With a massive number of golf courses (the most in the world in fact) the US has produced a plethora of golfing talent, but whilst the big hitting states of Texas and California have produced a whopping 27% of Ryder Cup players, which states are punching above their weight looking at the number of players produced relative to population? 

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.

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’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.

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 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’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.

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’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.

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.

The data highlights how player development and supporting golf infrastructure shape the sport on a global level. The United States has produced a large pool of Ryder Cup players and benefits from an extensive golfing network, with thousands of courses spread across the country. This depth of facilities and talent underscores the strong foundations of the game in America.

But will the story on paper translate onto the fairways of New York when the 45th Ryder Cup begins? History tells us it will not be straightforward. Europe last won on American soil 13 years ago, and breaking that streak will require something special. If this study is any indication, the U.S. may have the upper hand for years to come, with depth of talent and resources suggesting it could be another generation before Europe secures another victory on American turf.

To put together this report we analysed all US born Ryder Cup players from Wikipedia and pulled the data on their states of birth, we then compared 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. We then completed a similar analysis for Europe to put together a ‘league table’ of states and countries and their respective Ryder Cup statistics.