re: Top 10 golfers of all-time

why isn't the greatest of all time list just a list of total major wins? apparently, that is the only criteria relevant when comparing tiger to jack.

1. Nicklaus
2. Woods
3. Hagen
4. Hogan
5. Watson
6. Palmer
7. Player
8. Snead
9. Sarazen
10. Jones

I had a hard time leaving Trevino off.

No Curtis Strange??

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For the record, I believe Jack is still the GOAT and Tiger has a chance to pass him in time, but Tiger in his prime was unstoppable

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For the record. Nicklaus was matched up against several legendary players over most of his career. Tiger was not. Not only did Nicklaus win 18 majors but he finished second 17 times and had 51 career top five finishes in majors. All of these were over a 25 year span.

In 18 years Woods has won 14 majors but has finished second only 6 times and has a total of 29 top 5 finishes. He'd better do some serious work over the next 7 years to even approach Nicklaus body of work in majors.

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For the record. Nicklaus was matched up against several legendary players over most of his career

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this can also mean the fields were weaker allowing a certain group to constantly win

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Harry Vardon is maybe the greatest golfer in history

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Vardon is a legend of the game but that is hard to quantify. He won 6 British Opens, but at a time when he played against nobody else who even comes close to this list. The only reason he makes the top 10 in my mind is his US Open win to complement the Open wins.

Palmer, Player and Nicklaus (and Trevino to boot) all took majors from each other and still all make the list

If one takes a weighted score of Major wins (50%), total PGA wins (30%), and other Professional wins such as EU Tour, Asia Tour, etc (20%), here's what you come up with:

1. Woods - weighted score of 35.8
2. Nicklaus 34.9
3. Snead 32.7
4. Hagen 25
5. Hogan 24.5
6. Palmer 22.9
7. Nelson 20.5
8. Player 19.3
9. Mickelson 17.9
10. Watson 16.5

Next notables: Thomson, Sarazen, Vardon, Trevino, Faldo, Seve, Jones

Of note is the fact that earlier professional such as Jones, Vardon, and Hagen may have higher scores if they would have had more tournament opportunities as well as air travel at their disposal.

Also, Gary Player is much higher on the list if you count his 73 Sunshine (South African Tour) wins.

If 70% emphasis were used for Major wins, the list would look like this:

1. Nicklaus 29.2
2. Woods 28.1
3. Snead
4. Hagen
5. Hogan
6. Palmer
7. Nelson
8. Player
9. Watson
10. Mickelson

Personally, I think 50% emphasis is about right for judging a career though some seem to think it's only majors that count.

i cannot agree with any top 10 list that does not include bobby jones. he, like the other greats of the day were ametuers (sp). and, like old tom morris was THE face of golf around the world.

golf is way more competitive and has better golfers now than back in the day...guys are being taught the fundamentals and basics from their swing coaches at a much earlier age