The four golf majors—the Masters, the U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship—are the most prestigious tournaments in professional golf. Often referred to as the 4 majors in golf, they are played once a year from April to July and bring together the world’s best golfers to define the sport’s greatest achievements.
The 4 majors in golf are The Masters Tournament, the U.S. Open, The Open Championship (also called the British Open), and the PGA Championship. These four tournaments represent the pinnacle of professional golf, attracting the world’s best players and offering the sport’s most prestigious titles.
Every sport has its crown jewels. In tennis, it’s the Grand Slams. In Formula 1, it’s Monaco. In golf, it’s the four major championships—a quartet of tournaments so revered that winning even one of them defines a player’s legacy.
For casual viewers, the term “major” gets thrown around a lot without much explanation. Why are these four tournaments more important than the dozens of others played on the PGA Tour each year? What makes the Masters different from the U.S. Open? And why do golfers—some of the most composed athletes on the planet—visibly tear up when they slip on a green jacket or lift the Claret Jug?
This guide answers all of that. Whether you’re new to the sport or just filling in some gaps, you’ll come away with a clear understanding of golf’s four major championships—what they are, where they’re played, and why they matter so much.
Why Are Golf Majors So Important?
Prestige in professional golf isn’t measured in prize money alone. The 4 majors in golf carry a weight that no other tournaments can match, and that’s largely a product of history, exclusivity, and the fields they attract.
Each major brings together the best players in the world under uniquely demanding conditions. Course setups are typically tougher. Rough is deeper. Greens are faster. The pressure is amplified by the knowledge that major titles are what separate good players from legends.
Consider this: Tiger Woods has 15 major championships. Jack Nicklaus has 18. These numbers are cited more often than their combined Tour wins, because majors are the true benchmark of greatness in golf.
The concept of a “career Grand Slam”—winning all four majors in golf at least once—is one of the sport’s most celebrated achievements. Only five players in PGA history have accomplished it: Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods.
The 4 Majors in Golf
1. The Masters Tournament
When: First full week of April
Where: Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia
First held: 1934
The Masters is the only major played at the same course every year, and Augusta National is as iconic as the tournament itself. Founded by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, the club opened in 1932 and hosted its first Masters two years later.
Augusta National is famous for its impeccably manicured fairways, azalea blooms, and some of the most strategically demanding holes in golf. Amen Corner—holes 11, 12, and 13—has ended more Masters runs than any other stretch of holes in major championship history.
The winner receives the iconic green jacket, a tradition that began in 1949. Past champions place the jacket on the new winner in a ceremony that has become one of sport’s most recognizable rituals.
The Masters also has the smallest field of any major, typically around 88–100 players, with strict qualification criteria. That exclusivity adds to its mystique.
Notable champions: Jack Nicklaus (6 titles), Tiger Woods (5 titles), Arnold Palmer, Gary Player
2. The U.S. Open
When: Mid-June
Where: Rotates among top U.S. golf courses
First held: 1895
If the Masters is about tradition and beauty, the U.S. Open is about survival. Organized by the United States Golf Association (USGA), the U.S. Open is widely regarded as the most demanding major in golf. Course conditions are deliberately set up to be punishing—narrow fairways, thick rough, and lightning-fast greens test every aspect of a player’s game.
The USGA selects a different host venue each year, rotating through a list of prestigious American courses such as Pebble Beach, Winged Foot, Oakmont, and Shinnecock Hills. This variability means players can never fully prepare for what they’ll face.
A score of even par often contends at the U.S. Open. That’s not because the players are worse—it’s because the conditions are designed to challenge even the world’s best.
The championship is open to any amateur or professional golfer who meets the qualifying criteria, making it the most democratically accessible of the four majors. Thousands of golfers attempt qualifying rounds each year, with only a small fraction earning a spot in the field.
Notable champions: Jack Nicklaus (4 titles), Willie Anderson, Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan (4 titles), Tiger Woods (3 titles)
3. The Open Championship (The British Open)
When: Mid-July
Where: Rotates among links courses in the UK
First held: 1860
The Open Championship is the oldest major in golf—and one of the oldest sporting events in the world. Simply called “The Open” by those in the know, it predates the other majors by decades and is organized by The R&A, the governing body for golf outside of the United States and Mexico.
What sets The Open apart physically is the course type: links golf. Links courses sit on coastal land, characterized by firm, fast fairways, unpredictable wind, deep pot bunkers, and very few trees. The ball behaves differently on links turf, and players must adapt their game accordingly.
The famous Claret Jug—officially the Golf Champion Trophy—is awarded to the winner, making it one of the most recognizable trophies in sport.
Venues rotate among a list of approved links courses, including St Andrews (considered the “Home of Golf”), Royal St George’s, Carnoustie, Muirfield, and Royal Birkdale. St Andrews hosts The Open most frequently, and a win there carries particular cultural weight.
Notable champions: Harry Vardon (6 titles), Tom Watson (5 titles), Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy
4. The PGA Championship
When: Mid-May (historically August until 2019)
Where: Rotates among top U.S. golf courses
First held: 1916
The PGA Championship is organized by the PGA of America—not to be confused with the PGA Tour. It was originally a match-play event but transitioned to stroke play in 1958, the format it still uses today.
Often called “Glory’s Last Shot” due to its scheduling as the final major of the season (a distinction it held for many decades), the PGA Championship moved to May in 2019, now sitting second in the calendar year.
The field leans heavily toward PGA Tour members and club professionals, and the championship is known for producing surprise winners. Seventeen first-time major winners have won the PGA Championship since 2000—more than any other major in that period.
The Wanamaker Trophy, a large silver cup standing about 28 inches tall, is awarded to the winner.
Notable champions: Walter Hagen (5 titles), Jack Nicklaus (5 titles), Tiger Woods (4 titles), Phil Mickelson
The Golf Majors Schedule: When Do They Take Place?
Here’s a quick overview of the golf majors schedule in a typical year:
- The Masters — Early April (Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, GA)
- PGA Championship — Mid-May (rotating U.S. venue)
- U.S. Open — Mid-June (rotating U.S. venue)
- The Open Championship — Mid-July (rotating UK links course)
The current calendar order—Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, The Open—has been in place since the PGA Championship moved to May in 2019. Prior to that change, the PGA Championship closed out the major season in August.
A Brief History of Golf Majors
The history of 4 majors in golf stretches back to 1860, when The Open Championship was first contested at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland. Willie Park Sr. won that inaugural event, taking home a red leather belt (the Claret Jug wasn’t introduced until 1873).
The U.S. Open followed in 1895, held at Newport Golf Club in Rhode Island. Horace Rawlins, an English immigrant, won the first edition at just 21 years old.
The PGA Championship launched in 1916, funded in part by department store magnate Rodman Wanamaker—which is why the trophy bears his name.
The Masters arrived last, in 1934, conceived by golf legend Bobby Jones as an invitational event at the Augusta National club he helped design. It wasn’t officially called “The Masters” until 1939.
For much of the 20th century, the 4 majors in golf were shaped by a handful of dominant players. Bobby Jones won 13 majors (including amateur titles counted at the time) before retiring at 28. Ben Hogan won all four majors he entered in 1953. Jack Nicklaus accumulated a record 18 major titles across three decades.
Tiger Woods reinvigorated the modern era of major golf, winning 15 majors between 1997 and 2019 and single-handedly elevating the global profile of the sport.
Who Has Won All 4 Golf Majors?
Achieving a career Grand Slam—winning all four major championships at least once—is among the rarest feats in sports. Only five men have done it in the history of professional golf:
- Gene Sarazen — Completed the Grand Slam in 1935
- Ben Hogan — Completed in 1953
- Gary Player — Completed in 1965
- Jack Nicklaus — Completed in 1966
- Tiger Woods — Completed in 2000
Rory McIlroy is the most recent player to come close, holding three of the four majors (U.S. Open, The Open, and PGA Championship) while famously yet to win the Masters.
What It Takes to Win a Major
Winning a major in the 4 majors in golf isn’t just about ball-striking or putting. It demands mental endurance, course management, and the ability to perform when the pressure is at its peak.
The fields at the 4 majors in golf are deeper than any regular Tour event. Course conditions are more severe, and the media and public attention is relentless. Players who crumble under pressure—or who rely on one dimension of their game—rarely contend.
The best major champions in the 4 majors in golf share common traits: composure over four rounds, versatility across different course types, and an ability to close out tournaments when it matters most.
Your Gateway to Understanding Golf’s Biggest Stage
The four major championships—The Masters, the U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship—form the foundation of professional golf’s greatest achievements in the 4 majors in golf. Each has its own identity, its own traditions, and its own way of testing the world’s best players.
Watching a major with this context in mind transforms the experience. Every birdie putt on the 18th at Augusta, every battle against the wind at St Andrews, every grind through the rough at Oakmont carries meaning that goes beyond the leaderboard.
So the next time April rolls around and Augusta’s azaleas bloom, you’ll know exactly what’s at stake—and why it matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 4 majors in golf?
The four golf majors are The Masters Tournament, the U.S. Open, The Open Championship (British Open), and the PGA Championship. These are the most prestigious events in professional golf and are held annually between April and July.
Which golf major is the hardest to win?
The U.S. Open is widely considered the most difficult major to win due to its deliberately demanding course setup—narrow fairways, thick rough, and fast greens. Even par often contends at the U.S. Open, which is unusual for a professional event.
What is a career Grand Slam in golf?
A career Grand Slam means a player has won all four major championships at least once. Only five players have accomplished this: Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods.
How often are the golf majors held?
Each of the four golf majors is held once per year. The season typically runs from April through July, starting with The Masters and ending with The Open Championship.
What is the oldest golf major?
The Open Championship, first held in 1860, is the oldest golf major and one of the oldest sporting events in the world. It predates the U.S. Open by 35 years and the Masters by 74 years.
Can amateurs play in the golf majors?
Yes, amateurs can qualify for all four majors, though the paths to qualification differ. The U.S. Open is particularly accessible, with local and sectional qualifying rounds open to any golfer who meets the handicap requirements.
What are the 4 majors in golf?
The four majors are The Masters Tournament, the U.S. Open, The Open Championship (British Open), and the PGA Championship.
Why are golf majors so important?
They are the most prestigious tournaments in golf, featuring the strongest fields, toughest conditions, and the greatest historical significance.
How many times are golf majors played in a year?
Each major is held once every year, making a total of four major championships annually.
Which golf major is played at the same course every year?
The Masters Tournament is always played at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, USA.
Which golf major is the hardest to win?
The U.S. Open is often considered the toughest due to extremely challenging course setups and conditions.
What is the oldest golf major?
The Open Championship is the oldest, first played in 1860 in Scotland.
What is a career Grand Slam in golf?
It means a player has won all four major championships at least once in their career.
How many players have completed the career Grand Slam?
Only five players have done it: Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods.
When do the golf majors take place?
They run from April to July: The Masters (April), PGA Championship (May), U.S. Open (June), and The Open (July).
Can amateur golfers play in majors?
Yes, amateurs can qualify for majors through specific qualifying events, especially the U.S. Open.
