GM's 100 years at the heart of the game

Throughout this year GM will produce a series of centenary-inspired features, beginning in February with a look at the golf clubs across the UK and Ireland who also reach the 100-year landmark in 2011

Golf Monthly magazine 1911

The turn of the 20th century was truly a boom time for the game of golf. In 1890 only 400 clubs existed worldwide. By 1900 this had grown to 2,300, and by 1910 the number had reached around 4,000 with Britain and Ireland very much at the forefront of this growth.

To cater for the growing number of enthusiasts, golf publications began to appear: The Golfing Annual began in 1887, Golf in 1890 and in 1911 Golf Monthly was established. Like many of the clubs founded around this time, some of these publications did not survive.

Golf Monthly did, however, and the magazine celebrates its 100th birthday in 2011. Throughout this year GM will produce a series of centenary-inspired features, beginning in February with a look at the golf clubs across the UK and Ireland who also reach the 100-year landmark in 2011. We examine the changes they have witnessed, the famous names they have produced and what they have planned for their centenary celebrations.

Keep an eye on the Golf Monthly homepage for details of how you can get involved in the Golf Monthly Centenary Society that will be completely free to join and which offers readers endless benefits and opportunities during 2011. The society launches in the March coverdated issue, on sale from January 27, 2011. I hope you sign up and take part in a little bit of golfing history.

Where next?

What's in your February issue?

Mike Harris
Content Director

Mike has been a journalist all his working life, starting out as a football writer with Goal magazine in the 1990s before moving into men’s and women’s lifestyle magazines including Men's Health, In 2003 he joined Golf Monthly and in 2006 he became only the eighth editor in Golf Monthly’s 100-plus year history leading the brand until July 2023. He is now Content Director overseeing Golf Monthly and two other iconic sports brands, FourFourTwo and Rugby World.

His three main passions in golf are courses (he's played over 500 courses worldwide), equipment (he's always in search of something shinny to give him an edge) and shoes (he owns more pairs than he cares to mention!).  

Mike’s handicap index hovers at around 10 and he is a member of four golf clubs: Hartley Wintney, Royal Liverpool, Royal North Devon and the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.


Mike's current What's In The Bag? 

Driver: TaylorMade Stealth Plus+ 9° - Fujikura Ventus Blue 5S

Fairway woods: TaylorMade Sim Max 3/15° - Fujikura Ventus Blue 6S & TaylorMade Stealth 7/20° - Fujikura Ventus Red 6S

Utility Iron: TaylorMade Stealth UDI 3/21° - Aldila Ascent 90HY

Irons: TaylorMade P790 (5-PW)  - Nippon Tour NSPro 950S

Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 50°, 54° and 58° - KBS Tour Hi-Rev s2.0 hafts

Putter: Evnroll ER2B (Gravity Grip) 

Ball: TaylorMade Tour Response (Yellow)