Who are the Most Famous Female Golfers

Who are the Most Famous Female Golfers

By Bradley Turner Keiser University College of Golf Executive Director – MBA, PGA

History of Women in Golf

The history of women in golf dates back to 1552, when Mary, Queen of Scots, is believed to have played at St. Andrews, earning her recognition as one of the earliest female golfers. The first women’s golf club, the Ladies Golf Club at St. Andrews, was established in 1867, marking the formal inclusion of women in the sport. In the United States, women began forming their own tournaments and organizations in the late 19th century, culminating in the establishment of the Women’s Professional Golf Association (WPGA) in 1944. By 1950, the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) was founded, providing a platform for female golfers to compete professionally on an international scale. Legendary players like Babe Zaharias helped elevate the sport, breaking barriers and drawing attention to women’s golf in the mid-20th century. The legacy of the first pioneers continues as female golfers from around the world compete.

Mary, Queen of Scots

Mary, Queen of Scots, is often credited as the first woman to regularly play golf during the 16th century. She is believed to have played at the famous St. Andrews Links in Scotland, a location now considered the “Home of Golf.” Historical accounts suggest that Mary brought a unique prominence to the game, even coining the term “caddie.” This new term came about by Mary referring to her assistants as “cadets,” creating a new golf term, “caddie.” Her passion for golf not only highlighted the sport’s appeal among women of her time but also helped pave the way for future female golfers to embrace the game.

Mildred “Babe” Didrikson Zaharias

Babe Didrikson Zaharias, hailing from Port Arthur, Texas, was a trailblazer in women’s sports and golf. Inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame in 1951 and the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974, she achieved a remarkable 41 LPGA Tour wins, including 10 major championships. Initially gaining fame as a two-time gold medalist at the 1932 Olympics in track and field. She transitioned to golf in 1935 and regained amateur status in 1942. Babe’s amateur career included significant victories like the 1946 U.S. Women’s Amateur and the 1947 British Ladies Amateur, where she became the first American winner.

Women’s golf has provided some of the most exciting athletes in the game. These women have excelled at every level and capture the hearts of golf fans with their talent and grit.

Women’s Golf Today

Modern women’s golf has grown into a very competitive and globally recognized sport, showcasing talent and diversity. The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour remains the pinnacle of women’s professional golf. International representation in women’s golf is at an all-time high, with players from South Korea, Europe, and the Americas competing and bringing fans together across cultures. Major tournaments such as the U.S. Women’s Open, AIG Women’s Open, and ANA Inspiration draw significant audience and highlight the talent in women’s golf.

Women’s golfers today not only excel on the course but also serve as role models. Their influence extends beyond golf, advocating for diversity, sustainability, and philanthropic causes and promoting equality and empowerment in sports.

Famous Female Golfers

Here are five of the top female golfers of all time:

Louise Suggs

They called her, “Miss Sluggs.” Louise Suggs brought home an amazing 58 tour wins and 11 major victories. As if that wasn’t enough, she also snagged victories at the British and United States amateur championships. Still alive today at 91 years old, her wins mostly came in the 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s.

Babe Zaharias

Babes Zaharias is a towering figure in the annals of women’s golf. While Louise Suggs and pros of the era played against other women, Babe Zaharias was also competing against men. For example, she made the cut in three of four men’s PGA tour tournaments she entered in 1945. One female competitor said that Babe Zaharias was so good, when you came in second it still felt like a victory. She was golf’s first female celebrity — the toast of the tour for most of her career.

Nancy Lopez

With her trademark pause at the top of her swing, and an indelible loop as it came down, Nancy Lopez was one of the most identifiable champions on the women’s tour for many years. She captured 48 victories, and had the most wins in one year during her active tournament play. She notched three major wins in an illustrious career that influenced a generation of women to take up the game.

Mickey Wright

Born in 1935, Mickey Wright joined the LPGA 20 years later. After that, she captured 13 major championships and 82 tournament victories. The only other golfer to notch more wins is Kathy Whitworth, who has the record with 88 victories. Similarly, Ms. Wright comes in second in major championship wins, finishing behind Patty Berg with 15. For many years, she held the lowest score ever shot in an LPGA tour round, shooting 62 in 1964. She is now a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Annika Sorenstam

Born in Sweden in 1970, Annika Sorenstam stormed the LPGA with a stunning string of victories, finishing with 90 international wins, the most of any female golfer in history. She captured 72 LPGA tournaments, 10 majors and 18 international matches, racking up more than $22 million in career earnings. A good athlete as a child, she took up golf at 12, sharing one set of clubs with her sister. She grew up shy, sometimes three-putting to avoid giving a victory speech. She retired in 2008, and made the transition to businesswoman and entrepreneur.
Clearly, women’s golf has had many colorful competitors.

Keiser University College of Golf Female Golfers

Keiser University’s women’s golf team is a standout program, consistently achieving excellence in both academics and athletics. Recently, they ranked No. 1 in the NAIA and began the 2024-25 season with Wins SEU Invitational, showcasing their competitive edge. The team also emphasizes academic success, with multiple players earning WGCA All-American Scholar honors, demonstrating their commitment to excelling on and off the course. With a history of strong performances and academic achievements, the program is a leading choice for aspiring golfers seeking a well-rounded collegiate experience​. Visit Keiser Sports to learn more about the 2024/2025 Women’s Golf Team and our amazing golfers.

Donna White – LPGA, PGA Professional, and Instructor at Keiser College of Golf

Ms. White’s tenacity and commitment to excellence drives her passion to promote the game of golf to any and all ages and abilities. Her students vary from beginners to tour players. She is an instructor for the LPGA Player Development program, a national program in which LPGA and PGA club professionals attend to improve their golf skills two times a year and conducts corporate golf schools in the U.S. and Canada. A native of North Carolina, Donna enjoyed a successful junior, amateur, and collegiate career, winning many titles, including the 1976 United States Women’s Amateur Championship. While attending the University of North Carolina-Greensboro she teamed with Candy Sibbick to win the 1973 Women’s Two Person National Championship. Transferring to the University of Florida in 1974, she won multiple collegiate titles and graduated in 1976 with a BSPE degree with certification for grades K-12.

• Meet Donna White
• Donna White Awarded the President’s Award at the 2021 LPGA Professionals Rolex Awards!
• Women in Golf
• Golf Tips and Interviews by Donna White, LPGA Instructor

Great Women Golfers

These female golfers were all determined, gifted, and passionate about the game. The future looks bright as young, talented women seek to emulate their heroes, break records and set the bar ever higher for future generations.

If you want to take your game to the next level, contact our team at Keiser University’s College of Golf & Sport Management today. With our dedication and experience, we can elevate your game to new heights together. Give us a call today at 888-355-4465.