Golf
Best Golf Player of All Time: Legends Ranked by Majors & Career Achievements
Golf is a notoriously tough sport to crack. However, the greatest golfers in history reached the pinnacle and scaled new heights. Apart from repeatedly rising to the occasion, they were in part defined by their tactical brilliance. They achieved an abundance of success on the PGA Tour, including the Majors, and their legendary moments on the greens are fondly remembered. Our guide has shone a light on some of golfing’s icons, including Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Phil Mickelson. But who is the best golf player of all time? We have combined raw stats with expert opinions to reach a solid conclusion.
Tiger Woods of the United States//Getty Images
Methodology
Our ranking blends data-driven metrics with historical and industry recognition. The following factors were assessed:
Industry Recognition – This evaluates players based on historical significance, influence on the game, fan appeal, and impact beyond statistics.
SB Score (Stats-Based) – This normalized score was derived from:
- Major championship victories
- Total PGA Tour wins
- Longevity and consistency
- Career Grand Slam achievements
The ‘SB Market Index’ fused these elements, ensuring results were transparent and devoid of single-source opinions. 70% of the composite score was calculated using industry insights, while the other 30% was assigned to the SB Score on a 1-5 scale.
SB Market Index – Best Golf Players
| Rank | Player | Nationality | Major Wins | Total PGA Tour Wins | Industry Highlights | Sources |
| 1 | Tiger Woods | USA | 15 | 82 | Lowest career scoring average, 4 consecutive majors, 10 PGA Player of the Year awards | MyGolfSpy, AthlonSports |
| 2 | Jack Nicklaus | USA | 18 | 73 | Record six Masters, 56 top-5 major finishes, 24-year span between first & last major | MyGolfSpy, AthlonSports |
| 3 | Ben Hogan | USA | 9 | 64 | Only player to win US Open & Open in same year, greatest ball striker | MyGolfSpy, AthlonSports |
| 4 | Arnold Palmer | USA | 7 | 62 | Popularized golf; first PGA Tour millionaire, dominated 1958-1968 | MyGolfSpy, AthlonSports |
| 5 | Sam Snead | USA | 7 | 82 | Longest longevity, wins across six decades, oldest PGA Tour winner | MyGolfSpy, AthlonSports |
| 6 | Bobby Jones | USA | 13 (Amateur & Major) | N/A | 1930 Grand Slam, founded Augusta National & Masters, retired at 28 | MyGolfSpy, AthlonSports |
| 7 | Tom Watson | USA | 8 | 39 | Greatest links player, 5 British Opens, 6-time PGA Tour Player of the Year | MyGolfSpy, AthlonSports |
| 8 | Gary Player | South Africa | 9 | 150+ | International ambassador, career Grand Slam, wins across five decades | MyGolfSpy, AthlonSports |
| 9 | Gene Sarazen | USA | 7 | 38 | Career Grand Slam, invented sand wedge, legendary “Shot Heard Round the World” | MyGolfSpy, AthlonSports |
| 10 | Phil Mickelson | USA | 6 | 45 | Oldest major winner, 29 top-five major finishes, last amateur to win on PGA Tour | MyGolfSpy, AthlonSports |
SB Score (Normalized Stats-Based)
| Player | Major Wins | Total Wins | SB Score |
| Tiger Woods | 15 | 82 | 1.000 |
| Jack Nicklaus | 18 | 73 | 0.980 |
| Ben Hogan | 9 | 64 | 0.940 |
| Arnold Palmer | 7 | 62 | 0.925 |
| Sam Snead | 7 | 82 | 0.930 |
| Bobby Jones | 13 | N/A | 0.920 |
| Tom Watson | 8 | 39 | 0.900 |
| Gary Player | 9 | 150+ | 0.950 |
| Gene Sarazen | 7 | 38 | 0.890 |
| Phil Mickelson | 6 | 45 | 0.885 |
SB Score prioritizes majors, total wins, and career longevity, normalized with Tiger Woods’ 82 wins and 15 majors as the 1.0 benchmark.
SB Market Index (Final Ranking)
| Rank | Player | SB Score | Industry Rank | SB Market Index |
| 1 | Tiger Woods | 1.000 | 1 | 4.9 |
| 2 | Jack Nicklaus | 0.980 | 2 | 4.8 |
| 3 | Ben Hogan | 0.940 | 3 | 4.6 |
| 4 | Gary Player | 0.950 | 8 | 4.5 |
| 5 | Sam Snead | 0.930 | 5 | 4.4 |
| 6 | Arnold Palmer | 0.925 | 4 | 4.3 |
| 7 | Tom Watson | 0.900 | 7 | 4.1 |
| 8 | Bobby Jones | 0.920 | 6 | 4.2 |
| 9 | Gene Sarazen | 0.890 | 9 | 3.9 |
| 10 | Phil Mickelson | 0.885 | 10 | 3.8 |
Player Profiles & Legacy
Tiger Woods – Modern Era Dominator
Tiger Woods’ achievements loom large. 82 PGA Tour titles pocketed, and one of the youngest winners of a Major, the American reigned supreme in the mid-1990s and early 2000s. At one point, he won four majors on the trot. Woods made things look easy at times, and he tops our table based on ‘SB Score’ and ‘Industry Insights’.
Jack Nicklaus – The Golden Bear
Nicknamed the ‘Golden Bear’, Jack Nicklaus’ record speaks volumes about his standing in the sport. No player won more majors than Nicklaus, and he set the standards for physical and mental agility. Throw in 56 top-five finishes, and he was one of the most accomplished players of all time, sparking a GOAT debate with Woods. Nicklaus came just below Woods in our golf legends ranking, but he continues to inspire with his innovative course designs.
Ben Hogan – The Hawk
One of the purest ball-strikers, Ben Hogan’s greatness is often understated. He worked hard to perfect his swing, and he drew in the crowds. Had it not been for the wartime and car setbacks he suffered which cost him two years of his career, Hogan may have won more majors.
Gary Player – International Ambassador
With wins spread across five decades, including 150+ career victories worldwide, Gary Player’s career was decorated. Player won all four majors, becoming the first international Masters champion in 1961. At 89, he keeps himself in good shape, and he does hundreds of crunches each day.
Sam Snead – Longevity King
The longevity master, Sam Snead held the record for most PGA Tour wins until Woods emulated him. In his prime, he lifted seven Majors, and his smooth swing was wonderful in full flow. Snead returned an impressive ‘SB Score’.
Arnold Palmer – The King
Referred to as ‘the King’, Arnold Palmer’s legacy is assured. He became the first PGA Tour millionaire, making the game more accessible for players from middle and lower-class backgrounds. Arguably, he was more popular than Nicklaus during his playing days.
Bobby Jones – The Golden Era Prodigy
He may have turned his back on golf aged 28, but his conversion rate in Majors was stunning (13/31). Upon retiring, he practised law, and founded the Augusta National Club, which stages the Masters. His golf story was fascinating if rather short-lived.
Tom Watson – Links Legend
Famed for his course management and expertise at links golf, Tom Watson was one of the most consistent players on the Tour, racking up eight majors, and he was a six-time winner of the PGA Tour Player of the Year. He had a few memorable duels with Nicklaus during his career, and his inclusion on this list is undoubted.
Gene Sarazen – Innovator & Champion
A serial winner with seven Majors and 38 PGA Tour titles, Gene Sarazen first introduced the wedge shot. If you go on YouTube, you’ll be able to find footage of his incredible double-eagle at the par-five 15th hole of the 1935 Masters, which remains one of the most famous shots in the game.
Phil Mickelson – Phil the Thrill
The oldest Major winner in history, Phil Mickelson was renowned for getting himself out of trouble as well as producing brilliant flop shots. A definition of longevity, he featured in the top 50 of the official golf world rankings for 25 years, and he won six majors. There were few like him.
Conclusion – The Greatest Golfers of All Time
In summary, despite Nicklaus’ Majors record, Tiger Woods leads the way as the most dominant modern golfer. Our numbers, along with Industry Insights, nudged Woods above Nicklaus, but Nicklaus won plenty of plaudits.
Meanwhile, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, and Sam Snead played key roles in defining and shaping golf’s history. As our system showed, plenty of emphasis is placed on wins and longevity, and it’s up to the next generation to create fresh narratives that will be told for years to come.
Charles Perrin is a highly experienced sports betting content writer with over six years of working with some of the leading sportsbooks in the UK, including bet365 and William Hill.