Golf may be a game of tradition, but that does not mean it has been free from showmanship. Some golfers decided to spice things up, whether it was with their style, attitude, or the way they made crowds lean in a little closer to see what they would do next.
These are the golfers who were never content to blend into the background. Whether they strutted down the fairway like a catwalk or made the boldest shots look easy, here are the 20 flashiest golfers ever to grace the course.
20. Smylie Kaufman
Smylie Kaufman brought a youthful energy and casual flair to the Tour, making people instantly root for him. His fun-loving style and social media fame shone a spotlight on him even when his game cooled off.
19. John Daly
John Daly is basically the human embodiment of a fireworks show in golf form. Between the wild pants, long drives, and fearless attitude, Daly made “casual chaos” look like a lifestyle.
18. Rickie Fowler
Rickie Fowler basically turned golf fashion upside down with his neon outfits and flat-bill hats. Even when his play dipped, his flashy style kept him one of the most recognizable faces in the game.
17. Jesper Parnevik
Jesper Parnevik once made flipping up the brim of your hat look like a bold fashion statement. With his flashy European style and quirky charisma, he always seemed to be having more fun than everyone else.
16. Ian Poulter
Ian Poulter has never met a colorful pair of pants or a bold jacket he didn’t like. His Ryder Cup swagger alone could fill a highlight reel of flamboyant fist-pumps and over-the-top celebrations.
15. Miguel Ángel Jiménez
The “Most Interesting Man in Golf” lived up to the nickname with his cigars, wine, and slow-motion warmups. Miguel Ángel Jiménez made it impossible to ignore him every time he teed it up.
14. Camilo Villegas
Camilo Villegas brought a fitness model look and a Spiderman-style green-reading method that had everyone talking. He made sure nobody could accuse him of being just another cookie-cutter pro.
13. Payne Stewart
Payne Stewart’s plus fours and tam o’shanter caps gave him a timeless yet totally flashy vibe. He made old-school terrific way before retro was even a thing.
12. Bubba Watson
Bubba Watson turned wild, creative shot-making into a personal brand. From pink drivers to curveballs around trees, his style was all about doing things nobody else even tried.
11. Seve Ballesteros
Seve Ballesteros made everything look easy and dramatic at the same time. His flair for daring shots and dramatic recoveries electrified golf fans worldwide.
10. Anthony Kim
Anthony Kim had the belt buckles, the swagger, and the game to back it all up. He was like a rock star who just happened to destroy fields of world-class golfers in his free time.
9. Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson has always played golf with a “let’s see if this works” kind of attitude. Between his thumbs-up antics and mind-bending flop shots, he made the wild side of golf look normal.
8. Jordan Spieth
Jordan Spieth may not be flashy with his clothes, but his emotional roller-coaster rounds sure are. Few players can turn a Sunday into must-watch TV quite like he can, for better or worse.
7. Patrick Reed
Patrick Reed carries himself like the main character in his action movie, for better or worse. His flair for drama, both on and off the course, makes him impossible to ignore.
6. Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods made red shirts, fist pumps, and clutch putts global symbols of dominance. His entire career has been a masterclass in how to be flashy without ever appearing to try too hard.
5. Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy’s swing looks like an artist designed it, and he plays with a spark that few can match. Whether he’s bombing drives or giving candid interviews, Rory brings a ton of flair to everything he does.
4. Tommy Fleetwood
Tommy Fleetwood’s flowing locks and silky swing give him instant flair before he even hits a shot. Add his easygoing charm and sudden hot streaks, and you’ve got a guy who looks and feels built for highlight reels.
3. Greg Norman
Greg Norman, “The Shark,” took flashy to new heights with his aggressive game and global branding. He made sure people knew he was a star long before they saw his golf swing.
2. Bryson DeChambeau
Bryson DeChambeau is a walking science experiment who turned bulking up into a Tour-wide storyline. From his power drives to his constant tinkering, everything he does screams, “Look at me.”
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1. Dustin Johnson
Dustin Johnson somehow manages to be ultra-cool and ridiculously flashy without even trying. His effortless dominance, monster drives, and chill attitude make him the ultimate modern golf superstar.
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