Golf Magazines
Although articles on golf appear in British sporting magazines as early as the 1820s, the first golf magazine was published in 1890 in Great Britain. Titled Golf: A Weekly Record of “Ye Royal and Ancient” Game, the periodical was created to serve the interests of increasing numbers of British golfers. It featured articles about well-known golfers, tournament results, equipment innovations, letters to the editor, openings of new courses and of course, advertisements.
Other golf magazines soon followed, but many were short-lived. Golf continued for nine years and then in 1899 became Golf Illustrated. Another periodical with the same name was published in the United States from 1914 to 1935. The first American golf magazine, The Golfer, began publication in New York in 1894. Another well-known American golf publication was The American Golfer, edited by Walter Travis and later by Grantland Rice. The American Golfer was published from 1908 to 1936.
Historical golf magazines are a treasure trove of information about competitions, golf courses, Rules, and all other aspects of the game. The articles contain many facts that have not appeared elsewhere in golf literature. Additionally, the advertisements provide insight into the game’s evolution.
The USGA Library, the PGA Historical Center, and the Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles all have excellent collections of golf periodicals, as well as a number of private collectors. Golf magazines can often be found at auctions and trade shows.
Shown here are the covers of some early, popular golf magazines.
