Gifts With Molner’s Seal of Approval

When Molner finds something that works, he sticks with it. Last year, he bought over a dozen Peter Millar sweaters to give as gifts, so we wouldn’t put it past him to do it again. The soft cotton-modal blend gives it the feel of a sweatshirt, but the collar makes it suitable for the office or dinner out. If you’re on his gift list, leave room in your knitwear drawer.

A fresh golf glove is a modest gift that could prove game-changing. It helps protect against blisters and provides a better grip on the club for a cleaner swing. Check their glove size and which hand they wear it on before ordering, though.

You can never go wrong with a bar of chocolate in a stocking. These are sold in sets of three, so you can split them among recipients, or opt for a tin of peppermint bark for something refreshing yet still classic.

Bulky pockets and overstuffed purses have met their match: This shockingly chic leather wallet attaches to your phone, so you have one fewer item to account for on the way out. It also folds into a stand, perfect for watching something over lunch or propping up your phone during a FaceTime call.

This layer is ideal for a chilly morning on the course or a walk to work, when it’s too brisk to go without insulation but not cold enough for a full jacket. (Plus, a vest spares you from stuffing your sweater sleeves into a coat, making you look like the Hulk.) This vest is lightweight and wind-resistant, with stretch panels at the sides and a zippered pocket to keep essentials close. It fits over a quarter-zip, making it a natural companion to the Peter Millar pullovers Molner distributes so enthusiastically.

A golf accessory earns its place in the bag when it helps improve a shot. This rangefinder measures the distance to a target, giving the golfer more information before choosing a club. It’s a generous gift for a regular player whose skills have plateaued, and it's less insulting than just letting them win.

Turn a chore into a treat with a towel that keeps their equipment clean and makes them smile every time they use it. This one can be monogrammed and comes in sunny colors. Golf not their game? Weezie makes bright tennis and pickleball towels, too.

A man of many hobbies, Molner can't resist a fishing trip — especially with his dad. And a great catch calls for a celebratory clink with a cold drink. This insulated bag has a roll-top closure and a flexible shape that fits alongside the fishing gear without the bulk of a hard cooler. Pack it with food and beverages to extend your time on the water.

Katie has bought Molner multiple pairs of these oxfords because they suit his enthusiasm for efficiency. The wingtip fits nicely under trousers, while the rubber sole looks right with jeans. One pair can cover a workday and dinner afterward, sparing him a shoe change and saving suitcase space when he travels.

Every football fan has a play they can describe in detail, as though it happened yesterday and they were right on the sidelines. Joe Posnanski gives them 100 moments to revisit in this tour through the sport’s history. Some will bring back memories; others will send the reader looking for footage. Leave this near the television and expect a few passages to enter the conversation on game day.

These small sensors screw into the end of each club’s grip and detect the impact of a shot. When paired with a compatible phone or tracking device, they work with an app to record which club was used, where the shot happened, and how far it traveled. Over several rounds, those records build a picture of which parts of the golfer’s game need attention. As their skills improve, you can take credit.

Anyone with a cherished watch collection can recall when they bought each one, who gave it to them, or what made it worth saving up for. A watch box gives that collection its own place to shine. The acacia wood and brass inlay make this one handsome enough for the dresser, and adding their initials makes it feel personal.

Good knives are worth the investment — especially if you care for them. This hand-forged trio includes a chef’s knife for mincing and chopping, a versatile santoku for everyday prep, and a paring knife for small fruits and vegetables. The high-carbon steel blades develop a patina with use. With regular sharpening and proper care, these knives can serve them well for years.

With its stainless steel band and textured navy dial, this reminds us of a watch Molner wears often. Luminous hands make it easy to read, while the expansion band slips comfortably over the wrist.

Sometimes those "save money by signing up for a subscription" deals make no sense. (Who needs to subscribe to socks?) But when they concern something you need to replenish regularly, they can be a money-saving convenience. If AG1 is already a part of your giftee's daily routine, they’ll appreciate a restock they don’t have to remember to order. These individual packs fit in a suitcase or work bag and eliminate the hassle of decanting powder from a larger container. 

“I like the triple track lines and feel of this golf ball,” Molner shares. (In case you’re a newbie, the lines provide a visual guide when lining up a putt.) Golfers can be picky about their ball, and no one is pickier than John, so his recommendation is very solid a head start.

Molner calls this “a can’t-miss putter,” and its design aims to reduce fiddling in the stroke. The head is balanced to resist twisting, helping the face stay square to the path of the swing without constant correction from the hands. The face insert is designed to produce more consistent ball speed on off-center hits, helping with distance control while encouraging the ball to roll forward sooner. Reading the green still falls to the golfer, but keeping the putter steady is one less thing to wrestle with.

These look like casual sneakers, which gives them more styling options than a traditional golf shoe. (They work nicely with heading-to-brunch slacks, whether or not a round of golf is also on the agenda.) Plus, if your giftee likes to channel Bill Murray's bold golf looks, this streamlined shape won't compete with even the wildest patterns.

“I gulped this book down,” John raves. Here, the former American Express chairman and CEO writes about his childhood, the people who shaped him, and the values behind his decisions. Molner calls Chenault “an exceptional leader and person” and recommends the book for readers interested in leadership and living with purpose. 

Molner’s verdict on Danny Meyer’s latest book? "Must read." The restaurateur returns to questions of leadership and company culture, this time examining what happens as a business grows and changes. Vivid restaurant-biz stories give those ideas a setting far more interesting than an average conference room. 

Earning a compliment like “indestructible” from Molner is like winning a gold medal — or, more accurately, a hole in one. The pull-on waist and stretchy fabric deliver ease, while the tapered fit looks polished on and off the course.

“Very comfortable,” says Molner, who sees no need to write a dissertation on underwear. So we won't make things complicated: a fresh supply of high-quality briefs is always a welcome present.

These AirPods might sound expensive, but when you think about how much use headphones get — between calls, music, and audiobooks — they seem almost as essential as a phone. Plus, this pair does extra heavy lifting: new features include live translation, heart rate sensing, and hearing support. Sure, you can find perfectly fine headphones for less, but these are a truly valuable treat.

Finding comfort in an airplane seat is not easy (and wriggling around endlessly doesn't improve matters). This 3-in-1 system puts rest within reach with a travel pillow, adjustable eye mask, and body sling to provide comfort you never thought was possible. It gives a frequent flyer way more to work with than a rolled-up sweatshirt. 

Some people love data about how they slept, their resting heart rate, and even early indicators of whether they're likely to get sick. This is the gift for that curious bunch. The ring sends sleep and activity patterns to an app on their phone, so they can check their stats from anywhere.

John’s enthusiasm for optimization extends to his sleep. Instead of tossing and turning or arguing with Katie over the thermostat, they’ve opted for this temperature-adjusting mattress cover to keep them cool (or warm) throughout the night. 

“Kettlebells, a mat, and a foam roller are just about all you need for a good strength training workout,” Molner says. His approach makes at-home exercise accessible, especially for those who don't have a spare room to fill with equipment. If someone in your life has recently ventured into strength training, give them a leg up with a new weight. Just find out how heavy they like to go first, so this gift doesn’t turn into a strength test.

Molner says Harlan Coben’s memoir about life and the work behind his books is a necessary read for everyone, not just writers. It offers readers a different glimpse into the mind of an author they may already know through his fiction. 

Molner gets the price issue out of the way first: “Expensive — yes.” But he’s equally direct about why he recommends the brand’s gear: “This is the best golf rain suit.” (And for someone who's logged as many miles on the greens as Molner has, that's saying something.) The matching trousers are sold separately if you want the full outfit. It’ll be a welcome layer for the golfer who doesn’t let rain interrupt a round.

Molner’s admiration for photographer Paul Nicklen is unmistakable: “He travels the world and captures spectacular images.” This collection gives those photographs the space and scale they deserve. It’s a book to leave open, return to, and share with anyone who sits down beside it.