Wondering who are the best golf players of all time? If you nodded your head in yes, this is the perfect article you are going through now.
The game of golf has changed drastically in its two hundred years. Like in many sports, the greats of today would be too strong for the dominant figures of the past.
Especially when comparing players from various eras, there are many factors to consider. Here are the top seven golfers of all time based on their dominance at the time, longevity, tournament wins, and influence on the game overall.
List Of 7 Best Golf Players Of All Time
This blog will explain everything about the 7 best golf players of all time along with the names of the countries they played for, the duration for which they played, and their professional wins. We carefully considered major achievements in the hope to find a suitable balance between old and new school. Other accolades were also taken into account, such as Ryder Cup skills and PGA Tour victories.
Golfer’s Name | Country | Duration | Professional Wins |
Tiger Woods | United States | 1996-2021 | 110 |
Jack Nicklaus | America | 1962-1986 | 117 |
Bobby Jones | United States | 1923-1930 | 13 |
Sam Snead | America | 1931-1979 | 142 |
Ben Hogan | America | 1938-1959 | 71 |
Arnold Palmer | United States | 1955-1973 | 95 |
Gary Player | South Africa | 1953-1974 | 159 |
1. Tiger Woods
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Tiger Woods is ranked first on this list because he significantly changed the game of golf. As an African American, he achieved a lot to help minorities in a sport that was traditionally dominated by white men. He dominated his way to a record 15 majors and 82 PGA Tour victories because of his athletic ability and mental toughness. Woods has had an almost infinite influence on the sport. His career has been on the rise since his first Masters victory in 1997. His career also includes 18 World Golf Championships. Woods has participated in nine Presidents Cups and eight Ryder Cup teams.
2. Jack Nicklaus
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Jack Nicklaus has been referred to as “the Golden Bear.” As part of his incredible 117 professional tournament wins, the “Golden Bear” barnstormed his way to a record 18 majors. It is difficult to match Nicklaus’s hold of the game. His professionalism and consistency were a part of his superb organizing abilities, which allowed him to position every shot to its maximum effect. From 1983 to 1987, he captained the American squad and participated in six Ryder Cups. At 46, he defeated Greg Norman, Seve Ballesteros, and numerous others to win his last green jacket in 1986 which is one of the reasons that he stands tall on the second position in the list of greatest golfers of all time.
3. Bobby Jones
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Even as an amateur, Bobby Jones was a very successful golfer in his time. He won seven majors while competing on the tours part-time as a lawyer by profession. Jones was a co-inventor of the Masters competition, and the format he created has been copied and applied to almost every other professional tournament in the world. His co-founding of the Masters Tournament with Clifford Roberts and the establishment of Augusta National Golf Club with Alister MacKenzie, however, are his biggest contributions to the game.
4. Sam Snead
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greatness. He has seven major titles and is tied with Tiger Woods for the most PGA Tour victories (82), but he never won the U.S. Open, so he is ranked fourth on this list. However, no one can dispute Snead’s skill. His swing appeared effortless, and he played with the best for fifty years. He is renowned for his long, accurate drives and for inventing the short game.
5. Ben Hogan
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Hogan studied the golf course as others played it. He did not record the yardages in writing. He decoded them. Having won nine majors in the 1940s and 1950s, Hogan’s domination took place during a different era than others on the list. He participated in six events, including three majors, and won five of them in 1953 alone. However, Hogan’s influence on the sport was what pushed him into the top five. Only five players have won every Grand Slam event, including him. Serving in the Air Force during World War II cost Hogan two years of his best playing years, and a near-fatal car accident in 1949 left his body in ruins.
6. Arnold Palmer
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Arnold Palmer, also known as “The King,” was an iconic figure in golf both during and after his career ended. Palmer’s popularity is still valued today, as he was a fan favorite. Seven majors were won by him. He won four Masters titles in Augusta, where he was most dominant. However one of his greatest achievements will always be his comeback victory at the 1960 U.S. Open. That week, he defeated Nicklaus and Hogan. He gathered an Army of loyal supporters, doubled purses, and introduced golf into our living rooms instead of the country clubs. More than any other athlete, he won and lost with style.
Also Read: Best Goalkeepers in the world of all time.
7. Gary Player
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Gary Player, one of the greatest golfers of all time, is a global ambassador for the game. He cleared the path for new opportunities on the PGA Tour for players from other countries. The player has nine major championships, 24 PGA Tour wins, and 150 wins overall. Only five players have won all four of the current majors, including him. Players, Jack Nicklaus, and Arnold Palmer made up “The Big Three,” who dominated golf from the 1950s to the 1970s. The player has more flying miles than the Space Shuttle over his career, which started in the mid-1950s, and he has kept many of his best achievements for his visits to the United States.
Conclusion
With their extraordinary skill, mental toughness, and unwavering dedication, the best golf players of all time have made a lasting impression on the game. Golf has reached new heights thanks to legends like Ben Hogan, Tiger Woods, and Jack Nicklaus, who have served as an inspiration to both players and fans for centuries. Their victories, which are marked by performances that break records and memorable situations, go beyond simple statistics and capture the spirit of competition and love for the game. The golf world is still being shaped and defined by the legacies of these people.
FAQ
Q. Who is considered the greatest golfer of all time?
A. Tiger Woods is considered one of the greatest golfers of all time.
Q. Who are the goats of golf?
A. Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Sam Snead, and Ben Hogan are among the goats of golf.
Q. Who is famous as the king of golf?
A. Arnold Palmer is popularly known as the king of golf.
Q. What country is golf most popular in?
A. Despite the fact that golf was initiated in Scotland, the sport is more popular in its neighbor country Ireland.
Q. Which country is the birthplace of golf?
A. Scotland is where the current game of golf originated in the fifteenth century. In 1764, the Old Course at St Andrews invented the 18-hole round.