Golf is a tricky game. And shopping for a golfer can be even trickier.

The vast array of equipment and apparel in any given local golf retail outlet can be overwhelming, even to those who have played the game for most of their lives.

Golf technology is always changing, and that can be intimidating for someone looking to find that perfect gift for a golfer.

But most golfers love new gear, whether it be a new driver or a waterproof pullover. And finding the right gift for your favorite golf nut will always be appreciated, whether the gift be a high-end purchase or inexpensive.

Here is a list of some of the hot items this Christmas, with the manufacturer’s suggested retail price in parentheses. At many outlets, items can be found for less than MSRP.

Apparel

Apparel for golf comes in all kinds of shapes and colors, from the practical to the ridiculous (see pro golfer John Daly’s pants).

But in Central Oregon, some pieces of clothing are more useful than others. Take Sun Mountain’s new Monsoon line of clothing ($85 jacket, $65 pants). The gear is lightweight, and it protects golfers from the wind and rain.

If you want a more personalized gift, check your golfer’s favorite course. Logo jackets and hats are available in the pro shop of just about any area golf course.

Pushcarts

Many die-hard golfers prefer to walk. And walking Central Oregon’s often undulating courses is made easier with the aid of a good pushcart.

One of the hottest items is Sun Mountain’s Micro Cart ($239). At only 13 pounds, it is extremely lightweight and it has four wheels, rather than the more common three-wheel carts. The reason for the extra wheel, Sun Mountain boasts, is so the cart is easily pushed down a straight line. In addition, it will not tip over, which, as anyone who has ever rented a pushcart at a course before will tell you — is a real plus.

And another cool feature of the Micro Cart is that it folds down small enough to fit in the trunk of even compact cars.

Another option is the Clicgear ($199). It has only three wheels, but it folds up nicely and is almost as light as the Micro Cart.

And for those golfers who already own a pushcart there is the Mibrella ($49.95), an umbrella specifically designed for pushcarts. When opened and posted on a cart, the umbrella’s asymmetrical design allows golfers to walk while being covered from the rain or sun.

Ladies’ and junior sets

Full ladies’ and junior sets of clubs have improved greatly over the years as big club manufacturers have increasingly entered into the market for women and younger golfers.

Ladies’ sets are now “aesthetically pleasing and good-performing golf clubs,” says Nelson Von Stroh, who manages Pro Golf of Bend. Historically, women’s clubs were either one or the other.

One example is Callaway’s Solaire, a 14-piece set ($1,125) that is high-end gear by any measure. Less-expensive full sets include Adams’ A7 OS eight-piece set ($599) and 13-piece set ($899.95).

Nike, Callaway, and TaylorMade all offer junior sets now, and the equipment is much cooler than the sets older golfers learned with.

“They look like dad’s and mom’s clubs, and they’re good quality,” Von Stroh says of the modern junior sets.

Nike Golf’s Tiger Woods Junior Box Set Black ($219.99), for golfers between 8 and 11 years old, includes two woods, four irons and a putter. And the sticks look just like Nike’s premium clubs (using Nike’s Hybrid Square design for the woods, for example), only shorter.

Drivers

The holy grail of golf equipment. Every golfer, from Phil Mickelson to your weekend hack, wants to hit the ball longer and straighter off the tee, and most golfers believe a new driver will do the trick.

Adjustable drivers, which allow golfers to hit a draw or a fade with a couple turns of a wrench, continue to be the hottest new technology.

The TaylorMade r9 ($499) is the standard-bearer of the technology. But Cobra’s ZL driver ($425) and Callaway’s I-MIX ($374.99) have joined an increasingly popular technology.

Golf bags

Golf bags are getting cooler by the year.

One such bag is Bag Boy’s NXO Revolver bag ($179.95). It holds clubs in place so they won’t chatter when the bag is jostled. But even sweeter is that clubs lock into place so they won’t fall out of the bag — even if the bag is held upside down.

For golfers who like to take their golf game on the road, Callaway’s X-Series ($185) bag cover is a hard plastic cover that locks onto the top of an everyday golf bag. It’s a much less bulky way to transport clubs than a full-sized travel bag.

Wedges

Wedges have become increasingly popular this year, as the United States Golf Association’s new groove specs take effect in 2010, says Erik Nielsen, head pro at Bend Golf and Country Club.

Among the most popular wedges is Titleist’s Vokey Design 200 Series ($125).

Another pick could be the new GG15s ($119) by Cleveland Golf, one of the most popular brands in wedges.

Accessories

Most golfers know the way to the golf course, but once on the track, a hand-held GPS unit can come in real handy.

The SkyCaddie SG5 ($429.99) has upped its game this year. The full-color unit includes more detailed information than previous incarnations of the SkyCaddie and includes a flyover view of each hole and distance to hazards.

Other similar units include the Golf Buddy Tour ($429.95) and Callaway’s uPro ($499.99).

Cool stocking stuffers

Just a glance around Pro Golf of Bend gives a golfer a few ideas.

For women, consider Schwartzky crystal ball markers ($18.95) , which clip on a golf hat so they are easy to find when the golfer gets to the green.

The 4 Yards More golf tee ($6.49, package of four) allows a golf ball to sit up on bristles rather than rest flat like on more-popular wood tees. The company that makes the 4 Yards More tees says the design offers less resistance when a club strikes a ball, giving the shot more yards of distance.

And for the cigar-chomping golfer, there is the Cigar Compadre ($9.95). The small plastic device allows a golfer to clip a cigar onto a cart or bag while taking the shot. The Cigar Compadre makes it nearly impossible for a golfer to leave that stogie behind.

Personalized golf balls with the golfer’s name printed on them make for another good stocking-stuffer idea. And for the Duck-loving golfer, Nike Golf (Who else?) plans to release golf balls commemorating the University of Oregon’s 2010 Rose Bowl appearance against Ohio State.

That should be enough to irritate a UO fan’s Oregon State playing partner. And for Duck fans, that’s the gift that keeps on giving.