Golf

What Golf does

GOLF is a golf-focused media company operating GOLF.com (a digital platform delivering news, instruction, gear reviews, and travel content) and GOLF Magazine (a premium print publication with a 1.2M ratebase). The platform reaches 120M+ monthly touch points across owned digital, social, video, and podcast channels, and supports a multi-tier InsideGOLF subscription ($39.99/year standard, $89.88/year premium) that bundles an ad-free experience, access to GOLF Magazine's 600+ issue digital archive dating to 1959, insider newsletters, and over $375 in partner benefits from brands including Srixon, Bushnell, GolfLogix, Fairway Jockey, True Spec, Miura, and Johnnie-O. Underlying technology includes the Open Links-powered Course Finder for course discovery and tee-time booking, an e-commerce integration with Fairway Jockey, and a network of recurring video shows and podcasts (Subpar, The Scoop, Fully Equipped, Tour Report, Destination Golf, among others).

The business model is a hybrid of digital advertising, print advertising, subscription recurring revenue, and affiliate commerce. GOLF.com and the print magazine serve as top-of-funnel content marketing assets, while the InsideGOLF membership is the primary monetization lever for direct-to-consumer recurring revenue. The legal entity, EB Golf Media LLC, is headquartered in New York and operates as an affiliated brand of 8AM Golf, whose Chairman Howard Milstein is a significant investor in GOLF Magazine and whose President/CEO Hoyt McGarity oversees the broader portfolio. The audience profile skews affluent (75% male, average investments/net worth above $2.5M, 388 Index), making the publication attractive to endemic golf advertisers and premium product partners.

GOLF serves three primary use-case segments: active avid golfers seeking comprehensive news and instruction, equipment enthusiasts evaluating gear and club-fitting options, and affluent golf travelers planning destination experiences. The content surface is horizontally segmented across news, instruction, gear, and travel/lifestyle, with proprietary Top 100 Course rankings (U.S., World, UK & Ireland, Asia-Pacific, and You Can Play) serving as an authoritative editorial franchise.

Name

Golf

Legal name

EB Golf Media LLC

Website

https://www.golf.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

GOLF operates GOLF.com and GOLF Magazine, the largest golf media brand reaching 120M+ monthly touch points, serving affluent avid golfers with news, instruction, gear, travel content, and a tiered InsideGOLF subscription bundling partner benefits.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Golf Media

NAICS

Periodical Publishers (513120), Sporting Goods Retailers (45911)

SIC

Newspapers: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2711)

akta.pro primary industry

Golf Equipment, Apparel & Pro Shop Retail (CRAMABAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Golf Equipment & Accessories Distribution (CRAOAJAK), Golf Apparel Retail (Men’s/Women’s/Youth) (CRAMAGAD), Golf Balls Retail (CRAMAGAB)

Keywords

• Golf media publishing
• Sports digital content
• Golf instruction content
• Magazine subscriptions
• Golf equipment reviews

Headquarters

HQ city

Raleigh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Subscription Revenue (InsideGOLF Membership): Annual subscription-based membership with two tiers providing premium content, ad-free experience, physical magazine delivery, digital archive access, and partner discounts. The auto-renewal model ensures recurring revenue with subscription periods renewing automatically until cancelled.
2. Digital Advertising: GOLF.com generates advertising revenue through its digital platform with 120M+ monthly touch points. The site offers various ad placements including display ads, sponsored content, and video advertising across golf news, instruction, gear, and lifestyle content.
3. E-commerce Partnerships: Affiliate commerce relationships with golf equipment retailers like Fairway Jockey, offering shop functionality on the platform. The company earns commissions through product links and integrations with golf equipment brands including clubs, balls, apparel, and accessories.
4. Print Magazine Advertising: GOLF Magazine, with 1.2M ratebase and #1 readership in golf, generates revenue through print advertising placements. The magazine maintains premium advertising rates given its affluent, engaged readership audience.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

GOLF operates as a digital and print golf media brand delivering news, instruction, equipment reviews, and travel content through GOLF.com and GOLF Magazine, monetized through the InsideGOLF paid membership program and advertising across web, print, and video channels.

Product overview

GOLF operates as a dual-platform golf media company combining a flagship website (GOLF.com) and a print magazine (GOLF Magazine) under one brand, both owned by EB Golf Media LLC and affiliated with 8AM Golf. The core digital platform delivers golf news, equipment reviews, instruction content, course travel coverage, and video programming, while the magazine provides premium print editorial. The company monetizes through two InsideGOLF membership tiers — the standard $39.99/year InsideGOLF and the $89.88/year InsideGOLF Premium — which unlock an ad-free GOLF.com experience, the 600+ issue digital archive of GOLF Magazine, insider newsletters, exclusive content, and tangible benefits (golf balls, app subscriptions, club fitting credits, retail discounts). Supporting editorial products include the GOLF Course Finder (a course discovery tool powered by Open Links), a library of video shows and series (The Scoop, Subpar, Tour Report, Fully Equipped, Super Secrets, Destination Golf, and others), and proprietary Top 100 Course rankings spanning the U.S., World, UK & Ireland, Asia-Pacific, and public-access categories.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• GOLF.com Digital golf media site publishing news, instruction, equipment reviews, travel features, and video for golf enthusiasts.
• GOLF Magazine Print golf magazine covering news, instruction, equipment, travel, and course rankings for golf enthusiasts.
• InsideGOLF Membership Paid membership program (with Plus and Premium tiers) offering enhanced digital content, instruction, and member-only coverage from the GOLF editorial team.
• GOLF Course Finder Interactive tool on GOLF.com for locating and researching golf courses, often paired with course rankings and reviews.
• GOLF Video and Shows Video content and shows produced under the GOLF brand, distributed via YouTube and GOLF.com, covering instruction, equipment testing, and travel.

Quantifiable outcome

• 120M+ monthly touch points across digital platforms
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 8AM GolfcoreOthers8AM Golf is the parent company and affiliated brand relationship. EB Golf Media LLC operates as an 8AM Golf Affiliated Brand. The company is copyright 2025 EB Golf Media LLC, an 8AM Golf Affiliated Brand. Howard Milstein serves as Chairman of both entities.
• Johnnie-OminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInsideGOLF Premium members receive a $75 Johnnie-O Gift Certificate as part of their membership benefits. Johnnie-O is a golf-inspired apparel brand that partners with GOLF to provide exclusive member discounts.
• SrixonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInsideGOLF Premium members receive one dozen Srixon Golf Balls as a membership benefit. Srixon is a golf ball manufacturer partnered with GOLF for member value additions.
• Bushnell GolfminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBushnell Golf provides GPS/rangefinder products including Bushnell Green Book ($60 value) and leather cover ($30 value) as InsideGOLF Premium member benefits. The partnership provides course information and yardage data for members.
• GolfLogixminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGolfLogix provides a mobile app subscription (valued at $70) as part of InsideGOLF Premium membership. The app offers game improvement tools and digital green books for course navigation.
• Fairway JockeyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFairway Jockey is GOLF's e-commerce partner for golf equipment sales. Members receive $20 instant credit and $100 off purchases of $500 or more. Fairway Jockey is integrated into GOLF.com navigation and shop sections.
• True Spec GolfminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTrue Spec Golf provides free club fitting with any club purchase for InsideGOLF Premium members. True Spec is a premium club fitting service partnered with GOLF for member-exclusive benefits.
• MiuraminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMiura offers $100 off any iron purchase of $500 or more for InsideGOLF Premium members. Miura is a premium golf club manufacturer partnered with GOLF for exclusive member discounts.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Athletic: Subscription-based digital sports media platform that monetizes via tiered paid memberships and was acquired by The New York Times. Directly comparable as a sports-focused digital subscription media business targeting passionate fans.
• Golf Channel (NBC Sports): Dedicated golf television and digital media brand operated by NBC Sports. Directly competes for golf audience attention, PGA Tour coverage, instruction, and equipment content.
• MyGolfSpy: Digital-first golf media platform with a strong focus on independent equipment testing and reviews. Directly comparable to GOLF's Fully Equipped and gear review franchises, and competes for affiliate equipment revenue.

Emerging players

• No Laying Up: Cult golf media brand built around personality-led podcasts, video, and apparel. Competes with GOLF for the same engaged golfer audience, particularly younger demographics, via free digital content and a fast-growing merchandise line.

Regional players

• Today's Golfer: Long-running UK-based golf media brand offering instruction, equipment reviews, and course rankings. Closely comparable to GOLF's editorial playbook, though primarily serving UK/European readers.

Broad incumbents

• Sports Illustrated: Iconic multi-sport media brand operating print, digital, and subscription products. Broad incumbent covering golf as one of many sports — overlaps with GOLF on golf editorial, audience, and advertising spend pools.
• The Ringer: Digital sports and pop-culture media company with a subscription offering (Ringer+) targeting passionate sports fans. Broad incumbent with a comparable digital-first, personality-driven editorial model.
• ESPN: Largest U.S. sports media company with extensive golf coverage, video, and advertising inventory. Broad incumbent that competes for both golf advertising dollars and audience attention across digital and TV.
• Barstool Sports: Personality-driven digital sports media brand with blogs, podcasts, video, and merchandise. Broad incumbent in digital sports media with a comparable content-plus-commerce monetization playbook, though broader than golf.

Others

• PGA Tour (PGA.com): Official media property of professional golf in the U.S. Generates first-party coverage, video, and data that GOLF competes against and complements; an ecosystem participant and adjacent media rights holder rather than a pure peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/golf_com
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCzdMqRWzdF0JUJRIVa-dgDw
• Facebookfacebook.com/si.golf
• Instagraminstagram.com/golf_com

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Golf