Golf Digest

Golf Digest is an American golf media brand and monthly magazine founded in Chicago in 1950 by William H. Davis, Howard Gill, and John F. Barnett. It developed as a general-interest golf publication rather than a title limited to professional tournament coverage. Its editorial scope has included recreational golf, instruction, equipment, golf-course architecture, travel, and competitive golf involving both men and women. The publication's history reflects the changing ownership structure of American magazine publishing. Golf Digest moved from Chicago to Connecticut in 1964 and was acquired by the New York Times Company in 1969. The Times Company later sold its magazine division, including Golf Digest, to Condé Nast in 2001. On May 13, 2019, Discovery, Inc. acquired Golf Digest from Condé Nast. Discovery said the acquisition would support integration with GolfTV, its golf-focused digital and streaming initiative at the time. After the subsequent combination of Discovery and WarnerMedia, the brand became part of Warner Bros. Discovery and is associated with the company's TNT Sports operations. Golf Digest's editorial identity is strongly connected to evaluation and service journalism. Its course-ranking program is one of the best-known features of the brand. Since 1965, it has published a biennial ranking of America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses, based on voting by a large panel of golf experts. Before the current title was established, related rankings appeared under names such as America's 100 Most Testing Courses and America's 100 Greatest Tests of Golf. The brand also publishes rankings of America's greatest public courses, new courses, golf resorts, courses by U.S. state, and courses outside the United States. Its international assessments draw on national golf associations, specialist knowledge, and the judgments of ranking panelists with international experience. The publication has also expanded its assessment of golf from a traditionally male-centered framework. In 2010, it introduced America's Top 50 Courses for Women, using nominations, evaluations by more than 100 female raters, and editorial criteria concerning forward-tee distances, women's course ratings, run-up areas, and the reduction of forced carries. This initiative became part of a broader conversation about accessibility and representation in golf media. Golf Digest has maintained a presence across print and digital publishing, with the magazine's website extending its coverage beyond the monthly issue. Its editorial model combines rankings, instructional material, equipment and playing advice, course and resort coverage, player features, and commentary on golf culture. The brand has also operated golf-school-related offerings and other reader services. Its influence comes less from being a governing body or tournament organizer than from its role as an independent editorial guide for golfers, courses, equipment consumers, and the wider golf industry. The brand has nevertheless faced criticism over the way women were represented in its cover photography. In 2014, after a six-year period without a female golfer on the cover, the May issue featured model Paulina Gretzky in a revealing outfit. LPGA players criticized the choice, and LPGA Tour commissioner Mike Whan publicly echoed concerns about the magazine's treatment of female representation. The October 2014 issue featured U.S. Women's Open champion Michelle Wie. In 2016, a cover featuring professional golfer Paige Spiranac again drew criticism, including from veteran golfer Juli Inkster. These episodes highlighted tensions between Golf Digest's traditional marketing style and expectations that a leading golf publication should represent women athletes more prominently and respectfully.

Golf Digest was established in Chicago in 1950 by William H. Davis, Howard Gill, and John F. Barnett. From its beginning, the publication served a broad golfing readership. Rather than concentrating exclusively on tournament reporting, it combined coverage of recreational golf with material about competitive men's and women's golf. This generalist orientation allowed the magazine to address golfers interested in improving their games, selecting equipment, visiting courses, following leading players, and understanding golf's wider culture. A significant early development was the creation of course-ranking journalism. Beginning in 1965, Golf Digest produced a biennial list of America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses. The rankings were determined through voting by a substantial panel of golf experts. Over time, the program expanded to include public courses, new courses, resorts, state-by-state selections, and courses beyond the United States. The ranking terminology also evolved. Before the current America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses designation became established in 1985, related lists were published under titles including America's 100 Most Testing Courses and America's 100 Greatest Tests of Golf. The rankings became an important part of the brand's authority and a recurring reference point for golfers, course operators, architects, and the golf-travel sector. Golf Digest changed location in 1964, moving from Chicago to Connecticut. In 1969, the New York Times Company purchased the magazine. That ownership period placed the title within a large newspaper and publishing group, while the magazine continued to develop its specialized editorial identity. In 2001, the New York Times Company sold its magazine division to Condé Nast, bringing Golf Digest into one of the United States' largest magazine portfolios. During the Condé Nast period, the publication continued its print and digital expansion and maintained its course-ranking franchise. It also developed content focused on women golfers and the suitability of courses for women. In 2010, Golf Digest introduced America's Top 50 Courses for Women. The project relied on nominations, assessments from more than 100 female raters, and criteria addressing practical playability from forward tees, the availability of women's ratings, run-up areas near greens, and limited forced carries. The initiative represented an effort to evaluate courses using conditions relevant to women golfers rather than simply applying a single traditional standard. The brand's treatment of women in its cover presentation generated controversy in the following decade. In April 2014, attention focused on the absence of a female golfer from the cover for six years and on the decision to use model Paulina Gretzky, photographed in a revealing outfit, for the May issue. LPGA players criticized the choice, and commissioner Mike Whan issued a statement reflecting those concerns. Golf Digest subsequently placed U.S. Women's Open winner Michelle Wie on its October 2014 cover. In 2016, a cover featuring professional golfer Paige Spiranac prompted another round of criticism, including comments from veteran golfer Juli Inkster. These incidents became part of the public debate over gender representation, sexualization, and editorial responsibility in sports media. Golf Digest changed corporate ownership again in 2019. On May 13 of that year, Discovery, Inc. acquired the magazine from Condé Nast. The transaction was connected to Discovery's plans to integrate Golf Digest with GolfTV, its golf-oriented digital service. Following the later merger of Discovery and WarnerMedia, the brand became part of Warner Bros. Discovery and is associated with TNT Sports. Its New York City headquarters reflects a later move from Connecticut. Today, Golf Digest operates as a multi-platform golf media brand centered on its monthly magazine and website. Its coverage spans instruction, equipment, courses, resorts, golf travel, rankings, player stories, and both recreational and competitive golf. Its principal legacy is the combination of practical advice and evaluative authority: it helps readers play better, choose products and destinations, and compare golf courses while also participating in broader conversations about inclusion and representation in the sport.

• 2019

  Discovery acquires Golf Digest

  [1]Golf Digesten.wikipedia.org

  Discovery, Inc. purchased Golf Digest from Condé Nast to support integration with GolfTV.

• 2014

  Cover controversy and Michelle Wie feature

  [1]Golf Digesten.wikipedia.org

  The magazine faced criticism over its Paulina Gretzky cover and later featured U.S. Women's Open winner Michelle Wie.

• 2010

  Launch of America's Top 50 Courses for Women

  [1]Golf Digesten.wikipedia.org

  Golf Digest introduced a course ranking focused on conditions and amenities relevant to women golfers.

• 2009

  National Magazine Award nomination

  [1]Golf Digesten.wikipedia.org

  Golf Digest received a National Magazine Award nomination for a regular magazine section.

• 2001

  Condé Nast acquires the magazine division

  [1]Golf Digesten.wikipedia.org

  The New York Times Company sold its magazine division, including Golf Digest, to Condé Nast.

• 1985

  America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses name is established

  [1]Golf Digesten.wikipedia.org

  The magazine's principal national course list adopted the America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses designation after earlier related titles.

• 1969

  New York Times Company acquires the magazine

  [1]Golf Digesten.wikipedia.org

  Golf Digest was sold to the New York Times Company.

• 1965

  America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses ranking begins

  [1]Golf Digesten.wikipedia.org

  Golf Digest began publishing a biennial ranking of America's leading golf courses.

• 1964

  Publication moves to Connecticut

  [1]Golf Digesten.wikipedia.org

  Golf Digest relocated from Chicago to Connecticut.

• 1950

  Golf Digest is founded in Chicago

  [1]Golf Digesten.wikipedia.org

  William H. Davis, Howard Gill, and John F. Barnett co-founded the golf magazine in Chicago.

A specialist golf publication positioned as an authoritative, service-oriented guide to playing, watching, evaluating, and understanding golf. Its differentiation rests on editorial expertise, course rankings, instruction, equipment coverage, and broad attention to both recreational and competitive golf.

• Print magazine · 1950

  Golf Digest magazine

  The core monthly publication covers recreational golf, men's and women's competitive golf, instruction, equipment, courses, resorts, travel, players, and golf culture. Its editorial approach combines service journalism with reported and feature content aimed at a broad golfing audience.

• Digital media

  Golf Digest digital platform

  The brand's website extends its editorial coverage beyond the print issue. It provides golf news, instruction, equipment and playing advice, course and resort material, rankings, and feature journalism under the Golf Digest name.

• Editorial rankings · 1965

  Golf Digest course rankings

  Golf Digest's ranking franchise evaluates courses in the United States and internationally. It includes America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses, public-course rankings, new-course and resort lists, state rankings, and selections designed for women golfers. The principal national list is biennial and uses an expert voting panel.

• Instruction

  Golf Digest instruction and golf schools

  Golf Digest provides instructional editorial content and has operated golf-school-related offerings. These services and articles are intended to help golfers develop technique, course management, practice habits, and broader playing skills.

• 2016

  Paige Spiranac cover criticism

  A 2016 cover featuring professional golfer Paige Spiranac drew criticism from observers, including veteran golfer Juli Inkster, in a continuing dispute over whether the magazine's presentation of women emphasized celebrity and appearance over athletic achievement.

  Source

• 2014

  Paulina Gretzky cover controversy

  Golf Digest was widely criticized after using model Paulina Gretzky in a revealing outfit for its May 2014 cover, particularly because no female golfer had appeared on the cover for the preceding six years. LPGA players and commissioner Mike Whan voiced concerns about the magazine's representation of women in golf.

  Source

Read more

• 2010America's Top 50 Courses for Women

  United States

  Golf Digest created a dedicated course-ranking initiative for women golfers. It used nominations and evaluations from more than 100 female raters, together with editorial criteria concerning forward-tee yardage, women's ratings, run-up areas, and forced carries.

  Outcome. Established a recurring editorial focus on course accessibility and suitability for women golfers.

  Source

• 2019

  Sell Golf Digest to DiscoveryM&A

  Background

  Condé Nast owned Golf Digest after acquiring the New York Times Company's magazine division in 2001. Discovery was developing GolfTV and sought to connect established golf media with its digital and streaming activities.

  Action taken

  Discovery, Inc. acquired Golf Digest from Condé Nast on May 13, 2019.

  Aftermath

  Golf Digest became part of Discovery's golf-media activities and later entered Warner Bros. Discovery through the Discovery-WarnerMedia combination.

  Source

• 2010

  Create a women-focused course rankingStrategy

  Background

  Golf Digest's course-ranking program had historically addressed the golf market broadly, while women golfers were seeking assessments that reflected their playing conditions and course access.

  Action taken

  The magazine launched America's Top 50 Courses for Women using female raters and criteria tailored to women golfers.

  Aftermath

  The initiative added a gender-specific accessibility and suitability dimension to the brand's course-evaluation franchise.

  Source

1. 1Golf Digesten.wikipedia.org
2. 2Golf Digest official websitegolfdigest.com