Welcome back to another edition of FORE Minute Fridays here on the Imagen Golf Podcast! I’m your host, Daniel Guest, and I hope you all had a fantastic holiday season with your friends and family.

But listen, we need to have a serious talk.

Now that the wrapping paper has been thrown away and the turkey leftovers are gone, you are likely staring at a pile of golf gifts. Maybe it’s a box of balls that feel like rocks, a gadget that promises to add 50 yards to your drive, or... heaven forbid... the "Potty Putter."

Here is my advice for this Friday: Be grateful, say thank you, and then return it.

I want you to take that store credit, pool your gift cards, and invest in the things that actually lower your score. Today, we are talking about the Big 5—the only things you should be spending that holiday cash on.

1. The Putter: The Money Maker

Let’s start with the most important club in the bag. If you are using a hand-me-down or something you bought off a rack ten years ago, use your return money here.

You use this club on (almost) every single hole. A putter is deeply personal. It’s about the look, the weight, and the balance. Your Aunt Karen doesn't know if you have an arc in your stroke or if you’re straight-back-straight-through. Go get fitted, or at least go roll some putts and buy the one that gives you confidence.

2. The Driver: Technology Wins

If you got a novelty headcover or a generic training aid, swap it for speed. Driver technology has moved massive amounts of weight in the last three years to make clubs more forgiving.

If you are playing a driver that is more than 5 years old, you are leaving yards and accuracy on the table. You don't even need the brand-new 2025 model; even a model from two years ago is better than that novelty gift set.

3. Irons: The Engine Room

This is the big ticket item. If you got a lot of "stuff" you don't need, liquidate it all for a down payment on new irons.

Why? Because consistency is king. Modern irons—especially the hollow-body distance irons—are designed to help you launch the ball higher and land it softer. If you’re playing blades you aren’t good enough for, or cavity backs from the 90s, this is the year to upgrade.

4. Decent Golf Shoes: The Foundation

This one is overlooked constantly. People will spend $500 on a driver but walk 5 miles in $40 shoes that hurt their feet.

Golf is a sport played from the ground up. If your feet slip, your swing slips. If your feet hurt on the 14th hole, you lose focus. Return the sweater that doesn't fit and buy a pair of premium, waterproof, stable golf shoes. Your back and your scorecard will thank you.

5. The Rangefinder or GPS

Finally, stop guessing. If you are still stepping off yardage from a sprinkler head, you are playing a harder game than everyone else.

Knowing the pin is 148 yards, not "about 150," is the difference between a birdie putt and a bunker shot. Whether it’s a laser or a GPS watch, distance control is the fastest way to drop your handicap.

The Takeaway

Don't feel guilty. The person who gave you the gift wants you to enjoy your hobby. The best way to enjoy golf is to play better golf.

So, pack up the gag gifts, gather the receipts, and go get the gear that actually matters.

That’s it for this week’s FORE Minute Friday. Get to the pro shop, make those exchanges, and get your game ready for the new year.