When it comes to golf, there are good players, great players, and then there are legends.
But, it is impossible to compare legends like Jack Nicklaus to someone from a completely different era, like Old Tom Morris.
The game has changed so much over the years. But what hasn’t changed is the impact these players have had on golf.
In putting together this list of the top 10 greatest golfers of all time, we didn’t just look at who has the most wins or major titles.
We also considered those moments that made us all sit up and say, “Wow!”—the kind of moments that make these players legends.
So, without further ado, here are the 10 greatest golfers of all time, ranked.
- Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods are legends for their number of wins and how they dominated the sport over many years.
- Arnold Palmer and Gary Player helped popularize golf worldwide, which made it accessible to new audiences and set the stage for future generations.
- Players like Sam Snead and Tom Watson remained threats on the course for decades, showing that lasting greatness is about more than just short-term success.
1. Jack Nicklaus—The Golden Bear
Jack Nicklaus, born in 1940 in Columbus, Ohio, is often called the best golfer ever. He’s famous not just for winning 18 major championships but also for changing the game of golf.
His first big win was the 1962 U.S. Open, where he beat Arnold Palmer in a playoff, starting a legendary rivalry.
Over his career, Jack Nicklaus earned his place among golf greats by winning six Masters, five PGA Championships, four U.S. Opens, and three British Opens—the only golfer to win each major at least three times.
Known for staying calm under pressure and playing smart, Nicklaus left a lasting legacy in the sport.
Even after he stopped competing full-time, he continued to shape the sport as a golf course designer and through his charity work, especially with the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation.
2. Tiger Woods—The Modern Icon
Tiger Woods, born in 1975 in Cypress, California, undeniably changed golf with his incredible skills, power, and style. From the moment he went pro in 1996, he was a force to be reckoned with.
His first major win was at the 1997 Masters, where he won by a record 12 strokes, making a huge statement.
Over the next decade, Woods dominated golf, winning 15 major championships, including four Masters, three U.S. Opens, three British Opens, and four PGA Championships.
Throughout his career, Woods has experienced incredible highs and some tough lows. Despite serious injuries and personal challenges that knocked him off the top, he made an epic comeback by winning the 2019 Masters, his fifth and first in 14 years.
This win undoubtedly showed his resilience and love for the sport. Woods also brought a younger, more diverse crowd to golf, which helped the game grow worldwide.
So, it’s no surprise that Woods is considered one of the best golfers ever, with an impact on the sport that has transformed it.
3. Arnold Palmer—The King
Arnold Palmer, born in 1929 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, was a famous golfer who became much more than a great player—a cultural icon who helped make golf popular on TV.
Known for his charismatic personality and bold playing style, Palmer became one of the first golf superstars.
He won 62 PGA Tour titles, including four Masters, two British Opens, and one U.S. Open. His first major win was the 1958 Masters, a tournament he would dominate throughout his career.
Palmer’s charm went beyond golf. Notably, he made the sport more accessible, dispelling the idea that golf was just for the elite. His fans, known as “Arnie’s Army,” followed him passionately.
Off the course, Palmer was a successful businessman, helping to grow the sport through ventures like the Golf Channel and his golf equipment line. His influence on the business side of golf is still felt today, and his legacy as “The King” lives on.
4. Ben Hogan—The Hawk
Ben Hogan, born in 1912 in Stephenville, Texas, is famous for his incredible dedication and near-perfect golf technique.
He’s often considered one of the best ball strikers in golf history. Hogan’s story is especially inspiring because he made a huge comeback after a near-fatal car accident in 1949.
Doctors weren’t sure he’d walk again, let alone play golf, but Hogan proved them wrong. Against all odds, he returned to the game and won six of his nine major championships after the accident.
Incredibly, Hogan won four U.S. Opens, two Masters, two PGA Championships, and one British Open. Remarkably, his win at the 1953 British Open is legendary because it was the only time he played in that event, which made his victory even more impressive.
Besides his wins, Hogan is known for his careful approach to the game, focusing a lot on practice and perfecting the golf swing.
His book, “Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf,” is still a go-to for golfers. And the book shows his belief that you could perfect your swing through discipline and understanding.
5. Sam Snead—Slammin’ Sam
Sam Snead, born in 1912 in Ashwood, Virginia, is one of golf’s all-time winningest players, holding a record 82 PGA Tour victories, a number only matched by Tiger Woods.
Snead’s swing is often cited as the smoothest and most natural in golf history, and many people have tried to copy it.
Despite all his wins, Snead never won the U.S. Open, finishing second four times, which earned him the title of maybe the greatest golfer never to win that tournament.
Snead had an incredibly long career, winning tournaments over nearly three decades. At 52, he was the oldest player to win a PGA Tour event.
In total, he won seven major championships, including three Masters, three PGA Championships, and one British Open.
His nickname, “Slammin’ Sam,” reflects how great he was on the course and how he stayed at the top level for many years.
6. Gary Player—The International Ambassador
Gary Player, born in 1935 in Johannesburg, South Africa, is considered one of the most influential golfers to play the sport, especially for helping golf grow worldwide.
Known as the “Black Knight” because he always wore black, Player was the first non-American to win all four major championships, completing the career Grand Slam.
He won nine major titles: three Masters, three British Opens, two PGA Championships, and one U.S. Open.
Remarkably, Player was ahead of his time by focusing on physical fitness, including weight training and a strict diet, which wasn’t common in golf back then. His commitment to staying fit helped him compete at a high level even as he got older.
Beyond his playing career, Player has also made a significant contribution as a golf course designer, working on over 400 projects in 41 countries. Moreover, as a philanthropist, he has supported underprivileged kids through his foundation.
Amazingly, his work helped spread golf’s popularity, especially in Africa and Asia, making him one of the best golfers ever and a global ambassador for the sport.
7. Tom Watson—The Open Champion
Tom Watson, born in 1949 in Kansas City, Missouri, is famous for being a master at links golf, especially at the British Open, where he won five times (in 1975, 1977, 1980, 1982, and 1983). Only Harry Vardon has won it more times, with six wins.
Watson has won eight major championships, including two Masters and one U.S. Open. His 1977 British Open win, known as the “Duel in the Sun” against Jack Nicklaus at Turnberry, is one of the most famous moments in golf.
Watson was a top player in the 1970s and 1980s, but what’s impressive is how long he stayed competitive.
In 2009, at 59 years old, he almost won his sixth British Open but lost in a playoff to Stewart Cink. More than 30 years after his first major win, this fantastic performance shows just how skilled and competitive he remained.
Watson is also known for his sportsmanship and the respect he earned from other players and fans.
8. Bobby Jones—The Amateur Legend
Bobby Jones, born in 1902 in Atlanta, Georgia, was a golf genius who became a legend despite never becoming a professional.
He’s best known for an incredible achievement in 1930 when he won all four major golf tournaments in one year: the U.S. Open, the British Open, the U.S. Amateur, and the British Amateur.
This accomplishment, called the Grand Slam, has never been matched and secured his place as one of the greatest golfers ever.
Surprisingly, Jones retired from competitive golf at just 28 to focus on his career as a lawyer and other interests.
However, his influence on the game continued, primarily through co-founding the Masters Tournament and designing Augusta National Golf Club, where the Masters is held annually.
Aside from his incredible skill, Jones earned a reputation for his sportsmanship. In fact, he was widely respected as a true gentleman of the game, and it set a high standard that future golfers would look up to.
9. Walter Hagen—The Showman
Walter Hagen, born in 1892 in Rochester, New York, was among the first big stars in professional golf.
He won 11 major championships, a record that stood for a long time and is still the third-highest ever. His wins include four British Opens, two U.S. Opens, and five PGA Championships.
Hagen wasn’t only known for his success on the course—he was also famous for his flashy style and charisma, which helped make professional golfers more popular with the public.
Hagen’s impact on golf went far beyond his tournament victories. He was instrumental in raising the status and earnings of professional golfers, who were often seen as second-class citizens in the early 20th century.
Determined to change this, Hagen made sure professionals got the same respect as amateurs, even renting limousines to show up at clubhouses that didn’t allow pros inside. As a result, his efforts helped future golfers gain more recognition and better financial rewards.
10 Phil Mickelson—The People’s Champion
Phil Mickelson, born in 1970 in San Diego, California, is one of the most popular and successful golf legends of modern times.
Known as “Lefty” because he swings left-handed (even though he’s right-handed in most other things), Mickelson has won 45 PGA Tour events, including six major championships.
And these include three Masters, two PGA Championships, and one Open Championship.
Mickelson is famous for his daring playing style and amazing short game, especially his ability to pull off creative shots from tough spots. His rivalry with Tiger Woods was a big part of golf in the 2000s.
Although he was often seen as the underdog, his determination and exciting play won him many fans.
In 2021, Mickelson made history by becoming the oldest major champion at 50 when he won the PGA Championship, cementing his place as one of golf’s all-time greats.
Who’s Your Pick for the Greatest Golfer of All Time?
So, there you have it—the top 10 golfers who have genuinely earned their spots in the history books. These players dominated, inspired, and left a lasting legacy on the sport we love.
So, who’s your pick for the greatest of all time? Do you think someone else deserves to be on this list?
But golf is constantly evolving, and new talents are always emerging. Who knows? The next Tiger or Jack could be out there right now, learning the ropes and dreaming of their first major win.
The history of golf is still being written, and it’s exciting to think about who might join these legends in the future.
Check out their iconic moments, watch some classic tournaments, or even get out on the course yourself!
And if you’re interested in other sports legends, don’t miss our article on the top 12 swimming legends in history.
