Golf Magazine is a monthly golf magazine. One of the first "special interest" magazines of its kind, it was started in April 1959 by Arnold Abramson and Robert Abramson, the owners of Universal Publishing and Distributing Corporation, who sold it to Times Mirror in 1972.[2] Time Inc. acquired it in 2000. It was acquired by Howard Milstein in 2018.[3] It was the world's most widely read golf publication from August 2006 to January 2007. The magazine is for golfers of all skill levels. Some features it includes are instruction from the top 100 teachers in America, interviews with famous golfers, tips on the best values for golf courses to go to on vacation, and an annual club test.
 Issue cover dated January 1964, featuring Jack Nicklaus | |
| Categories | Golf |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Monthly |
| Total circulation | 1,214,364[1] (2024) |
| First issue | April 1959 |
| Company | EB Golf Media (8AM Golf) |
| Country | United States |
| Based in | New York City |
| Language | English |
| Website | golf |
| ISSN | 1056-5493 |
Top 100 courses
editGolf Magazine conducts an annual survey of experts to determine the best course in the United States and the world.
Top 100 in the United States
editThe best courses in the United States in 2024-25 were:
| Rank | Name | Location | Designer, Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pine Valley | Pine Valley, New Jersey | George Crump/Harry Colt, 1918 |
| 2 | Cypress Point | Pebble Beach, California | Alister MacKenzie, 1928 |
| 3 | Shinnecock Hills | Southampton, New York | William Flynn, 1931 |
| 4 | National Golf Links of America | Southampton, New York | Charles B. Macdonald, 1911 |
| 5 | Oakmont | Oakmont, Pennsylvania | Henry Fownes, 1903 |
| 6 | Augusta National | Augusta, Georgia | Alister MacKenzie/Bobby Jones, 1933 |
| 7 | Sand Hills | Mullen, Nebraska | Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw, 1995 |
| 8 | Merion (East) | Ardmore, Pennsylvania | Hugh Wilson, 1912 |
| 9 | Pebble Beach | Pebble Beach, California | Jack Neville/Douglas Grant, 1919 |
| 10 | Los Angeles (North) | Los Angeles, California | George C. Thomas Jr., 1927 |
Top 100 in the world
editHere are the top ten courses in the world in 2025-26:
| Rank | Name | Location | Country | Designer, Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pine Valley | Pine Valley, New Jersey | United States | George Crump/Harry Colt, 1918 |
| 2 | Cypress Point | Pebble Beach, California | United States | Alister MacKenzie, 1928 |
| 3 | St Andrews (Old Course) | St Andrews | Scotland | Nature |
| 4 | Royal County Down (Championship) | Newcastle, County Down | Northern Ireland | Old Tom Morris, 1889 |
| 5 | Shinnecock Hills | Southampton, New York | United States | William Flynn, 1931 |
| 6 | National Golf Links of America | Southampton, New York | United States | C.B. MacDonald, 1911 |
| 7 | Royal Melbourne (West) | Black Rock, Victoria | Australia | Alister MacKenzie, 1931 |
| 8 | Augusta National | Augusta, Georgia | United States | Bobby Jones/Alister MacKenzie 1933 |
| 9 | Oakmont | Oakmont, Pennsylvania | United States | Henry Fownes, 1904 |
| 10 | Sand Hills | Mullen, Nebraska | United States | Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw, 1994 |
Annual Club Test
editGolf Magazine also conducts an annual test of some of the finest golf products available so that the golfer will be armed with the knowledge of which club is the best value. As of 2025, the Magazine no longer provides a "rating" nor does it rank each club. Golf Magazine thoroughly reviews all the newest club models on the market with the help of player testers.[4] In the end, it groups the best clubs for 2025 into categories to make your purchasing choice easier.[4] The below table summarizes the type of clubs as well as the categories for each tested for each:[4]
| Type of Golf Club | Categories Assessed |
|---|---|
| Driver | Forgiveness, Speed, Shot Correction, Slower Swinger Speeds, Low Spin Drivers.[5] |
| Irons | Game Improvement, Better Player, Players Distance, Super Game Improvement Elite Irons.[6] |
| Fairway Woods | Speed, Forgiveness, Slower Swing Speeds, Low Spin. |
| Hybrids | Forgiveness, Playability, Shot Correction, Slower Swing Speeds.[7] |
Top 100 Teachers in America
editGolf Magazine also honours some of the best instructors in the business. On the emeritus list are:
| Name | Hometown |
|---|---|
| Jimmy Ballard | Key Largo, Florida |
| Peggy Kirk Bell | Southern Pines, North Carolina |
| Chuck Cook | Austin, Texas |
| Manuel de la Torre | River Hills, Wisconsin |
| Michael Hebron | Smithtown, New York |
| David Leadbetter | Champions Gate, Florida |
| Eddie Merrins | Los Angeles, California |
| Dave Pelz | Austin, Texas |
| Phil Ritson | Winter Garden, Florida |
| Phil Rodgers | La Jolla, California |
| Craig Shankland | Daytona Beach, Florida |
| Dr. Jim Suttie | Naples, Florida |
| Bob Toski | Coconut Creek, Florida |
| Dr. Gary Wiren | West Palm Beach, Florida |
2011 player of the year selection
editOn November 1, 2011, Golf Magazine selected Rory McIlroy over Yani Tseng for its 2011 player of year. The magazine's editor, David Clarke wrote, “We are pleased to name Rory McIlroy as our inaugural Player of the Year.” Americans have embraced this young Northern Irishman, taking him into their hearts not just out of admiration for his amazing talent, but also for the grace he has shown in victory and defeat, his generosity of time with fans, and his commitments to causes beyond golf.”[8]
The McIlroy selection was heavily criticized by golf bloggers.[9] The #1 male player in the world at the time, Luke Donald, tweeted, "So rude and disrespectful of Yani. Whoever had final decision just diminished your magazine."[10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ↑ "eCirc for Consumer Magazines". Audit Bureau of Circulations. December 31, 2024. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
- ↑ "List of Top 10 Best Sports Magazines of All time". Sporty Ghost. March 3, 2015. Archived from the original on February 16, 2016. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
- ↑ Citi. "GOLF magazine and GOLF.com have a new owner. Allow us to introduce you". Golf.com. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
- 1 2 3 "ClubTest". Golf. February 6, 2025. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
- ↑ "Best drivers | ClubTest 2025". Golf. February 6, 2025. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
- ↑ "Best irons | ClubTest 2025". Golf. February 6, 2025. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
- ↑ "Best hybrids | ClubTest 2025". Golf. February 6, 2025. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
- ↑ sigroup (November 1, 2011). "Rory McIlory: Golf Magazine's 2011 Player of the Year". Insidesportsillustrated.com. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
- ↑ "Yani Tseng is NOT Golf Magazine's Player of the Year". Waggleroom.com. Archived from the original on December 5, 2011. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
- ↑ @LukeDonald (November 1, 2011). "@EllingYelling @AlanShipnuck 96% of votes! So rude and disrespectful to Yani. Whoever had final decision just diminished your magazine" (Tweet) – via Twitter.