There is no completely objective way to rank golfers from different eras. Equipment, course setup, field depth and tournament schedules have all changed. For this list, we give the most weight to major championships, career wins, dominance against the best players of the era, longevity and lasting influence on the game.

Who Is the Greatest Golfer of All Time?

We rank Jack Nicklaus as the greatest golfer of all time, with Tiger Woods a very close second.

Nicklaus still owns the record with 18 men's professional major championships and also won 73 times on the PGA Tour. Woods has 15 majors and shares the PGA Tour career-wins record with Sam Snead at 82. The argument between them comes down to what you value more: Nicklaus' unmatched major record and longevity, or Woods' peak dominance and overall impact on modern golf.

Major championships are a major part of this ranking. If you are new to the sport, our guide explains the four major golf tournaments and why they matter so much when comparing careers.

Top 5 Golfers of All Time at a Glance

For a wider look at career victories, see our list of players with the most PGA Tour wins.

The Best Male Golfers Ever

1. Jack Nicklaus

Jack Nicklaus sits at the top of our list because his record in the biggest championships remains unmatched. The Golden Bear won 18 professional majors and 73 PGA Tour events. His major record includes six Masters titles, five PGA Championships, four U.S. Opens and three Open Championships.

The numbers become even more impressive when you look beyond his victories. Nicklaus finished runner-up in majors 19 times and recorded 56 top-five major finishes. His first major came at the 1962 U.S. Open and his last at the 1986 Masters, giving him elite-level success across more than two decades.

That combination of major victories, consistency and longevity is why we give Nicklaus the narrow edge in the greatest-of-all-time debate.

2. Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods has the strongest case for taking the number-one spot from Nicklaus. Woods won 15 professional majors and 82 PGA Tour events, tying Sam Snead for the most recognised PGA Tour wins.

His best periods were unlike almost anything professional golf had seen. Woods held the world number-one position for long stretches, won four consecutive professional majors across 2000 and 2001 in what became known as the "Tiger Slam", and repeatedly won major championships by huge margins.

His influence also went far beyond trophies. Woods brought new audiences to golf, changed expectations around fitness and preparation, and became the defining player of his generation.

3. Ben Hogan

Ben Hogan is remembered as one of the finest ball strikers the sport has produced. He won nine professional major championships and 64 PGA Tour events, while also completing the career Grand Slam.

His career is even more remarkable because of the serious car accident he suffered in 1949. Hogan returned to elite competition and went on to win six more majors after the crash. His 1953 season remains one of golf's great achievements, as he won the Masters, U.S. Open and Open Championship in the same year.

Hogan's technique continues to influence golfers and coaches today. If you are working on your own mechanics, see our guide on how to improve your golf swing.

4. Sam Snead

Sam Snead combined an effortless-looking swing with extraordinary longevity. His 82 PGA Tour victories remain tied with Tiger Woods for the most in Tour history, while his seven major championships place him among the most successful players of his era.

Snead won three Masters, three PGA Championships and one Open Championship. He remained competitive for decades and became famous for his smooth rhythm and athletic movement, earning the nickname "Slammin' Sammy".

He never won the U.S. Open, which is one reason we place Hogan ahead of him, but his total number of victories makes it impossible to leave him out of a top-five discussion.

5. Arnold Palmer

Arnold Palmer won 62 PGA Tour events and seven major championships, but his place in golf history is about more than numbers. "The King" became one of the sport's first true television-era superstars and helped take professional golf to a much wider audience.

Palmer won four Masters titles, two Open Championships and one U.S. Open. His aggressive style, charisma and relationship with fans created "Arnie's Army" and helped reshape how professional golfers connected with the public.

Others have won more majors, but few players have combined elite success and cultural influence in the way Palmer did.

Other Legendary Golfers Worth Mentioning

Any top-five list leaves out exceptional players. Gary Player won nine professional majors and completed the career Grand Slam. Walter Hagen won 11 professional majors. Bobby Jones dominated the amateur and professional championships of his era, while Seve Ballesteros transformed European golf with five major wins and unforgettable Ryder Cup performances.

Modern stars are still adding to their records, which is why historical rankings can change over time. Current world rankings are a very different measure from all-time greatness, but our guide to golf world rankings explains how today's ranking system works.

The 5 Greatest Female Golfers of All Time

Women's professional golf has its own history, major structure and record books, so direct comparisons with the men's game are not always useful. For this list, we look at LPGA victories, major championships, dominance and influence on the growth of women's golf.

The women's game continues to grow around the world. You can read more about that development in our guide to why more women are playing golf.

1. Annika Sorenstam

Annika Sorenstam is our choice as the greatest female golfer of all time. The Swedish star won 72 LPGA Tour titles and 10 major championships, completed the career Grand Slam and became the first woman in 58 years to compete in a PGA Tour event when she played the 2003 Bank of America Colonial.

Her dominance was built on accuracy, fitness, preparation and relentless consistency. She also became the first woman to shoot 59 in an LPGA Tour event, one of the signature achievements of her career.

2. Mickey Wright

Mickey Wright has one of the strongest statistical cases for the number-one position. She won 82 LPGA Tour titles and 13 major championships, and completed the career Grand Slam.

Her swing became almost as famous as her results. Ben Hogan was among those who praised its quality, and Wright's combination of rhythm, power and precision helped her dominate women's golf during the late 1950s and 1960s.

3. Kathy Whitworth

Kathy Whitworth holds the record with 88 LPGA Tour victories, more than any other player in LPGA history. She won six major championships and built her reputation through remarkable consistency across more than two decades.

Whitworth was also the first female golfer to reach $1 million in career earnings. Her record of 88 victories gives her a unique place in any discussion of the greatest women to play the game.

4. Patty Berg

Patty Berg remains the record holder for the most recognised women's major championships with 15. She also won 60 LPGA Tour events and was one of the 13 founding members of the LPGA.

Her influence therefore came from both competition and leadership. Berg helped build the professional women's game while also producing one of the strongest championship records in its history.

5. Louise Suggs

Louise Suggs was another founding member of the LPGA and one of its earliest dominant champions. She won 58 LPGA Tour events and 11 major championships.

Suggs was also the first LPGA member to complete the career Grand Slam. Her achievements on the course and her role in establishing the LPGA make her one of the most important players in women's golf history.

How Do You Compare Golfers from Different Eras?

There is no perfect formula. A golfer from the 1940s played different equipment, courses, schedules and fields from a modern professional. That is why simply counting trophies does not tell the whole story.

For an all-time comparison, the most useful factors are major championships, overall victories, dominance relative to the golfer's era, longevity and influence on the sport. That approach is why Nicklaus and Woods remain at the centre of the men's debate, while Sorenstam, Wright, Whitworth, Berg and Suggs all have different claims in the women's game.

Greatest Golfers of All Time FAQs

Who is the greatest golfer of all time?

We rank Jack Nicklaus first because of his record 18 professional major championships, 73 PGA Tour wins and exceptional major consistency. Tiger Woods is a very close second and has a strong argument based on peak dominance and his 82 PGA Tour victories.

Is Tiger Woods better than Jack Nicklaus?

It depends on the criteria. Nicklaus leads Woods 18 to 15 in professional major victories, while Woods has 82 PGA Tour wins compared with Nicklaus' 73. Woods also produced arguably the more dominant peak, so both have a strong claim.

Who has won the most men's major championships?

Jack Nicklaus holds the record with 18 professional major championship victories. Tiger Woods is second with 15.

Who has the most PGA Tour wins?

Tiger Woods and Sam Snead share the recognised PGA Tour record with 82 victories each.

Who is the greatest female golfer of all time?

We rank Annika Sorenstam first because of her 72 LPGA victories, 10 majors, career Grand Slam and dominance in the modern era. Mickey Wright, Kathy Whitworth and Patty Berg also have strong statistical cases.

Which female golfer has the most LPGA Tour wins?

Kathy Whitworth holds the LPGA Tour record with 88 career victories.

Which female golfer has won the most majors?

Patty Berg holds the recognised women's major record with 15 titles.

Final Thoughts

Golf's greatest-player debate will always be subjective, but Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods stand apart in the men's game because of their major records, victories and long periods of dominance. Hogan, Snead and Palmer complete our top five because each combined elite results with a lasting influence on the sport.

Women's golf has its own group of record-breaking legends. Sorenstam, Wright, Whitworth, Berg and Suggs built careers that changed the professional game and established records that are still central to the sport's history.