The history of Golf dates back to the 15th century in Scotland and throughout the centuries, there are athletes that mastered the sport and deem to be legends because of their individual stories and the achievements they received throughout their whole careers. Having said that, you may ask yourself, "Who is the greatest golfer of all time?" Therefore, here at Deemples, we have compiled the top 15 greatest golfers of all time and highlighted their career accomplishments.
Top 15 Greatest Golfers Of All Time
1. Jack Nicklaus
Nicknamed the “Golden Bear”, is rightfully known to be the best in Golf around the world. Having a record of 73 PGA tour wins and also the highest number of Major Championships with 18 times. The only other golfer that is often compared with Mr. Nicklaus is Tiger Woods (15 Majors). He also holds the highest number of top 10 finishes (73 times) and 56 times in the Top 5 finishers. Extremely consistent.
However, there has always been a debate in every analyst desk, golf media journalist, critic, and golf fan. Is Tiger Woods better than Jack Nicklaus? On paper, Jack Nicklaus is definitely way more consistent for a longer period of time and his performance during major tournaments is undeniable that Jack is better than Tiger. Jack Nicklaus is by far the best golfer of all time!
2. Tiger Woods
The banana hook, The Tiger fist pump, the Day 4 Redshirt, Mr. “Hello world”, Tiger the Artist. There are just so many defining factors in this massive portfolio that Tiger Woods popularised in the modern era of golf and not to mention his very impressive achievements throughout his career. He is considered the greatest golfer in modern golf history. In addition to that, he is also one of the most famous golf players in the world.
Tie-ing the most PGA tour wins with Sam Snead (82 wins) has a record of 11 PGA “Player of the year” awards. 15 Major tournaments (2nd in the history of Golf), and also played a major role in modernizing the sport by bringing in the large advertiser and also being one of the richest athletes in the world.
3. Ben Hogan
Even a near-death car accident does not stop the “hardest working” golfer. Mr. Hogan spends a lot of time practicing and developing golf swings that can be seen in Golf lessons until this day. In 1953, the “Hogan Slam” was one of his best achievements where he won all 3 Majors in a single calendar year.
The only other golfer with this achievement is Tiger Woods. This shows that golf doesn't need any natural talent to be good at the sport. All it takes is dedication and constant effort of proper golf practice to show results.
4. Arnold Palmer
Often known as “The King” amongst his notable fans, he plays one of the major roles in popularizing golf as a sport. Joined the PGA tour in 1955 and has 62 PGA tour victories. He has won seven major championships and has also been awarded the PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998.
His fans during the 60s grew exponentially when a fan brought a small sign that said: “Arnie’s Army” and that name stuck with the media when Mr. Palmer thanked his “army” during the post-Masters tournament press conference.
One thing we know about the 60s is that celebrities can reach peak stardom during that decade because of the media. Arnold Palmer represented the golf world and his “Army” of fans was always loud when he played in any tournament.
5. Gary Player
A South African golfer who is very well known for wearing all-black golf attire, deem him the title “The Black Knight” or “Mr. Fitness” or the “International Ambassador of Golf”. Mr. Player ended his career with nine total major victories. This includes 3 wins each for the Masters and Open Championship. He also has had 165 victories on 6 continents over the past 60 years.
6. Walter Hagen
One of the greatest golfers of the 20th Century, Mr. Hagen was the first American golfer to win the British Open in 1922. Mr. Hagen is one of the three greats that have more than 10 Major wins under their belt. The other 2 were Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus.
7. Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson is an American professional golfer known for his powerful left-handed swing and remarkable short game. Born on June 16, 1970, he has won six major championships, including three Masters titles. Nicknamed "Lefty," Mickelson is one of golf’s most popular and successful players, with over 45 PGA Tour wins and a career spanning more than three decades. In 2021, he became the oldest major champion in history by winning the PGA Championship at age 50.
8. Bobby Jones
Is the only amateur golfer on this list. Mr. Jones has ended his short 7 years golf career with 4 US Opens and 3 Open Championships due to poor health. However, this inspiring and very influential golfer went on to participate in the organization of Augusta National and co-founded the Masters.
9. Lee Trevino - "The Merry Mex"
Lee Trevino is a legendary American professional golfer known for his colorful personality and incredible ball-striking ability. Born on December 1, 1939, he rose from humble beginnings to become one of golf’s greatest players, winning six major championships, including two U.S. Opens, two Open Championships, and two PGA Championships. Nicknamed "The Merry Mex," Trevino is celebrated for his quick wit, unorthodox swing, and lasting impact on the game.
10. Seve Ballesteros
Seve Ballesteros was a charismatic Spanish professional golfer, widely regarded as one of the most talented and creative players in the sport's history. Born on April 9, 1957, he won five major championships—three Open Championships and two Masters—and was a pioneer for European golf on the world stage. Known for his flair, imagination, and passion, Ballesteros also played a key role in revitalizing the Ryder Cup, both as a player and captain. He passed away in 2011, leaving a lasting legacy in global golf.
11. Nick Faldo
Nick Faldo is a former English professional golfer and one of the most successful British players in golf history. Born on July 18, 1957, he won six major championships—three Masters and three Open Championships—known for his precise shot-making and calm demeanor under pressure. Faldo dominated golf in the late 1980s and early 1990s and later became a respected golf broadcaster. His disciplined approach and consistency made him a key figure in European golf’s rise on the international stage.
12. Sam Snead
This war veteran who fought in World War 1 has managed to snatch seven major victories. They include three Masters, three PGA Championships, and one US Open after returning from the war. Mr. Snead also has the most career PGA victories with 82, giving him the nickname, “Slammin’ Sammy”. He held the title for the most PGA tour wins for a long time before Tiger Woods tied his record in 2019.
13. Tom Watson
Being one of the most dominating golfers during the 70s and 80s, this Kansas City native had Byron Nelson as a mentor. Who helped Mr. Watson to win his first Major in 1975. He has placed in the top 10 at least 10 times in each of the four majors that he has participated in. The other golfer with the same achievement is none other than Jack Nicklaus himself.
14. Greg Norman - "The Shark"
Greg Norman is an Australian professional golfer and entrepreneur, known for his aggressive play and iconic nickname, "The Shark." Born on February 10, 1955, he won over 90 international tournaments, including two Open Championships. Norman held the world No. 1 ranking for 331 weeks during the 1980s and 1990s, one of the longest reigns in golf history. Though he had several near-misses in majors, his charisma and bold playing style made him a global golf star. He later built a successful business empire in course design, apparel, and wine.
15. Byron Nelson
An American Texas-born professional who joined the PGA Tour in 1932. Mr. Nelson has 52 PGA Tour wins under his belt. In 1945, he also won 11 consecutive wins between mid-March to mid-August. To commemorate that achievement, the Byron Nelson Championship is hosted by Dallas every year.
Frequently Asked Questions About Greatest Golfers of All Time
Who is the best golfer of all time?
Based on the number of victories alone, Jack Nicklaus is hands down the best golfer of all time. He has a total of 73 PGA Tour wins, 10 Champions Tour trophies, and overall 115 worldwide wins. So, that's the answer for who is the best golf player in the world and of all time.
Who is the most famous golfer?
Tiger Woods takes the spot as the most famous golfer. He is by far one of the best golfers today with extremely notable success. He has made a huge name for himself to the point where even non-golfers know who he is. Hence, Tiger Woods is definitely up there with all the other famous athletes in modern history.
Summary
These were the Top 15 Greatest Golfers of All Time according to our research. We are sure that there are at least a few of these legends that have inspired you to play golf.
Hopefully, you have enjoyed reading this. We have tons of fun articles for you on our Deemples. Also, if you are a newbie read our latest blog- Best Ever Golf Tips for Beginners!
