Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Golf Digest

Golf Digest is an American monthly magazine founded in 1950 by William H. Davis in . The publication focuses on instruction, equipment reviews, course architecture and rankings, travel, and professional tour coverage, positioning itself as a primary resource for players seeking to improve their game and select gear. Acquired by (now ) in 2019 after previous ownership by and , Golf Digest maintains a global digital presence through its website and social media, influencing consumer decisions via annual features like the Hot List for equipment and America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses. Its content has occasionally sparked debate, such as the 2014 swimsuit feature with Paulina Gretzky, criticized for prioritizing aesthetics over athleticism in a traditionally centered on and .

History

Founding and Early Years

Golf Digest was founded in 1950 by William H. Davis, a alumnus, along with classmates Howard Gill, a printer, and others, initially as a part-time venture targeted at recreational golfers rather than professional fans. The publication launched in the area, specifically , with its inaugural issue—a 16-page priced at 15 cents—focusing on instructional content for average players, including tips from professionals like . Early issues, such as the Spring and Summer 1950 editions, emphasized practical advice on swings, equipment, and course management, distributed primarily to golf courses and country clubs in the Midwest to build a subscriber base among everyday enthusiasts. In its formative years during the 1950s, Golf Digest operated on a modest scale, initially quarterly before shifting toward monthly publication as interest in the sport surged post-World War II, with U.S. golf participation rising from about 2 million rounds in 1945 to over 5 million by 1950. Davis served as editor, prioritizing accessible instruction over tournament coverage, which differentiated it from competitors aimed at spectators; the magazine's covers often featured women to appeal to a broader audience, reflecting efforts to grow beyond male club members. Circulation expanded regionally through rack sales and club placements, reaching thousands by mid-decade, though financial constraints kept operations lean until Davis transitioned to full-time editorship in 1959 amid golf's booming popularity. This period laid the foundation for its reputation as a digestible guide for improving amateur play, with content drawn from contributing pros and course pros rather than elite journalists.

Expansion and Key Milestones

Golf Digest achieved nationwide distribution by 1952, marking an early expansion beyond its Chicago origins and enabling broader readership across the United States. Circulation grew steadily through the 1960s, surpassing 100,000 subscribers as the magazine shifted toward consumer-oriented content on instruction, equipment, and course reviews, which appealed to the expanding suburban golf market. By 1980, following acquisition by in 1969, circulation exceeded 1 million copies, reflecting robust growth driven by increased advertising revenue and the sport's rising popularity. This milestone was surpassed further, reaching 1.3 million by 1986, amid a period of enhanced production quality and influential features like course rankings that solidified its authority in the industry. International expansion accelerated in the 2000s with the launch of localized editions, culminating in publication across 15 countries by the , including the edition in 2008. Foreign circulation topped 900,000 by 2004, complementing domestic figures of 1.57 million and extending the magazine's global influence through region-specific content on courses, , and . Recent digital growth has sustained reach, with total circulation at approximately 1.65 million in 2024 and multi-platform audience exceeding 18 million, adapting to online trends while maintaining print leadership in media. Key milestones include the 75th anniversary in 2025, highlighting enduring innovations like equipment testing protocols that have driven subscriber loyalty over decades.

Ownership Transitions

Golf Digest was founded in 1950 by William H. Davis, Howard Gill, and John F. Barnett as an independent publication in . The founders managed its early operations until selling the company to via an agreement announced on February 18, 1969, marking the first major ownership transition and enabling national expansion. The New York Times Company retained ownership for over three decades before divesting its consumer magazine division, including Golf Digest, to Condé Nast Publications in 2001 as part of a strategic shift away from non-core print assets. Under , Golf Digest integrated into a broader portfolio of lifestyle titles, though the publisher faced industry-wide pressures from declining print advertising by the late 2010s. Condé Nast sold Golf Digest to Discovery, Inc., on May 13, 2019, for an estimated $30 million, the third ownership change in its history and aimed at bolstering Discovery's golf media ecosystem including . Following Discovery's 2022 merger with , Golf Digest became part of , which continues to oversee its operations as of 2025.

Editorial Content

Instructional and Technique Coverage

Golf Digest's instructional coverage emphasizes practical techniques for improving swing mechanics, short game proficiency, putting accuracy, driving distance, and overall fitness, tailored to players from beginners to advanced levels. Content includes detailed articles with step-by-step breakdowns, such as swing sequences analyzing professional golfers' motions through sequential photographs and explanations. These resources draw on empirical observations of elite performance, prioritizing causal factors like body alignment, club path, and impact dynamics over unsubstantiated trends. The publication's "How To" section features specialized subsections on putting, which covers grip variations, stroke tempo, and green reading based on data-driven drills, and short game techniques addressing chipping, pitching, and bunker play with emphasis on trajectory control and spin application. Videos complement print and online articles, with Golf Digest+ providing access to over 750 instructional lessons demonstrating real-time corrections for common faults like slices or fat shots. In 2018, the introduction of Golf Digest All Access expanded this to more than 200 original videos viewable across devices, focusing on repeatable mechanics derived from biomechanical analysis rather than anecdotal advice. Instructional material often incorporates insights from ranked experts, including Golf Digest's biennial 50 Best Teachers in list for 2026–'27, topped by Mark Blackburn for his results-oriented methods, followed by Chris Como and Sean Foley. These rankings, compiled via player testimonials, teaching efficacy metrics, and peer evaluations, ensure content reflects proven coaching pedigrees, such as those of legends like for putting or emerging instructors in state-specific guides covering all 50 states. For 2025–2026, the Best Young Teachers list expanded to 191 professionals, highlighting data-backed innovations in swing efficiency. Golf Digest has extended technique coverage through print compilations, including "Golf: Play the Golf Digest Way" (2013), which applies logical fundamentals to skills from to without relying on overly simplified beginner models. Other titles, such as "Golf Digest's Ultimate Book" with over 120 targeted exercises for comprehensive improvement, and series like "Breaking 100, 90, 80" offering progressive scoring thresholds via refinements, provide verifiable drill sequences supported by performance outcomes. This body of work prioritizes evidence from instructor research, such as Dave Pelz's quantitative studies, over mainstream instructional fads.

Equipment Testing and Reviews

Golf Digest's equipment testing and reviews primarily feature the annual Hot List, an influential guide evaluating hundreds of new clubs, balls, and accessories submitted by manufacturers each year. The process combines subjective player feedback with objective data collection, culminating in gold and silver medal designations for standout products. For the 2025 Hot List, testing spanned three weeks at Reunion Resort in , where clubs were assessed across categories like drivers, irons, and wedges tailored to diverse player profiles. A panel of 32 unpaid testers, selected for their range of handicaps (1 to 15) and backgrounds including professionals, engineers, and avid amateurs, conducted the evaluations. Each tester was fitted to specific club models by certified fitters to ensure relevance—low-handicap players avoided super-game-improvement irons, while higher-handicap testers skipped blades. Over four days of hitting, they struck nearly 27,000 shots per the monitors, rating clubs on a 5-point scale for performance (e.g., distance, dispersion, trajectory via Rapsodo MLM2Pro launch monitors) and look/sound/feel (visual appeal, impact sensation, acoustics). These inputs formed 70% of the overall score, with innovation (30%) derived from editorial reviews of manufacturer R&D and scientific consultations. Products earned star ratings (up to 5 stars), with gold (5 stars) or silver (4 stars) awarded to 143 qualifiers based on relative excellence within categories. Golf ball testing follows a parallel but distinct protocol, conducted at Marriott Grande Vista in Orlando with panels of scratch-to-5-handicap players and professionals blind-testing 67 models via numbered samples (markings obscured). Evaluations focused on half-wedge, 7-iron, driver, and greenside shots, rated on a 1-5 for performance attributes like and . All balls underwent robotic testing by partner Golf Laboratories to quantify metrics such as , launch, and , divided into urethane-cover and non-urethane categories for fair comparisons. Scores emphasized player-derived performance alongside innovation in and aerodynamics. Beyond the Hot List, Golf Digest publishes standalone reviews incorporating robotic and human testing for specific gear, such as drivers analyzed for spin consistency—a capturing variability from nine locations on a Golf Laboratories to simulate mishits. These efforts leverage large sets for verifiability, with over 28,000 monitored shots in recent panels providing statistical robustness over individual anecdotes. While the prioritizes empirical shot and diverse inputs for broad applicability, the publication's ties to major OEMs have prompted golfer regarding , though no formal of manipulated outcomes has emerged from third-party .

Travel, Lifestyle, and News Features

Golf Digest's travel features emphasize practical guidance for golfers seeking destinations, often integrating course evaluations with , , and experiential itineraries. These include annual lists such as the "America's 75 Best Golf Resorts," published on September 9, 2025, which highlights properties with new course additions and lifestyle amenities like mountain valley settings for immersive play. The magazine's "Places to Play" franchise enables user-submitted ratings alongside expert panels assessing over 1,900 courses based on criteria including shot values and conditioning, aiding trip planning. In 2021, Golf Digest undertook a cross-country covering 14,176 miles to produce 60 stories in 60 days, documenting regional courses, communities, and golfer encounters to showcase accessible U.S. travel options. Additional travel content addresses logistical challenges, such as recommendations for baggage handling via partnerships like ' program, which waives oversized fees for golf clubs as of July 9, 2024, and endorsements of solid toiletries or travel gadgets to prevent spills during transit. Under senior editor Matt Ginella, these features have historically prioritized narrative-driven explorations, as noted in his 2012 reflections on curating trips that balance elite venues with underrated locales. Lifestyle coverage extends beyond core play to encompass , , and cultural integrations appealing to a broadening demographic. Articles profile emerging trends like "the new blue" color palettes and retro accessories observed at the 2025 British Open at Royal Portrush, signaling fall styles influenced by professional attire. Features highlight collaborations between established (e.g., , FootJoy) and influencers, as in the May 8, 2025, piece on experimental apparel launches, reflecting a post-pandemic surge in golf's style appeal amid 20 percent increases in rounds played. On June 3, 2025, Golf Digest cataloged 31 women-owned offering functional items like UV-protected polos and skorts, addressing market gaps in inclusive apparel. This segment also covers preparatory essentials, such as packing lists for group trips emphasizing weather-resistant gear and optimized for on-course visibility, published September 12, 2024. An editorial redesign incorporated more elements to attract advertisers targeting expanded audiences, including home goods like accessories for post-round rituals, as detailed in December 18, 2023, gift guides. Such content underscores golf's evolution into a holistic pursuit, intersecting with and without diluting technical focus. News features deliver timely reporting on professional tours, player developments, and industry shifts, often through and insider perspectives. The "Golf News" section provides updates on events like Yani Tseng's 2025 LET victory in —her first in nearly 12 years—alongside broader tour commentary. Feature stories include longform investigations, such as 2020's examination of pandemic-era play safety and ethics, which ranked among the publication's top-read pieces that year. Recent examples encompass 2022's popular narratives on Rory McIlroy's elbow injury recovery and Phil Mickelson's Augusta challenges, blending event recaps with performance breakdowns. Interactive and video elements enhance news delivery, with series dissecting swing mechanics of pros like or architectural histories of famous holes via expert Ron Whitten. Coverage extends to off-course dynamics, including media-pro relations debates as of March 19, 2025, where writers argue against adversarial framing while acknowledging golfers' obligations to transparency. Partnerships, such as the September 18, 2025, expansion with , integrate Golf Digest's news into wider platforms, emphasizing authority on tour happenings alongside instruction and travel. This approach prioritizes empirical event data over speculation, maintaining credibility through direct sourcing from players and venues.

Rankings and Evaluations

Course Ranking Methodology

Golf Digest employs a panel-based evaluation system for ranking golf courses, primarily drawing from expert assessments accumulated over a decade-long scoring cycle. The process relies on contributions from over 1,900 panelists, including state-specific and national evaluators who are experienced golfers and course raters tasked with playing and scoring eligible courses. These panelists submit evaluations on a scale of 1 to 10 across multiple criteria focused on architectural and playing qualities, with aggregate data forming the basis for rankings such as America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses. Courses are judged on seven core criteria: Shot Options (which receives double weighting to emphasize strategic depth), Challenge (assessing resistance to scoring for skilled players), Design Balance (evaluating layout variety and fairness), Memorability (distinctiveness and character), Aesthetics (visual and environmental appeal), Conditioning (maintenance and playability), and Tradition (historical significance). Scores are averaged after statistical adjustments, including the removal of outliers exceeding two standard deviations from the mean by a dedicated , to mitigate subjective extremes. Recent evaluations receive age-weighting to prioritize current course conditions over older data, ensuring rankings reflect ongoing quality. Eligibility requires a minimum of evaluations—typically 50 to 75 ballots per course over a 10-year period—to achieve statistical reliability and inclusion in top lists like the 100 Greatest or Second 100 Greatest. For the 2025-2026 America's 100 Greatest ranking, nearly 88,000 evaluations informed the outcomes, with most courses receiving 100 to 175 ballots for robust consensus. This methodology, refined since its shift to formalized scoring in , undergoes biennial recalibration to adapt criteria, such as refining "" to better suit scratch-level play without undue penalization. While panelists' expertise provides depth, the system's reliance on self-reported plays has drawn critique for potential inconsistencies in rater calibration, though Golf Digest maintains outlier controls and volume thresholds address this.

America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses

Golf Digest's America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses ranking, established in 1966 as the initial "America's 200 Toughest Courses" list and formalized as the top 100 in 1985, evaluates U.S. courses based on architectural merit, playability, and overall excellence. The ranking encompasses both private and public-access venues, distinguishing it from the separate America's 100 Greatest Public Courses list, and has become a benchmark for course prestige since its inception. Updated every two years, the most recent edition, released on May 20, 2025, for the 2025-2026 period, drew from approximately 88,000 evaluations accumulated over a decade. Pine Valley Golf Club in New Jersey has held the No. 1 position consistently since at least 2023, followed by at No. 2 and at No. 3 in the 2025 list, reflecting enduring acclaim for their strategic depth and historical significance. Other perennial standouts include Shinnecock Hills, , and , which occupy positions 4 through 6, underscoring the ranking's emphasis on classic designs from architects like C.B. Macdonald and . New entrants in 2025, such as CapRock Ranch in and the at Sand Valley in , highlight evolving recognition of modern restorations and innovative layouts. The ranking influences course management and renovations, as clubs often pursue updates to improve scores in areas like conditioning and aesthetics, with examples including Gil Hanse's work at , which propelled it to No. 100 in 2025. It extends to a Second 100 Greatest list to accommodate the depth of American golf, where tight margins—sometimes less than 0.1 points—determine inclusion, as seen with courses like Grandfather Golf and Country Club narrowly missing the top 200. While widely regarded as authoritative, the ranking faces critique for residual subjectivity in panelist evaluations, despite , with some analysts arguing that criteria weighting favors well-funded maintenance over pure ingenuity. This has sparked debate in communities about potential biases toward established East Coast venues, though the list's empirical scale from hundreds of raters mitigates individual preferences.

Specialized and State Rankings

Golf Digest's state rankings, titled "Best Golf Courses in Every State," evaluate top layouts within each of the 50 U.S. states and have been published biennially since 1977, with the 2025-2026 edition marking the 25th iteration. These rankings draw from over 80,000 evaluations accumulated over a 10-year scoring cycle by a panel exceeding 1,700 low-handicap golfers who assess courses on six key criteria: shot options, challenge, design variety, conditioning, aesthetics, and character, excluding fun from the final formula. Courses must receive sufficient evaluations to qualify, providing state-level insights that complement national lists by highlighting regional strengths, such as Meadow Club atop California's rankings and leading . In addition to state-focused evaluations, Golf Digest produces specialized rankings targeting subsets of courses, including America's 100 Greatest Courses, which biennially ranks accessible and properties based on the same panel methodology. The 2025 edition underscores the vitality of public golf, with holding the top spot for its scenic challenge and historical significance, followed by Pacific Dunes for its innovative dune-style design. This list, updated every two years, reflects evolving standards in maintenance and playability for non-private venues. Other specialized categories include America's 75 Best Golf Resorts, released in September 2025, which prioritizes multi-course destinations offering integrated accommodations and amenities, evaluated by panelists for overall guest experience alongside course quality. Golf Digest also curates women-oriented rankings, such as the 50 Best Golf Trip Destinations for Women from 2024, focusing on resorts with forward tees, shorter yardages, instructional programs, and supportive environments to encourage female participation. These targeted lists employ adapted criteria from the core panel process, emphasizing accessibility and enjoyment for specific demographics or access types.

Recognition and Awards

Industry and Editorial Accolades

Golf Digest has garnered recognition for its editorial quality through successes in the Golf Writers Association of America (GWAA) annual writing contests, where its contributors have frequently placed highly. In the 2025 GWAA Writing Contest, Golf Digest led all outlets with 10 total honors, including three first-place awards won by writers such as Joel Beall, who secured two top finishes. The publication similarly excelled in earlier years, winning eight GWAA writing awards in 2016, reflecting consistent praise for its reporting and analysis within golf journalism circles. The magazine has also received nods from broader editorial bodies. In 2016, Golf Digest was named a finalist for General Excellence by the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME), highlighting its overall editorial execution. Additionally, in 2023, ASME recognized Golf Digest in the Service Journalism category for features like the "Hot List: 2022 Equipment Guide" and "Build Your Own Bag," underscoring its practical instructional content. Key editorial leadership has further bolstered the publication's industry standing. Jerry Tarde, Golf Digest's editor-in-chief, received the National Golf Foundation's 2023 Graffis Award, an honor given for distinguished service to through journalism and industry influence. These accolades, drawn from specialized golf organizations and established editorial societies, affirm Golf Digest's role as a benchmark for golf media without reliance on mainstream academic or general media validations prone to ideological skews.

Golf Digest Honors Program

The Golf Digest Honors Program, initiated in 2024, annually celebrates standout achievements and contributions across , , and community levels, emphasizing remarkable moments that exemplify the game's spirit. It distinguishes between on-course feats—such as exceptional shots, recoveries, and rounds—and off-course impacts, including and instructional excellence, with selections curated by Golf Digest editors from reader nominations. The program aims to spotlight grassroots stories alongside elite performances, fostering wider participation by inviting submissions of club-level accomplishments from the estimated 46 million U.S. ers. On-course honors recognize specific highlights like the Best Shot, Best Up & Down, Best Par, Best Ace, Best Round, Most Clutch Performance, and Most Improved Player, often featuring amateurs or lesser-known figures over tour professionals. For instance, in its 2025 edition covering 2024 events, the Best Up & Down award went to amateur Nick Dunlap for a critical recovery during his win at , while Best Ace honored Francesco Molinari's hole-in-one that secured his U.S. Open cut. Other categories include Best Caddie Move and Best New Rivalry, as seen in the recognition of father-son duo Woody and Jake Benson's playoff victory. Nominations for these are submitted via email to Golf Digest editors, with no fixed deadline, allowing for dynamic category creation based on submissions. Off-course components focus on broader contributions, such as the Legacy Award, Golf Digest's highest honor for golfers advancing the sport through charitable work and . This includes recognition for youth programs, with past honors to initiatives like those at Half Moon Bay Golf Links for affordable junior access, and partnerships like the First Tee Awards for outstanding leaders, coaches, volunteers, and teachers. The program also acknowledges instructional legacies, as in the 2024 Legends of Golf Instruction for long-dominant teachers in rankings. Upcoming expansions, such as the April 2025 "The Dinah" award with for LPGA players' philanthropy honoring , underscore its evolving scope toward inclusive giving.

Business Operations

Circulation, Reach, and Revenue Model

Golf Digest's print circulation stood at 772,700 copies in 2024, reflecting a 2.6% decline from the prior year, according to audited data from the Alliance for Audited Media. This figure represents primarily paid print distribution, with total paid circulation across print and digital editions estimated at around 1.65 million. The magazine's ratebase, used for advertising purposes, has historically hovered near 1.6 million subscribers, though actual audited print numbers indicate a contraction amid broader industry shifts toward digital formats. Paid digital subscriptions reached 880,000 in 2024, underscoring a pivot to online access models that include app-based replicas and web content. The publication's overall reach extends significantly beyond print, with its website drawing approximately 6 million monthly unique visitors during golf's in-season peaks. Social media platforms contribute 4 million followers across , X, , , and , while email newsletters engage a database of 3.2 million subscribers. Combined, these channels yield a total audience of nearly 19 million people across platforms, with a readership of about 3.6 million for print editions alone. Demographics skew affluent and younger relative to competitors, with 49.6% of the audience aged 18-54—higher than Golf Magazine's 24% in that bracket—and a notable portion holding $1 million+ in , frequent international travel, and affinity for luxury goods. Revenue derives primarily from , which accounts for a substantial portion of , supplemented by subscriptions and ancillary streams. Digital constituted nearly half of ad as of 2019, with print ads from brands, courses, and lifestyle advertisers forming the traditional base; , sponsorships tied to partnerships, and experiential events like exclusive outings further diversify inflows. Subscriptions, priced accessibly to foster recurring (e.g., all-access digital plans), support both print renewals and digital growth, while affiliate partnerships with retailers generate commissions on equipment and travel referrals. Following its 2019 acquisition by for over $30 million, Golf Digest integrates into TNT Sports operations, leveraging synergies with and broader media assets to enhance ad sales and content distribution without disclosed standalone financials.

Digital and Multimedia Evolution

Golf Digest expanded its presence into as faced industry-wide declines, developing GolfDigest.com as a comprehensive online platform for instruction, news, equipment reviews, and rankings to maintain relevance in an increasingly internet-dependent audience. The site integrates elements, such as interactive tools and archived content, positioning the brand as a leading digital authority in . In April 2018, Golf Digest launched Golf Digest All Access, a subscription-based service offering over 200 instructional videos, live virtual coaching, and customized practice plans to deliver scalable, expert-led improvement resources beyond traditional print limitations. This initiative, developed amid a strategic review of digital monetization, emphasized models leveraging the publication's instructional heritage. Concurrently, the brand rolled out a for and , providing digital magazine issues, swing tips from ranked instructors, and gear evaluations, with features like offline access enhancing user engagement. Video production advanced through Golf Digest's YouTube channel, which hosts series including "The Game Plan" for dissecting professional course strategies, "Film Study" for biomechanical breakdowns of elite swings, and aerial tours of notable courses, amassing views via targeted instructional and analytical content. Audio offerings include podcasts such as "Golf IQ," a thrice-weekly program analyzing game mechanics for skill enhancement; "Local Knowledge," focusing on layered narratives from golf history and culture; and "The Loop," covering casual topics with an emphasis on accessible discussion. In July 2024, Golf Digest collaborated with Mustard to introduce Mustard Golf, an AI-driven mobile app that processes user-uploaded swing videos for real-time feedback without sensors, integrating machine learning to personalize instruction and extend the brand's technological reach. These developments underscore a pivot toward hybrid media ecosystems, prioritizing data-informed content delivery over legacy formats.

Reception and Influence

Contributions to Golf Instruction and Accessibility

Golf Digest has advanced golf instruction through its longstanding publication of expert tips, swing analyses, and rankings of top teachers, enabling golfers to access professional-level guidance without direct coaching costs. Since 1950, the magazine has chronicled the evolution of instructional methods, including pivotal shifts in technique as documented in its coverage of influential educators. Its annual "50 Best Teachers in America" list, updated biennially—for instance, the 2026-'27 edition honoring Mark Blackburn as No. 1—aggregates peer-voted recommendations to direct players toward verified instructors who have collectively coached numerous victories and major championships. In 2024, Golf Digest launched the "Legends of Golf Instruction" recognition, honoring enduring figures such as , David Leadbetter, , Bob Toski, and later additions like Peter Kostis and , who dominated its rankings since their inception and shaped modern teaching paradigms through widespread influence on tour professionals. This initiative underscores the publication's role in standardizing and preserving instructional excellence, with rankings extending to "Best Young Teachers" and state-specific lists that incorporate over 30 GolfTEC coaches in recent editions. Instructional articles and videos, such as those featuring Spieth's chipping techniques or Scottie Scheffler's putting process, provide actionable drills derived from elite performers, democratizing advanced strategies for everyday players. To enhance accessibility, Golf Digest has targeted beginners and juniors with tailored content that lowers entry barriers, including games for young children on practice greens to build fundamentals like aim and speed control. Features on programs, such as PGA Junior League Golf launched in 2011, and guides for navigating college recruitment emphasize mindset and adaptability over innate talent, helping families integrate golf into youth development without elite resources. By leveraging data analytics in articles—drawing from tools like and strokes-gained metrics—Golf Digest equips average golfers with evidence-based strategies to optimize play, as seen in analyses showing hybrids outperform long irons for mid-handicappers in green-hitting efficiency. This focus on empirical, unemotional decision-making has broadened instruction's reach, though direct causal impact on participation rates remains inferred from broader trends in junior engagement rather than isolated metrics attributable to the publication.

Criticisms of Bias, Legitimacy, and Commercialism

Golf Digest has faced scrutiny over its rankings process, particularly the legitimacy of its system and potential for commercial influences to compromise objectivity. In 2021, the magazine introduced a paid membership model for its course-ranking ists, requiring an annual fee of $1,300 to participate, which critics argue creates a "pay-for-play" dynamic that incentivizes inflated scores to justify membership costs and access perks. Golf course architecture commentator Geoff Shackelford noted that this shift from a volunteer-based to a for-profit one correlates with overscoring of certain courses, where panelists awarded points sufficient to elevate middling facilities into top rankings, potentially to align with expectations of exclusivity or hospitality received. Further undermining legitimacy, Golf Digest's 2021 America's 100 Greatest Courses ranking included factual errors, such as incorrect numerical data on course evaluations, despite the publication's emphasis on "objective data" and panelist input. Shackelford highlighted instances where published scores did not match underlying panelist submissions, raising doubts about oversight and the reliability of the seven-criteria evaluation framework—encompassing shot values, memorability, and aesthetics—which has been criticized for producing inconsistent and subjective outcomes rather than empirical measures of quality. The Fried Egg Golf analysis described this system as systemically flawed, arguing it prioritizes panelist impressions over verifiable design or playability metrics, leading to rankings that favor conditioning and presentation over architectural merit. Accusations of extend to preferences for clubs and modern developments, with panelists potentially swayed by club-hosted events or ties. Discussions among golf architects on platforms like Golf Club Atlas have pointed to the paid model's fostering of , where dues-paying members expect favorable treatment or resist critical assessments to maintain status. Additionally, public and analysts have observed a tilt toward courses offering lavish amenities, as panelists' repeated access—often comped—may evaluations toward over pure ing challenge, though Golf Digest maintains its involves diverse experts and blind scoring elements to mitigate such influences.

Controversies

Debates Over Ranking Integrity

Golf Digest's course rankings, such as its America's 100 Greatest and Best in State lists, rely on evaluations from a panel of raters scoring courses on criteria including Shot Options, Challenge, Layout Variety, Aesthetics, and Conditioning, with scores averaged after requiring at least 75 evaluations over 10 years for top lists. Critics contend that the inclusion of subjective factors like Aesthetics and Conditioning—comprising significant portions of the total score—prioritizes experiential elements over architectural merit, leading to rankings that favor visually appealing or well-maintained courses regardless of playability for average golfers. This systemic approach, as argued by golf architecture analysts, promotes flawed design trends by blending too many disparate qualities without sufficient emphasis on shot-making demands or accessibility. Debates intensified around the panel's expansion from approximately 700 to over 1,700 members, which panel critic JC Jones described as diluting expertise and complicating oversight, while introducing a pay-for-play element through a $1,000 entry fee and $300 annual dues that reportedly generates substantial revenue for Golf Digest. Opponents in golf forums argue this structure incentivizes unqualified raters seeking prestige or favors, fostering poor behavior such as social media violations and unmonitored requests for complimentary access, with courses overwhelmed by demands and some restricting panelist play. Architect Tom Doak has highlighted longstanding failures in policing raters who solicit perks, questioning the panel's legitimacy amid growth. Further scrutiny focuses on indirect influences, with golf community discussions alleging that courses secure higher rankings by providing "red carpet treatment"—including complimentary rounds, dining, and lodging—to raters, correlating comps issued with score improvements as noted by former course general managers. While not direct payments, these practices are seen as biasing outcomes toward clubs willing to invest in hospitality, potentially favoring private or high-end venues over merit alone. To counter such claims, Golf Digest employs statistician Dean Knuth to excise outlier scores exceeding two standard deviations, a practice aimed at preserving fairness, as demonstrated in adjustments for courses like where anomalous low ratings were discarded. The publication maintains policies against excessive perks, with dismissal for violations like free drinks, though enforcement efficacy remains debated among skeptics who view rankings as inherently subjective exercises prone to human influence despite procedural safeguards.

Coverage of Golf's Social and Legal Issues

Golf Digest has addressed social issues in golf, particularly and lack of , through investigative and pieces highlighting historical and ongoing barriers. In a 2020 article, the magazine urged the sport to confront racial inequality, noting that while a few professional golfers spoke out amid national protests, golf's elite country clubs often perpetuated exclusionary practices, with data showing golfers comprising less than 2% of participants despite efforts like the 's diversity initiatives. Similarly, coverage of private clubs' "moment of reckoning" referenced journalist Marcia Chambers' work on legal challenges to discriminatory policies, including race-based exclusions that persisted after the PGA of America removed its "Caucasian-only" clause in 1961. On gender inclusion, Golf Digest published personal accounts of navigating the sport's male-dominated culture, such as a 2019 piece detailing a female golfer's experiences with on courses and in clubhouses, advocating for teaching respect across genders and races from youth levels. The magazine also critiqued structural barriers in organizations like the PGA of America, proposing in 2022 that revising membership criteria—such as reducing the 20,000-round playing requirement—could enhance diversity, as current hurdles disproportionately affect underrepresented groups. In response to 2020's social unrest, Golf Digest issued a pledge to promote , access, and sustainability, acknowledging golf's image problem where top-tier venues overlook broader societal inequities. Regarding legal issues, Golf Digest extensively covered the antitrust battles between the and , reporting in June 2023 that both parties dropped their lawsuits after a , following LIV's initial in August 2022 alleging monopolistic practices that banned defecting players. The publication analyzed the 's legal authority to impose bans, consulting antitrust experts who noted potential vulnerabilities under U.S. but affirmed the tour's contractual rights over memberships. Other litigation featured included ' 2023 defamation against his own company, which resulted in a $50 million jury in October 2025 favoring the golfer over claims of unauthorized design use. Golf Digest also documented rules controversies with legal implications, such as the 2022 compilation of incidents involving penalties for advice violations and equipment issues, which sparked debates on rule clarity and enforcement fairness, including cases like incorrect drop penalties affecting tournament outcomes. Coverage extended to player disputes, like Tony Finau's 2024 breach-of-contract suit against sponsors, underscoring golf's reliance on individual endorsements vulnerable to acrimonious breakdowns. These reports often emphasized verifiable facts from court filings and expert analysis, while critiquing how legal entanglements, such as LIV's format disputes potentially costing eight figures, disrupted the sport's governance.

References

  1. [1]
    Golf Digest sold to Discovery, Inc., joins GOLFTV to create global ...
    May 13, 2019 · The magazine was founded by William H. Davis in 1950 in Evanston, Ill. He was later joined by his fellow Northwestern University classmates ...
  2. [2]
    GolfDigest.com: Golf Instruction, Equipment, Courses, Travel, News
    GolfDigest.com is the worldwide authority on how to play, what to play, and where to play golf.Account ManagementGolf News and Tour InformationHot List 2025Golf Courses | GolfDigest.comEquipment
  3. [3]
    Discovery, Inc. Acquires Golf Digest From Condé Nast
    May 13, 2019 · NEW YORK, May 13, 2019 – Discovery, Inc. (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) announced today it has acquired Golf Digest from Condé Nast. Golf Digest ...Missing: founded | Show results with:founded
  4. [4]
    Paulina Gretzky's controversial Golf Digest cover - CNN
    Apr 5, 2014 · The controversial move has left some women in the sport frustrated as the magazine defends its position.
  5. [5]
    Revolutions, Part 1: Arnold Palmer, IMG, and the early disruptors
    Jan 28, 2025 · Davis had an idea for a golf magazine directed at the recreational golfer, rather than the golf fan. With his partners Howard Gill, a ...
  6. [6]
    William Davis, 68, of Times Co.; Founded and Edited Golf Digest
    Jan 4, 1991 · He founded Golf Digest in 1950 as a part-time venture for distribution to golf courses and country clubs in the Chicago area. As golf became ...Missing: history | Show results with:history
  7. [7]
    How We Got Here: Progress in this game has taken weird turns, and ...
    Jan 28, 2025 · The magazine went national within two years. The trio sold it to The New York Times in 1969, and since it has been sold twice more, in 2001 to ...<|separator|>
  8. [8]
    SPRING 1950 | Golf Digest
    Explore the full SPRING 1950 issue of Golf Digest. Browse featured articles, preview selected issue contents, and more.<|control11|><|separator|>
  9. [9]
    SUMMER 1950 | Golf Digest
    Explore the full SUMMER 1950 issue of Golf Digest. Browse featured articles, preview selected issue contents, and more.
  10. [10]
    WILLIAM H. DAVIS, 68; PUBLISHED GOLF DIGEST - Chicago Tribune
    Jan 8, 1991 · He started Golf Digest as a part-time effort, becoming full-time editor in 1959.Missing: early years
  11. [11]
    Golf Digest Cover Girls 1950 - 1965
    Jun 27, 2007 · Meet the dozens of women who've graced the cover of our magazine since its founding in 1950.
  12. [12]
    GOLF DIGEST TURNS 60! PLUS, DAVID OWEN TAKES ON THE ...
    Feb 8, 2010 · 60th ANNIVERSARY (page 88)​​ Golf Digest has had many milestone accomplishments throughout its first 60 years, from securing nationwide ...Missing: major achievements
  13. [13]
    Golf Digest History: Founding, Timeline, and Milestones - Zippia
    Golf Digest company history timeline​​ The magazine was founded by William H. Davis in 1950 in Evanston, Ill. Tarde, who started at Golf Digest as an intern in ...
  14. [14]
    Howard R. Gill, 73, Golf Digest Founder - The New York Times
    Aug 2, 1996 · It was acquired by The New York Times Company in 1969 and passed the 1 million circulation mark in 1980. Mr. Gill retired in 1988 after 35 years ...
  15. [15]
    Golf Digest - Motivate Media Group
    It is published in 15 countries and is respected as the authority on local and international golf. Launched in October 2008, Golf Digest Middle East is the No.Missing: growth editions
  16. [16]
    Swiss affiliate boosts Golf Digest foreign circulation past 900K
    May 3, 2004 · Golf Digest has a U.S. circulation of 1.57 million, compared with 1.41 million for rival Golf magazine, according to the Audit Bureau of ...Missing: growth | Show results with:growth<|separator|>
  17. [17]
    https://www.magazineline.com/blog/most-popular-magazines-in-the-us
  18. [18]
    The Times Buys Golf Digest, Inc., A Magazine and Book Publisher
    The New York Times announced yesterday an agreement to buy Golf Digest, Inc., which publishes a monthly magazine of that name, other periodicals and books.
  19. [19]
    Condé Nast Sells Golf Digest to Discovery Inc. - The New York Times
    May 13, 2019 · Condé Nast has sold Golf Digest to Discovery Inc., the companies said on Monday, as the publisher of The New Yorker, Vanity Fair and Vogue sheds titles.
  20. [20]
    Discovery snaps up Condé Nast's Golf Digest for $30M
    May 12, 2019 · The deal, in which Discovery Chief Executive David Zaslav prevailed over the Comcast-owned NBC Sports Group, the owner of the Golf Channel and ...Missing: history | Show results with:history<|separator|>
  21. [21]
    Golf Digest (Warner Bros. Discovery) - National Golf Foundation
    Founded in 1950 by William H. Davis and his Northwestern University classmates, Golf Digest has undergone several ownership changes, including acquisition ...Missing: early | Show results with:early
  22. [22]
    How To
    **Summary of Golf Digest Instructional Content:**
  23. [23]
    https://www.golfdigest.com/how-to/swing-sequences
  24. [24]
    https://www.golfdigest.com/how-to/putting
  25. [25]
    https://www.golfdigest.com/how-to/short-game
  26. [26]
    Gain access to 750+ video instruction lessons with Golf Digest+.
    Aug 27, 2024 · Tyrrell Hatton Ryder Cup Story. 1 day ago · 11K views. 00:22. Golf Digest Open National Champions. 2 days ago · 12K views. 00:52. Call Your ...<|separator|>
  27. [27]
    Introducing Golf Digest All Access, a whole new way to improve
    Apr 1, 2018 · With an All-Access subscription, you receive more than 200 original video lessons and classics that you can view anywhere, anytime on your phone, laptop or TV ...Missing: history | Show results with:history
  28. [28]
    Golf Digest's 50 Best Teachers in America (2026-'27)
    Sep 16, 2025 · 1. MARK BLACKBURN (1) · 2. CHRIS COMO (2) · 3. SEAN FOLEY (3) · 4. DANA DAHLQUIST (9) · 5. JASON BAILE (26) · 6. JOSEPH MAYO (21) · 7. CLAUDE HARMON ...
  29. [29]
    The Best Teachers In Every State (2026-'27) - Golf Digest
    Sep 16, 2025 · This is golf's most comprehensive nationwide ranking: We've identified the best instructors who fix swings near you.
  30. [30]
    Golf Digest's Legends of Golf Instruction | How To Play Golf
    Sep 16, 2025 · In 2024, Golf Digest announced a new recognition for renowned golf instructors who had dominated our teacher rankings for decades.Missing: history | Show results with:history
  31. [31]
    Golf Digest's Best Young Teachers in America (2025-2026)
    Oct 2, 2024 · Our latest list of the Best Young Teachers in America stands at an all-time high of 191, including 59 newcomers.
  32. [32]
    Golf: Play the Golf Digest Way - Ron Kaspriske - Google Books
    This ultimate instruction book includes easy-to-follow instructions, photos, and diagrams of all the skills players of all levels need to improve their game ...
  33. [33]
    Editors of Golf Digest - Walmart
    4.3 5K · Free 90-day returnsGolf Digest's Ultimate Drill Book : Over 120 Drills that Are Guaranteed to Improve Every Aspect of Your Game and Low (Paperback). 14 out of 5 Stars.
  34. [34]
    https://www.thriftbooks.com/a/golf-digest/235020/
  35. [35]
    Golf Digest Hot List 2025: Inside the process behind our annual ...
    Jan 21, 2025 · Using input from our testers, we rate the relative excellence of the visual, auditory and tactile experience of hitting a particular club. The ...
  36. [36]
    Hot List 2025: Meet the testers behind our comprehensive (and ...
    Jan 21, 2025 · The main job of our players is to judge clubs on a 5-point scale in our Hot List judging criteria of Look/Sound/Feel and Performance.
  37. [37]
    Golf Ball Hot List 2025: Inside the process behind our annual golf ...
    Robot testing for all golf balls is conducted by Golf Digest's testing partner, Golf Laboratories. Each ball or family of balls receives a score in ...Missing: methodology | Show results with:methodology
  38. [38]
    https://www.golfdigest.com/story/spin-consistency-driver-2025-robotic-testing
  39. [39]
    America's 75 best golf resorts | Golf Courses - Golf Digest
    Sep 9, 2025 · It's never been a better time to be a traveling golfer with so many golf resorts opening new courses. Our new list will help you decide where to
  40. [40]
    Courses
    ### Summary of Travel-Related Content from Golf Digest Courses
  41. [41]
    Golf Digest Road Trip: 60 Stories In 60 Days | GolfDigest.com
    Feb 16, 2021 · The people, places, and smiles we saw while driving 14,176 miles across the U.S.. Share story. Facebook · Twitter · LinkedIn. NEW!<|separator|>
  42. [42]
    The American Airlines AAdvantage® Program Elevates Your Golf ...
    Jul 9, 2024 · First, American Airlines passengers do not have to pay oversized baggage fees when traveling with their golf clubs. It's a very simple benefit ...
  43. [43]
    9 traveler-approved hacks every golfer should know (and our ...
    Oct 14, 2024 · To avoid spills (and slipper club or stains) in your golf or travel bag, swap out liquid toiletries with solid alternatives whenever possible.
  44. [44]
    Matt Ginella, Senior Travel Editor at Golf Digest. : r/IAmA - Reddit
    Jun 14, 2012 · Matt Ginella, Senior Travel Editor at Golf Digest. In case you haven't noticed, I really enjoyed this. Thank you for checking in, asking (mostly) good ...<|separator|>
  45. [45]
    The 'new blue' and other fall fashion trends showcased at Portrush
    Jul 23, 2025 · The Open gave us a sneak peek at some of the biggest fashion trends for fall, from earthy color palettes to retro accessories.Missing: lifestyle health
  46. [46]
    The Art of the Collab - Golf Digest
    May 8, 2025 · Established golf companies like Adidas, FootJoy and TaylorMade have increasingly worked with up-and-coming brands and influencers to test out ideas, launch ...Missing: health | Show results with:health
  47. [47]
    What's next? The minds behind some of golf's biggest fashion ...
    Apr 22, 2024 · Golf style is having a moment. Rounds played are up 20 percent since the pandemic with increases in play among young people, ...Missing: health culture
  48. [48]
    Made For Women, By Women: Meet 31 women-owned golf brands
    Jun 3, 2025 · From breathable, UV-protected polos to curve-friendly skorts that blend fashion and function, female-owned brands are taking a swing at industry norms.
  49. [49]
    How to stock your golf bag to be prepared for any situation on the ...
    Sep 12, 2024 · ... Travel Tips. Must-have golf trip and travel essentials, according to Golf Digest ... lifestyle pair of sunglasses that will help, not hurt ...
  50. [50]
    'Golf Digest' - Pentagram
    The new look complements an editorial shift that includes more lifestyle content, intended to appeal to a wider audience (and the advertisers looking to reach ...
  51. [51]
    The best golf home, lifestyle and kitchen gifts for the foodie, bourbon ...
    Dec 18, 2023 · Best Golf Gifts: The best golf home, lifestyle and kitchen gifts for the foodie, bourbon-buff and design junkie in your life. *All products ...
  52. [52]
    Golf News and Tour Information | GolfDigest.com
    Up-to-date news, player updates, tour information and more from GolfDigest.com.Features · The Loop · GamblingMissing: travel | Show results with:travel
  53. [53]
    Golf Digest's 10 most popular longform stories of 2020
    Dec 31, 2020 · More from Golf Digest · 10. Playing golf during a pandemic might be safe. But is it right? · 9. Can Bryson DeChambeau break Augusta National?Missing: examples | Show results with:examples
  54. [54]
    These were our most popular stories in 2022 - Golf Digest
    Dec 29, 2022 · British Open 2024: Phil Mickelson knows he's being written off as golfer but he's not · Players 2025: Rory McIlroy elbows past Phil Mickelson ...Missing: examples | Show results with:examples
  55. [55]
    Golf Digest - YouTube
    The leading expert in golf course architecture, Golf Digest's Ron Whitten breaks down the hidden histories of some of the most famous holes in golf.
  56. [56]
    Tour pros and the media don't have to be enemies
    Mar 19, 2025 · The question of whether a professional golfer “owes” something to the media puts a writer like me in a tough spot.<|separator|>
  57. [57]
    Yahoo Sports Expands Golf Coverage in Partnership with GOLF ...
    Sep 18, 2025 · Golf Digest, the No. 1 authority on How to Play, What to Play, and Where to Play, will deliver a mix of news, instruction, equipment, and travel ...
  58. [58]
    Golf Digest's latest 100 Greatest ranking, explained: How we define ...
    May 7, 2021 · Golf Digest tasked state and national evaluators to judge courses in seven categories—shot values, resistance to scoring, design balance, ...
  59. [59]
    Golf Digest's course rankings: How Our Process Works
    May 7, 2021 · Our panelists play and score golf courses on eight criteria: Shot Options, Challenge, Layout Variety, Distinctiveness, Aesthetics, ...
  60. [60]
    America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses - Golf Digest
    May 20, 2025 · Courses must have a minimum of 50 evaluations over our 10-year scoring period to qualify for our 100 Greatest and Second 100 Greatest lists.America’s 100 Greatest Golf... · Aronimink Golf Club · Pine Valley Golf ClubMissing: methodology | Show results with:methodology
  61. [61]
    A systemic problem: Golf Digest's golf course rankings - Fried Egg Golf
    Jan 7, 2017 · The culprit behind the bad rankings is Golf Digest's system which is based on seven criteria: Design Variety, Shot Values, Conditioning, Memorability, ...
  62. [62]
    Chocolate Drops: Dissecting Golf Digest's New Top 100 Courses
    May 26, 2025 · The top eight is exactly the same as it was in 2023: 1) Pine Valley; 2) Augusta National; 3) Cypress Point; 4) Shinnecock Hills; 5) Oakmont; 6) Merion; 7) ...
  63. [63]
    Golf Digest's Top 100: Major Movers, New Entries And Big Drops
    Jun 23, 2025 · Golf Digest's Top 100: Major Movers, New Entries And Big Drops · Scioto fell 22 spots. · Diamond Creek dropped 18. · Whispering Pines slid 15.Missing: awards milestones<|control11|><|separator|>
  64. [64]
    America's Second 100 Greatest Golf Courses - Golf Digest
    May 20, 2025 · The margins are tighter than ever. Four courses missed out on making our top 200 by less than a tenth of a decimal point: Grandfather Golf and ...Missing: notable | Show results with:notable
  65. [65]
    Ranking Row - Fried Egg Golf
    Oct 27, 2023 · People are really mad about Golf's latest ranking of the top 100 golf courses in the world. Maybe the whole thing is just ridiculous.
  66. [66]
    The Best Golf Courses in Every State: 2025-'26 - Golf Digest
    May 29, 2025 · The best golf courses in every state, ranked by Golf Digest's course-ranking panelists for a 25th time.Pennsylvania · South Carolina · Illinois · New York<|separator|>
  67. [67]
    America's 100 Greatest Public Courses - Golf Digest
    May 27, 2025 · Our ranking of America's 100 Greatest Public Courses provides a biennial snapshot into the state of affairs of public and resort golf course ...Pebble Beach Golf Links · Bay Harbor Golf Club Links... · Pacific DunesMissing: methodology | Show results with:methodology
  68. [68]
    The 50 best golf trip destinations for women - Golf Digest
    Jun 26, 2024 · From the mountains of the Northeast to the beaches of Hawaii, here are the 50 best resorts for women's golf trips.
  69. [69]
    Golf Digest, Beall lead 2025 GWAA Writing Contest
    Mar 3, 2025 · Joel Beall of Golf Digest won two first-place awards to lead the honorees as his magazine and website racked up 10 total honors, featured by three first-place ...
  70. [70]
    Golf Digest wins eight writing awards from the Golf Writers Associatio
    Feb 18, 2016 · Golf Digest wins eight writing awards from the Golf Writers Association of America.Missing: organizations | Show results with:organizations
  71. [71]
    Service Journalism 2023 - American Society of Magazine Editors
    Golf Digest - Service Journalism. Golf Digest Max Adler, Editorial Director “Hot List: 2022 Equipment Guide,” “Build Your Own Bag,” at hotlist.golfdigest.com ...
  72. [72]
    GOLF DIGEST'S JERRY TARDE RECEIVES NATIONAL GOLF ...
    Oct 31, 2023 · Jerry Tarde, the highly-respected and influential editor-in-chief for Golf Digest, is the recipient of the National Golf Foundation's 2023 Graffis Award.
  73. [73]
    Welcome to the first edition of the Golf Digest Honors
    Jan 25, 2024 · Welcome to the first edition of the Golf Digest Honors. Brooks Koepka, Steph Curry and Nick Taylor headline the first iteration of these awards.Missing: achievements | Show results with:achievements
  74. [74]
    Welcome back to the Golf Digest Honors!
    Jan 28, 2025 · Here we celebrate the best aces, best par, best shot and more. As we look ahead to next year, keep us apprised of incredible accomplishments at your club.Missing: achievements | Show results with:achievements
  75. [75]
    Could You Win Golf Digest Honors
    Nov 11, 2024 · If you or someone from your home course should be considered, please file a nomination by sending a detailed email to gdsocial@golfdigest.com.
  76. [76]
    Golf Digest Honors | GolfDigest.com
    Jan 31, 2022 · The Arnie Award is the highest honor given by Golf Digest presented to golfers who give back. The 2018 recipients were: Jim Nantz, Darius Rucker, Davis Love III ...Missing: notable achievements
  77. [77]
    It's All About The Kids! - Boys & Girls Club of the Coastside
    Golf Digest honors five youth programs. Club Winner – Half Moon Bay Golf Links, Calif. The $5 green fee for kids (restrictions apply) encourages them to ...
  78. [78]
    First Tee, Golf Digest recognize winners of the First Tee Awards
    Nov 25, 2024 · First Tee Network Awards presented in partnership with Golf Digest honor outstanding leader, coach, volunteer and teacher of the year. Golf ...<|separator|>
  79. [79]
    US magazine circulations for 2024: Full breakdown of biggest titles
    Mar 7, 2025 · After Us Weekly, Golf Digest (880,000) and Better Homes and Gardens (857,000) boasted the highest digital circulations. Overall, digital ...
  80. [80]
    Golf Digest Media Kit 2024
    U.S. golfers in 2023 (on and off-course); A 9% YOY GAIN. TOTAL NUMBER OF AMERICANS (AGE 6+) WHO PLAYED, WATCHED, READ ABOUT AND/OR FOLLOWED GOLF IN 2023. ON ...
  81. [81]
    With Golf Digest, Conde Nast tees up first of several consumer ...
    Apr 3, 2018 · Golf Digest also opted for a subscription model based on a 2017 survey of amateur golfers that found that 75 percent of respondents said they ...
  82. [82]
    [PDF] Acxiom Case Study: Golf Digest
    The original model of producing magazines, selling advertisements, and finding paying readers has morphed into hybrid of print and online models with paid and ...
  83. [83]
    [PDF] Golf Digest swings and wins with a new digital model offering ...
    Today, the print publication has a total circulation of 1.6 million subscribers, while the website (www.golfdigest.com) sees an average of over 4.7 million ...Missing: international editions
  84. [84]
    Golf Digest Magazine on the App Store
    Rating 4.8 (4,158) · Free · iOSGolf Digest is the most trusted voice in golf, committed to helping golfers improve their game through instruction from top-ranked teachers.
  85. [85]
    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.discovery.golfdigest
  86. [86]
    Golf IQ | Podcast on Spotify
    Golf IQ is a 3x weekly podcast from Golf Digest. Our goal is simple: To help you understand the game, and become a better golfer because of it.
  87. [87]
    Golf Digest - Channel - Apple Podcasts
    The Golf Digest podcasts draw on the brand's strengths as the game's premier storytellers by producing deep-dive audio programs into specific topics that ...
  88. [88]
    Golf Digest & Mustard Launch Groundbreaking AI-Powered Platform
    Jul 30, 2024 · The platform allows a player to video their swing without the need for added sensors or equipment and analyzes the swing using AI developed ...
  89. [89]
    The Big 4 | Golf Digest
    May 2, 2010 · GOLF DIGEST: Since Golf Digest started publishing 60 years ago, we've seen an evolution in instruction and in the swing itself. Let's look at ...
  90. [90]
    Butch Harmon, golf's iconic coach, leads our first class of legends
    Butch Harmon has coached more tour players to more wins, more major championships and more World No. 1 rankings than any other teacher ever.
  91. [91]
    https://malaskagolf.com/blogs/news/golf-digest-legends-of-golf-instruction
  92. [92]
    34 GOLFTEC Coaches Named in Golf Digest's Best Teachers in ...
    Sep 22, 2025 · 34 GOLFTEC coaches named to Golf Digest's 2026-2027 Best Teachers in Every State list—celebrating top-tier instruction nationwide.Missing: 100 | Show results with:100
  93. [93]
    Tips and tricks from some of the best teachers in the U.S. - Golf Digest
    Dec 14, 2023 · These technology-centric pointers may be just what you need to fix your golf game.Missing: schools | Show results with:schools
  94. [94]
    Instruction | GolfDigest.com
    In this 18-minute putting session with teacher Randy Smith, Scheffler details his process for picking lines, gauging speed and giving every putt a chance to ...
  95. [95]
    The best golf games to play with a young child
    Jun 3, 2025 · A classic game to play with your kid on the practice green is tic-tac-toe because it teaches aim, speed control and strategy.
  96. [96]
    A different way to get kids hooked on golf - Golf Digest
    Apr 25, 2016 · The PGA Junior League Golf, launched by the PGA of America in 2011, offers team competition for kids 7 to 13, creating uniformed squads of at ...Missing: initiatives | Show results with:initiatives
  97. [97]
    Why do some top juniors make it and others don't? The ... - Golf Digest
    Mar 31, 2022 · The junior ranks are overflowing with talent. But ask tour players about their own development and they say mindset is the difference maker.Missing: initiatives | Show results with:initiatives
  98. [98]
    How using honest data can help average golfers create ... - Golf Digest
    Dec 4, 2021 · Analyze data from TrackMan and the new strokes gained statistic, created by Mark Broadie, to turn course strategy into a set of unemotional decisions.Missing: accessible | Show results with:accessible
  99. [99]
    Stat-tracking can help you choose the right new clubs - Golf Digest
    Arccos research for Golf Digest showed that golfers from scratch to 25-handicappers were 87 percent more likely to hit the green with a hybrid than with the ...Missing: accessible | Show results with:accessible
  100. [100]
    Junior Golf: Watching the successful conversion of getting kids in the ...
    May 1, 2018 · Junior golf participation doesn't happen by accident. U.S. Kids is committed to helping pros and parents get kids off to a good start.Missing: initiatives | Show results with:initiatives
  101. [101]
    Golf Digest Course Ranking 2021: You Get What You Charge For?
    May 3, 2021 · The leading course with “Character” in the United States is Winged Foot West. A fine test for sure. And home club to the last two Golf Digest editors.Missing: methodology | Show results with:methodology
  102. [102]
    Thoughts on the Current Issues Facing the Golf Digest Rankings Panel
    Feb 4, 2022 · The latter part of my post gets to my issues with a pay-for-play panel. I think the charging of dues breeds entitlement in the panelists and an idea that they ...Golf Digest Best NewGolf Digest's five biggest ranking blundersMore results from www.golfclubatlas.com
  103. [103]
    Golf Digest Ranking Runs Incorrect Numbers After Touting ...
    Geoff Shackelford.
  104. [104]
    Thoughts on the Current Issues Facing the Golf Digest Rankings Panel
    Feb 4, 2022 · I ask the first question because you present this evolution as some moral decline when GD spent years getting bashed after releasing their vaunted lists because ...Golf Digest's five biggest ranking blundersWhy GOLF DIGEST is wrong to use Tradition/100 BestMore results from www.golfclubatlas.com
  105. [105]
    Are course ratings biased toward private clubs? - Golf Digest
    Jul 31, 2024 · Do good rounds at private clubs lower your handicap more than they shoould? We debate on this week's episode of The Loop.
  106. [106]
    Golf Digest 100 Greatest Public Courses - Page 3 - Forums - GolfWRX
    Sep 16, 2021 · Every course wanting to be in a "top 100" or "best in state" will wine and dine the course raters. I don't think they are paid directly.
  107. [107]
    Now is the time for golf to have 'the talk' about racial inequality
    Aug 28, 2020 · As a handful of tour pros speak out, golf needs to move beyond words and address its lack of diversity.
  108. [108]
    Private golf clubs' moment of reckoning
    Marcia Chambers was never much of a golfer, but she became the voice of reason on all of golf's serious issues pertaining to the law and discrimination.
  109. [109]
    Ethical Dilemma: What if you don't like a club's policies, but you ...
    Oct 28, 2016 · The game seldom asks much of golfers on the political and social issues front, but when it does, we need to listen, and act according to our ...
  110. [110]
    A Skirt Among Khakis: My struggle to navigate golf's gender gap
    Feb 5, 2019 · At the same time, young boys need to be taught that a respect for the game includes respecting everyone in it, regardless of gender or race.
  111. [111]
    A straightforward way to address the PGA of America's diversity ...
    May 26, 2022 · To improve inclusion within the PGA of America it's time to look at the structural hurdles to becoming a member.
  112. [112]
    Our Pledge During Troubled Times | Golf News and Tour Information
    In these troubled times of protest against racism and injustice, too many golfers look the other way. That's the illusion of golf at the top: Country clubs ...
  113. [113]
    PGA Tour, LIV Golf formally drop antitrust lawsuits, ending year of ...
    Jun 16, 2023 · The PGA Tour and LIV Golf have filed a motion to dismiss LIV's antitrust lawsuit and the tour's countersuit, ending a nearly year-long litigation battle.
  114. [114]
    Can players be banned legally from the PGA Tour for ... - Golf Digest
    Feb 4, 2022 · We asked antitrust experts whether the PGA Tour have the legal authority to permanently ban individuals for aligning with the SGL or another ...Missing: controversies | Show results with:controversies
  115. [115]
    The inside story of Jack Nicklaus' legal battle against his own company
    May 2, 2023 · How did the game's greatest champion become embroiled in a lawsuit against the company he founded?
  116. [116]
    https://www.australiangolfdigest.com.au/jack-nicklaus-50-million-win/
  117. [117]
    The 22 biggest golf rules issues of 2022 - Golf Digest
    Dec 19, 2022 · The Rules of Golf might be as simplified as they've ever been, but they still led to plenty of confusing—and controversial—moments in 2022.
  118. [118]
    Understanding the legal claim at the heart of the Tony Finau lawsuit
    Oct 1, 2024 · The level of rancour between Finau and his erstwhile sponsors is unusual, but the relationship is not. Golf is a sport of individual contractors ...
  119. [119]
    LIV Golf facing eight-figure dispute over copying PGL format, per report
    Feb 29, 2024 · LIV Golf is involved in a potential eight-figure legal dispute over allegations it copied its format from the Premier Golf League.