Here’s a list of short male golfers who didn’t let their height stop them from becoming professional athletes.
I could tell you all about my own experiences with golf, but I’d rather share with you the best summary of the game I’ve ever heard, courtesy of the legendary Hale Irwin:
“Golf is the loneliest sport. You’re completely alone with every conceivable opportunity to defeat yourself. Golf brings out your assets and liabilities as a person. The longer you play, the more certain you are that a man’s performance is the outward manifestation of who, in his heart, he really thinks he is.”
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And it’s precisely for those reasons that golf is a level playing field for anyone with the heart and determination to win. The shortest male golfers on this list have all proven that physical stature is second to the strength of their character and grit.
The 6 Shortest Male Golfers
Here’s the list, from shortest to tallest…
1. Tad Fujikawa
Height: 5 feet 1 inches
Weight: 150 pounds
Nationality: American (United States)
Turned Pro: 2007
Pro Wins: 6
The shortest golfer ever to turn pro, Tad Fujikawa is nothing short of a miracle. He was born prematurely to parents in Hawaii, who were given a 50/50 estimate at his chances of living. And even though he weighed just 1 pound, 15 ounces at the time he was born, he quickly grew to be in vibrant health.
Later, at age 15, he became the youngest player to qualify for the U.S. Open. This built great momentum for his entry into the pro ranks of the sport, where he is still an active player.
2. Ian Woosnam
Height: 5 feet 4.5 inches
Weight: 168 pounds
Nationality: Welsh
Turned Pro: 1976
Pro Wins: 52
Affectionately nicknamed “woosie”, Ian Woosnam was one of the “Big Five” of European golfers in his era, longside four other professionals born within 12 months of each other, each winning a major. Together, this group made Europe a real presence on the pro circuit for the first time in decades.
Recognized for being a powerful hitter, Woosie put his talents to use winning two PGA tours and 29 European tours. He’s a legend in the sport, and a popular sports personality in his native Wales. Talk about a win for short men.
3. Gary Player
Height: 5 feet 6 inches
Weight: 150 pounds
Nationality: South African
Turned Pro: 1953
Pro Wins: 160
“Mister Fitness” Gary Player is true to his nickname, with a whopping number of pro wins that puts him in the golf history books. He’s widely considered to be one of the best men to ever play the game, and has authored or co-authored 36 books on golf and fitness instruction and philosophy.
Gary’s list of honors continues on nearly to infinity, with nine wins in major championships on six continents. Because of this outstanding performance, he was inducted into the Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. Now, he spends his days running charitable organizations that help to educate underserved communities.
4. Brian Harman
Height: 5 feet 7 inches
Weight: 155 pounds
Nationality: American (United States)
Turned Pro: 2009
Pro Wins: 4
Hailing from Sea Island, Georgia, Brian Harman is a relative newcomer to the PGA tour. At just 33 years old, though, he’s already won the tour twice — making him a rising star to keep a close eye on. Interestingly, Harman is one of a very small number of ambidextrous players on the PGA tour.
5. Francesco Molinari
Height: 5 feet 8 inches
Weight: 159 pounds
Nationality: Italian
Turned Pro: 2004
Pro Wins: 10
Golf greatness must run in the Molinari family, because both Francesco and his brother Eduardo have won multiple European tours.
The duo even had the opportunity to compete together in the 2009 Omega Mission Hills World Cup, taking home Italy’s only win in the event. On his own, Molinari has been in the top 100 of world rankings since the end of 2008.
6. Bobby Jones
Height: 5 feet 8 inches
Weight: 165 pounds
Nationality: American (United States)
Turned Pro: Never
Pro Wins: 9
The only amateur golfer to grace this list might also be the most influential on the sport itself. That’s because though his profession was as a lawyer, Bobby Jones founded and designed the Augusta National Golf Club — eventually giving rise to his co-founding the Masters Tournament.
And though he remained true to his amateur status, Jones secured a record 9 pro wins, including a “Grand Slam” victory in all four of the major tournaments of the day within the course of one year.
Parting Thoughts
The shortest male golfers all have one thing in common: They’ve never let their size affect the integrity of their play. That’s an inspiring message to take away, and a wonderful ideal to aspire to.
I’m glad you included Ian Woosnam. For a 10 or 15-year period during the 1980s and 90s, Woosie was not only one of the most effortless long hitters of a golf ball but also his swing was a thing of beauty to watch. I still remember him hitting a 1-iron from the right of the 13th in Round 3 of the Masters in 1991, hooking it around a tree and over the creek to the heart of the green. It was so pure that it was like witnessing a form of golf we will never see again.
Chi Chi Rodriguez, at 5′ 7″, was also an exceptionally long hitter of the ball.