How Much Do You Know About the Greatest Golfers of All Time?

SPORTS

By: Gavin Thagard

5 Min Quiz

Image: shutterstock

About This Quiz

Birdies, eagles, and a hole in one; these are the golfers that made these shots look easy, as they left viewers in awe when they did the seemingly impossible. 

The sport of golf has a long history that dates back to Scotland in the 1400s, but the Open Championship, which was the first major championship played in golf, wasn't played until 1860. Since then, three other majors have been added as the game has become a global phenomenon, both professionally and for amateurs. Of course, nothing has been more impressive about the game of golf than its players. 

As the prominence of golf rose over the course of the late-19th century and early-20th century, the stars of the sport rose to fame as well. Golfers became icons and legends, and today, many of them are known around the world. They inspire through their competitiveness and achievements, which go beyond our and maybe even their wildest imaginations. 

How much do you know about the greatest players in golf, though? Do you know who won the earliest majors or those innovators who revolutionized the game? If you're a golf historian or even just a fan, this quiz is for you. Take it and show everyone how much you know about the greatest golfers of all time!

Who was nicknamed "The King?"

Arnold Palmer was famous for drinking a mixture of tea and lemonade. The drink has since become known as an Arnold Palmer.

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How many major titles does Arnold Palmer have?

Palmer was the first golfer to win the Masters Tournament four times. He won his first Masters in 1958.

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Where was Arnold Palmer from?

Palmer helped spread the game of golf to fans from all backgrounds. Before him, it was only seen as a game for the wealthy.

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When was Palmer named Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year?

With the rise of television in the '50s and '60s, Palmer was able to utilize it to achieve a higher level of fame. He was well-liked by viewers because of his charisma, which came out while he played.

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Arnold Palmer was a founder of which television channel?

By the 1990s, the popularity of golf had risen substantially, and the sport had a huge television following. With the help of Joe Gibbs, an entrepreneur, Palmer established the Golf Channel, a more specialized channel for golf.

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Who co-founded the Masters Tournament?

The Masters Tournament is one of professional golf's four major championships. Play began at the tournament in 1934, with the first winner being Horton Smith.

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What was Bobby Jones' full-time​ profession?

Bobby Jones only played golf as an amateur. However, he still managed to beat professional players like Walter Hagen and Gene Sarazen, two of the best for their time.

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How many Grand Slams did Bobby Jones win?

The idea of a Grand Slam was seemingly created by Bobby Jones. Today, he still is the only golfer to achieve a calendar-year Grand Slam.

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When did Bobby Jones retire?

Bobby Jones was only 28 when he retired from the sport. He still played in exhibition matches later in life.

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Who was known as "The Hawk?"

Ben Hogan was involved in a car crash that nearly ended his career. Through determination, he was able to come back and win six more majors.

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What was Ben Hogan known for?

Ben Hogan had a long and productive career in golf that lasted from 1930 until 1971. His success and longevity can be attributed to his revolutionary swinging techniques.

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Which was NOT one of Ben Hogan's five golf lessons?

Hogan's book detailing his golf techniques was called Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf. This book is still one of the most widely read golf books around.

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What country was Gary Player from?

Though from South Africa, Gary Player managed to win tournaments all over the world. In 1974, he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

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Where does Gary Player hold the record for wins?

Once called the South African Tour, the Sunshine Tour takes place each year in Southern Africa. The Tour started in the early 1970s.

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When did Gary Player win the U.S. Open?

Gary Player won the U.S. Open at the age of 29. This would be his fourth win, which covered all major tournaments, making him the only player not from America to achieve a career Grand Slam.

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Where was Annika Sorenstam from?

Annika Sorenstam was one of the most accomplished female golfers in the history of the game. During her career, she won 90 international tournaments, more than any other female golfer.

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How many LPGA Player of the Year awards did Annika Sorenstam earn?

Winning eight times, Sorenstam was awarded Player of the Year more than any other female golfer. During her career, she also won 10 major championships.

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What sport did Babe Didrikson Zaharias win a gold medal in?

Aside from golf, Zaharias played multiple other sports. She even won two gold medals in the 1932 Summer Olympics.

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When was Babe Didrikson Zaharias elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame?

Over the course of her career, Zaharias proved she was one of the greatest female athletes in history. Due to her success, she was named the Associated Press Female Athlete of the year six times.

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When was Gene Sarazen named the Associated Press Athlete of the Year?

Gene Sarazen was the first golfer to earn the Associated Press Athlete of the Year. The award started in 1931.

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Who was known for their "grip it and rip it" swing?

John Daly was one of the best long hitters in the game of golf. He was known for swinging as hard as he could at the ball and hoping for the best.

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When did Tiger Woods win his first major?

Tigers Woods became a professional golfer in 1996. By the middle of the next year, he had already won three PGA tours and a major. He was only 21 at the time.

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How many major championships does Tiger Woods have?

Tiger Woods has 79 PGA tour wins and 14 major championships. That puts him in second place for all-time in both categories.

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How many times was Tiger Woods named PGA Player of the Year?

From 1999 until 2003, Tiger Woods won the award five years straight. He was also named PGA Tour Player of the Year eleven times.

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Who leads Tiger Woods in all-time PGA tour wins?

Sam Snead played professional golf from 1931 until 1987, which means his career covered a span of six decades. He continued to impress people with his golfing ability even into his 70s and 80s.

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Which major did Sam Snead fail to win?

Sam Snead has seven major championships and 82 PGA tour wins. However, he was never able to complete a career Grand Slam by winning the U.S. Open.

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What was Sam Snead's nickname?

Sam Snead achieved the PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998. Only eleven people have achieved this award.

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Who won the most major championships?

Jack Nicklaus was born in Columbus, Ohio. He became a professional golfer at the age of 21.

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When did Jack Nicklaus win his last major?

Jack Nicklaus won 18 majors during his career. He also had 73 PGA tour wins, the third most of all time.

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Who did Jack Nicklaus defeat to win his first major championship?

The Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer rivalry dates back to 1960 when Palmer defeated Nicklaus by two strokes in the U.S. Open. Nicklaus got him back two years later in an 18-hole playoff.

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How many career Grand Slams does Jack Nicklaus have?

Jack Nicklaus won at least three times in all four major tournaments. His lowest total was in the Open Championship.

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Who helped found the LPGA?

Patty Berg holds the record for the most major titles by a female golfer with 15. She also has 60 LPGA tour wins, which is fourth all time.

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When did Patty Berg win the Bob Jones Award?

Patty Berg was the third woman to win the award. The other two were Babe Zaharias and Margaret Curtis.

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How many times was Mickey Wright named Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year?

Mickey Wright is still second of all-time​ in both major championships and LPGA tour wins. She has 13 championships and 82 tour wins.

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Who holds the record for most LPGA tour wins?

Kathy Whitworth earned $1 million in 1981 from her career as a golfer. She was the first female golfer to achieve this mark.

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