Greatest Golf Pros in History - PGA Pro Tips

Most Important Pros, Golfers Who Shaped the Game, Best Pro Players

Apr 29, 2009 John Hoskison

The seven greatest golf pros in history, from the early years to modern day. A brief summary of famous golfers who have shaped the swing and the way the game is played

While there have been many other fantastic pros, the following players have, without question, had a massive influence on the game in their own individual way

Bobby Jones – Ethos of Fair Play

Bobby Jones was the first golfing superstar. Although he never turned professional, he became idolised by the golfing public. Winning seven Major Championships, he was the most successful amateur golfer of all time and has had an influence on nearly every tournament professional since.

Bobby Jones designed and built the Augusta National golf course where the US Masters is played every year. Much of the games ethos of fair play came from Bobby Jones. He retired from competitive golf in 1930.

Ben Hogan – Father of Modern Swing

Hogan was a tough man after having had a tough up bringing. He was a fighter. In his early years he struggled with a hook but never quit and managed to win events on the US Tour. In 1949 he had a terrible car accident that almost crippled him for life.

But Hogan fought back, reinvented his swing, with a ‘magic’ move, and went on to dominate world golf winning the 'Hogan Slam' in 1953. Known as one of the greatest strikers ever, he wrote a book called ‘the Modern Fundamentals’ which became the bible for all aspiring pros. Hogan wasn’t the most charismatic man, but he was the father of the modern swing.

Arnold Palmer – Most Charismatic

Good looking, charismatic and wild. After the precision of Hogan, Palmer was a breath of fresh air. His fans adored him and became know as Arnie’s Army. Sponsors loved his swashbuckling style, and more than anyone, he was responsible for the modern day media interest in golf. Palmer would take on shots no one else would consider. Hitching up his pants, he’d look the shot in the eye, and attack.

Gary Player - Hardest Worker

Small, energetic and the grittiest golfer of all time. He was the first golfer to really exercise with weights to build up power. From South Africa, he travelled the world to play tournament golf, and claims he is the man who has flown more miles than anyone else – ever! His bunker play was incredible but his fighting instinct saw the better of many bigger men. Player was responsible for showing the world of golf what hard work could achieve.

Jack Nicklaus – Most Majors

Jack had an advantage in his early years – tremendous power, and it led to many tournament victories. Often, however, in his early years he beat ‘the King’ Arnold Palmer and was not popular because of it. In the late sixties he reinvented himself, and with blonde hair flowing became ‘The Golden Bear’.

Nicklaus had everything; power, touch, intelligence and bottle, and the golfing public learned to adore him. All combined it made him untouchable for nearly thirty years, during time which he accumulated 18 Majors. He could well turn out to be the best ever.

Nick Faldo – Modern Teaching Methods

Faldo struggled to win major events in his early years blowing up spectacularly several times. In the early 80s he disappeared to find the answer and eighteen months later came back with a new swing. For eight years Faldo dominated world golf and had such an influence he changed the way the swing is taught.

There are players who have won more than Faldo's six majors, but no one, apart from Hogan, has had such an influence on the game. Pre-Faldo there were many unorthodox swings on tour. Now, an unorthodox swing is as rare as a missed putt by Tiger Woods.

Tiger Woods – The Complete Professional

The golfing world holds its breath to see if he can overhaul the record of 18 Majors that Jack Nicklaus currently holds. It is a record that could never be beaten; yet Woods has it in his grasp with 14 in the bag already.

He has everything; touch, power, humility, guts, diplomacy and mystique. The recorders of golfing history wait with poised pen, he could be the best ever - he probably will be.

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