There’s no greater feeling than stepping onto the first tee of a golf course you’ve always dreamed of playing.
It gets even better when the starter hands you a surprise gift. After a post-Recession decline in the practice, high-end resort and daily-fee golf courses are once again showering their golfing guests with swag to make a special experience feel even more memorable. Some of these items are consumable, while others are essentially free souvenirs.
I’ve been lucky enough to play a third of the world’s top 100 courses, and roughly half of America’s best courses. I’ve got all sorts of free trinkets from those rounds, a few that are photographed below. Let’s take a look:
What’s the best first-tee gift you cherish most? Let us know in the comments below.
All Cabot properties offer complementary cookies on the first tee. Pictured are the yummy snickerdoodles at Cabot Cliffs. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfPass
Cabot’s growing empire is an impressive mix of resort courses (Nova Scotia’s Cabot Cape Breton, France’s Cabot Bordeaux and Florida’s Cabot Citrus Farms), public courses they own (Castle Stuart and the new Old Petty) or manage (Lofoten Links, Cascata, Rio Secco, Grand Bear) and a private escape (Cabot St. Lucia’s Point Hardy Golf Course). All of them except the managed properties offer complimentary cookies at the first tee. I can attest that the “CrackerJack” cookies made of oatmeal, coconut and cinnamon at Cabot Cape Breton in Nova Scotia are beyond delicious. When I played The Nest, the resort’s fun short course, after lunch one day, I wasn’t that hungry. I wisely tucked a cookie in my bag for later. Other Cabot properties serve chocolate chip, shortbread and sugar cookies. “The cookies came from this Michelin restaurant idea of surprise and delight. It’s the Cabot way of welcoming you to the first tee,” said Ben Cowan-Dewar, Cabot’s founder.
My Pebble Beach bag tags are some of my favorite golf collectibles. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfPass
I’ve written a lot about bag tags over the years. They make so much sense for the golfer (“Look where I’ve played!”) and the golf course (free marketing!) that they’re mutually beneficial to both parties. Two thumbs up for any golf course that spends the capital to hand them out.
Bucket-list courses like Royal Dornoch and Jameson Golf Links hand out scorecard holders to golfers on the first tee. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfPass
Truth be told, scorecard holders are my least favorite first-tee souvenir. I’ve never used them and likely never will. The good news is each time I’ve gotten one, it’s been tucked inside of a tee bag, so at least I get one gift I like and can use. I guess I should give Royal Dornoch and Jameson Golf Links props for being creative and thinking outside the box.
Golfers playing Dumbarnie Golf Links are offered a shot of Loch Lomond whiskey to start their round. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfPass
I don’t drink much when I’m playing golf – only on the rare chance my buddies and I make birdie – but it just feels right celebrating life in Scotland with a wee nip on the first tee at Dumbarnie Links. Located 30 minutes outside of St. Andrews, Dumbarnie goes above and beyond welcoming golfers. In addition to the whiskey, golfers are given a tee bag holding a yardage book, bag tag, scorecard and plastic logo ball markers and a divot tool. You essentially get almost everything listed in this story.
When’s the last time you bought a yardage guide? Jason Scott Deegan/GolfPass
My favorite first-tee gift will always be the yardage guide. It’s practical, useful and collectible. Printed yardage guides are becoming an endangered species, so cherish every one you get.
Golf tee bags are perfect for holding ball makers, tees, pencils, balls and other small items. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfPass
The tee bag is another favorite gift. I have so many good ones that I tend to rotate them in and out of my golf bag. Every time I pull it out pre-round, I flash back to that day. They are the perfect nostalgia trigger.
Logoed ball markers, tees and divot tools
It might seem small, but the pennies for ball markers offered at the first tee of CordeValle Golf Club are a nice touch. Mike Bailey/GolfPass
The bin of assorted freebies is a staple at prominent private clubs. Since private clubs aren’t giving out first-tee gifts, this is your chance to get some free souvenirs before spending a car payment in the pro shop. As an avid collector of scorecards and ball markers, it’s hard to show restraint and not grab five of each item. Don’t be that guy.
