10 Greatest Golfers in History [Ranked]

At first glance, golf might seem like a simple sport—just swing a club at a small ball and try to get it into a hole. But anyone who's ever picked up a club knows the truth: it's a game that demands countless hours of practice, only to send your very first drive of the round slicing into the trees more often than not.

Making it to the professional ranks is rare; reaching the top is even rarer. Yet, a select few golfers have done just that—and more. These players didn’t just play the game; they redefined it. Some mastered the mental side, meticulously calculating yardages and agonizing over club selection. Others possessed a raw, fearless instinct—just “grip it and rip it”—launching drive after drive with effortless precision.

From the rugged cliffs of Pebble Beach to the narrow, pine-lined fairways of Pine Valley… from the pristine greens of Augusta National to the hallowed turf of St Andrews, these golfers have left their mark on the most iconic and challenging courses across the globe.

Here are the 10 greatest golfers of all time, according to SB Nation.

Ranking criteria include:

• PGA Tour and Major victories

• Ryder Cup performances

• Historic achievements

• Overall impact on the sport

10. Sir Nick Faldo

Majors: 6

Starting off the list is a golfer whose brilliance earned him a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II in 2009 for his contributions to the sport. Sir Nick Faldo dominated the golf scene in the late 1980s and '90s in a way few others have managed.

Faldo captured six Major titles—three Open Championships and three Masters—cementing his place among the all-time greats. Notably, he became only the second player in history, after the legendary Jack Nicklaus, to win back-to-back Masters titles, accomplishing the feat in 1989 and 1990.

A key figure in five European Ryder Cup victories and a former world No. 1 for a combined 97 weeks, Faldo’s consistent excellence and mental toughness make him a worthy entry to kick off this elite list.

9. Seve Ballesteros

Majors: 5

A man often credited with transforming the Ryder Cup into what it is today, Seve Ballesteros was more than just a prolific winner—he was a trailblazer. With three Open Championships and two Masters titles to his name, Ballesteros' resume already places him among golf’s elite. But it's his legacy in team competition that truly sets him apart.

In 1979, Ballesteros, alongside Antonio Garrido, became one of the first players from continental Europe to compete in the Ryder Cup. This marked a pivotal moment in the tournament’s history, expanding its scope beyond just Great Britain and Ireland to include talent from across Europe.

Seve went on to play a key role in four Ryder Cup victories, including one as a non-playing captain. His passion, flair, and competitive fire redefined the event—and left an indelible mark on the sport.

8. Gary Player

Majors: 9

Gary Player racked up 24 PGA Tour victories and an impressive nine Major titles, firmly cementing his status as one of golf’s all-time greats. He achieved the coveted career Grand Slam—winning all four modern Majors—becoming the youngest to do so at the time and just the third player in history to accomplish the feat.

But Player’s legacy doesn’t end there. In 1961, he broke new ground as the first international golfer to win the Masters, opening the door for a global wave of talent in the years that followed. His relentless work ethic, global success, and trailblazing achievements continue to set him apart in the sport's rich history.

7. Phil Mickelson

Majors: 6

Phil Mickelson is the embodiment of longevity in golf, having spent over 25 consecutive years ranked inside the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking—a testament to his remarkable consistency and elite performance. With six Major championships and 45 PGA Tour victories to his name, Mickelson has been a dominant force in the sport for decades.

Perhaps even more iconic than his trophy cabinet is his distinctive left-handed swing, made all the more unique by the fact that he's naturally right-handed. As the story goes, he learned the game by mirroring his father’s swing, and the lefty stroke stuck. Nicknamed "Lefty," Mickelson also holds the record for the most Ryder Cup appearances, having represented Team USA in 12 editions of the prestigious event.

6. Bobby Jones

Majors: 7

A true pioneer of the sport, Bobby Jones remains the only golfer in history to achieve a pre-Masters Grand Slam, winning all four of the era’s Major championships in a single calendar year—1930. Between 1923 and 1930, he tallied 13 tournament victories, a remarkable run that stood unmatched for over four decades. At the height of his career, Jones wasn’t just a golf icon—he was one of the most famous athletes in the world.

But his influence extended well beyond the course. After retiring from competitive golf at just 28, Jones co-founded the legendary Augusta National Golf Club and, in 1934, played a pivotal role in establishing what would become one of the sport’s most prestigious events: the Masters Tournament. His legacy is woven into the very fabric of the game.

5. Arnold Palmer

Majors: 7

Arnold Palmer—widely regarded as the man who conquered Augusta—earned his place in golf history with seven Major titles, four of which came at the Masters. His dominance between 1960 and 1963 was nothing short of remarkable, claiming 29 of his 62 PGA Tour victories in that span, including five Majors. But Palmer’s impact extended far beyond his trophy haul.

More than just a champion, he was a transformative figure in the game. Alongside Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player—collectively known as "The Big Three"—Palmer helped revolutionize golf, taking it from an elite pastime into a sport embraced by the broader public. Charismatic and relatable, he connected with fans like no one before him, laying the foundation for golf’s global popularity today.

4. Sam Snead

Majors: 7

Sam Snead was still outplaying most golfers at 85, famously shooting a 78 on the Old White course at The Greenbrier in West Virginia. But his prime years were even more astonishing. With seven Major championships and a staggering 82 PGA Tour victories—a record only matched by Tiger Woods—Snead set a benchmark that few have ever come close to reaching. In fact, only Jack Nicklaus has managed to get within 10 wins of that total, a testament to Snead’s remarkable longevity and dominance in the sport.

3. Ben Hogan

Majors: 9

Kicking off the top three is arguably the greatest ball-striker the game has ever seen. Ben Hogan stands among just five players to have completed the career Grand Slam, a feat made even more remarkable given he only played in The Open Championship once. His iconic book on the golf swing has become a bible for players and coaches alike, shaping how the game is taught and played around the world. Perhaps most incredible of all, six of his nine Major titles came after surviving a near-fatal car crash—an accident that doctors said might leave him unable to walk. It was his unmatched work ethic, fierce determination, and pure natural talent that solidify Hogan’s place among golf’s all-time elite.

2. Jack Nicklaus

Majors: 18

The battle for the top spot is so close, it could be decided by the flip of a coin. But sitting just behind the leader is one of the most decorated golfers in history—Jack Nicklaus. With a record 18 Major titles among his 73 PGA Tour wins, including a remarkable six Masters victories, Nicklaus defined consistency and excellence across three decades. He still holds the record for the most wins at the Masters, U.S. Open, and PGA Championship. Even after hanging up his clubs, his influence on the game continued to grow. Through Nicklaus Design, he became one of the most prolific and respected golf course architects in the world, shaping the sport both on and off the course.

1. Tiger Woods

Majors: 15

The undisputed face of modern golf, Tiger Woods is a generational icon who transformed the sport and inspired millions to pick up a club. With 82 PGA Tour victories—tied for the most all time—alongside five Masters titles, four PGA Championships, three U.S. Opens, three Open Championships, and two FedEx Cups, his résumé is as staggering as his impact. Crowds from around the world flocked just to witness his brilliance, and even those with little knowledge of golf know his name. Woods didn’t just win—he redefined dominance, shattered records, and elevated golf to new heights. His legacy as the greatest golfer of all time is cemented, and he rightfully stands among the most iconic athletes in sporting history.