Golf Digest Cover Girls

By golfdigest.com

April 01, 2015

December 1969

In one of the most memorable Golf Digest covers ever, artist Ralph Breswitz designed and photographed this miniature tableau to illustrate an article by Nick Seitz, titled "Dirty Old Men--Hidden Hazard on Ladies' Tour." From the "On the Cover" notes: "Those girls are dolls. They really are. And so are many of the real girls on the women's professional golf tour. That is, they're real dolls. They bear looking at, and as a general rule welcome stares. But when a Dirty Old Man shows up (see him there in the appropriately misty, black outfit?), they know how to handle him..."In one of the most memorable Golf Digest covers ever, artist Ralph Breswitz designed and photographed this miniature tableau to illustrate an article by Nick Seitz, titled "Dirty Old Men--Hidden Hazard on Ladies' Tour." From the "On the Cover" notes: "Those girls are dolls. They really are. And so are many of the real girls on the women's professional golf tour. That is, they're real dolls. They bear looking at, and as a general rule welcome stares. But when a Dirty Old Man shows up (see him there in the appropriately misty, black outfit?), they know how to handle him..."

January 1972

1971's Most Improved Ladies' PGA Professional, Jane Blalock, graces the cover with an instruction article titled, "To Hit Shots Higher, Swing Arms Faster." In it, she writes, "Many women golfers are chronic low-ball hitters, to their disadvantage...This was one of the deficiencies of my game during my first two years on the professional tour. I believe the steps I took to cure it are a good example for others with a similar problem to follow."1971's Most Improved Ladies' PGA Professional, Jane Blalock, graces the cover with an instruction article titled, "To Hit Shots Higher, Swing Arms Faster." In it, she writes, "Many women golfers are chronic low-ball hitters, to their disadvantage...This was one of the deficiencies of my game during my first two years on the professional tour. I believe the steps I took to cure it are a good example for others with a similar problem to follow."

May 1973

Making her fourth cover appearance in 20 years, Marlene Hagge is characterized here as "good and sexy." In a profile by John P. May titled "How About Rounds of 35-23-36? Marlene Has Them," Hagge, with 25 tour wins to her credit, is quoted as saying "The ultimate compliment would be for a man to tell me I'm pretty and that he wishes he could play golf as well as I do. But, if I had to choose between the two compliments I'd take the pretty one."Making her fourth cover appearance in 20 years, Marlene Hagge is characterized here as "good and sexy." In a profile by John P. May titled "How About Rounds of 35-23-36? Marlene Has Them," Hagge, with 25 tour wins to her credit, is quoted as saying "The ultimate compliment would be for a man to tell me I'm pretty and that he wishes he could play golf as well as I do. But, if I had to choose between the two compliments I'd take the pretty one."

May 1974

Three-time U.S. Women's Open champion Susie Berning fronts Golf Digest's "Salute to the Modern Woman Golfer," a special section highlighting the magazine's sponsorship of Women Golfers Week. "The flip image of the woman golfer as an awkward, culotte-clad lady batting the ball down the fairway 25 yards at a clip is disappearing," the editors declared. "Women are taking golf more seriously today."Three-time U.S. Women's Open champion Susie Berning fronts Golf Digest's "Salute to the Modern Woman Golfer," a special section highlighting the magazine's sponsorship of Women Golfers Week. "The flip image of the woman golfer as an awkward, culotte-clad lady batting the ball down the fairway 25 yards at a clip is disappearing," the editors declared. "Women are taking golf more seriously today."

March 1975

Barbara Nicklaus shares the stage with her husband's longtime teacher, Jack Grout. "It started, as so many good stories have, by accident," wrote editor Nick Seitz. The planned cover shoot of Grout and Jack Nicklaus, demonstrating an alignment device called the Grout Stick, was set to take place at Augusta National, during a practice round at the Masters. When the editors were unable to locate Nicklaus (no surprise: he was out on the course practicing), Seitz continued, somebody suggested, "Why don't we use Barbara? She's a lot prettier."Barbara Nicklaus shares the stage with her husband's longtime teacher, Jack Grout. "It started, as so many good stories have, by accident," wrote editor Nick Seitz. The planned cover shoot of Grout and Jack Nicklaus, demonstrating an alignment device called the Grout Stick, was set to take place at Augusta National, during a practice round at the Masters. When the editors were unable to locate Nicklaus (no surprise: he was out on the course practicing), Seitz continued, somebody suggested, "Why don't we use Barbara? She's a lot prettier."

May 1975

What LPGA star Jane Blalock called "the incident" was the catalyst for this cover story. Assistant Editor Kathy Jonah writes of Blalock's suspension from the LPGA in the summer of 1972 for alleged cheating and her subsequent lawsuit against the organization, which Blalock won in 1974. "Relations between Blalock and the 'enemy camp,' as she once phrased it, have mellowed so there's no outward awkwardness in her tour pairings, but at one point the ill will could be sensed across a club parking lot," wrote Jonah.What LPGA star Jane Blalock called "the incident" was the catalyst for this cover story. Assistant Editor Kathy Jonah writes of Blalock's suspension from the LPGA in the summer of 1972 for alleged cheating and her subsequent lawsuit against the organization, which Blalock won in 1974. "Relations between Blalock and the 'enemy camp,' as she once phrased it, have mellowed so there's no outward awkwardness in her tour pairings, but at one point the ill will could be sensed across a club parking lot," wrote Jonah.

May 1976

Billed as "The girl who has everything--almost," Laura Baugh gets the cover treatment. "Yet behind the glitter and glamour of Laura Baugh's image as the sex symbol of women's golf," writes Dwayne Netland, "a frown is shadowing her pretty smile these days. She is becoming desparately impatient to win a pro tournament..."Billed as "The girl who has everything--almost," Laura Baugh gets the cover treatment. "Yet behind the glitter and glamour of Laura Baugh's image as the sex symbol of women's golf," writes Dwayne Netland, "a frown is shadowing her pretty smile these days. She is becoming desparately impatient to win a pro tournament..."

May 1977

Jane Blalock once again is front and center on Golf Digest's cover, to mark the first excerpt of her new book, The Guts to Win. "There are times, crucial times, when I can concentrate so completely that it seems like I'm willing the ball into the hole," she writes.Jane Blalock once again is front and center on Golf Digest's cover, to mark the first excerpt of her new book, The Guts to Win. "There are times, crucial times, when I can concentrate so completely that it seems like I'm willing the ball into the hole," she writes.

September 1978

Honored as Golf Digest's No. 1 amateur for 1976 and LPGA Rookie of the Year for 1977, Nancy Lopez joined Golf Digest's staff as a playing editor with this issue, which features both her thoughts on plumb-bobbing and a column on the LPGA. "She is the best thing to happen to golf in a long time, and we could not be happier to have her on the staff," wrote editor Nick Seitz.Honored as Golf Digest's No. 1 amateur for 1976 and LPGA Rookie of the Year for 1977, Nancy Lopez joined Golf Digest's staff as a playing editor with this issue, which features both her thoughts on plumb-bobbing and a column on the LPGA. "She is the best thing to happen to golf in a long time, and we could not be happier to have her on the staff," wrote editor Nick Seitz.

February 1979

On the cover of the largest-yet edition of Golf Digest--256 pages--Tom Watson and Nancy Lopez give readers their best-ever lessons. Between them in 1978, they won 14 tournaments and set money records on both tours. "Just as importantly," writes Nick Seitz, "they are pleasant, well-spoken young people who are caught by photographers' cameras smiling as often as not."On the cover of the largest-yet edition of Golf Digest--256 pages--Tom Watson and Nancy Lopez give readers their best-ever lessons. Between them in 1978, they won 14 tournaments and set money records on both tours. "Just as importantly," writes Nick Seitz, "they are pleasant, well-spoken young people who are caught by photographers' cameras smiling as often as not."

February 1980

Golf Digest Playing Editors Tom Watson and Nancy Lopez again share the cover--and a couch--to talk golf. The dialogue between these two superstars was moderated by New York Times columnist Dave Anderson.Golf Digest Playing Editors Tom Watson and Nancy Lopez again share the cover--and a couch--to talk golf. The dialogue between these two superstars was moderated by New York Times columnist Dave Anderson.

January 1982

Continuing in the cover tradition of Watson and Lopez, Jan Stephenson and Tom Kite pose together for this cover, on this occasion to honor their selection as Most Improved Golfers of 1981.Continuing in the cover tradition of Watson and Lopez, Jan Stephenson and Tom Kite pose together for this cover, on this occasion to honor their selection as Most Improved Golfers of 1981.

October 1992

In this "test cover" of which about 50,000 copies were sent to newsstands, Juli Inkster exhibits textbook form through impact with a fairway wood. The golfer on the rest of the some 1.5 million copies of this issue? U.S. Open champion Corey Pavin, striking exactly the same pose.In this "test cover" of which about 50,000 copies were sent to newsstands, Juli Inkster exhibits textbook form through impact with a fairway wood. The golfer on the rest of the some 1.5 million copies of this issue? U.S. Open champion Corey Pavin, striking exactly the same pose.

February 1994

LPGA rookie Vicki Goetze takes her place on the cover, a special issue dedicated to distance. After a standout amateur career--1989, 1992 U.S. Amateur titles, 1992 NCAA champion--Goetze remains winless on the LPGA Tour. Those 15 more yards may have materialized, but evidently weren't quite enough: Goetze averaged 222 yards off the tee in 2005, placing 161st in that category.LPGA rookie Vicki Goetze takes her place on the cover, a special issue dedicated to distance. After a standout amateur career--1989, 1992 U.S. Amateur titles, 1992 NCAA champion--Goetze remains winless on the LPGA Tour. Those 15 more yards may have materialized, but evidently weren't quite enough: Goetze averaged 222 yards off the tee in 2005, placing 161st in that category.

February 1995

Three veteran teachers from Golf Digest Schools share the cover, including Gale Peterson (left). With her is Mike LaBauve (top) and Scott Davenport. Peterson, who teaches tour pros and amateurs alike at Sea Island resort, is on Golf Digest's list of America's 50 Greatest Teachers, as voted by her peers.Three veteran teachers from Golf Digest Schools share the cover, including Gale Peterson (left). With her is Mike LaBauve (top) and Scott Davenport. Peterson, who teaches tour pros and amateurs alike at Sea Island resort, is on Golf Digest's list of America's 50 Greatest Teachers, as voted by her peers.

January 1999

After a standout season in 1998 on the LPGA Tour, Se Ri Pak of Korea shares cover billing with some of her fellow Golf Digest Play Editors. Pak won four tour events, including the U.S. Women's Open, in a playoff against Jenny Chuasiriporn.After a standout season in 1998 on the LPGA Tour, Se Ri Pak of Korea shares cover billing with some of her fellow Golf Digest Play Editors. Pak won four tour events, including the U.S. Women's Open, in a playoff against Jenny Chuasiriporn.

January 2007

In the first full-scale, solo cover appearance by a woman in nearly 30 years, Golf Digest Playing Editor Annika Sorenstam exhibits flawless form in posing at the top of her swing. As her career records attest, this Golf Digest cover girl truly is the "model" of consistency.In the first full-scale, solo cover appearance by a woman in nearly 30 years, Golf Digest Playing Editor Annika Sorenstam exhibits flawless form in posing at the top of her swing. As her career records attest, this Golf Digest cover girl truly is the "model" of consistency.

August 2008

Ochoa, a one-time Golf Digest Playing Editor, was at the height of her dominance on the LPGA when she appeared on this 2008 cover, having won her second major championship, the Kraft Nabisco Championship, earlier that season. As for her "secret to longer shots," Ochoa revealed in the issue that "the power in my golf swing comes from my hips and legs."Ochoa, a one-time Golf Digest Playing Editor, was at the height of her dominance on the LPGA when she appeared on this 2008 cover, having won her second major championship, the Kraft Nabisco Championship, earlier that season. As for her "secret to longer shots," Ochoa revealed in the issue that "the power in my golf swing comes from my hips and legs."

May 2013

Holly Sonders might have been an unlikely selection for our cover when you consider she hasn't played a single round on the LPGA Tour. But she was an accomplished college golfer at Michigan State, and she's earned a sizable following as a host on Golf Channel. Moreover, Sonders, who adheres to a strict workout regimen, was an appropriate cover model for our "Get Fit!" package.Holly Sonders might have been an unlikely selection for our cover when you consider she hasn't played a single round on the LPGA Tour. But she was an accomplished college golfer at Michigan State, and she's earned a sizable following as a host on Golf Channel. Moreover, Sonders, who adheres to a strict workout regimen, was an appropriate cover model for our "Get Fit!" package.

December 2013

As with Holly Sonders, Kate Upton didn't land on the cover of Golf Digest on the strength of her playing record. But the fashion icon, who said she played golf only once a year growing up, was looking to take up the game more seriously. Hence the decision to pair Upton with the legendary Arnold Palmer so that Palmer could teach some of the basics of the swing."I could tell right away that she's going to be a nice player," Palmer writes in the issue.As with Holly Sonders, Kate Upton didn't land on the cover of Golf Digest on the strength of her playing record. But the fashion icon, who said she played golf only once a year growing up, was looking to take up the game more seriously. Hence the decision to pair Upton with the legendary Arnold Palmer so that Palmer could teach some of the basics of the swing."I could tell right away that she's going to be a nice player," Palmer writes in the issue.

May 2014

Paulina GretzkyThe daughter of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and the fiancee of PGA Tour star Dustin Johnson, Paulina Gretzky was a surprising cover subject. But what she lacked in true golf credentials, Gretzky made up for in buzz. As part of Golf Digest's annual "Fit Issue", the cover story featured photos of Gretzky demonstrating several golf-specific exercises, and also included a Q&A in which she discussed her myriad connections to the sports world.

October 2014

LPGA star Michelle Wie poses for our cover as she has a break-through season and claims her first major title.LPGA star Michelle Wie poses for our cover as she has a break-through season and claims her first major title.

May 2015

In our annual nod to golf and fitness, LPGA star Lexi Thompson shows off the progress she's made in the gym. "I don't know how hard the PGA Tour guys work out, but out here we're working pretty hard," Thompson says. "Even after long days, there are a lot of girls in the fitness trailer."

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