20 Greatest Golfers of All Time Ranked by Fans

The sport of golf experiences a constant stream of up-and-coming players, attempting to etch their names into golfing folklore, trying to reach the heights of the trailblazers that preceded them.

As the game grows and captivates audiences worldwide, those who have proven their undoubted prowess, with iconic moments and memorable performances, provide inspiration for those taking their first steps onto a tee box.

From legends who developed the game in the 50s and 60s, to the household names of modern times, over 11k voters on Ranker have had their say on who are the greatest to ever swing a golf club.

10

Byron Nelson

Majors: 5

Affectionately dubbed ‘Lord Byron’ by adoring fans, Nelson dominated golf in the late 1930s and 40s. With an incredible run of 11 consecutive PGA Tour victories in 1945 (a record which still stands today), Nelson achieved two PGA Championships, having also won the Masters twice and a US Open. While he certainly had a lasting impact during his playing days, he also served as a mentor to many top golfers, including Tom Watson, after retiring in 1946. His legacy in the game still holds strong, with the annual Byron Nelson Championship honouring his lasting impact on the sport.

9

Walter Hagen

Majors: 11

As one of the earliest superstars of the golfing world, Walter Hagen paved the way in the 20s. Having won the first of his 11 Majors at the US Open in 1914, fans were drawn to Hagen’s stylish clothing and extravagant lifestyle. But it wasn’t just his showmanship which secured his place on this list. With four Opens and five PGA Championships, the American was instrumental in growing the sport and increasing the prize money offered at tournaments.

8

Tom Watson

Majors: 8

In an era featuring the likes of Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, Tom Watson’s eight Major victories may prove more impressive than others. Under the stewardship of Byron Nelson, Watson was the joint-second-most successful player at The Open, having won it five times. While his prime may have been in the 70s and 80s, Watson aged like a fine wine, having led for the majority of the 2009 edition of The Open Championship, at the age of 59, only to lose in a four-hole playoff on the final day. Throughout his career, he also wrote multiple books, influencing swathes of young golfers.

7

Gary Player

Majors: 9

With his 1965 victory at the US Open, the South African became the youngest person to achieve a modern, career Grand Slam at the time, highlighting his natural golfing ability. With three wins apiece at both the Masters and The Open, alongside two PGA Championships, Player quickly asserted himself at the top of the golfing world. In a sport which was dominated by Americans, Gary Player was the first international to win at Augusta, and helped grow the game outside of the States.

6

Bobby Jones

Majors: 7

A true trailblazer of the sport, Bobby Jones is the most successful amateur golfer of all time. He is the only player to have completed the pre-Masters Grand Slam, and did so in 1930, winning the US Open, British Open, US Amateur, and British Amateur in the space of a year. While he was one of the most well-known athletes at the time, his biggest impact on the world of golf was in 1932, when he co-founded the prestigious Augusta National Golf Club, and helped set up the iconic Masters.

5

Sam Snead

Majors: 7

With 82 PGA Tour victories under his belt, the only person to compete with Sam Snead’s record is the legendary Tiger Woods, who sits level. With three wins at both the Masters and PGA Championship, and the 1946 Open Championship, Snead came ever-so close to adding his name to the list of Grand Slam winners, having come second at the US Open four times. However, what may be even more impressive, is when he shot an eight-over par on the Old White course at The Greenbrier, at the age of 85, a feat many golfers could only dream of replicating in their prime.

4

Arnold Palmer

Majors: 7

Very few have been successful around Augusta National, but nobody mastered the Masters like Arnold Palmer did. Between 1958 and 1964, Palmer became the first person to win four Masters. His wins at Augusta, paired with his two British Opens and the US Open, gained him widespread attention. One third of golf’s ‘Big Three’, alongside Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, Arnold Palmer has been held in high esteem by many for the work he did to progress the game, popularising the sport and making it more accessible for those from all backgrounds.

3

Ben Hogan

Majors: 9

As one of only six players to have won all four Majors, Hogan’s achievements in golf are highlighted by the exceptional circumstances in which he did so. Having won two PGA Championships and a US Open, Hogan sustained a near-fatal car accident, after which, doctors told him he may never be able to walk again. But with sheer determination and rigorous training, Hogan bounced back, adding another three US Opens, two Masters, and a British Open to his array of achievements. His impeccable ball-striking ability was revolutionary in the world of golf, and his book on golf swings provided insights for millions of golfers the world over.

2

Tiger Woods

Majors: 15

As the most recognisable face of modern golf, Tiger Woods is a household name. An inspiration to young golfers all over the world, his list of accolades and records set him apart from any other golfer of the modern era. A record-equalling 82 PGA Tour wins, an astounding 15 Majors, with five Masters, four PGA Championships, three US Opens, and three Open Championships, Tiger has set the bar for those who want to become the most elite of golfers. His record winning margin of 12-strokes in the 1997 Masters still holds today and his chip on the 16th hole on the final day of the 2005 Masters will forever be seen as one of the greatest moments in golfing history.

1

Jack Nicklaus

Majors: 18

Jack Nicklaus, ‘The Golden Bear’. Widely regarded as the best golfer of all time, only challenged by Tiger Woods. With 18, he holds the record for the most Majors won, with six coming at Augusta, five PGA Championships, four US Opens, and three British Opens. The most decorated golfer to have graced the sport, Nicklaus’ consistency over his two-decade-long career created a lasting legacy which encourages budding golfers, even today. And while his golfing achievements may never be replicated, his non-playing influence has been just as significant, having helped design some of the greatest courses on every corner of the globe, and setting up the largest course design company in the world, Nicklaus Design. A true great of the game, Jack Nicklaus will forever be hailed by many as the greatest golfer of all time.

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