The Most Famous Golf Course Designer, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the golf course designer you think is the most famous!

Updated on May 3, 2024 07:07

Golf enthusiasts often debate which golf course offers the best play, but few consider the architectural minds behind these meticulously designed landscapes. Knowing who stands out in the field of golf course design can transform the appreciation of a casual game into a deeply engaging experience. The influence of a designer can be seen in everything from the strategic placement of hazards to the sweeping vistas that meet the eye at each tee. By participating in voting for top golf course designers, users contribute to a consensus on which architects have shaped the game most profoundly. This engagement not only deepens personal knowledge but also connects a community of like-minded fans around shared admiration. The insights gathered here could guide your next travel destination or even inspire a richer conversation at your local clubhouse.

Who Is the Most Famous Golf Course Designer?

1

45
votes

Pete Dye

Pete Dye - known for his challenging and visually stunning courses, including TPC Sawgrass and Whistling Straits.
2

28
votes
Shealah Craighead · Public domain

Jack Nicklaus

Jack Nicklaus is a legendary golfer who has designed over 400 courses, including Muirfield Village and The Bear's Club.
Jack Nicklaus in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous golfer of all time
3

14
votes

Robert Trent Jones Sr.

Robert Trent Jones Sr. is a pioneer in modern golf course architecture, Jones designed over 500 courses, including Spyglass Hill and Hazeltine National.
4

13
votes

Cem0030 · CC BY-SA 3.0

Tom Fazio

Tom Fazio - known for his innovative and picturesque designs, Fazio has created courses such as Shadow Creek and Wade Hampton Golf Club.
5

20
votes

Donald Ross

Donald Ross is a Scottish-American designer who created some of the most iconic courses in the US, including Pinehurst No. 2 and Oak Hill Country Club.
6

7
votes

Bain News Service, publisher · Public domain

Alister MacKenzie

Alister MacKenzie is a British designer who created Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters tournament.
7

9
votes

Rees Jones

Rees Jones - son of Robert Trent Jones Sr., Rees has designed over 100 courses, including Bethpage Black and The Golf Club at Mansion Ridge.
8

7
votes

Tom Doak

Tom Doak - known for his minimalist approach to course design, Doak has created courses such as Pacific Dunes and Ballyneal Golf Club.
9

2
votes
Lady 11390 · Public domain

Gary Player

Gary Player is a South African golfer who has designed over 400 courses, including The Links at Fancourt and The Gary Player Country Club.
Gary Player in other rankings
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous Gary
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous golfer of all time
10

6
votes

Harald Krichel · CC BY-SA 4.0

C.B. Macdonald

C.B. Macdonald is a Scottish-American designer who is considered one of the founding fathers of American golf course architecture, Macdonald created courses such as National Golf Links of America and Sleepy Hollow Country Club.

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About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous golf course designer. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or designer is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1396 views
147 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each designer once every 24 hours. The rank of each designer is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous golf course designer

Golf courses are an essential part of the golfing experience, and a well-designed course can make a significant difference in the enjoyment of the game. Golf course designers are the creative minds behind these courses, and they play a crucial role in the development of the sport. Over the years, many designers have made their mark in the industry, but few have achieved the level of recognition that some of the most famous golf course designers have. These designers have created some of the most iconic courses in the world, and their contributions have helped shape the sport of golf as we know it today. In this article, we'll take a closer look at some of the most famous golf course designers and what makes their designs so special.