17 Greatest Golfers Of All Time [Who Do You Think Is #1?]

Golf is a sport that has been played for centuries, and throughout its history, there have been many exceptional players who have elevated the game to new heights. From iconic names like Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus to modern-day superstars like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, the world of golf has seen no shortage of talent over the years.

In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the best golfers of all time, exploring their careers, accomplishments, and impact on the sport as a whole. Join us as we delve into the rich history of golf and celebrate some of the game’s greatest legends.

Best Golfers Ever…

Tiger Woods – Born in 1975, Tiger Woods is one of the most famous and successful golfers of all time. He has won 82 PGA Tour events and 15 major championships, including the Masters Tournament five times, the U.S. Open three times, the Open Championship three times, and the PGA Championship four times. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time, and his success helped to bring golf to a wider audience.
Jack Nicklaus – Born in 1940, Jack Nicklaus is a retired American professional golfer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He has won 73 PGA Tour events and a record 18 major championships, including the Masters Tournament six times, the U.S. Open four times, the Open Championship three times, and the PGA Championship five times. Nicklaus is also known for his golf course design work, and his designs have been used for numerous courses around the world.
Ben Hogan – Born in 1912, Ben Hogan was an American professional golfer who is widely considered one of the greatest golfers of all time. He won nine major championships, including the Masters Tournament twice, the U.S. Open four times, the Open Championship once, and the PGA Championship twice. Hogan is also known for his dedication to practice and his attention to detail in his swing, and his book “Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf” is still considered a classic in the sport.
Arnold Palmer – Born in 1929, Arnold Palmer was an American professional golfer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. He won 62 PGA Tour events and seven major championships, including the Masters Tournament four times, the U.S. Open once, and the Open Championship twice. Palmer was known for his charisma and charm, and his influence on the sport helped to popularize golf around the world.
Sam Snead – Born in 1912, Sam Snead was an American professional golfer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He won 82 PGA Tour events and seven major championships, including the Masters Tournament three times, the U.S. Open once, and the PGA Championship three times. Snead was known for his powerful swing and his longevity in the sport, as he continued to play at a high level well into his 60s.
Gary Player – Born in 1935, Gary Player is a retired South African professional golfer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He won 24 PGA Tour events and nine major championships, including the Masters Tournament three times, the U.S. Open once, and the Open Championship three times. Player was also known for his dedication to fitness and his commitment to a healthy lifestyle, which helped to extend his playing career well into his 70s.
Walter Hagen – Born in 1892, Walter Hagen was an American professional golfer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He won 45 PGA Tour events and 11 major championships, including the U.S. Open twice, the Open Championship four times, and the PGA Championship five times. Hagen was known for his flamboyant personality and his pioneering efforts in promoting the sport to a wider audience.
Bobby Jones – Born in 1902, Bobby Jones was an American amateur golfer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He won 13 major championships, including the U.S. Open four times, the Open Championship three times, and the Amateur Championship five times. Jones is also known for his contributions to the sport as a designer of golf courses, and he co-founded Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters Tournament.
Tom Watson – Born in 1949, Tom Watson is a retired American professional golfer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He won 39 PGA Tour events and eight major championships, including the Masters Tournament twice, the U.S. Open once, and the Open Championship five times. Watson was known for his clutch performances in major championships, and his “chip-in” on the 17th hole at the 1982 U.S. Open is still considered one of the greatest shots in golf history.
Phil Mickelson – Born in 1970, Phil Mickelson is an American professional golfer who has won 45 PGA Tour events and five major championships, including the Masters Tournament three times, the PGA Championship once, and the Open Championship once. Mickelson is known for his aggressive style of play and his ability to hit shots that other players wouldn’t even attempt, and he has won numerous fans with his engaging personality and sense of humor.
Seve Ballesteros – Born in 1957, Seve Ballesteros was a Spanish professional golfer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. He won 50 European Tour events and five major championships, including the Masters Tournament twice and the Open Championship three times. Ballesteros was known for his creativity and flair on the golf course, and his contributions to the sport helped to popularize golf in Europe.
Byron Nelson – Born in 1912, Byron Nelson was an American professional golfer who won 52 PGA Tour events and five major championships, including the Masters Tournament twice, the U.S. Open once, and the PGA Championship twice. Nelson is also known for his incredible consistency during the 1945 season, when he won a record 18 tournaments, a feat that has never been matched in professional golf.
Harry Vardon – Born in 1870, Harry Vardon was a British professional golfer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. He won seven major championships, including the Open Championship six times, and he is also known for inventing the Vardon grip, a technique that is still used by many golfers today.
Gene Sarazen – Born in 1902, Gene Sarazen was an American professional golfer who won 39 PGA Tour events and seven major championships, including the Masters Tournament once, the U.S. Open once, and the Open Championship three times. Sarazen is also known for inventing the modern sand wedge, which revolutionized the way golfers play shots from bunkers and other hazards.
Annika Sorenstam – Born in 1970, Annika Sorenstam is a retired Swedish professional golfer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest female players of all time. She won 72 LPGA Tour events and 10 major championships, including the U.S. Women’s Open three times, the Women’s PGA Championship three times, and the ANA Inspiration twice. Sorenstam is also known for her dominance of the sport in the early 2000s, when she was ranked the world’s number one female golfer for a record 60 consecutive weeks.
Gary Player – Born in 1935, Gary Player is a retired South African professional golfer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He won 24 PGA Tour events and nine major championships, including the Masters Tournament three times, the U.S Open once, and the Open Championship three times. Player is also known for his fitness regimen and for being one of the first professional golfers to travel the world to play in tournaments, helping to globalize the sport.
Karrie Webb – Born in 1974, Karrie Webb is a retired Australian professional golfer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest female players of all time. She won 41 LPGA Tour events and seven major championships, including the Women’s PGA Championship twice, the U.S. Women’s Open twice, and the ANA Inspiration once. Webb is also known for being the first golfer, male or female, to have won five different major championships before the age of 30.

These 17 golfers are just a few of the many players who have left their mark on the sport over the years, and each of them has made significant contributions to the game in their own way.

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Travis

A former college golfer who played professionally for a short time, Travis brings a wealth of knowledge about the game of golf to Tee Precision.He currently plays to a +2 handicap and shares his insights with the Tee Precision community.