Meet Linda Hartough

Hartough’s work has earned international acclaim, making her the only artist ever commissioned by both the United States Golf Association and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews to create annual paintings for the U.S. Open and British Open Championships. From the rolling dunes of Scotland to the lush fairways of Augusta National, her brush has brought to life the essence of golf’s most storied courses. Her paintings have graced the collections of legendary clubs such as Pine Valley and Laurel Valley, as well as the private collections of icons such as Jack Nicklaus and Rees Jones. Even ABC Television Golf Specials, hosted by Nicklaus himself, have celebrated her work, cementing her legacy in the game’s rich history.

Raised amidst the scenic countrysides of Wilmington, Delaware, and Louisville, Kentucky, Hartough’s artistic journey began at the age of six. After earning her Fine Arts degree from the prestigious School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1970, she honed her craft in Chicago before settling in South Carolina near Hilton Head Island. It was there, in 1984, that Augusta National Golf Club commissioned her to paint the iconic 13th hole, a moment that would forever change her career. By 1988, after a resounding reception at the PGA Merchandise Show, Hartough dedicated herself entirely to golf landscapes, a decision that would lead to a lifetime of accolades, including Golf Digest’s “Lifetime Achievement Award.”

Hartough’s process is as meticulous as it is inspired. Spending days on-site at each course, she studies the light, the angles, and the soul of each hole, blending photographic precision with her own artistic memory to create works that resonate with both golfers and art enthusiasts alike. Her goal is not just to depict a scene but to elevate it, capturing the spirit of the game and the beauty of the landscape in perfect harmony.

“It’s a challenge to make a great painting and still depict a golfer’s favorite scene,” Hartough explains. “But my goal is to make any work of art I create transcend the scene depicted. The painting is a success when both the golfer’s perspective and the landscape’s artistry emerge.”

In 2017, as a fitting tribute to her remarkable career, Linda Hartough was inducted into the Low Country Golf Hall of Fame. Like the courses she paints, her legacy is one of beauty, tradition, and a deep connection to the game of golf.