This is a discussion I have with my friends all the time.  Who is your favorite?  Of course the answer changes depending on the rest of the question.  I have many favorite golfers and below are just a few.  So let’s get started!

Photos: Golf Digest Resource Center (35), Nicklaus family archives (10), Focus on Sport/Getty Images (1983), Augusta National/Getty Images (1990), J.D. Cuban/Getty Images (1996)

Who is your favorite golfer of all time?  This is easy for me – Jack Nicklaus!  I grew up watching him play and change the face of golf.  All the players of his time contributed to the success of golf today, but Jack is my favorite.  He is classy, skilled, humble, focused and most of all has given back to golf more than he received.  Golfdigest.com has a very good article about his career and life.  It is a petty good read.  Jack Nicklaus’ overall career stats are amazing and he is as well.

Who is my favorite present day golfer?  Without question Phil Mickelson!  I think Phil is very much like Jack Nicklaus.  He is classy, skilled, humble, and gives back to the game.  I love his approach to the way he plays golf.  He uses a devil-may-care attitude mixed with wedge play that is unparalleled.  I realize he has mixed success, but I feel stroke for stroke he is the best in the game today.  He makes golf fun for those around him; he interacts with the crowd and is a larger than life figure that makes time for the fans.  I know all the Tiger and Rory fans will disagree, but that is fun to discuss the many facets of golf.

Who is my favorite golfer with the greatest potential?  Dustin Johnson is the man.  He is a long hitting, cool under pressure, up-and-coming pro that has endless potential.  Many would say Rory Mcilroy, but I would suggest that he has already made it to the top.  Dustin Johnson is ranked 14th in the world, but I believe he has not reached his full potential.  He won once this year and then missed the cut at the US Open the following week.  He was either on or off, nothing in between.  He continues to get better and now that he is back from injury, I expect great things from him next year.  He is a young guy with tons of potential.

Who is my favorite Canadian Golfer?  It has to be Mike Weir.  He is a Masters Champion, a 5-time member of the Presidents Cup (first Canadian) and has won 8 times on tour.  Of course I would be remiss not to mention his 2007 Presidents Cup win of Tiger Woods in Montreal!  I realize he has not played well since 2008, but he is still my favorite Canadian golfer.  He is a true sportsman and has brought class to the game of golf.  Additionally, he continues to promote golf in Canada and has several charitable foundations.  Overall, Mike Weir has been great for golf no matter where he plays.

Golf is an amazing game filled with many players who provide excellent examples of how to play the game.  I have many players who I have enjoyed watching through the years and these are but a few.

Who is your favorite?