Golf Digest

Golf Digest is a monthly golf magazine published by Discovery, Inc. under its Discovery Golf division. It is a generalist golf publication covering recreational golf and men's and women's competitive golf. The magazine started by John F. Barnett in 1950 in Chicago,[2][3] moved to Connecticut in 1964 and was sold to The New York Times Company in 1969. The Times company sold their magazine division to Condé Nast in 2001. The headquarters of Golf Digest is in New York City relocated from Connecticut. On May 13, 2019, Discovery, Inc. acquired Golf Digest from Condé Nast, in order to integrate with GolfTV.[4]

Golf Digest
Editor-in-ChiefJerry Tarde
FrequencyMonthly
Total circulation
(January 2015)
1,663,571[1]
Year founded1950
CompanyDiscovery, Inc.
CountryUnited States
Based inNew York City, New York
LanguageEnglish
Websitewww.golfdigest.com
ISSN0017-176X

"The World's 100 Greatest Golf Courses" - International

Golf Digest produces a biennial ranking of the world's best golf courses.[5] As of January 2018 the top ten were:

  1. Royal County Down Golf ClubNewcastle, Northern Ireland
  2. Royal Dornoch Golf ClubDornoch, Scotland
  3. Royal Melbourne Golf Club (West Course) – Black Rock, Victoria, Australia
  4. MuirfieldGullane, Scotland
  5. Old Course at St AndrewsSt Andrews, Scotland
  6. Tara Iti Golf Club – Mangawhai, New Zealand[6]
  7. Royal Portrush Golf ClubDunluce, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
  8. Shanqin Bay Golf Course – Hainan Island, China[7]
  9. Cabot CliffsInverness, Nova Scotia, Canada
  10. Trump Turnberry – (near Ailsa Craig), Scotland

"America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses"

Since 1965, Golf Digest has produced biennial rankings of "America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses". The courses are voted on by a panel of several hundred golf experts. The magazine also produces lists of the best new courses, the best golf resorts, the best courses in each U.S. state and best American golf courses for women. Before the "Greatest" rankings were introduced in 1985, Golf Digest produced lists called at different times America's 100 Most Testing Courses and America's 100 Greatest Tests of Golf.

The top ten on the 2019-2020 list are as follows:[8]

  1. Pine Valley Golf ClubPine Valley, New Jersey
  2. Augusta National Golf ClubAugusta, Georgia
  3. Cypress Point ClubPebble Beach, California
  4. Shinnecock Hills Golf ClubSouthampton, New York
  5. Oakmont Country ClubOakmont, Pennsylvania
  6. Merion Golf Club (East Course) – Ardmore, Pennsylvania
  7. Pebble Beach Golf LinksPebble Beach, California
  8. National Golf Links of AmericaSouthampton, New York
  9. Sand Hills Golf Club - Mullen, Nebraska
  10. Fishers Island ClubFishers Island, New York

The top ten on the 2009–10 list were as follows:[9]

  1. Augusta National Golf ClubAugusta, Georgia
  2. Pine Valley Golf ClubPine Valley, New Jersey
  3. Shinnecock Hills Golf ClubSouthampton, New York
  4. Cypress Point ClubPebble Beach, California
  5. Oakmont Country ClubOakmont, Pennsylvania
  6. Pebble Beach Golf LinksPebble Beach, California
  7. Merion Golf Club (East Course) – Ardmore, Pennsylvania
  8. Winged Foot Golf Club (West Course) – Mamaroneck, New York
  9. Fishers Island ClubFishers Island, New York
  10. Seminole Golf ClubJuno Beach, Florida

The top ten on the 2007–08 list, published in May 2007, were as follows:

  1. Pine Valley Golf ClubPine Valley, New Jersey
  2. Shinnecock Hills Golf ClubSouthampton, New York
  3. Augusta National Golf ClubAugusta, Georgia
  4. Cypress Point ClubPebble Beach, California
  5. Oakmont Country ClubOakmont, Pennsylvania
  6. Pebble Beach Golf LinksPebble Beach, California
  7. Merion Golf Club (East Course) – Ardmore, Pennsylvania
  8. Winged Foot Golf Club (West Course) – Mamaroneck, New York
  9. Seminole Golf ClubJuno Beach, Florida
  10. Crystal Downs Country ClubFrankfort, Michigan

"America's Top 50 Courses for Women"

In 2010 Golf Digest produced its inaugural ranking of "America's Top 50 Courses for Women". In creating the ranking, the magazine used nominations and evaluations by its panel of over 100 female raters as well as the woman-friendly criteria established by the editors. Those criteria included: at least one tee less than 5,300 yards; at least two sets of tees with USGA slope and course ratings for women; run-up areas to most or all greens and minimal forced carries for those playing from the forward tees.[10]

The top ten on the 2013 list are as follows:[11]

  1. Pine Valley Golf ClubPine Valley, New Jersey
  2. Sea Island Golf ClubSt. Simons, Georgia
  3. The Boulders Resort and Golf ClubCarefree, Arizona
  4. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Old MacDonald)– Bandon, Oregon
  5. Running Y RanchKlamath Falls, Oregon
  6. Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort (Ocean Links) - Amelia Island, Florida
  7. LPGA International (Champions) - Daytona Beach, Florida
  8. Rope Rider Golf Course at Suncadia Resort - Cle Elum, Washington
  9. Keystone Resort (River) - Keystone, Colorado
  10. Grand Cypress Golf Club (East/North) - Orlando, Florida

"America's 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses"

Alongside the "100 Greatest Courses" ranking, and using the same methodology, Golf Digest publishes a list of "America's 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses". In this context, "public" means a golf course that is open to play by the public, as opposed to a private club—not necessarily a course operated by a governmental entity.

The top ten on the 2007–08 list, also published in May 2007, was as follows:

  1. Pebble Beach Golf LinksPebble Beach, California
  2. Pacific Dunes Golf CourseBandon, Oregon
  3. Pinehurst No. 2Pinehurst, North Carolina
  4. The Straits Course, Whistling StraitsHaven, Wisconsin
  5. Bethpage Black CourseFarmingdale, New York
  6. Shadow Creek Golf CourseNorth Las Vegas, Nevada
  7. Bandon Dunes Golf CourseBandon, Oregon
  8. The Ocean Course at Kiawah IslandKiawah Island, South Carolina
  9. Prince Golf CoursePrinceville, Hawaiʻi
  10. Arcadia Bluffs Golf CourseArcadia, Michigan

Of these courses, the only one that is operated by a governmental entity is Bethpage Black.

In addition to its national rankings, Golf Digest also ranks courses at a state level. For example, in a 1998 survey of Connecticut Public Golf Courses, Golf Digest ranked Crestbrook Park Golf Course as one of Connecticut's top public golf courses.

"100 Best Golf Courses Outside the United States"

The magazine also compiles a list of the leading courses outside the United States. This is created using information from national golf associations, plus votes by the same panelists supplemented by some additional ones with international knowledge.

In 2007, the most represented countries were Scotland with fourteen courses in the top 100, Canada with ten, England with ten, Canada with nine, and Australia and Republic of Ireland with eight. The top 10 were:

  1. Royal County Down Golf ClubNewcastle, Northern Ireland
  2. Old Course at St AndrewsSt. Andrews, Scotland
  3. Royal Dornoch Golf Club (Championship Course) – Dornoch, Scotland
  4. Royal Portrush Golf Club (Dunluce Course) – Portrush, Northern Ireland
  5. MuirfieldGullane, Scotland
  6. Royal Melbourne Golf Club (Composite Course) – Melbourne, Australia
  7. Ballybunion Golf Club (Old Course) – Ballybunion, Ireland
  8. Turnberry (Ailsa Course) – Ayrshire, Scotland
  9. Carnoustie Golf LinksCarnoustie, Scotland
  10. Cape Kidnappers Golf CourseHawke’s Bay, New Zealand

In 2005, the most represented countries were Scotland and Canada with thirteen courses each in the top 100. The top 10 were:

  1. Old Course at St AndrewsSt. Andrews, Scotland
  2. Royal Melbourne Golf ClubMelbourne, Australia
  3. Royal Portrush Golf ClubPortrush, Northern Ireland
  4. Royal County Down Golf ClubNewcastle, Northern Ireland
  5. Royal Dornoch Golf ClubDornoch, Scotland
  6. MuirfieldGullane, Scotland
  7. Ballybunion Golf ClubBallybunion, Ireland
  8. New South Wales Golf Club – Sydney, Australia
  9. National Golf ClubWoodbridge, Ontario, Canada
  10. St. George's Golf and Country ClubToronto, Ontario, Canada

Recognition

In 2009, Golf Digest was nominated for a National Magazine Awards by the American Society of Magazine Editors in the Magazine Section in recognition of the excellence of a regular section of a magazine based on voice, originality and unified presentation.[12]

Controversy

In April 2014, Golf Digest was widely criticized when, after neglecting to picture a female golfer on their cover for six years, they chose to picture model Paulina Gretzky in a revealing outfit as their May 2014 cover. The move was "particularly frustrating" to LPGA golfers.[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] LPGA Tour Commissioner Mike Whan issued a statement echoing the concerns expressed by LPGA players.[24] In the October 2014 edition, U.S. Women's Open winner Michelle Wie appeared on the cover.

In May 2016, the magazine again featured a female celebrity in the cover, Paige Spiranac, which was criticized by veteran golfer Juli Inkster.[25]

See also

References

  1. "eCirc for Consumer Magazines". Alliance for Audited Media. December 31, 2012. Archived from the original on January 23, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  2. https://www.golfdigest.com/story/golf-digest-co-founder-barnett-dies-at-89/amp
  3. "Top 100 U.S. Magazines by Circulation" (PDF). PSA Research Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 28, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2016.
  4. "Golf Digest Sold to Discovery, Inc". Golf Digest. May 13, 2019.
  5. Whitten, Ron. "World's 100 Greatest Golf Courses (2018 Ranking)". Golf Digest. Condé Nast. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  6. Donaldson, Michael Secrets of New Zealand's most expensive golf course. NZ Herald on Sunday, 17 July 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2018
  7. Shanqin Bay Golf Course. Planet Golf website.
  8. Golf Digest, America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses, January 2019
  9. America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses/2009-10 Archived 2009-09-02 at the Wayback Machine, Golf Digest, Accessed April 8, 2009
  10. Golf Digest, America's Top 50 Courses for Women, January 5, 2010
  11. Golf Digest, America's Top 50 Courses for Women, July 2013
  12. Shea, Danny (March 18, 2009). "National Magazine Awards 2009: New Yorker, GQ, New York Lead Nominations". The Huffington Post. Retrieved July 13, 2010.
  13. "Paulina Gretzky's controversial Golf Digest cover". CNN. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  14. "Paulina Gretzky's Golf Digest cover comes under fire from LPGA golfers". New York Daily News. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  15. Crouse, Karen. "Paulina Gretzky's Golf Digest cover generates criticism from LPGA pros". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  16. "Golf Digest cover with Paulina Gretzky draws LPGA fire". The Sports Network. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  17. "Paulina Gretzky's Golf Digest Cover is Getting Slammed By The Women's Golf World". Business Insider. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  18. "Stacey Lewis: Paulina Gretzky on GD cover is frustrating". Golf Channel. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  19. Scott, Nate. "Paulina Gretzky poses on the cover of Golf Digest". USA Today. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  20. "Paulina Gretzky, Golf Digest criticized for provocative cover photo". The Detroit News. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  21. "Paulina Gretzky poses for golf magazine in skimpy workout outfit". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  22. "Paulina Gretzky's Golf Digest Cover Spurs Controversy with LPGA Pros". Huffington Post. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  23. Maine, D'Arcy. "Buzz That Was: Paulina Gretzky Backlash". ESPN. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  24. Holmes, John. "LPGA chief weighs in, Golf Digest responds to comments on Gretzky cover". PGA of America. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  25. Spiranac on Golf Digest cover irks some within LPGA – Randall Mell, Golf Channel, 20 April 2016
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.