Melbourne takes centre stage this month, as Rory McIlroy, now a Grand Slam champion, returns to Royal Melbourne two decades after his teenage debut on Australian soil. With the green jacket in tow, McIlroy’s reunion with the championship is steeped in history, ambition and a genuine affection for a course which has long held a place in his heart, as John Huggan captures in an in-depth feature.

Victoria’s Yarra Valley shines in our course review, where Yering Meadows has been reborn under the careful eye of Tim Vegt. Redesigned bunkers, restored wetlands and impeccable conditioning mark its return to the ranks of the state’s premier courses, offering golfers a challenge and a spectacle in equal measure.

As our Deputy Editor Matt Cleary writes, the Australian Open reclaims its spiritual home at Royal Melbourne, a reminder of the championship’s enduring significance and a chance for fans to see the tournament roar back to life after years of change.

For those following domestic competition, Royal Queensland hosts the Australian PGA, with a stellar field vying for the Joe Kirkwood Cup. Writer and Deputy Editor Callum Hill has distilled the excitement into 25 things to love about the event, giving readers an insight into the players, storylines and moments which make this championship so compelling.

For anyone intrigued by the lure of silverware, Andrew Daddo’s second instalment on golf trophies explores the psychology behind the pursuit, from elite tours to grassroots competitions, showing why chasing the gleam of a cup can be as fierce off the television screen as it is on.

Precision and skill take centre stage at Lynwood Golf and Country Club, where Australia’s pro putters turn mini golf into a serious art form. In People Of The Putt, Matt Cleary follows the experts as they master slopes, angles and high-stakes challenges, proving that putting is as much about strategy and nerve as it is about touch.

On the coastal front, the James Smith's Battle Of The Peninsulas travel feature brings a friendly but intense rivalry to the fairways, pitting Mornington against Bellarine in a showdown for bragging rights and golfing supremacy.

Off the course, we sit down with Cameron Smith for an exclusive conversation which captures the balance of a Queenslander’s easy-going nature with the intensity of a major champion. From his victories at St Andrews and on the PGA Tour, to life after joining LIV, Smith opens up about form slumps, leadership, fatherhood and the future of golf in a candid interview.

And with the festive season upon us, our Christmas Gift Guide makes it easy to find the perfect present for golfers of all stripes, featuring the latest and greatest from some of the game’s biggest brands.

From courses to competitions, trophies to putting, stars to stories, this issue of Golf Australia magazine is a celebration of golf in all its forms, offering readers inspiration, insight and a little festive indulgence all in one.