There are arguments for each of the gold segments you mention. Comes down to what you are trying to achieve. I like the gearing mining stocks gain from a rising gold price. The high returns are at the bottom of the market as is high risk. Others like the safety of owning physical gold. Just avoid ETF's which are internally geared. Those are only for very short term as the decay will eat away at a profit if any. Look at the bearish DUST what a disaster for anyone thinking that was a good idea.