Golf has been around for centuries, and the 1920s were no exception. This decade saw some of the most talented and well-known golfers ever play the game. From Walter Hagen to Bobby Jones, the 1920s produced some of the most successful and iconic golfers in history.
If you’re a fan of golf or just interested in learning more about its history, then you won’t want to miss this article. We’ll take a closer look at some of the most famous golfers in the 1920s and find out what made them so successful.
10 Famous golfers in the 1920s
The 1920s were a golden age of golf when the sport was beginning to become a popular pastime with the rise of the middle class. The decade saw the emergence of some of the most famous golfers in history, who helped shape the game and the way it is played today.
Here are the top 10 most famous golfers in the 1920s:
| Player Name | Playing Year |
| Bobby Jones | 1923 – 1930 |
| Walter Hagen | 1916 – 1956 |
| Gene Sarazen | 1920 – 1973 |
| Jim Barnes | 1912 – 1931 |
| Leo Diegel | 1921 – 1938 |
| Jock Hutchison | 1907 – 1936 |
| Jess Sweetser | 1920 – 1932 |
| Cyril Tolley | 1911 – 1936 |
| Ernest Holderness | 1940 – 1950 |
| Johnny Farrell | 1927 – 1937 |
1. Bobby Jones
| Full Name | Robert Tyre Jones Jr. |
| Nick Name | Bobby Jones |
| Date of Birth | March 17, 1902 |
| Died | December 18, 1971 |
| Gender | Male |
| Place of Birth | Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Profession | American Professional Golf |
| Nationality | United States |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Children | 3 |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Weight | 165 lb (75 kg; 11.8 st) |
He was dominant in the 1920s, winning numerous tournaments and setting records that still stand today.
What made Jones so special was his unique swing. He developed a “follow-through” swing that helped him gain incredible distance with each shot. This, combined with his natural talent and determination, made him virtually unbeatable.
He was five times (1924, 1925, 1927, 1923, and ), the U.S. Open four times (1923, 1926, 1929, and 1930), British Open three times (1926, 1927, and 1930; he was the first amateur to win), and British Amateur in 1930. In five Walker Cup tournaments between American and British amateur teams, he won 9 of 10 matches. In 1934 he helped start the annual Master’s Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia.
Bobby Jones’s achievement:
- World Golf Hall of Fame 1974
- James E. Sullivan Award 1930
- Georgia Tech Athletic
- Hall of Fame 1958
- Georgia Tech Engineering
- Hall of Fame 1997
2. Walter Hagen
| Full Name | Walter Charles Hagen |
| Nick Name | Sir Walter, The Haig |
| Date of Birth | December 21, 1892 |
| Died | October 6, 1969 |
| Gender | Male |
| Place of Birth | Rochester, New York |
| Profession | American Professional Golf |
| Nationality | United States |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Children | 1 |
| Height | 5 ft 10.5 in (1.79 m) |
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st) |
Walter Hagen was one of the most colorful characters in golf history–and one of the best players. Nicknamed “Haig,” he was a master of matchplay, meaning he could beat an opponent by angering him.
A caddy since he was 9, Hagen won the first of his 11 major golf championships at age 21 – the 1914 US Open. He won that tournament again in 1919; British Open (Open Championship) in 1922, 1924, 1928, and 1929; and the US Professional Golfers Association (PGA) Championship in 1921 and 1924–27. He captained the US Ryder Cup teams in 1927, 1929, 1931, 1933, 1935, and 1937.
Walter Hagen’s achievement:
- Masters Tournament T11: 1936
- PGA Championship Won: 1921, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927
- U.S. Open Won: 1914, 1919
- The Open Championship Won: 1922, 1924, 1928, 1929
- World Golf Hall of Fame 1974
3. Gene Sarazen
| Full Name | Eugenio Saraceni |
| Nick Name | The Squire |
| Date of Birth | February 27, 1902 |
| Died | May 13, 1999 |
| Gender | Male |
| Place of Birth | Harrison, New York, U.S. |
| Profession | American Professional Golf |
| Nationality | United States |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Children | 2 |
| Height | 5 ft 5+1⁄2 in (166 cm) |
| Weight | 162 lb (73 kg; 11.6 st) |
Gene Sarazen is considered one of golf’s Golden Age golfers. He was the first player to complete a career Grand Slam and is credited with inventing the modern sand wedge. He was also one of the most popular players of his time, appearing in numerous endorsements and advertising campaigns.
Sarazen started caddying when she was eight years old. He won the US Open in 1922 and 1932, as well as the British Open (Open Championship) in 1932. He won the Professional Golfers Association of America championship three times (1922, 1923, and 1933) and the Master’s tournament. In 1935. With that win at the Masters, he became the first player to achieve a career Grand Slam in golf. Sarajen also played on six consecutive Ryder Cup teams.
Gene Sarazen’s achievement:
- Masters Tournament Won: 1935
- PGA Championship Won: 1922, 1923, 1933
- U.S. Open Won: 1922, 1932
- The Open Championship Won: 1932
- World Golf Hall of Fame: 1974
- PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award: 1996
- Bob Jones Award 1992
- Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year: 1932
4. Jim Barnes
| Full Name | James Martin Barnes |
| Nick Name | Long Jim |
| Date of Birth | April 8, 1886 |
| Died | May 24, 1966 |
| Gender | Male |
| Place of Birth | Lelant, Cornwall, England |
| Profession | English Professional Golf |
| Nationality | England |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Children | 2 |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
Jim Barnes was one of the first golfers to really capitalize on his image and become a celebrity. He was known as “Long Jim” because he could hit the ball so far, and he was one of the first golfers to take advantage of that ability.
He was one of the first golfers to understand the importance of mental toughness. Burns once said, “Golf is 90% mental, 10% ability, and the other half physical.
Barnes was one of the most popular tournament winners in the first few seasons of the PGA Tour, which was also founded in 1916. He won a total of 22 times on the tour. He led the tournament in wins in four seasons: three in 1916, two in 1917 (shared with Mike Brady), five in 1919, and four in 1921.
He is also known for his bold play. He was never afraid to take tough shots, and he often came through in the clutch. He won four major championships during his career, including two US Opens and two PGA Championships.
Jim Burnes’s achievement:
- Masters Tournament: NYF
- PGA Championship Won: 1916, 1919
- U.S. Open Won in 1921
- The Open Championship Won: 1925
- World Golf Hall of Fame 1989
5. Leo Diegel
| Full Name | Leo Harvey Diegel |
| Nick Name | Eagle |
| Date of Birth | April 20, 1899 |
| Died | May 5, 1951 |
| Gender | Male |
| Place of Birth | Gratiot Township, Michigan |
| Profession | American Professional Golf |
| Nationality | United States |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Weight | 164 lb (74 kg; 11.7 st) |
Although Diegel didn’t have the same success as some of the other golfers on this list, he was definitely a force to be reckoned with in the 1920s. Diegel was known for his unique playing style—he used a grip that was different from the standard grip, and he would often play left-handed (even though he was right-handed).
Some people think that Diegel’s unconventional style might have been what held him back from becoming one of the truly great golfers of his time. But there’s no denying that he had talent—he won two PGA Championships and finished in the top 10 at the U.S. Open four times.
Diegel’s most famous victory came at the 1928 PGA Championship, where he beat none other than Walter Hagen in a playoff. It was a pretty incredible feat, considering Hagen was one of the most dominant golfers of the time.
Leo Diegel’s achievement:
- Masters Tournament T16: 1934
- PGA Championship Won: 1928, 1929
- U.S. Open T2: 1920
- The Open Championship T2: 1930
6. Jock Hutchison
| Full Name | Jack Falls Hutchison |
| Nick Name | Jock |
| Date of Birth | June 6, 1884 |
| Died | September 27, 1977 |
| Gender | Male |
| Place of Birth | St Andrews, Fife, Scotland |
| Profession | Scottish Professional Golfer |
| Nationality | Scotland |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
In 1920, Jock Hutchison won the Open Championship, which is now known as The British Open. He was the first American to win the tournament in 22 years. Hutchison was born in 1887 in Glasgow, Scotland. When he was just a teenager, his family moved to the United States.
Hutchison was a very successful golfer and won many tournaments over the years. In addition to his win at the Open Championship, he also won the PGA Championship twice and was a member of the Ryder Cup team four times. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1998.
Jock Hutchison’s achievement:
- Masters Tournament 43rd: 1941
- PGA Championship Won: 1920
- U.S. Open 2nd/T2: 1916, 1920
- The Open Championship Won: 1921
- World Golf Hall of Fame 2011
7. Jess Sweetser
| Full Name | Jesse William Sweetser |
| Date of Birth | April 18, 1902 |
| Died | May 27, 1989 |
| Gender | Male |
| Place of Birth | St. Louis, Missouri |
| Profession | American Professional Golf |
| Nationality | United States |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Children | 3 |
You may not recognize Jess Sweetser’s name, but you certainly know her accomplishments.
He was the 1921 US Open champion and is considered one of the greatest of golf’s early era. He was one of the earliest inductees into the World Golf Hall of Fame, and his swing is still studied and admired by golfers today. In 1926, Switzer won the British Amateur at Muirfield, defeating Fred Simpson, 6 and 5, in the final match.
What makes Sweetser so impressive is that he was able to win major tournaments against the best golfers in the world at the time. He was a true champion, and his skills and techniques are still revered by golfers everywhere.
Jess Sweetser’s achievement:
- Masters Tournament T29: 1939
- U.S. Open T14: 1920
- U.S. Amateur Won: 1922
- British Amateur Won: 1926
- Bob Jones Award 1986
8. Cyril Tolley
| Full Name | Cyril James Hastings Tolley |
| Date of Birth | 14 September 1895 |
| Gender | Male |
| Died | 18 May 1978 |
| Profession | English Professional Golf |
| Nationality | England |
| Relationship Status | Married |
In 1922, Cyril Tolley won the Open Championship, making him one of the top golfers of the 1920s. He was known for his accurate and powerful drives, which often helped him win tournaments. Along with his success at the Open Championship, Tolley also won the French Open in 1927 and the Belgian Open in 1933.
Cyril Tolley’s achievement:
- Masters Tournament DNP
- PGA Championship DNP
- U.S. Open DNP
- The Open Championship T18: 1924, 1933
- U.S. Amateur DNQ: 1922
- British Amateur Won: 1920, 1929
9. Ernest Holderness
| Full Name | Sir Ernest William Elsmie Holderness |
| Nick Name | The Squire |
| Date of Birth | 13 March 1890 |
| Died | 23 August 1968 |
| Gender | Male |
| Profession | English Professional Golf |
| Nationality | England |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Children | 3 |
You may not have heard of Ernest Holderness, but he was a big deal in the 1920s. He won the 1923 US Open and was also the first amateur to win the event since 1893.
Holderness actually started as a caddy and then won the Western Amateur in 1916 and 1918. He also won the North and South Open Championship in 1922.
He won the 1923 US Open; Holderness also won the New York State Open in 1924 and the Metropolitan Open in 1925. He was part of the first American team to compete in the Ryder Cup, and he also played in the Walker Cup.
Ernest Holderness was certainly one of the top golfers of his time, and it’s too bad he isn’t better known today.
Ernest Holderness’s achievement:
- 1922 The Amateur Championship
- 1924 The Amateur Championship
- 1925 Golf Illustrated Gold Vase
10. Johnny Farrell
| Full Name | John Joseph Farrell |
| Nick Name | The Gentleman |
| Date of Birth | April 1, 1901 |
| Died | June 14, 1988 |
| Gender | Male |
| Place of Birth | White Plains, New York |
| Profession | American Professional Golf |
| Nationality | United States |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Children | 5 |
| Height | 5 ft 10.5 in (1.79 m) |
| Weight | 160 lb (73 kg; 11 st) |
Farrell was one of the top golfers of the 1920s. He was born in Brooklyn in 1904 and started playing golf when he was young.
He turned professional in 1923 and won his first tournament, the Massachusetts Open, in 1926. The following year, he won the prestigious US Open Championship.
Farrell’s career began, and he won 29 PGA Tour events. He also finished in the top 10 of major championships 11 times.
Sadly, Farrell’s career came to an abrupt end in 1937 when he was involved in a car accident. He died of his injuries only a few days later. He was only 33 years old then.
Johnny Farrell’s achievement:
- Masters Tournament T29: 1936
- PGA Championship 2nd: 1929
- U.S. Open Won: 1928
- The Open Championship 2nd: 1929
Conclusion
The 1920s were a remarkable decade for golf, and many legendary golfers emerged during this time. From Walter Hagen to Bobby Jones, many of the most famous golfers of the 1920s have left a lasting legacy in the sport. They revolutionized the game with their skillful play and innovative approaches.
Their accomplishments are still remembered and respected today. The impact of the top 10 famous golfers in the 1920s on the game of golf has been monumental, and their contributions are still appreciated.
