Articles by Max Adler

Masters 2025: How to tell a Rory fan from a Bryson fan

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Masters patrons applaud all good shots in relation to their difficulty. Heckles are not tolerated. As far as style, it’s the most homogeneously well-dressed crowd in sports. So how to tell what beats inside the hearts of the thousands following the final pairing on an epic Masters Sunday? You ask them. And Read more…

What we didn’t know about Angel Cabrera’s uncomfortable return

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Masters patrons know golf. At almost any other tournament, maybe only half as many people would be aware of Angel Cabrera’s recent history. That the Argentine was incarcerated for 30 months for domestic violence and just last year got his visa to re-enter the United States. That whether his past champion’s invitation Read more…

Masters 2025: What’s ‘appropriate’ attire at Augusta National?

Of all the nations, who’d have thought Australia would be the most hellbent on making golf style statements at the Masters? Cameron Smith practiced in a four-way stretch navy sport coat on Wednesday, and there was much handwringing over what Jason Day would wear Thursday.

My “favorite” golf dress codes

It’s a special type of human who relishes spotting and reporting a dress-code infraction. The findings of several psychiatric studies devoted to the phenomenon are inconclusive, though evidence suggests more than a mild correlation with repressed Oedipal desires. To dress like a good little boy and eliminate competition to “win” one’s mommy. The only aspect Read more…

Breaking 75: Celebrating golf’s most magical number

My father had a subscription to Golf Digest. New issues floated around our kitchen table a few days, then ended up either in my bedroom or his bathroom. He liked the top writers, which reflected in his game. To him, golf was four hours of clever jokes and enjoying time together outside, always continued with Read more…

Who is the greatest golfer-tennis player?

Before we try to answer the question, one thing to set straight: any cultural rivalry between golf and tennis is like Australia versus New Zealand. Their proximity amid sequestration intensifies some ill feelings – I play golf where the tennis courts sit exposed to power hooks off the first tee, which draws disdainful comments from Read more…

How a father’s Rolex became one of golf’s greatest trophies

Golf’s greatest trophy isn’t necessarily the Claret Jug, the Wannamaker, a green jacket or anything else coupled with millions of dollars and World Ranking points. It’s the thing you believe you can and should win. Each time you grip a club, it sits on a shelf in the mind. It’s the thing you believe you Read more…

Could You Win Golf Digest Honors?

OK, there’s still some golf to be played in November and December, but it’s that time of year when we start to think about season superlatives. And not just in the pro game. Who among all the duffers, amateurs and weekend warriors out there in Golf Land also did something truly remarkable in 2024? (Did Read more…

An inside look at the new way to get onto any private course

Ihave friends who are crushing the singles scene. Not to say they aren’t handsome, charming fellas who wouldn’t have met such desirable women in due time, but the Internet has no doubt hastened the efficiency and rapidity with which they land dates. When it comes to overachieving, it’s also a new era for being a Read more…

Stephen Curry: Taking His Shot

Basketball superstar – and Olympic debutant! – Stephen Curry
wants to make golf blacker and browner, and raise his game, too

What’s a 6-handicap, really?

On the right day and right course, you’ll break 80. Congratulations. As a 6-handicap, you’re in the top quarter of male golfers—top 3 percent for females—according to the United States Golf Association. A professional career isn’t happening anytime soon, but you should be proud of the level you’ve attained. Perhaps similar dedication and talent has Read more…

How Bryson DeChambeau became the best golfer on YouTube

Dare we say everything in the golf world is starting to make sense? A horse named Dornoch won the Belmont Stakes, and a week later a hoss named DeChambeau wins by a nose over another favorite down the stretch at Pinehurst. We felt this was coming. Four weeks ago, 36 hours after Bryson DeChambeau left Read more…

Where is the best golf town in America?

Where is the best golf town in America? At first the mind wanders southerly, looking for clusters of famous or at least very good courses with warm weather. But that’s a narrow approach. Maybe a better consideration is, where would you raise your children if you were hellbent on cultivating within them your love for Read more…

DJing a four-hour round is a big responsibility

This May I’m missing my 20-year college reunion to play in a four-day event celebrating the 25th anniversary of Bandon Dunes, at Bandon Dunes. If only more of life’s decisions were this kind of hard. I equate it with choosing music or no music on the golf course. Either way, I’m going to have a Read more…