For those of you who are happy to splash the cash on a premium racket, I recommend the new Prince O3 Speedport Black.  Available from www.PeterNicolSquash.co for the princely sum of £119.99, it’s not the cheapest gift available, but it is probably one of the best.  It is the Audi R8 of squash rackets, and Prince have recently changed the original O3 frame design, which used large circular ‘O-Port’s’, in favour of radical new ‘Speedport’s’, which are essentially just rectangular holes.  The racket is James Willstrop’s weapon of choice, and most recently saw him through to the final of the 2008 British Open – credentials which make this an enviable gift for dad’s everywhere.

However, if your budget doesn’t stretch that far, then a slightly more affordable option is the new Dunlop Aerogel Pro GT.  Retailing at JustRackets.com for just £79.99, it’s a bit of a bargain.  This medium range racket bears striking resemblance to the Ice Elite used by Jonathon Power before he retired from the pro-tour; but with three differences: It’s stronger, lighter and the paintjob is a lot less tacky.  Add an endorsement from the PSA as the Official Racket of the world tour, and you’ve got a pretty reasonable basis for assuming that this racket will be the one that leads your dad to club glory.

At just £10 more than the Aerogel Pro GT, we have the Head Microgel 125, which retails for £89.99 at www.JustRackets.com.  Used by Egyptian star Ramy Ashour – the Microgel 125 is incredibly light at just 125g (So light that it’s in the name) and gives the player a wealth of control.  The oversize head has been a constant design feature in the majority of Head rackets over the last 10 years and is something which doesn’t look like it will be discarded anytime soon; especially not after the run of success that Ramy Ashour has recently enjoyed with this racket.

You may question my next recommendation as it is neither packed full of mumbo jumbo technology or used by any of today’s touring pros; but the Dunlop Maxply (Albeit a modern version of the classic), to me, is a thing of beauty.  In the same way that the Dunlop Green Flash trainer came back into fashion, I think this racket is a must-have for anyone Dad’s who feel nostalgia about their sports gear.  I would classify my own dad as nostalgic about such things (He still has his old road bike in the shed from his days as a budding professional cyclist) and am seriously considering the Maxply as a gift for him.  It might have a dodgy retro 70’s paintjob and an imitation leather grip, but that’s what makes it so desirable; not to mention the price tag of just £69.99 on Amazon.co.uk.

Dear old Dad has enough rackets?  How about a cool shirt, squash DVD set or a credit to watch some squash matches on-line?  Squash balls, bags, shorts, ball warmer ... whatever you decide, you are certain to bring a smile even if you do gift some socks and aftershave.  You gotta love Dad's and their low expectations.

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