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Best Golfers: Ranking the 10 greatest short games all-time

By Christopher O'Day

AUCHTERARDER, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 26: Phil Mickelson (L) of the United States talks with captain Tom Watson on the 6th tee during the Morning Fourballs of the 2014 Ryder Cup on the PGA Centenary course at the Gleneagles Hotel on September 26, 2014 in Auchterarder, Scotland. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
AUCHTERARDER, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 26: Phil Mickelson (L) of the United States talks with captain Tom Watson on the 6th tee during the Morning Fourballs of the 2014 Ryder Cup on the PGA Centenary course at the Gleneagles Hotel on September 26, 2014 in Auchterarder, Scotland. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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KINGBARNS, SCOTLAND – OCTOBER 04: Luke Donald of England plays his second shot on the 12th during day one of the 2018 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at Kingsbarns Golf Links on October 4, 2018 in Kingsbarns, Scotland. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
KINGBARNS, SCOTLAND – OCTOBER 04: Luke Donald of England plays his second shot on the 12th during day one of the 2018 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at Kingsbarns Golf Links on October 4, 2018 in Kingsbarns, Scotland. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /

Best Golfers #7: Luke Donald

Luke Donald is easily one of the most under-rated golfers of all time. He finds himself as one of only two golfers to be ranked number one in the world without winning a major, the other being Lee Westwood. Donald has spent a combined 56 weeks ranked number one, ranked there for 40 straight weeks in 2011-2012.

The main factor in Donald being ranked highly for so long was his short game. He was a master around the greens and out of the bunker. In fact, his competitors named him the current greatest bunker player in a 2012 Golf Digest survey. This was well deserved at the time, as he has been ranked as the best bunker player in two of the previous three years.

Donald has come out with tons of articles and videos with different golf tips on playing around the green and out of the bunker. Anytime you can find advice by a pro on the short game, it’s worth a read, or at least a listen to when it’s in video form.

Bunkers can be troublesome for many players, and Donald has the advice to get you started in the right direction.

"“My best tip to become a successful bunker player is to use the bounce on the sole of the club, and to use the bounce you need a good set-up. By that I mean putting the ball way forward in the stance, leaning the shaft backwards so you’re exposing that bounce and making sure that there’s loft on the clubface throughout.”"

Donald’s tips from the bunker are rightfully earned and should be listened to. From 2009 to 2017, Donald led the PGA in sand save percentage (getting up and down in two shots or less), twice. He finished 2nd, 5th, and 9th as well. He finished first in back to back years in 2009 and 2010, having a career-best percent in 2010, completing sand saves at a rate of 66.39%. He led the PGA in scrambling distance in 2010 as well, as 6’9″.

His ability to knock it close didn’t just come from the bunker, as he was able to use his skill on chipping as well. 2009 was a banner year for Donald’s mastery in close, as he finished 1st out of bunkers, and 9th from 20-30 yards away.

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