Jack Nicklaus with his wife, Barbara, at the 1970 British Open (AP)

1. Jack Nicklaus

PGA Tour victories in the 1970s: 38 (of 73 total)

Major titles in the 1970s: eight (of 18 total)

Every other player on this list – and every successful Tour player since – was measured by the achievements of the Golden Bear.

After establishing himself as the best player in the world during the 1960s with a powerful swing, a high ball flight and a patient mentality that was perfectly suited for long-term success in the majors, Nicklaus went through an uninspired three-year slump (by his lofty standards) that lasted into 1970. But after his father, Charlie Nicklaus, died in 1970, Jack recommitted to the game, improved his fitness and won the 1970 British Open, beating Doug Sanders in a playoff.

For the decade, he won the Masters in 1972 and ’75; the U.S. Open in ’72 (Pebble Beach), the British Open in 1970 and ’78 (both at the Old Course); and the PGA Championship in ’71 (PGA National), ’73 (Canterbury) and ’75 (Firestone).

His eight major titles in the 1970s alone would tie for sixth place with Tom Watson on the all-time list of major winners, not even counting his seven titles in the 1960s or three more in the ’80s.

Despite playing a lighter schedule than most Tour pros, Nicklaus was the Tour’s leading money winner five times in the decade (1971, ’72, ’73, ’75 and ’76) and Player of the Year four times (’72, ’73, ’75 and ’76). He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974.