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Golf Trivia: Surprising Facts Every Fan Should Know

Did you know that the dimples on a golf ball can create up to 500% more lift?

Golf isn’t just a game of precision; it’s a world filled with interesting details and quirky traditions that even dedicated fans often miss.

Most golf enthusiasts spend years on the course without learning what makes their favorite sport unique.

You’ve mastered your swing and memorized the rules, but those obscure facts and historical oddities remain hidden in plain sight.

Get ready to find out the strange, surprising, and sometimes bizarre trivia that makes golf more than just a game. From unusual course hazards to the origins of golf terms you use every weekend, this collection of facts will transform how you see the sport you love.

Most Interesting Golf Trivia Facts

Tiger Woods made his first hole-in-one at just 6 years old!
Mike Austin hit the longest recorded drive in PGA Tour history—515 yards (1974).
Jack Nicklaus holds the record for most major wins (18) and most runner-up finishes (19).
Annika Sörenstam is the only woman to shoot a 59 in an LPGA event.
John Daly was the first golfer to average over 300 yards per drive for an entire PGA Tour season (1997).
Tiger Woods once held all four major championship titles at the same time (Tiger Slam, 2000-2001).
Phil Mickelson became the oldest major winner at 50 years old (2021 PGA Championship).
Jordan Spieth tied Tiger Woods’ record for lowest 72-hole score at The Masters (-18 in 2015).
Only five golfers have ever won the Career Grand Slam (Nicklaus, Woods, Player, Hogan, Sarazen).
Tiger Woods won the 2008 U.S. Open with a torn ACL and stress fractures in his leg.
Golf was banned in Scotland in 1457 because it distracted people from military training!
In 2018, Phil Mickelson putted a moving golf ball during the U.S. Open, earning a penalty.
Jean van de Velde stepped into the water on the final hole of the 1999 Open Championship and lost after a triple-bogey.
A golfer once played 420 holes in 12 hours! (Scott Holland, 2004).
Kevin Na made a hole-in-one, then followed it with a hole-in-12 on the next hole! (2011 Texas Open).
An albatross (3-under-par on a hole) is rarer than a hole-in-one, with 6 million-to-1 odds.
The world’s longest mini-golf hole is 201 feet long (Shipwreck Golf, North Carolina).
A 103-year-old golfer, Gus Andreone, made a hole-in-one in 2014!
There is an actual floating green in Idaho at the Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course.
A golfer once hit a ball out of bounds, which then bounced back off a tree and landed in the hole!
Golf has been played on the moon! Alan Shepard hit a golf ball on the lunar surface during Apollo 14 (1971).
The highest golf course in the world is in India (Yak Golf Course, 13,025 feet above sea level).
The longest golf hole in the world is 964 yards (par 7) at Satsuki Golf Club, Japan.
There’s a golf course on the U.S.-Canada border where half the holes are in Montana and half are in Alberta
Tiger Woods was the first golfer to surpass $100 million in PGA Tour earnings.
The Masters is so exclusive that winners must pay for their Green Jacket if they lose it!
Augusta National (home of The Masters) didn’t allow female members until 2012.
The most expensive golf course ever built is Shadow Creek in Las Vegas ($60+ million).
There are over 38,000 golf courses worldwide, with nearly half located in the U.S.

Mind-Blowing Golf Stats & Records

Who holds the record for the most career wins on the PGA Tour?
Sam Snead and Tiger Woods (82 wins each)
What is the lowest 18-hole score ever recorded in a PGA Tour event?
58 (Jim Furyk, 2016 Travelers Championship)
Which golfer has won the most major championships?
Jack Nicklaus (18 majors)
Who was the youngest golfer to win The Masters?
Tiger Woods (21 years old in 1997)
Which golfer has the most runner-up finishes in major championships?
Jack Nicklaus (19 runner-up finishes)
What is the longest recorded drive in PGA Tour history?
515 yards (Mike Austin, 1974)
Who was the first golfer to reach No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking?
Bernhard Langer (1986)
Which course has hosted The Masters tournament every year since its inception?
Augusta National Golf Club
Who is the only golfer to win a major championship in four different decades?
Jack Nicklaus
What is the lowest score ever recorded over four rounds in a major championship?
268 (record held by multiple players, including Cameron Smith at The Open 2022)
Who won The Open Championship by a record 13 strokes in 1862?
Old Tom Morris
Who was the first golfer to win the Career Grand Slam?
Gene Sarazen
Which golfer has the most wins in European Tour history?
Seve Ballesteros (50 wins)
Who is the only golfer to win The Players Championship five times?
No one—Jack Nicklaus holds the record with three wins.
Which golfer has spent the most total weeks at World No. 1?
Tiger Woods (683 weeks)
Who holds the record for the longest consecutive cut streak in PGA Tour history?
Tiger Woods (142 cuts made in a row)
What is the lowest score ever recorded in a single round at The Masters?
63 (Nick Price and Greg Norman)
Which golfer won the U.S. Open with the largest margin of victory?
Tiger Woods (15 strokes, 2000 U.S. Open)
Who was the first golfer to shoot a 59 in a PGA Tour event?
Al Geiberger (1977 Memphis Classic)
Which golfer won the most PGA Tour events in a single season?
Byron Nelson (18 wins in 1945)
Who is the oldest golfer to ever win a major championship?
Phil Mickelson (50 years old, 2021 PGA Championship)
Which golf course has hosted the most U.S. Opens?
Oakmont Country Club (9 times)
Who was the youngest golfer to ever win a PGA Tour event?
Young Tom Morris (17 years old, 1868 Open Championship)
Which golfer holds the record for the most consecutive birdies in a PGA Tour event?
Mark Calcavecchia (9 birdies in a row, 2009 RBC Canadian Open)
Who was the first golfer to win $10 million in career earnings on the PGA Tour?
Greg Norman
What is the fastest round of golf ever played in a PGA Tour event?
1 hour, 29 minutes (Wesley Bryan, 2017 BMW Championship)
Who is the only golfer to have completed a “Super Grand Slam” (all four majors plus The Players Championship)?
Tiger Woods
Which major championship is the only one played at the same course every year?
The Masters (Augusta National)
Who holds the record for most Ryder Cup points won by an individual player?
Sergio Garcia
What is the lowest round ever recorded in a U.S. Open?
62 (Rickie Fowler & Xander Schauffele, 2023)
Which golfer famously won The Open Championship using only one club?
Seve Ballesteros (used a 3-iron as a junior)
Who was the first golfer to win the PGA Championship in stroke play format?
Jim Barnes (1921)
Which female golfer holds the record for the most career LPGA Tour wins?
Kathy Whitworth (88 wins)
What is the largest comeback in PGA Tour history after 54 holes?
10 strokes (Paul Lawrie, 1999 Open Championship)
Who is the only golfer to win a major championship with a final-round score of 63?
Johnny Miller (1973 U.S. Open)
Which golfer made the first televised hole-in-one?
Tony Jacklin (1967 Dunlop Masters)

Game-Changing Moments in Golf History

Which golfer won The Masters in 1997 by a record-breaking 12 strokes, changing the sport forever?
Tiger Woods
What significant rule change in 1952 allowed golfers to mark their ball on the green?
The adoption of the “lift, clean, and place” rule
Which major championship saw Jack Nicklaus make a 40-foot putt on the 17th hole, securing his iconic 1986 victory at age 46?
The Masters
What groundbreaking moment happened in 2003 when Mike Weir won The Masters?
He became the first Canadian and first left-handed golfer to win
Which famous U.S. Open saw Arnold Palmer come back from seven strokes down in the final round to win in 1960?
Cherry Hills Country Club
Who was the first African American golfer invited to play in The Masters in 1975?
Lee Elder
Which Open Championship in 2009 saw Tom Watson, at age 59, nearly become the oldest major champion?
Turnberry
Who made the famous “shot heard ’round the world” at the 1950 U.S. Open to force a playoff and later win?
Ben Hogan
Which major championship saw Tiger Woods complete the “Tiger Slam” in 2001?
The Masters
What was significant about the 2013 Masters when 14-year-old Guan Tianlang made the cut?
He became the youngest golfer in history to make the cut in a major
Which golfer won The Open Championship in 1977 after the legendary “Duel in the Sun” battle with Jack Nicklaus?
Tom Watson
What year did Augusta National finally allow female members, breaking a long-standing tradition?
2012
Which tournament in 2004 introduced the controversial “groove rule,” changing how wedges performed?
PGA Tour season
What happened at the 1999 Ryder Cup that made it one of the most dramatic in history?
The U.S. team staged a historic comeback on the final day
Which golfer won the 1967 U.S. Open and became the first African American to play in the tournament?
Charlie Sifford
What was unique about the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach when Tiger Woods won by 15 strokes?
It was the largest margin of victory in U.S. Open history
Who was the first woman to play in a PGA Tour event since 1945, competing in the 2003 Colonial Invitational?
Annika Sörenstam
Which golf legend won his first major at the 1959 British Open, setting the stage for a legendary career?
Gary Player
Which famous Masters tournament saw Phil Mickelson make an incredible shot from the trees on the 13th hole to win in 2010?
Augusta National
Who was the first left-handed golfer to win The Masters, doing so in 2003?
Mike Weir
Which famous golf tournament in 2016 saw Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson duel in one of the greatest final rounds ever?
The Open Championship at Royal Troon
What historic moment happened in the 2018 Masters when Tiger Woods returned to win his 15th major after years of struggles?
His comeback victory at Augusta
Which 1973 U.S. Open featured Johnny Miller shooting a final-round 63, the lowest ever in a major at the time?
Oakmont Country Club
What famous rule change in 2019 allowed players to leave the flagstick in while putting?
The new USGA rule allowing pin-in putting
Which golfer became the first to win the U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship in a single year in 1953?
Ben Hogan
What significant moment in golf history happened in 2012 when Europe made a miraculous comeback to win the Ryder Cup?
The “Miracle at Medinah”
Which golf legend won The Masters in 1995 as the first European to claim back-to-back titles?
Nick Faldo
What major rule change in 1968 standardized how golf balls were manufactured?
The USGA and R&A set a universal size and weight limit
Which golfer became the first to win The Masters four times in a row, doing so from 1933 to 1936?
No one—Tiger Woods won back-to-back in 2001 and 2002, but no one has won four in a row
Who won the 1991 PGA Championship as the first Monday qualifier to ever win a major?
John Daly
Which famous event in golf history saw Payne Stewart sink a dramatic 15-foot putt to win the 1999 U.S. Open?
Pinehurst No. 2
Who became the youngest winner of the U.S. Women’s Open at just 17 years old in 2008?
Inbee Park
What historic moment took place at the 2016 Olympics regarding golf?
Golf returned to the Olympics for the first time in 112 years
Which golfer famously won The Open Championship in 1995 at St. Andrews, calling it the highlight of his career?
John Daly
Who won The Masters in 2013 with a dramatic playoff victory featuring a wedge shot from the trees?
Adam Scott
What was significant about Jordan Spieth’s Masters victory in 2015?
He tied Tiger Woods’ record for lowest 72-hole score (-18)

Icons of the Fairway: Golf’s Greatest Players & Personalities

Which golfer holds the record for the most major championships won?
Jack Nicklaus (18 major wins)
Who was the first golfer to win all four modern major championships in a career, completing the Career Grand Slam?
Gene Sarazen
Which legendary golfer earned the nickname “The King” for his impact on the game and fan following?
Arnold Palmer
Who is the only golfer to win the U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship in the same year?
Ben Hogan (1953)
Which golfer won The Masters in 1997 by a record 12 strokes, changing the sport forever?
Tiger Woods
Which South African golfer won nine major championships and is known for his incredible fitness even in his later years?
Gary Player
Who became the oldest golfer to win a major when he won the 2021 PGA Championship at 50 years old?
Phil Mickelson
Which female golfer holds the record for the most LPGA Tour wins?
Kathy Whitworth (88 wins)
Which golfer famously won the 1991 PGA Championship as a Monday qualifier, becoming an instant star?
John Daly
Who was the first European golfer to win The Masters?
Seve Ballesteros (1980)
Which American golfer was known as “The Hawk” and made a legendary comeback after a car accident to win the 1950 U.S. Open?
Ben Hogan
Who was the first African American golfer to play in The Masters?
Lee Elder (1975)
Which golfer won the most PGA Tour events in a single season, with 18 victories in 1945?
Byron Nelson
Which left-handed golfer won The Masters in 2003, becoming the first lefty to claim the Green Jacket?
Mike Weir
Who won five Open Championships between 1868 and 1872, becoming one of golf’s first superstars?
Young Tom Morris
Which golfer became the first woman to play in a PGA Tour event since 1945 when she teed off at the 2003 Colonial Invitational?
Annika Sörenstam
Who was the first golfer to reach $10 million in career earnings on the PGA Tour?
Greg Norman
Which golfer was nicknamed “The Golden Bear” and is regarded as one of the greatest players in golf history?
Jack Nicklaus
Which LPGA legend is known as the greatest female golfer of all time, with 10 major wins and a dominant career?
Annika Sörenstam
Who became the youngest golfer to win a PGA Tour event, doing so at 17 years old in 1868?
Young Tom Morris
Which Spanish golfer is known for his flair, creativity, and two Masters victories in 1980 and 1983?
Seve Ballesteros
Who was the first golfer to shoot 59 in a PGA Tour event?
Al Geiberger (1977 Memphis Classic)
Which golfer famously holed a 15-foot putt to win the 1999 U.S. Open at Pinehurst?
Payne Stewart
Who became the first non-American to win The Masters in 1961?
Gary Player
Which golfer holds the record for the most weeks ranked No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking?
Tiger Woods (683 weeks)
Which golfer won the 2017 Masters after an emotional playoff victory?
Sergio Garcia
Who is the only golfer to complete a “Super Grand Slam,” winning all four modern majors plus The Players Championship?
Tiger Woods
Which female golfer won 13 consecutive tournaments from 1946 to 1947, a record that still stands?
Byron Nelson (for men), but in women’s golf, it was Mildred “Babe” Didrikson Zaharias
Who won The Open Championship in 1959, marking the start of a Hall of Fame career?
Gary Player
Which golfer has the most runner-up finishes in major championships?
Jack Nicklaus (19 runner-up finishes)
Who was the first left-handed golfer to win multiple major championships, including the 2004 Masters?
Phil Mickelson
Which golfer won The Open Championship in 1977 in the legendary “Duel in the Sun” against Jack Nicklaus?
Tom Watson
Who became the youngest golfer to ever make the cut at The Masters, doing so at age 14 in 2013?
Guan Tianlang
Which golfer won The Players Championship a record three times, the most in tournament history?
Jack Nicklaus
Who became the first Asian-born golfer to win The Masters, claiming victory in 2021?
Hideki Matsuyama
Which European golfer won the most Ryder Cup points in history?
Sergio Garcia

Golf Lingo & Gear: Weird Terms and Wacky Equipment

Who holds the record for the most career wins on the PGA Tour?
Sam Snead and Tiger Woods (82 wins each)
Which golfer won The Masters a record six times?
Jack Nicklaus
Who became the first European golfer to win back-to-back Masters titles in 1989 and 1990?
Nick Faldo
Which golfer is known for his signature red shirt on Sundays and his incredible comeback at the 2019 Masters?
Tiger Woods
Who was the first golfer to successfully defend his U.S. Open title three years in a row (1903-1905)?
Willie Anderson
Which female golfer won 10 major championships and was the dominant force in women’s golf during the 2000s?
Annika Sörenstam
Which golf icon is credited with popularizing the sport on television and creating a huge fan following?
Arnold Palmer
Who became the youngest golfer to ever win a major championship in the modern era, winning The Open at 19 years old?
Young Tom Morris
Which golfer was known for his stylish outfits and won three major championships, including The Masters in 1985?
Seve Ballesteros
Who became the first Asian player to win a men’s major championship at the 2009 PGA Championship?
Y.E. Yang
Which golf legend won 73 PGA Tour events and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974?
Jack Nicklaus
Who won the 2015 U.S. Open and The Masters in the same year at just 21 years old?
Jordan Spieth
Which golfer was known for his long drives and won two major championships, including the 1995 PGA Championship?
John Daly
Who holds the record for the most Ryder Cup appearances for the U.S. team?
Phil Mickelson (12 appearances)
Which Australian golfer was ranked World No. 1 for 331 weeks but only won one major championship?
Greg Norman
Who won the LPGA Tour Player of the Year award a record eight times?
Annika Sörenstam
Which golfer won the 1986 Masters at age 46, becoming the oldest winner of the tournament?
Jack Nicklaus
Which female golfer won 31 LPGA Tour events and three major championships before transitioning to golf course design?
Lorena Ochoa
Who was the first golfer to shoot 63 in a major championship final round, doing so at the 1973 U.S. Open?
Johnny Miller
Which golfer won the most U.S. Opens in history, with four victories?
Willie Anderson, Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, and Jack Nicklaus (all tied with four)
Who became the first South Korean golfer to win The Masters, claiming victory in 2021?
Hideki Matsuyama (from Japan, no South Korean golfer has won The Masters)
Which golfer has the most PGA Tour wins without a major victory?
Harry Cooper (31 wins, no major)
Who won the 2010 U.S. Open and became the first Northern Irish golfer to win a major in the modern era?
Graeme McDowell
Which golfer became the first player to win the Career Grand Slam on the LPGA Tour?
Karrie Webb
Who won The Open Championship in 2000 by eight strokes, completing the career Grand Slam at just 24 years old?
Tiger Woods
Which golfer is known for popularizing modern golf fitness and has won nine major championships?
Gary Player
Who won the 2022 U.S. Open, becoming the first English golfer to win the tournament in over 50 years?
Matt Fitzpatrick
Which famous golfer designed over 400 golf courses worldwide and is regarded as one of the best course architects?
Pete Dye (although Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer also designed many courses)
Who became the youngest player to ever win on the PGA Tour at 19 years old in 2013?
Jordan Spieth
Which South African golfer won three Open Championships and is regarded as one of the best iron players of all time?
Bobby Locke
Which golfer was the first to win The Players Championship, the Masters, the U.S. Open, and The Open Championship?
Tiger Woods
Who is the only golfer to win the U.S. Open, The Open Championship, The Masters, and the Senior U.S. Open?
Gary Player
Which golfer won The Open Championship in 2023, becoming the first player from Argentina to win a major in 15 years?
Brian Harman (though not from Argentina)
Who was the first golfer to reach $100 million in career earnings on the PGA Tour?
Tiger Woods
Which female golfer won back-to-back U.S. Women’s Opens in 1948 and 1949, cementing her legacy as one of the LPGA’s greatest pioneers?
Babe Didrikson Zaharias
Who won The Open Championship at St. Andrews in 2005, completing his career Grand Slam?
Tiger Woods

The Bottom Line

So there you have it—golf is more than just a game of skill. It’s a sport rich with history, odd traditions, and unexpected facts that make it uniquely fascinating.

Next time you’re on the course, impress your playing partners with these surprising tidbits. Whether it’s the physics behind those dimpled balls or the strange hazards found on courses around the world, these facts add a new layer of appreciation to the game we love.

Want to expand your trivia knowledge beyond the fairways?

Check out our other sports collections in our Olympic Trivia guide, or test your knowledge of court legends with our Tennis Trivia. Like golf, there’s always something new to learn!

What’s your favorite golf fact? Please share it in the comments below!

James Edwards

James Edwards is a trivia enthusiast who has spent over 15 years curating challenging questions and hosting quiz nights. When he's not writing or devising quizzes, you can find James exploring new books or enjoying a classic film marathon. His expertise in trivia has made him a popular figure in the quiz community. He graduated with a degree in History from the University of California, Berkeley.