Golf legend Bobby Jones once said – “Golf is mainly played on a five-and-a-half-inch course – the space between your ears”.
So does that translate to younger golfers being the ones to beat because they are more alert and fearless, or the older golfer who has experience and patience to call on?
It’s hard to dispute stats over a long period that show 32 is the optimum age to win any one of golf’s Holy Grails – the four majors.
Of the last 217 majors, the chart reads:
Age 20-25 have won 24 majors, or 11%.
Age 26-30 – 64 – 30%.
Age 31-35 – 76 – 35%.
Age 36-40 – 34 – 16%.
Age 41 and over – 19 – 8%.
Yet for the first time the world’s top two rankings in men’s golf are 25 and under – Rory McIlroy’s 25, Jordan Spieth 21.
And the youngest women’s world number one in history is Kiwi Lydia Ko who is 17, and will be 18 tomorrow.
On the other side of the age coin, three of the last four British Open champions have been 42 – Darren Clarke (2011), Ernie Els (2012), and Phil Mickelson in 2013..
But let’s just stick to the USPGA circuit.
Most wins in their 20s belongs exclusively to Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
But it’s the breakdown that’s interesting:
Woods won 46 of his career 79 titles, or 58%, while Nicklaus won 30 of his 73, for 41%.
There are far more contenders in the 30s category.
Arnold Palmer won 43 of his 62 career titles, or 69%.
Nicklaus 38 of his 73 – 45%.
Sam Snead 37 of his record 82 – 45%.
Byron Nelson 35 of his 52 – 67%.
Billy Casper 34 of his 51 – 67%.
And Woods 33 of his 79 – 42%
In the 40 and over category, there are five contenders:
Vijay Singh’s won 22 of his 34 career titles in his 40s, or 65%.
Snead 17 of 82 – 21%.
Kenny Perry 11 of 14 – 79%.
Julius Boros 10 of 18 – 56%.
And Steve Stricker nine of 12 for 75%.
With the exception of the sweet swinging “Slammin” Sammy Snead. the other four could rightfully be rated late bloomers.
But those stats don’t really answer golf’s most burning two questions – will Woods, with 14 majors, eventually beat Nicklaus’ record 18, and will Woods, with 79 PGA titles, eventually beat Snead’s 82?
That’s where Bobby Jones’ comment comes into play.
Anyone who can work out what goes on in the five-and-a-half inches between Tiger’s ears would be a genius – it’s doubtful if even Tiger Woods can answer that question accurately.
Woods turns 40 on December 30, and he hasn’t won a major since the 2008 US Open, nor a USPGA tournament since 2013.
He’s now ranked 101 in the world, a far cry from the record 683 weeks on top of the world.
Those facts aren’t a level playing field with Nicklaus as the world rankings surfaced for the first time in 1986, days after the “Golden Bear’s” last major victory – the 1986 Masters.
What is a level playing field is Nicklaus’ 18 majors and 19 runners up to Woods’ 14 majors and six runners up.
Let time tell the story.
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
Possibly a young person's game, rather than a "young man's game", as the last time I looked, golf was played by women, too.
sheek
Roar Guru
Hi David, Speaking of Bobby Jones, he won all his 7 majors by age 28 (1930), then retired to practice law. He won his first two majors at age 21 (1923). I checked out the leading majors winners & was surprised at how much success many of them had in their 20s. so it's not necessarily a recent phenomenon. Although I appreciate it's becoming more common to see younger winners. Jack Nicklaus won 7 of his 18 majors before 30 ( prior 1970), & only three in his 40s (post 1980). He won his first major at age 22 (1962). Tiger Woods of course, was dominant early. His 14 majors came between the ages of 21 (1997) & 32 (2008) before his private life unravelled. Walter Hagen won the first of his 11 majors at age 21 (1914). Gary Player won the first of his 9 majors at age 23 (1959). Only one major was after 30. Gene Sarazen won the first of his 7 majors at age 20 (1922). Seve Ballesteros won his first of five majors at age 21/22 (1979). Arnold Palmer & Lee Trevino were both 28 (1958 & 68) when they won their first majors. But all their remaining majors (7 & 6) were won in their 30s. Byron Nelson & Tom Watson were both 25 (1937 & 75) when they won their first majors. Watson won three of 8 majors in his 20s. Peter Thompson won the first of his five British Opens at age 24 (1954) & had won four Opens before 30. Ernie Els (the Big Easy) won his first of four majors at age 24 (1994), & a second before turning 30. Of the top majors winning golfers, the late starters seem to be Sam Snead, age 29/30 (1942), Nick Faldo, age 29/30 (1987), Ben Hogan, age 33 (1946) & Phil Mickelson, age 34 (2004). I'm surprised at how so many of the great golfers managed their first win in their 20s, & so often. But like a lot of things, fitness is now a major component of golf, excellerated by Woods, & it is the younger guys who are at the forefront of this. Talent still counts, but talent with muscle! I'm going to make the brave prediction that Woods is done winning majors. I think he has learnt the truth about how character is everything. I'm guessing in his remaining life he is working overtime to be a good father, partner, friend & person. That's his focus, I reckon.