Sneds
Tour Rookie
Nice pun x
where do you start your golf monthly???
- Thread starter bigbiffa
- Start date
Nice pun x
We did a dozen the Z Stars last year as a one off (from memory it only generated 50 odd orders that month where the AD333s we normally offer when we're doing balls generated 40) but to be honest the cost of them to us means we're only just breaking even on the subscription so to do it each month its not really viable from a business perspective.
The cynic in me says Golf World need to offer something like the Z Stars every month becuase the magazine isnt as good as ours so they have to fluff the offer with a better ball.
I guess it comes dowen to whether or not you take out a subscription becuase you want to read the magazine each month of it you're taking it out for the incentive gift that accompanies it?
I'd like to think GM offers a good read each month and is worth the £4.10 of your hard earned (much less if you take out one of our dfiscounted subs offers be it the usual 32% off or the one off 50% reduction that is valid till the end of Feb)especially when you then add in the extra covermounted gifts which we offer - something Golf World rarely do - such a free sharpie, the equipment, instruction or and travel supplements, or the calendar which we did last year or some of the gifts we have this year which will include 60 minutes tips DVD (April issue) or a paperback mental game book (June).
Sneds
Tour Rookie
Spoken like a true rival editor!!
I, of course agree
x
bigbiffa
Challenge Tour Pro
lol.......you may have something there!
ADB
Journeyman Pro
Mike, you had me at I'd...
Tiger
Money List Winner
Reading this thread has got me wondering. With a new look GM on the way how much of the old mag remains... Mike can you shed any light or is this all top secret?
It was interesting visiting GM Towers seeing how the mag was put together and listening to how Mike saw the magazine going for last year (the inclusion of the GM pages, changes to the equipment reviews) and thought last year was a step up on the previous one. It'll be a hard act to repeat it again this year but its important to keep the magazine fresh, The cover for subscribers looks brilliant and there have been some great articles recently.
To be honest I have to say Golf World isn't too bad and certainly a million miles better than its stablemate Todays Golfer (how can one company produce two magazines on one subject that are so far apart in terms of quality?). They do have some decent features and seem to focus a lot more on things like the swing. It makes an interesting read on the daily commute and it would be interesting to know if Mike, Jezz or the team have looked at a recent issue?
To be honest I have to say Golf World isn't too bad and certainly a million miles better than its stablemate Todays Golfer (how can one company produce two magazines on one subject that are so far apart in terms of quality?). They do have some decent features and seem to focus a lot more on things like the swing. It makes an interesting read on the daily commute and it would be interesting to know if Mike, Jezz or the team have looked at a recent issue?
roccokj
Head Pro
From start to finish, you dont start an 18hole round going backwards 
Its not top secret all will be revaled for subscribers this weekend and for those who buy off news stand from next Thursday! There are a lot of changes that will debut in the April issue. Most of them were inspired by the feedback from the reader survey and focus groups
Highlights
New front section to the magazine
New Your Game quick tips section
Completely new equipment section
More features
Massive revamp of courses ssection - more reviews
New Spike Bar section focing on club news/debate etc at the back where the revamped forum spread lives
...all printed on a whiter paper stock that makes it look better
as ver feedback (good or bad) welcomed once you have had a look!
Ref HJS comments about Golf World - yes we see it every month and I'd agree its certainly way better than TG but I think theres so much stuff from Golf Digest (features, instrction and gear) in it that it doesnt really feel like a a UK golf magazine anymore. Soem good features though for sure - I really liked Pete Masters' features on Royal Worlington last month
Letters aside they also have zero reader presence in the mag which I think is such a key element of any title
AuburnWarrior
Tour Winner
fill a hot bath, jump in, then see what bill has to say...
He'd probably say "get the f**k out of my bath!!!"
AuburnWarrior
Tour Winner
I must say that the main thing that I like about GM is the reader interaction. To me, it doesn't feel like an off the shelf magazine, it almost feels like a golf club periodical - written by and for the members! I feel part of the mag which is strange seeing as I've never met anyone off the forum, I've never worked for GM and I've never been on the 'forum' pages but a sense of belonging I most certainly have!
That's testament to the GM writers and the forum I guess but it's a superb achievement either way.
bigbiffa
Challenge Tour Pro
lololololololfill a hot bath, jump in, then see what bill has to say...
He'd probably say "get the f**k out of my bath!!!"
Parmo
Tour Winner
I subscribe to GW and its crap, maybe the odd one decent interview but nothing like GM. I only subscribed because of the free Z-Stars.
D
Deleted member 1740
Guest
Normally look at the new gear and course reviews then start from the front to back.
I have to agree totally. I do understand exactly what Mike is saying about GW although personally I don't get the feeling that it isn't a UK publication. I know TG have tried to copy a lot of GM's ideas regarding reader panels, user testing etc, but anyone visiting teir forum will see that to be honest there isn't the reader interest. Long may the forum/magazine relationship we have continue and hope it gets bigger and better.
colint
Tour Rookie
I normally read the bits I'm less interested in first, and save the best for when I've got a beer and can relax with it (ie when the kids are in bed and HID at the shops).
Regarding the other mags, I subscribe to Golf International and Golf World, but did so mainly because I got Z Stars from both. They're not bad reads, although I rarely read all of them whilst I read GM cover to cover. They can feel a little souless at times, but maybe that's because I'm comparing them to GM.
The only way I'd subscribe to TG is if they offered 24 Pro V1's. I foolishly bought it to read on the train to London this week and by the time I'd got from Liverpool to Runcorn (20 minutes) I'd honestly finished anything worth reading, it's the Daily Star of the golf publishing world.
Regarding the other mags, I subscribe to Golf International and Golf World, but did so mainly because I got Z Stars from both. They're not bad reads, although I rarely read all of them whilst I read GM cover to cover. They can feel a little souless at times, but maybe that's because I'm comparing them to GM.
The only way I'd subscribe to TG is if they offered 24 Pro V1's. I foolishly bought it to read on the train to London this week and by the time I'd got from Liverpool to Runcorn (20 minutes) I'd honestly finished anything worth reading, it's the Daily Star of the golf publishing world.
didsbury_duffer
Challenge Tour Pro
I look at the Bill Elliot's final page piece first, then Mike's opening gambit, before moving onto the equipment and reviews.
Tiger
Money List Winner
Thanks for the info on content Mike. I'm chomping at the bit now. I have to echo Homers comments. When I first started playing I'll confess to subscribing to TG for Z-Stars but what sets GM apart is the reader interaction. I posted the same question on the TG & GM forums and got one reply on TG and two pages of replies on GM. A nice blend of welcomes, advice and banter. Enough said. Feeling part of a golfing fraternity made a big difference.
