Scratch Golfer

Mark Wainfor, a PGA qualified pro golfer since 1989, has up to 20 years as a PGA Golf Professional to his name. He’ll share his top golf tips and experiences with you here

The 20 Most Influential People In Golf History

Facts & Figures of the Golfing Greats

Hi everybody! My latest blog lists the people who have had a huge influence on the game we all love so much. Not only the Pros! Teachers, architects and clubmakers are among my top 20. Do you agree with my selection? Read on and let me know on Facebook...

Young Tom Morris (see picture). The first child prodigy in golf. In 1868 he won the Open Championships at age 17.
Harry Vardon. Golf's first megastar. Winner of 6 Open Championships and inventor of the Overlapping Grip.
Bobby Jones. Perhaps the greatest golfer ever. Winner of the "Grand Slam," all four Majors of his era in one season.
Walter Hagen. Responsible for raising the stature of golf pros in the 20s, an age when the "Amateur Gentleman" ruled the game.
Samuel Ryder. Founder of the Ryder Cup in 1927.
Ben Hogan. 9 times Major Champion. The best ball striker of all time.
Douglas Barder. Founder of the Barder Foundation, a charity which supports amputees. Douglas lost both his legs in WW2. Despite this he played off Hcp 2.
Gary Player. 9 times Major Champion in the 50s and 60s. Gary was the first pro to work out in the gym.
Jack Nicklaus. "The Golden Bear" holds the record of 18 Majors
Mark McCormack (see picture 2). Pioneer of sports marketing, founded the International Management Group (IMG) in 1960. He managed Nicklaus, Palmer and Player.
Nancy Lopez. The first LPGA superstar. She won 48 events in the 70s and 80s
Tony Jacklin. Englishman who won the U.S and British Open in the 70s, a time when golf was dominated by Americans.
Harvey Penick. Author of "The Little Red Book," the bestselling golf book in history.
Karsten Solhiem. Founder of the Ping Golf Company. Inventor of cavity back iron clubs and custom fitting for every golfer.
Robert Trent Jones. Golf course architect of Spyglass Hill, Royal Melbourne, and the redesign of Augusta Nationa l.
Seve Balasteros. The Conquistador. 5 times Major Champion and winning Captain of the 1997 Ryder Cup Team.
David Leadbetter. Coached Nick Faldo in his prime. He has built a golf academy empire around the world.
John Daly. The peoples champion. Johns "Grip it & Rip it" style has given him cult status among golf fans.
Anika Sorenstam. Greatest lady golfer ever. With 93 Tour victories, Anika was the first lady to shoot a 59 in a competitive round.
Tiger Woods. No athlete in the last 40 years has had the trans-formative effect on any sport that Tiger Woods had on golf.