From Bobby Jones to Tiger Woods – Discover Eight of the Most Famous Golf Quotes Ever Spoken

As one of the toughest sports to play on the planet, golf has provided us with some of the most iconic moments in all of sports. With the game being dominated by larger-than-life characters and some of the all-time greats, throughout the years, there have been many memorable quotes, some of which are still commonly referenced today. If you are looking to take some inspiration from some of the best or are simply looking to find some added motivation for the next time you are on the course, it might be worth remembering some of these excellent quotes about golf.

 

Gary Player – “The harder I work, the luckier I seem to get.”

Gary Player will always be remembered for the impact he has had on golf. A winner of nine majors, Player had to battle for everything he achieved. 

To earn the respect of his European and American rivals, Player was the first golfer to implement a serious fitness regime into his training and would travel the length and breadth of the world playing tournaments. He believes no one in the history of aviation has flown as many miles as he has!

Renowned for working harder and being more dedicated than any other player on Tour, if a Player would benefit from a lucky break or two, he would see it as a reward for all of his efforts. 

Now, at 88 years old, Player can still swing a club with the same force as a man half his age. All that fitness work has had an impact, and he will always be remembered as a true Goliath of the game. 

 

Bobby Jones – “Golf is the closest game to the game we call life. You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots – but you have to play the ball where it lies.” 

Recognized as the first true golfing great, Bobby Jones still has a legacy that is as relevant today as it was back when Jones was dominating the world of golf. 

The mastermind behind the layout of Augusta, each year, we get a timely reminder of Jones’s passion and affection for the sport he loved. 

While playing, Jones had a brilliant way of keeping calm and composed and this quote perhaps best defines his excellent approach to the game. 

(ref) Photography of Man Playing Golf · Free Stock Photo (pexels.com)

 

Tiger Woods – “No matter how good you get, you can always get better — and that’s the exciting part.”

Throughout the years, Tiger Woods has provided many memorable quotes, but this quote underlies his famed elite mentality better than most. 

Despite dominating the game through much of the 90s and early 00s, it was never enough. Never satisfied, Woods was famed for his early practice sessions and became one of the first professionals who would practice after his rounds. 

Even now, in the twilight of his career, Woods is still pursuing greatness and it’s easy to see why with quotes like this. 

 

Nick Faldo – “The way I analyzed it, he went out in 40, back in 30, and we didn’t see him for dust for another 14 years,”

Sticking with the subject of Tiger Woods, arguably the greatest quotes about golf came from fellow major winner Nick Faldo. 

Making his Masters debut back in 1997, Woods started nervously shooting a 40 on the front 9. However, despite his poor start, Woods would save his round by shooting a 30 on the back nine. 

From there, Woods would produce some of the best golf ever seen around Augusta and would go on to win the 97 tournament by a staggering twelve strokes. 

Fellow Masters winner Nick Faldo was paired with Woods during that memorable first round and, upon reflecting on that day, produced the famous quote above. 

It’s a brilliant way of describing the dominance and transformative effect that Woods had on the sport when he was at his brilliant best.

 

Jack Nicklaus – “Resolve never to quit, never to give up, no matter what the situation.”

There is a reason why Jack Nicklaus has won the most majors in the history of the sport. Known for being a fierce competitor, Nicklaus never believed he was out of the running for glory.

His dedication to never giving up is an important message to heed regardless of whether you are playing at your local course or one of the most famous golf courses in the world. 

(ref) A Man Playing Gold on the Field · Free Stock Photo (pexels.com)

 

Pete Dye – “The ardent golfer would play Mount Everest if somebody put a flagstick on top.”

Pete Dye is the most famous golf course designer in history. The designer of TPC Sawgrass, Whistling Straits, and Kiawah Island. Dye has built courses in some of the most picturesque settings on earth. 

His quotes about golf regarding the dedication of golfers still ring true today, whether playing up a mountain or a beautiful link setting such as the beautiful Old Head golf course; for some golfers, the quest to play the game will never be quelled.

(ref) Green Grass Field Near Body of Water · Free Stock Photo (pexels.com)

 

Ben Crenshaw – “I’ve got a good feeling about this.”

Back at the 1999 Ryder Cup, U.S. Captain Ben Crenshaw came up with one of the best premonitions that the sport has ever witnessed.

Trailing the Europeans by a 10-6 deficit, Crenshaw’s belief in his side never wavered, and he boldly predicted that his team could still win the Ryder Cup and complete one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the competition.

Heading into the final day singles, looking to live up to their captain’s words, the Americans were inspired and were able to reverse the deficit. The 1999 Ryder Cup will also be remembered for Justin Leonard draining the winning putt, which saw America complete a dramatic 14.5-13.5 victory. 

 

Bobby Jones – “Golf is a game that is played on a five-inch course – the distance between your ears.”

It seems right to end our list of the greatest quotes about golf by referencing Bobby Jones one more time. 

The quote above beautifully demonstrates the battles that all golfers face. 

No matter your level or the difficulty of the course in front of you, if you can master your mind, you will have a great chance of success wherever you play. 

(ref)View of Golf Playground Between Rows of Tall Trees · Free Stock Photo (pexels.com)