Explore our definitive list of the best golfers in history...
Since the mid-nineteenth century, golf has consistently produced a plethora of sporting superstars. Although the profile of today’s world-class players dwarfs the status of the game's early trailblazers, golfers have always received plenty of respect and adulation.
However, the sport has changed radically over the past half-century in a variety of different ways.
From an exclusive pastime enjoyed by the upper classes to an accessible recreational activity for the masses, the professionalisation of the game helped to break down social barriers. As a consequence, the golfing community – from grassroots through to the elite circuit – is now more culturally diverse than ever before, with players of all backgrounds hitting the course.
Technology continues to have an increasing impact on the sport, as players exploit the latest computerised aids and applications to improve their game. In the same spirit, advancements in club design have enabled modern-day golfers, whether competing in professional tournaments or against friends at the local municipal course, to hit the ball further and achieve greater accuracy.
Each of these significant developments has contributed to the surging popularity of the game, as people from all four corners of the globe begin to appreciate a sport that was previously considered a closed shop to many. Nevertheless, the positive evolution of golf has not served to alter its fundamental rules, complexity, and customs. It’s still a notoriously difficult sport to play, with only a select few capable of mastering the requisite techniques.
So, who are the best 10 golfers to have ever graced the course? We rank the individuals who have achieved the most throughout golf’s long and rich history, highlighting their myriad achievements in the process.
Explanation of ranking criteria
Given the sheer volume of talented golfers to choose from, the task of selecting a group of 10 best players feels like an almost insurmountable challenge. When compiling any set of rankings, it’s important to take a broad range of considerations into account. Within a golfing context, understanding a player’s performance against several key metrics will help us to determine our top 10 line-up.
Clearly, the most pertinent barometer of success in any sport is the total number of championships they win. Typically, the most prestigious competitions are the hardest to win. Therefore, concluding one of golf’s four majors – the Masters, PGA Championships, US Open, and The (British) Open – at the summit of the leaderboard demands a greater amount of credit than winning a standard event on the European Tour. Personal accolades, awards, and unique feats/achievements should also form part of the debate.
However, an individual’s trophy haul is not necessarily the most accurate measure to apply in this instance. Many have endured the hardship of competing in one of golf’s golden eras, compelling them to go toe-to-toe with some of the game’s legendary figures. Therefore, it would be unfair to dismiss these players by virtue of their tournament record.
Furthermore, we must consider the longevity of a player’s career and whether or not they delivered a consistent standard of performance over an extended period of time. The most difficult thing to achieve in any sport is a sustained level of success, as this requires a combination of mental resilience, physical endurance, and a bountiful supply of natural talent. There is no room for ‘one-hit’ wonders here.
Lastly, it’s also essential to acknowledge a player’s material influence on the sport. Whether it’s inspiring youngsters to participate, improving golf’s image within the public domain, or increasing the popularity of the game, there a multiple ways for players to extend their impact beyond the confines of the course. Arguably, this is equally (if not more) important than the size and scope of a player’s trophy cabinet.
The top 10 golfers of all time
To quote many a golf commentator around the world, let’s check out who made the cut…
10. Rory McIlroy
By the tender age of 25 years old, Rory McIlroy had already acquired three majors crowns and occupied first place in the world rankings. The Northern Irishman registered his first European Tour win at the Dubai Desert Classic in 2009, before earning a maiden trophy on American soil the following year. McIlroy’s victory at the 2010 Wells Fargo Championship saw him shoot a record score at the Quail Hollow Club, navigating the famous North Carolina course in just 62 strokes.
It wasn’t long before ‘Wee-Mac’ celebrated U.S Open and PGA Championship titles, as he began to cement his position amongst the big boys. A blockbuster 2014 produced wins at Royal Liverpool and Valhalla, causing many to draw comparisons with legends of the sport.
Unfortunately, the pressure of expectation weighed heavily on the gifted youngster, triggering a notable decline in performance. McIlroy failed to win a major for the next decade, although several FedEx Cups and a smattering of PGA Tour victories put a silver lining on a rather ominous cloud.
However, the two-time PGA Player of the Year award recipient has bounced back with a vengeance in 2025. After suffering a series of gut-wrenching moments in previous editions of the Masters, he would finally adorn the green jacket following a nail-biting play-off with Justin Rose. The final piece in the puzzle, McIlroy’s long-awaited Augusta triumph, resulted in him becoming only the sixth player in history to record a career grand slam.
9. Tom Watson
Widely regarded as one of the greatest links players of all time, Tom Watson was a bad-weather specialist with a proclivity for producing glorious shots from seemingly unplayable lies.
Watson lifted eight major titles throughout a glittering eight-year period, a feat made all the more remarkable given Jack Nicklaus’ constant menacing presence. The Missouri-born master enjoyed several tussles with his legendary American compatriot, culminating in the infamous ‘Duel in the Sun’ at Turnberry. Watson would edge Nicklaus on that particular occasion, birdieing the last two holes to win the 1977 Open Championship. The two-time Ryder Cup captain was again involved in late drama at the Ailsa Course over three decades later, losing to Stewart Cink in a four-hole play-off just two months before celebrating his 60th birthday.
Although the vast majority of his triumphs were delivered over a short timeframe, Watson continued to perform admirably against his younger peers until the very end of his highly decorated career. A true legend of the sport.
8. Phil Mickelson
A giant figure in the modern game, Phil Mickelson’s relentless consistency has enabled him to remain at the pinnacle of his profession for over 25 years. Mickelson has finished among the top five places in major tournaments on a remarkable 29 occasions, and racked up 45 PGA Tour victories in total.
Having become the oldest player ever to win the PGA Championship thanks to a stunning display at the Kiawah Island resort, ‘Lefty’ decided it was time for a new challenge. In 2022, he shocked the golfing world by jumping ship to the Saudi-controlled LIV Series, subsequently relinquishing his long-held PGA Tour membership. Although he’s failed to recapture his best form while competing in the controversial new league, Mickelson has undoubtedly super-charged his earnings over the past few years.
Regardless of whether or not you condone the charismatic Californian’s decision to become one of LIV’s first superstar recruits, there’s no denying his status as one of golf’s all-time greats.
7. Gary Player
Having accumulated an eye-watering 159 professional wins across the U.S., Europe, Australasia, Japan and his native South Africa, Gary Player captured the hearts and minds of millions of golf fans around the world. A fully paid-up member of one of the most exclusive clubs in golf, Player scooped all four majors during an extremely long and successful career.
Perhaps his most famous victory came in 1978, as the ‘Black Knight’ was awarded his third green jacket following yet another scintillating display at Augusta. After starting the final day of the 42nd Masters tournament in 10th position, Player recorded a record-equalling round of 64 to clinch the title by a single stroke, leapfrogging the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Tom Watson, and 54-hole leader Hubert Green.
Thanks to his enduring talent, the three-time Open Championship winner was able to transfer his formidable form onto the senior circuit in his vintage years, landing a further nine major titles amongst the company of his elder peers.
6. Arnold Palmer
Modest, down-to-earth, and proud of his working-class roots, Arnold Palmer was proof that ordinary people could thrive in a sport previously dominated by those with considerable wealth. As part of his role in the ‘Big Three’ alongside fellow icons Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus, Palmer catapulted golf into a new commercial and financial realm, generating colossal TV audiences and unprecedented sponsorship revenues.
Despite attaining seven major crowns amongst his 95 professional triumphs, the ‘King’ was never able to clinch an elusive PGA Championship victory. The Masters was a far more fertile hunting ground for the American ace, having received four green jackets in a stunning six-year sequence.
It was perhaps fitting that the last of his 62 PGA Tour wins came after a thrilling battle with a familiar foe, as Palmer pipped Nicklaus to the post to seal the Bob Hope Desert Classic title at California’s La Quinta Country Club.
5. Sam Snead
Throughout an astonishing career that spanned almost half a century, Sam Snead achieved a series of miraculous feats. In addition to competing in 44 consecutive editions of the Masters and winning the prestigious Greater Greensboro Open on a staggering eight occasions, Snead remains the only male golfer to earn an LPGA title following his exploits at the 1962 Royal Poinciana Invitational.
No other player has amassed more PGA Tour victories than the Virginia-born hero, although Tiger Woods may imminently surpass his tally. Snead also delivered a Masters and PGA Championship treble after securing a maiden major crown at St. Andrews in 1946.
It’s unlikely any player will ever come close to emulating the Slammer’s imperious longevity, while many of his scoring records should also withstand the test of time.
4. Bobby Jones
Despite opting to retire at a very early age, Bobby Jones squeezed more achievements into a seven-year window than most golfers could conjure in several lifetimes. The American dynamo won a remarkable 13 of the 31 majors he attended, completing a pro/am grand slam (the US and British Amateur Championships formed part of this accolade) in 1930. Incredibly, Jones also graduated from Harvard, studied at the Emory University School of Law, and passed the Georgia State bar exam during this limited timeframe.
After prematurely putting away his clubs, the four-time US Open winner continued to practice as a lawyer in his native Atlanta. Ironically, Jones’ golfing legacy is rooted in his ability to organise and innovate rather than the result of competitive successes. In addition to supporting the design and construction of the now world-famous Augusta National Golf Club, Jones co-founded the Masters tournament.
Therefore, his impact and influence have been felt on and off the course.
3. Ben Hogan
A technically gifted golfer with a warrior-like spirit, Ben Hogan was capable of demonstrating immense fortitude in the face of adversity. Having already sacrificed some of his best playing days while serving in the American Air Force during World War II, Hogan suffered serious injuries in a horrific car crash in 1949. Despite the enormity of these setbacks, the tenacious Texan was able to accumulate nine major crowns and a career grand slam.
Hogan is the only player in history to win the Masters, US Open and Open Championship (despite only competing in this tournament once – Carnoustie, 1953) in the same calendar year, although Jordan Spieth came mightily close to matching this sequence exactly a decade ago. He also held the US Open scoring record for over 50 years, sweeping through the Riviera in 276 shots before Tiger Woods’ twelve under par effort at Pebble Beach in 2000.
2. Jack Nicklaus
It’s difficult to quantify Jack Nicklaus' influence on the modern game, but we know today’s crop of golfers owe him an immense debt of gratitude. The Golden Bear brought a style and swagger to a sport sorely lacking in charismatic figures, while his win-at-all-costs attitude was a source of inspiration to many. As a direct result of his exploits, golf’s popularity exploded to a level that few could have scarcely imagined.
The proud holder of a vast number of course and tournament records, Nicklaus has more major wins (18), Masters titles (6), and Players Championship triumphs (3) than any other competitor. After lifting the coveted Ryder Cup on five occasions as a player, the Congressional Gold Medal recipient captained his country to glory over their European adversaries in 1983.
Although renowned for his raw power and strategic prowess, Nicklaus also demonstrated remarkable mental strength to keep a conveyor belt of titles ticking over, negotiating plenty of nerve-shredding play-offs, nightmare holes, and testing opponents en route to victory.
1. Tiger Woods
The most compelling feature of Tiger Woods’ reign was not so much the enormous volume of trophies he accrued, but the winning margins he would engineer.
Woods broke the all-time Masters scoring record in 1997, completing four rounds of Augusta in 270 swings to dismantle the field. Three years later, the all-conquering Californian concluded the US Open 15 shots ahead of joint runners-up Miguel Ángel Jiménez and Ernie Els. The ‘Tiger Slam’ was born at the beginning of the twentieth century, as Woods became the only player in history to hold all four major titles simultaneously.
Although it initially seemed his era of domination would continue until his retirement, a series of factors ultimately contributed to Tiger’s steady demise. Leveraging the benefits of updated club designs and stepping up their respective fitness regimes, rivals began to match his power and precision from the tee. Moreover, revelations about Woods’ private life would trigger a rapid decline. The 11-time PGA Tour Player of the Year went a decade without winning a major, eventually securing a fifth green jacket at the end of this barren spell.
Woods may now be somewhat of a spent force, but it’s unlikely any golfer will ever establish such a commanding hegemony in the game. His superhuman performances on the course not only delivered a steady flow of silverware but would also enthuse a generation of young African-Americans. For these reasons alone, Tiger is worthy of his number-one ranking.
Honourable mentions
Naturally, several legends of the game have narrowly missed out on a place in our top 10 list. There are admittedly a number of notable omissions, but this is an occupational hazard when ranking golf’s all-time greats.
Nevertheless, there are several players that we believe deserve an honourable mention…
Nick Faldo
Able to keep a cool head under pressure and utilise his imposing physical frame to power the ball down the fairway, Faldo was an uncompromising competitor. After winning the Masters for a third occasion in the spring of 1989, the Englishman landed the coveted BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. Having won six majors and 30 European Tour events throughout a trophy-laden career, Faldo received a knighthood for his services to golf in 2009.
Seve Ballesteros
One of golf’s good guys, Seve Ballesteros is credited with sparking the resurgence of the sport across the continent. Encapsulated by his unorthodox swing and cavalier attitude, crowds flocked to watch the charismatic Spaniard in action.
After finishing second at Royal Birkdale as a fresh-faced nineteen-year-old, Ballesteros returned to British soil to win the Open Championship on three separate occasions.
Brooks Koepka
Throughout a scintillating six-year period, Brooks Koepka scooped five major crowns and was ranked the world’s number-one golfer for 48 weeks. Although his stock has dwindled in recent seasons, Koepka still commands an enormous amount of respect.
Having fared better in his native homeland than on foreign shores, the formidable Floridian won two US Open titles before delivering a hat-trick of PGA Championship triumphs. Koepka migrated to the LIV series in June 2022, making his tournament debut at Pumpkin Ridge a month later. Since then, the 34-year-old has emerged victorious in five LIV events, having won contests in Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and the US.
Walter Hagen
Undoubtedly the best golfer on the planet during his prime, Walter Hagen was one of the first great players of the twentieth century. Although he managed to rack up multiple PGA Championship, US Open, and Open Championship titles, Hagen’s never managed to finish above eleventh place at the Masters.
Having encouraged organisers to find ways of generating prize money and emphasised the importance of advertising competitions to the general public, the ambitious New Yorker was a key advocate for the early commercialisation of the sport. Hagen also challenged the game’s established hierarchy, refusing to honour the dated policies of amateur-governed clubhouses while promoting the efforts of his fellow professionals.
What does the future hold?
Participation rates have risen exponentially in recent years, with more people picking up a set of clubs than ever before. This trend is particularly prevalent amongst younger demographics, as technological advances, such as stat-driven apps, laser rangefinders, and green reading tools, attract adolescent audiences.
Despite this, TV viewing figures have declined significantly of late. This is likely due to a huge increase in the number of digital entertainment platforms, enabling consumers to choose from a much wider range of content. Nevertheless, this is a development that will concern golf’s various stakeholders.
Although only two active players have made our top 10 list, the technical quality seen in professional golf tournaments is as high as it's ever been. The emergence of the LIV Series will only serve to further enhance playing standards, as participants on the PGA Tour attempt to stay one step ahead of those plying their trade in the Saudi-backed league.
Therefore, fresh faces may be added to our list of golf’s all-time greats in the coming years…