Trying to pick the best golf magazine can feel like standing over a shot with three different clubs in your hand - each one seems like a good choice, but you know only one is the right fit for the job. Instead of just naming a single winner, this guide breaks down the best magazines based on what you actually want to get out of them. We’ll look at the top options for pure game improvement, for the golfer who loves equipment tech, and for the player who appreciates the stories and soul of the game.
Before you subscribe to anything, the first and most important step is to ask a simple question: "What am I hoping to get?"
The "best" magazine for a scratch golfer grinding to get better is going to be completely different from the best one for a weekend player who mainly enjoys the scenic beauty and camaraderie of the game. Your goal dictates your choice.
Think about what gets you most excited about golf:
Once you have a clear idea of your "why," you can find the publication that speaks your language. Let's break down the contenders.
If your end goal is simply to become a better golfer, Golf Digest has been the gold standard for decades. Think of it as a monthly lesson package delivered to your mailbox or tablet. It’s built from the ground up to help you lower your scores, and it’s where I’d direct any player who is serious about improving their mechanics and on-course thinking.
As a coach, I see its value in the clarity and authority of its instruction. They don’t just have one or two coaches, they have a "stable" of the world's best instructors who contribute regularly. You're getting insights from the same people who teach the top pros on tour.
If you have a question about how to execute a shot or fix a swing flaw, chances are Golf Digest has covered it with expert advice. It is the most comprehensive instructional resource in print.
Do you get excited about launch monitors, driver head spin rates, and custom shaft fittings? If the technology of the game gets your heart racing, then GOLF Magazine (and its massive online counterpart, GOLF.com) is your sanctuary. While they offer excellent instruction, their reputation is built on being the foremost authority on golf equipment.
The best example is their annual "ClubTest." This isn't just a few writers hitting balls at the range. It’s an incredibly methodical process involving robot testing and dozens of real amateur players to give unbiased feedback on nearly every new club on the market. They dive deep into the data, helping you separate true performance gains from clever marketing.
If you're in the market for new gear or just love keeping up with the latest advancements, no one does it better or more thoroughly than GOLF Magazine. It will make you an informed buyer and a gear expert among your foursome.
Sometimes, the game is about more than just numbers and mechanics. It’s about the feeling of a pre-dawn tee time, the architecture of a great bunker, and the stories that make golf a lifelong passion. For the golfer who cherishes this side of the game, The Golfer's Journal is in a class by itself.
Don't pick this up looking for a tip to fix your slice. TGJ is a quarterly, premium publication that feels more like a book than a magazine. It stands out by being 100% reader-supported, which means no equipment ads. The pages are filled with stunning, art-house-style photography and long-form journalism that you just won't find anywhere else. It’s the kind of magazine you leave on your coffee table for people to admire.
The Golfer's Journal is an experience. It’s for the person who believes golf is more than a sport - it’s an art form and a source of incredible stories. Subscribing feels like joining an exclusive club for people who truly love the game on a deeper level.
Based in the UK, Today's Golfer is a fantastic choice for the player who wants a bit of everything done well. It successfully blends the instruction-heavy approach of Golf Digest with the gear-focused testing of GOLF Magazine, all while providing a refreshing European perspective.
Their content is practical and accessible. Their teaching pros give straightforward advice, and their equipment sections often compare a wider range of brands than you might see in US publications. They also have a heavy focus on course reviews across the UK and Europe, making it a great source of inspiration for your next golf trip.
If you can't decide between a dedicated instruction magazine and an equipment one, Today's Golfer offers an excellent middle ground. It's a workhorse of a magazine that delivers high-value, practical content across the board.
The "best" golf magazine really isn't about one publication being definitively better than another, it's about a great fit. It's about matching your personal golfing passion - whether it's improving your swing, geeking out on gear, or soaking in the culture of the game - with the magazine that serves it best. Any of the publications listed above can add immense enjoyment and knowledge to your golfing life.
While magazines provide outstanding general knowledge and monthly inspiration, the path to a better game is often about solving your very specific problems in the moment. For that type of personalized, immediate help, we built Caddie AI. It acts as your 24/7 golf coach that can look at a photo of your tricky lie in the rough and suggest the right play, give you a smart club and shot strategy for the Par 5 you’re on, or just answer any pressing question you have about your swing, anytime you need it.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i
Just ask a question or share a photo and Caddie gives personalized guidance for every shot - anytime, anywhere.
