Raised on a Texan golf course, Robert von Hagge was first taken by Hollywood, becoming the ‘Marlboro Man’, but he was forever destined to build a life in the game. And build he literally did, crafting over 250 courses in 23 countries across the world, from the flawless Caribbean shoreline to serene French countryside.

Pete Dye is the most famous golf designer of the past 50 years, his determination to unsettle the professional golfer through his courses changing the very way the sport is played. This is everything you need to know about the ‘Van Gough’ of design, the man behind Whistling Straits, Kiawah Island, and the world’s most terrifying tee shot.

The most prolific golf architect of the late 20th century, the fingerprints of Robert Trent Jones Sr can be found on over 500 courses around the world. From railroad car draftsman to US Open Doctor, this is everything you need to know about the man who changed the golf design business forever

Known as The Grand Old Man of Golf, Tom Morris wasn’t just a brilliant golfer and a hugely influential course designer, he also made golf balls, clubs and even invented tee boxes.

With more than 400 courses connected to his name, including Pinehurst No.2 and East Lake Golf Club Atlanta, Donald Ross was one of the most respected and prolific golf architects of his generation.

Famed for creating Brazil’s Olympic Golf Course, Gil Hanse has been designing golf courses for almost 30 years. His creations include the recently opened Streamsong Black in Florida and The Cradle Short Course at Pinehurst. He talks to Golf Traveller about his life in golf architecture.

Journalist, architect, pioneer – the story of Ohio-born Albert Warren Tillinghast is a fascinating one. John Yerger of The Tillinghast Association gives Golf Traveller an insight into a true legend of the game.

Australian golf architect Tim Lobb has been designing golf courses in Europe for more than 20 years, and has restored some of the most famous names in golf. Previously working with Peter Thomson, he’s recently founded Lobb and Partners following his partner’s retirement. He talks exclusively to Golf Traveller about his life in golf and how courses are starting to respect their heritage…

As one half of Mackenzie and Ebert (Martin Ebert being the other), golf architect Tom Mackenzie has been responsible for not only creating some of the world’s finest new courses, but also ensuring heritage courses such as Royal Troon, St George's, Carnoustie, Trump Turnberry (the list goes on) remain truly timeless. Here, he talks exclusively to Golf Traveller…