The NFL's Best Golfers

By Alex Myers

January 15, 2016

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Photo By: AP

Tom Brady

He has four Super Bowl rings (and counting), a supermodel wife, and on top of that, a pretty decent golf game. Listed as an "8" in Golf Digest's most-recent ranking of the top athlete golfers, Brady even showed off his swing for the cameras in a 2009 episode of the HBO series Entourage. He is also a regular at the annual AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am (left). And no, he's never been accused of tampering with his golf balls.

Tony Romo

With just two NFL playoff wins to his credit, perhaps the Dallas Cowboys' best performance under pressure came in the first-ever Golf Digest U.S. Open Challenge. Romo, then a 2.2 handicap, shot an 84 from the tips at Torrey Pines just days before the 2008 U.S. Open (left). With a handicap that's been as low as plus-3.3, he was once No. 1 in our ranking of top athlete golfers, but is now "just" a 3. Romo also played with Tiger Woods in the 2012 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

Peyton Manning

Another Tiger Woods pro-am partner, Manning is on the short list in any conversation about the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. And the two-time Super Bowl champ keeps getting better at golf, up to T-25 in Golf Digest's most-recent ranking of the top athlete golfers with a 4.0 handicap. Now that he's retired, we don't anticipate that changing.

Ben Roethlisberger

Another quarterback with success at Golf Digest's U.S. Open Challenge, Big Ben impressed with an 81 at a soggy Bethpage Black (left) in 2009. With a handicap index that has been as low as a 0.4, the two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers is as tough to beat on the golf course as he is to be taken down by one defender.

Aaron Rodgers

Gaudy statistics have earned Rodgers two NFL MVP Awards as the MVP of Super Bowl XLV. The quarterback of the Green Bay Packer's stats aren't bad on the course either, as he posted a 5.5 handicap in Golf Digest's last ranking.

Larry Fitzgerald

The Arizona Cardinals' Hall-of-Fame-bound receiver has been a quick learner since picking up golf in 2013. Down to a 14.2 index, Fitzgerald showed just how much he loves the game by stopping by Golf Digest's 2015 Hot List to test out equipment. He also traveled to South Africa and played the world's most extreme golf hole in 2015.

Josh Scobee

Mostly known as the longtime kicker of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Scobee was No. 1 on Golf Digest's most recent ranking of pro-athlete golfers with a plus-2.5 handicap. Scobee's career-best score is 62, and he was confident enough in his ability to challenge Tiger Woods to a match -- and offer him two strokes per side -- in 2015.

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Drew Brees

In his time with the Saints, Brees has emerged as one of the most prolific passers in NFL history, while maintaining a handicap around 3. But the MVP of Super Bowl XLIV left disappointed when he competed in the 2010 Golf Digest U.S. Open Challenge at Pebble Beach and could only manage a 102. Apparently, this picture was taken early in that round...

Eli Manning

Usually overshadowed by his big brother Peyton, Eli has carved out quite a legacy himself with two Super Bowl MVP performances in upset wins by the Giants over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Little brother has been closing the gap on the golf course as well, with a handicap that's been as low as 7.1 at two swanky New York-area clubs, Garden City and Liberty National.

Matthew Stafford

A former No. 1 draft pick out of the University of Georgia, Stafford's huge 2011 campaign (he became the fourth QB in NFL history to top 5,000 passing yards in a season) helped lead the Detroit Lions to their first playoff berth since 1999. Stafford has made similar leaps in his golf game, slicing his handicap in half (down to a 7 now) during his time in the NFL.

Sam Bradford

After a promising rookie season with the St. Louis Rams, injuries have curtailed the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner, who is currently a member of the Minnesota Vikings. We hope they haven't cut into his time on the course. Even while starring at QB at the University of Oklahoma, Bradford, by all accounts a scratch-or-better player, listed golf as his other love (which Golf World detailed in a September 2009 story) and even stated his wish to play on the Sooners' golf team. With his first pro contract netting him $50 million in guaranteed money, it's safe to say he chose the right sport.

Mark Ingram

Another Heisman Trophy winner, who is also very handy with golf clubs. Ingram, now a running back for the New Orleans Saints, claims he once shot a 69 as an eighth grader, but that he stopped playing seriously once he got to high school and started focusing on football. You'll believe him when you watch this video of him imitating a Tiger Woods' trick made famous by a Nike commercial in 2000.

Matt Schaub

The quarterback was instrumental in leading the Houston Texans to their first two playoff appearances in 2012 and 2013. The single-digit handicapper is currently an Atlanta Falcon.

Jay Cutler

The often criticized quarterback finds solace on the golf course. Listed as a "12" handicap in Golf Digest's most-recent ranking of the top athlete golfers, Cutler doesn't have to worry about the physical pounding he's taken while playing under center for the Chicago Bears the past seven years. He's been sacked more than any other NFL quarterback during that span.

Tim Tebow

Even though he's already moved onto careers in TV and baseball, we couldn't possibly do a football-related slideshow without mentioning Tebow, now could we? Like with his on-field accomplishments, his on-course abilities have a tendency to be over-analyzed as well, like when there was a rumor that he had a 141-mph swing speed. Whether you're a believer or not -- as with his ability to start at QB in the NFL -- you can't deny the guy tries hard. And yes, as far as we know, his muscles have not been photoshopped here...

Patrick Peterson

Probably the best pure athlete on this list, Peterson is known as one of the best defensive backs in the NFL. And the Arizona Cardinals star is one of the best pro-athlete golfers as well, sporting a 4.1 handicap.

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Ryan Succop

The last pick of the 2009 NFL draft, Succop certainly wouldn't be picked last in a golf draft among pro athletes. The Tennessee Titans kicker is listed as a scratch golfer in Golf Digest's latest ranking.

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Steven Hauschka

The Seattle Seahawks kicker is known for being oblivious to pressure and the elements. Those traits have served him on the golf course as well, moving him up to T-36 on our latest pro-athlete ranking with a 5 handicap.

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Mason Crosby

Another kicker (Do these guys practice anything other than golf?!), Crosby is the Green Bay Packers' all-time leading scorer. He also checked in at 33rd on our latest pro-athlete ranking with a 4.3 handicap.

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Alex Smith

The Kansas City Chiefs signal caller often gets labeled as a "game manager," somewhat of a knock against QBs. But that's a compliment in golf, and we're going to assume that someone who boasts a 5.8 handicap is also pretty disciplined getting around the course.

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Derek Anderson

If the former starting QB is upset he has to back up Cam Newton in Carolina, he certainly doesn't look it from this photo. And being benched certainly hasn't hurt his golf game. With a plus-0.6 handicap, Anderson was T-5 in Golf Digest's pro-athlete ranking.

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Johnny Manziel

A Heisman Trophy winner at Texas A&M, Manziel's NFL career never took off in Cleveland. A free agent entering the 2016-17 NFL season, Johnny Football still holds a single-digit handicap in golf, though, and was featured on the December 2014 cover of Golf Digest.

Kyle Williams

Forget about all these (mostly) quarterbacks and kickers, this Bills defensive tackle is the most intimidating golfer on this list. And despite his hulking 6-foot-1, 303-pound frame, Williams checked in at No. 7 on our pro-athlete ranking with a sparkling plus-0.4 handicap.

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The NFL's Best Golfers

Shop This Look

Tom Brady

Tony Romo

Peyton Manning

Ben Roethlisberger

Aaron Rodgers

Larry Fitzgerald

Josh Scobee

Drew Brees

Eli Manning

Matthew Stafford

Sam Bradford

Mark Ingram

Matt Schaub

Jay Cutler

Tim Tebow

Patrick Peterson

Ryan Succop

Steven Hauschka

Mason Crosby

Alex Smith

Derek Anderson

Johnny Manziel

Kyle Williams