The 10 Greatest Putters in Golf History

Putting is widely regarded as the most decisive skill in golf. Over the years, certain players have stood out not just for winning tournaments, but for the way they dominated on the greens. The greatest putters in history weren’t always the longest hitters, but they had nerves of steel, perfect touch, and the ability to sink putts when everything was on the line. In this list, we’ll rank the 10 greatest putters in golf history, focusing on their skill, consistency, and legendary clutch moments.

Top 10 Best Putters Ever Ranked

1. Tiger Woods

No one could match Tiger Woods when he was in his prime. He made clutch putts in majors, Ryder Cups, and regular tour events. His 12-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole at Torrey Pines in the 2008 U.S. Open is still remembered as one of the best in history. His mix of confidence, focus, and touch made him the most feared putter of his era.

2. Jack Nicklaus

Jack Nicklaus is best remembered for his power and consistency, but his putting always separated him from the rest. Nicklaus had a knack for holing crucial putts when it mattered most. Whether it was a 40-footer at the 1975 Masters or countless Ryder Cup moments, Nicklaus built his major record of 18 titles on steady putts

3. Ben Crenshaw

Ben Crenshaw had one of the smoothest strokes in history. He relied on feel rather than mechanics, which allowed him to sink putts under pressure. His putting was the main reason for his two Masters wins and for his longevity at the highest level. Crenshaw is rightfully regarded as one of the greatest putters of all time.

4. Seve Ballesteros

Seve Ballesteros’ fearless style meant he never shied away from aggressive putts. His ability to hole putts from everywhere inspired Europe in Ryder Cups and broke American spirits. His putting skills and creativity made him one of the most exciting putters ever.

5. Bobby Locke

6. Billy Casper

Billy Casper was not as famous as Nicklaus or Tiger Woods, but he was every bit as deadly on the greens. His 51 PGA Tour wins came largely from a reliable putting stroke. Casper had a special ability to save par from difficult positions, which made him one of the most respected putters ever.

7. Tom Watson

Tom Watson is widely remembered for his battles with Nicklaus, but many of those victories came down to his putter. His chip-in on the 17th at the 1982 U.S. Open is famous, but he also holed countless putts in majors and British Opens that cemented his reputation as one of the great clutch putters.

8. José María Olazábal

The Spanish star, best known for his Ryder Cup heroics, was fearless on the greens. Olazábal’s putting helped him win two Masters titles and become one of Europe’s most reliable players. He usually holed mid-range putts under huge pressure, especially in match play.

9. Brad Faxon

Although Brad Faxon never won a major, he led the Tour in putting average three times and set a single-season record of 1.704 strokes per green in regulation. Even in his later years, Faxon’s putting remained sharp, and he continued to thrill with his skills.

10. Loren Roberts

Nicknamed “The Boss of the Moss,” Loren Roberts made his career with the putter. He was steady, calm, and rarely missed short putts under pressure. He built a reputation as one of the most consistent putters of his generation on the PGA Tour and later on the Champions Tour.