grass was as thick as a hedge. I can’t be the only person who has a putting green in exile somewhere in their garage.

Hannah Holden:

To be honest I haven’t had that many terrible ones as most of my family are golfers too. But I probably have more putter-shaped pencils than I can count.

I’m sure I’ll make use of them one day, before they consume me, but if it’s not something I can use on a golf course I’m not interested.

Tom Irwin:

It’s not so much the presents, it’s the cards. They are completely pointless at the best of times, especially in this digital age. 

• NOW READ: Is it acceptable to play golf on Christmas Day?

So, what are some of the worst presents for golfers you’ve ever received? Tell us on Twitter/X!