Todays Golfer UK – August 2026

Summary

Britain's No.1 golf magazine, Today's Golfer UK — on sale July 9 to August 5, 2026 — puts PGA Master Coach Scott Cranfield on the cover with "Hit It Pure! 7 Steps to Better Ball-Striking" and an Intuitive Golf philosophy that editor Chris Jones openly endorses: "Golf is a lot more fun when you play it well." Cranfield's method aims to reduce mental interference and tension so natural athleticism can take over, a direct counter to the mechanical-position checklist that dominates most instruction. The cover also promises "100 Best-Value Courses in Europe," a wedge group test, zero-torque putter analysis, and the best deals at golf's biggest retailers.

The "100 Best-Value Courses and Breaks in Europe" (p.97) is the issue's centrepiece travel feature, ranking courses by quality-to-price ratio across the continent. The wedge test (p.78) rates the year's best models for spin, control, looks and value. "Why You Need Zero-Torque Putters" (p.86) explains the technology taking over golf and assesses whether it is a genuine advancement or another fad. Rick Shiels (p.12) is profiled after becoming the first golf YouTuber to break one billion views. Suzann Pettersen (p.46) opens up in "This Much I Know." The "Best of British" (p.10) highlights Thorpeness in Suffolk — a James Braid-designed heathland classic with the iconic "House in the Clouds" landmark, priced at £45 per player for afternoon tee times.

Equipment content covers the TaylorMade Spider Max zero-torque putter (p.73), Titleist GTS wood range including three new drivers (p.74), and a spiked vs spikeless shoe buyer's guide (p.84). The subscription offer includes a free copy of Cranfield's "Intuitive Golf" book.

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Content Guide

▸ Cover Feature / Instruction / Travel / Equipment / Features / Top 100

p.10 · Best of British — Thorpeness, Suffolk
The James Braid-designed heathland course in Suffolk sits inside an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with the iconic "House in the Clouds" — a disguised water tower built in 1923 — as its centrepiece landmark. The article notes that Thorpeness can be played for £45 per person for afternoon tee times (£75 before 9:32 a.m. Monday-Thursday). Book the afternoon slot; the heather plays the same colour in any light and the price difference is nearly 40%.

p.12 · TG Talk — Rick Shiels Breaks One Billion Views
The 39-year-old from Bolton became the first golf YouTuber to surpass one billion views, operating a 15-person content team that runs his channel and what he calls "the UK's biggest golf-related business." The article covers his content philosophy: "Review everything like you are buying it yourself." Apply the "buy-it-yourself" standard to your next equipment purchase before you watch any sponsored review.

p.30 · Cover Feature: Intuitive Golf — Scott Cranfield
Cranfield's 7-step system replaces mechanical swing thoughts with movement cues — "throw the clubhead," "let the arms drop," "feel the ground" — designed to reduce the conscious interference that blocks athletic movement. The feature includes a practice drill for each step. Start with step one (grip pressure) before your next range session; lighter grip pressure alone changes the clubface angle at impact.

p.40 · Golf Was Ruining Our Lives — The Story Behind One of the Biggest Podcasts
Two friends who started by moaning about golf built one of the sport's most listened-to podcasts. The article covers their business model, their tone — "we are golf fans who happen to be funny, not comedians who happen to play golf" — and their live-show economics. Study the listener-to-revenue ratio if you are considering a golf-media project.

p.78 · Group Test — Best Wedges of the Year
A comprehensive wedge test covering spin rates across full, three-quarter and half swings, turf interaction ratings for different sole grinds, and a value score that factors in price against performance. The best-value wedge scored higher than two models costing three times as much. Buy the best-value wedge from this test; the spin data confirms it outperforms its price tier.

p.97 · 100 Best-Value Courses in Europe
A ranking of European courses by quality-to-price ratio, spanning budget-friendly municipal layouts to mid-range resort courses that outperform their green fees. Each entry includes a "why it made the list" note and a booking tip. Use the list as your 2027 golf-travel planning starting point; the quality-to-price ratio filters eliminate the overpriced options before you research further.

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Editor's Take

The August 2026 issue is Today's Golfer's most complete offering of the year: Cranfield's Intuitive Golf feature is genuinely different from the mechanical instruction that fills 90% of golf magazines, the 100 best-value courses list is a practical travel-planning tool that saves serious money, and the wedge group test delivers data that outperforms any manufacturer's marketing. The Rick Shiels billion-views profile is timely. The weakness: the zero-torque putter feature is interesting but inconclusive — the technology is still being validated, and the article hedges rather than takes a position. The "Golf Was Ruining Our Lives" podcast feature is entertaining but low-density. Best for mid-to-high-handicap golfers who want instruction that reduces thinking rather than adding it.

Strengths
• Cranfield's Intuitive Golf is genuinely different instruction
• 100 best-value courses list is a practical money-saver
• Wedge group test provides data that outperforms marketing claims

Weaknesses
• Zero-torque putter feature hedges on the technology's value
• Podcast feature is entertaining but low information density

Verdict: Essential — Britain's most complete golf monthly at its peak; buy for the Intuitive Golf instruction and the course-value list.