Study Reveals Which US States Have Produced the Most Ryder Cup Golfers

Fresh research by Stewart Golf has identified the American states that have generated the largest number of Ryder Cup players – as well as those that outperform expectations when measured against population size.

With the 45th Ryder Cup heading to New York, anticipation is mounting as Team USA eyes a 28th title and seeks to reclaim the trophy following Europe’s win in 2023. To mark the event, Stewart Golf has explored state-by-state data to highlight where golfing talent thrives.

The report considers how the abundance of courses across the United States has influenced Ryder Cup achievements. While major states such as California and Texas together account for 27% of US representatives, several less populous regions prove to be unexpected success stories.

Connecticut (1.62 players per million, 6 players total)

Connecticut leads the nation per capita, producing six Ryder Cup players from under four million residents. Standouts include Julius Boros, a major champion, and J.J. Henry, a 2006 Ryder Cup pick. With its deep club culture and historic courses, the state consistently punches above its weight.

Vermont (1.54 players per million, 1 player total)

Despite having fewer than 700,000 residents and only 65 courses, Vermont has produced Ryder Cup star Keegan Bradley, who made a memorable debut in 2012. His fiery play proved that even the smallest states can make a big mark on one of golf’s biggest stages.

Louisiana (1.30 players per million, 6 players total)

Louisiana’s strong golfing heritage is reflected in its six Ryder Cup representatives. Names like David Toms, winner of the 2001 PGA Championship, and Hal Sutton, known for his 2004 Ryder Cup captaincy, showcase the state’s ability to produce world-class talent.

Which US state produces the most Ryder Cup players period? 

California (28 players total)

California has produced more Ryder Cup players than any other state, led by legends such as Tiger Woods, Bryson DeChambeau, and modern stars like Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele. With nearly 1,000 courses and a thriving junior golf scene, California remains America’s greatest golfing powerhouse.

Texas (24 players total)

Texas is a close second, with a legacy built on icons like Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, and Lee Trevino, alongside contemporary champions such as Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed. With 861 courses and year-round play, Texas has built an unrivalled reputation for producing Ryder Cup heroes.

New York (15 players total)

New York’s 15 representatives include legends such as Gene Sarazen and Walter Hagen, two of the greatest golfers in history. With 857 courses, New York blends historic golfing tradition with depth of talent, ensuring its place among America’s most important Ryder Cup contributors.

Which US state has the most golf courses? 

Florida (1,154 courses)

Florida is the unrivalled capital of American golf, with over 1,100 courses (many of which our electric golf carts have featured on) and a climate that allows year-round play. Its Ryder Cup pedigree includes stars like Brooks Koepka and Bubba Watson, reflecting how the state’s infrastructure nurtures world-class competitors. 

California (968 courses)

California’s nearly 1,000 courses span iconic venues like Pebble Beach and Riviera. The state has also produced the most Ryder Cup players overall, including Patrick Cantlay and Phil Mickelson, making it a true powerhouse in both infrastructure and talent development.

New York (857 courses)

With a proud golfing tradition and 857 courses, New York stands among the most important golfing states. Its Ryder Cup representatives include legends like Ed Furgol and Wiffy Cox, showing how its vast network of clubs feeds into the game’s history at the highest level.

Outlook for Team USA

The findings highlight how player development and golf infrastructure fuel America’s Ryder Cup dominance. With thousands of courses and a vast talent pool, the U.S. is well-positioned for future success. However, as history shows, translating depth of talent into Ryder Cup victories remains no easy task. Europe last won on American soil 13 years ago, and overcoming that streak in New York will require something special.

Methodology 

To put together this report, Stewart Golf analysed all US-born Ryder Cup players from Wikipedia and pulled the data on their states of birth, then comparing this with population data from the World Population Review (who also provided the golf course data) to get a figure for the total number of Ryder Cup players produced per million US residents in each state. 

This offers insight into which states are punching above their weight when it comes to golfing pedigree. A similar analysis for Europe to put together a ‘league table’ of states and countries and their respective Ryder Cup statistics. 

References: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_Ryder_Cup_golfers

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_European_Ryder_Cup_golfers

https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/golf-courses-by-state

https://www.statista.com/statistics/641782/europe-numbers-of-golf-courses-by-country/

About Stewart Golf

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