In our forums, our members have been discussing the best ball strikers in the history of the game. WRXer ‘Jtgavigan’ kicks off the thread with his list:
“Pre 1950 – Bobby Jones. I watch some of his old videos are marvel at what he could do.
1950s and 60s – Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Moe Norman (maybe the best ever honestly)
1970s and 1980s – Johnny Miller, Hal Sutton, Greg Norman, Lee Trevino, Mac O’Grady
1990s and 2000s – Tiger Woods, Nick Price
2010s until now – Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, and I think a guy like Colin Morikawa may sneak on here.”
And asks members who they feel are the best ball strikers by era. Our members share their thoughts.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- gvogel: “1940’s – Byron Nelson. 1960’s and 1970’s – Jack Nicklaus. Yes, he was a great putter, but practically no one could hit long, high long irons like Jack. Moe Norman was straight but short and really didn’t win anything at the highest levels. Best to leave him out of the conversation.”
- mahonie: “Late 1980s/1990s Faldo was untouchable…Seve, Olazabal, Sandy Lyle also phenomenal ball strikers in that time.”
- Dave230: “Lee Westwood is one of the best I’ve seen in the past 20 years. Top 100 player level for chipping and putting but tee to green the level of a great. Consistently competed in spite of his short game thanks to crisp iron shots and great driving. From 2008 to 2016, 9 top 3 finishes in majors and if he putted or chipped anywhere like Luke Donald did in those years, he would have won 5 or 6 majors.”
- double_d: “I think Sergio Garcia should be #3 on your 2000s list. He literally can’t putt.”
- Nels55: “Arnold Palmer was a tremendous ball striker, one of the best who ever lived. His putting let him down during a large portion of his career.”