Sunrise over the Salton Sea: A sliver of red slices across the desert floor, leaving a shimmering scar. The fairways and greens of Ladera Golf Club in Thermal, California, are only just visible now. Flags hang limp in the temporary chill. The silence is heavy—so heavy you mouth hollow sounds, waiting for your ears to pop and the atmosphere to rush in.
TGJ’s photo editor Kohjiro Kinno is somewhere out in the acreage. He left home at 3 a.m. to ensure he was perfectly positioned when first light hit the lemon grove. You never quite know what alchemy he’ll invoke to make his images, but you can feel the magic in the air. It’s a perfect morning to capture the essence of the place. It’s even better to experience it.
Soon, members of The Broken Tee Society will see in person what they first saw on the pages of The Golfer’s Journal. Today, the smell of ink on paper will be replaced by the scent of Ladera’s lemons. The club’s co-owner, Irving Azoff, will arrive later to greet guests. He’ll ask about their rounds, debate their favorite holes, and talk about the nuances of the greens. There will be 18 perfect holes, food, drinks, laughter, and a spin around the short course.
The Golfer’s Journal told the story of Ladera in print and now The Broken Tee Society will live it.
This has been a year filled with many such moments. People, places, stories, and art coming together to create something that feels entirely new. Sometimes it feels obvious—of course something like The Golfer’s Journal should tell these stories and provide opportunities for readers to experience them. But that never replaces the thrill of it all actually happening.
In October, we shipped the 30th issue of The Golfer’s Journal. That same month, we hosted our 100th Broken Tee Society event. These milestones are more than numbers—they’re a quantitative measure of the magic in our community. Our staff is innovating and pushing forward every week, but such momentum requires an energy source, and that’s you. Your support, camaraderie, and friendship fuel this entire endeavor. The Broken Tee Society isn’t just the engine behind The Golfer’s Journal—it’s the reason for its existence.
As we close another incredible year, we’re more inspired than ever to celebrate the game, tell its stories, and create unforgettable experiences for our community. I hope that you continue to support our efforts in any way you can, whether that’s by upgrading to a premium membership, gifting a subscription, referring a friend, grabbing something from the pro shop, or attending a Broken Tee Society event in 2025.
On behalf of all of us, thank you for making it all possible. Wishing you a happy and prosperous new year.
With gratitude,
Brendon Thomas
Publisher, The Golfer’s Journal
Broken Tee Society Tour 2025
John Muir’s adventurous spirit and reverence for the outdoors will guide our travels in 2025, as the BTS Tour takes on its most ambitious lineup yet. Friend of TGJ Geoff Cunningham created the above art to bring this sentiment to life—his work is now available as a poster in the TGJ Shop—and we can’t wait to meet our members at every stop along the road next year.
The full events schedule will be announced live on the BTS Discord server on January 8. With more than 40 events at some of the world’s best golf courses, 2025 will shatter your conceptions of what you thought the Broken Tee Society was capable of. The course is calling. We must go.
Premium Gift: The Clubhouse Duffel
Our Premium Members have started receiving their annual gifts, and deliveries will continue through January. The response has been incredible, and we’re honored to create unique, exclusive gifts that can’t be found anywhere else. Want to check on the status of your gift? Click here. Not a Premium member yet? Upgrade in your account area to join the club and enjoy these extraordinary benefits.
The Index Experiment
After two years of inspiring our community to improve both their games and their health, The Index Experiment is evolving. As of 2025, The Index Experiment will officially become part of The Golfer’s Journal’s online editorial offerings. While we’re retiring the name “The Index Experiment” and the monthly scorecards, its spirit—and the quality content—will live on.
The Index Experiment Discord channel has been renamed “Game Improvement“ and remains the hub for sharing your tips, dreams, and progress toward better golf. Plus, we’ll be dropping exclusive content featuring the game’s top instructors, ensuring that you continue to knock out your improvement goals.
Bill and Tom’s Holiday Adventure
Our Editor Tom Coyne leads a blessed golf life, and his most recent boondoggle involved a December road trip to Old Barnwell and Ohoopee, with none other than Bill Murray riding shotgun. Spend a few hours with them on YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.
