Are golf magazines still relevant ?

[Parsaregood]

How many people still buy or subscribe to golf magazines ? Do they still have a place ? With soo much information freely available online, player interviews etc, i can't help but think the time may soon come when we will see the end of golf publications in newsagents etc, i suppose it's a similar story for newspapers. I can't tell you when I last bought a physical copy of either

 

[jusme]

Just another example of a sign of how things are moving on. I cannot remember the last time I bought a newspaper or magazine. Why would I when I can get access to the same thing online, but more updated and current.

Golf mags are no different, however they do it worse than others. Repeat....repeat and more repeat. Not even for free would I bother. Perhaps it has an audience, but I doubt its sustainable long term

 

[HampshireHog]

Don’t buy them myself, last time I got one was because I was in it. Only time I look at one is in the waiting room at the dentist.

 

[Parsaregood]

Yeah I have to be honest, they are a very predictable read, and don't offer anything that I can't get for free online. I only read them if im in the clubhouse with nothing going on and there is one there

 

[Wolf]

There has to be some irony in debating whether golf magazines are worth buying on a forum created by a golf magazine

I'm actually sat on the train reading the latest GM now. I know the information is readily available online etc, but to me theres something nice about sitting reading the magazine and putting the mobile down. Like I say for me it's merely a nice habit and I'll continue to do so.

Papers though can't remember last time I looked at one let alone bought one must be a good 10 year's

 

[USER1999]

I still get GM. I used to get it so my Dad could read it on Sunday evening when he came round, but now, well, I get it for me, out of habit.

I read the Telegraph on line, but less and less as it disappears behind a pay wall, and the Guardian online too. I look at BBC news online.

 

[Parsaregood]

There has to be some irony in debating whether golf magazines are worth buying on a forum created by a golf magazine

I'm actually sat on the train reading the latest GM now. I know the information is readily available online etc, but to me theres something nice about sitting reading the magazine and putting the mobile down. Like I say for me it's merely a nice habit and I'll continue to do so.

Papers though can't remember last time I looked at one let alone bought one must be a good 10 year's

Its supposed to be ironic, but it's a legitimate question, why don't you put the mobile down and buy a newspaper ?

 

[Parsaregood]

Do magazines offer value for money ?

 

[Wolf]

Its supposed to be ironic, but it's a legitimate question, why don't you put the mobile down and buy a newspaper ?

Hence why I said it... Did I say something to offend by tone of your reply.. I was talking about myself hence the wording..

But to answer why not put the mobile down and buy a paper, because I've no interest in papers nor do I Google or look at news online, I get my news fix in th car through the radio. But I do have an interest in golf so I buy the magazines..

 

[Parsaregood]

Hence why I said it... Did I say something to offend by tone of your reply.. I was talking about myself hence the wording..

But to answer why not put the mobile down and buy a paper, because I've no interest in papers nor do I Google or look at news online, I get my news fix in th car through the radio. But I do have an interest in golf so I buy the magazines..

Fair enough..though realistically speaking I think magazines will have to move with the times they haven't changed since I can remember and I can't really see how they fit in to the modern world, hence why I started the thread

 

[Wolf]

Fair enough..though realistically speaking I think magazines will have to move with the times they haven't changed since I can remember and I can't really see how they fit in to the modern world, hence why I started the thread

Totally agree with you, that's why it's good to see them coming to digital format for downloads rather than print.

I also agree that long term print media of any magazine or newspaper has limited shelf life these days. They could possibly look at more regular issues as well with digital formats to keep it more current and moving with the times.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Fair enough..though realistically speaking I think magazines will have to move with the times they haven't changed since I can remember and I can't really see how they fit in to the modern world, hence why I started the thread

They are a paper magazine- in what way did you expect them to change the paper format?

Most of them now offer digital interactive formats but a paper magazine isn’t going to change much over the years

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I get GM on subscriptions and I still enjoy the pleasure of flicking through a magazine. That said I also love the convenience of catching up with the content on social media which brings more content and in greater depth. I do think as time goes on the magazine market will compress further and some will switch to online content only

 

[shortgame]

Not very often at all tbh. 10-15 years ago I'd buy a couple a month.

With everything freely available online it's not something I even think of in all honesty. Plus I'm not interested in technique tips and latest gear reviews (I'm too cynical)...

I do occasionally have a flick through Midlands Golfer mag (free) - more to keep an eye on local news than anything else

 

[upsidedown]

When we go away it's nice to pick up a mag as a change from viewing on line and also same is true for papers , will buy one on holiday.

 

[Parsaregood]

I get that magazine companies will move to an online or digital format out of necessity, though how many people will pay for content online when they can view the same content online for free

 

[Jacko_G]

Used to buy them every month. However it's the same regurgitated rubbish year on year.

I will read online, some great stuff on the Hackers Paradise, GolfWRX, Golf Spy, Bunkered etc.

 

[Parsaregood]

Used to buy them every month. However it's the same regurgitated rubbish year on year.

I will read online, some great stuff on the Hackers Paradise, GolfWRX, Golf Spy, Bunkered etc.

I agree with this but would you pay a subscription for the online content, i personally wouldnt

 

[robinthehood]

Circulation of GM is less than half now than in it's heyday . Same for other mags but some are bucking the trend and print media will be around for some time yet.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

There’ll always be a need for printed material, believe it or not, not everybody has the time to find all the information online, some prefer to stick to one source, whether that be a particular paper or magazine.
E-readers are very popular now but we still have bookshops.
Society and tastes have changed and specialist sports magazines will need to adapt, some may fall by the wayside, but, imo, there’ll still be a market for the paper copy.