Sports Illustrated’s Best Golf Course Covers

This year Sports Illustrated is celebrating its 70th anniversary and golf has been an important part of the magazine since its inception. As part of our celebration, the SI Golf staff took another look at the magazine’s rich collection of golf covers – there were more than 150 to look through – and handpicked some of the best featuring golf courses, because sometimes the courses were as big a star as they were Player. What is your favorite? Let’s hear it on X, formerly Twitter.

More covers for the 70th anniversary: SI Golf staff favorites | Five of Jack Nicklaus’ best | Five of Arnold Palmer’s best works

The “most demanding in the world”

Pine Valley is arguably the most mythical golf course in America, a place few have seen and even fewer have played. There are no professional tournaments in the private enclave of New Jersey, so television cameras haven’t burned every hole in our minds like Augusta National. Images and glimpses inside are rare, making this 1958 trip special, which SI called “the most challenging golf course in the world.”

“Out of this world”

In 1959, the Ryder Cup went to Indian Wells, California, and SI marveled at the scenery at Eldorado Country Club, calling it an “otherworldly setting for the Ryder Cup games.” The reflection of the lake made for a cool cover photo.

In vibrant colors

Augusta National got the SI cover treatment in 1960 when artist Daniel Schwartz portrayed the 10th hole and promised more art in the issue – in color!

Iconic pebble beach

With this sun-drenched shot of the legendary par-3-7 course at Pebble Beach, SI declared the Crosby a “winter delight for all golfers” – which still applies today.

The horrors

In the preview of the 1962 US Open, SI addressed the “Terrors of Oakmont” with a cover photo that showed a huge bunker that was already busy that day (aren’t bunkers scarier when you can see that). was anyone in there? Oakmont will host the US Open again in 2025.

The famous island green

The island’s infamous 17th green at TPC Sawgrass needs no introduction, but still received its highlight on a cover with an SI Golf Plus issue in 2004.