The Masters Tournament

When: April 5-8

Where: Augusta, Ga.

Why: It’s the first major of the year and, well, it’s The Masters—need we say more? (masters.com)

The Players Championship

When: May 10-13

Where: Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

Why: Considered by many to be the fifth major, it’s played on one of the best-known courses in the world, mainly for the par-3 17th hole and its island green. (pgatour.com/theplayers)

The Memorial Tournament

When: May 31-June 3

Where: Dublin, Ohio

Why: Many of the world’s top golfers descend on Muirfield Village Golf Club for this event because it’s hosted and founded by “Jack” (Nicklaus). (thememorialtournament.com)

The U.S. Open Championship

When: June 14-17

Where: San Francisco, Calif.

Why: The national championship of the United States, and the year’s second major, will be held at The Olympic Club. Will Phil Mickelson finally win the major he covets most of all? (usopen.com)

The Open Championship

When: July 19-22

Where: Lancashire, England

Why: The third major of the year is being played across the pond at Royal Lytham & St. Anne's Golf Club. The weather is usually the biggest story of the Open, and there’s no reason to think this year will be any different. (theopen.com)

RBC Canadian Open

When: July 26-29

Where: Hamilton, Ont.

Why: Falling on the weekend after the British Open tends to limit the field at our national championship. But all the more reason to see who shows up at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club to play. (rbccanadianopen.com)

World Golf Championships—Bridgestone Invitational

When: Aug. 2-5

Where: Akron, Ohio

Why: This tournament draws the world’s top 50 golfers—barring any mid-season injuries—making it one of the strongest fields of the year competing on one of the world’s best golf courses: Firestone Country Club. (worldgolfchampionships.com)

PGA Championship

When: Aug. 9-12

Where: Kiawah Island, S.C.

Why: Relative newcomer Keegan Bradley will defend his title at the final major of the year on The Ocean Course. (pga.com)

Tour Championship

When: Sept. 20-23

Where: Atlanta, Ga.

Why: This is the official wrap-up to the PGA Tour season—although there are a number of “silly season” events through to the end of the calendar year—and it’s also the last event in the yearlong FedEx Cup points race. (pgatour.com/tournaments)

Ryder Cup

When: Sept. 28-30

Where: Medinah, Ill.

Why: This has been an event to watch around the world ever since the Battle at Brookline in 1999 took this biannual match play competition between the United States and Europe to another level. Players compete all year for the spots on each 12-man team. (rydercup.com)

Photo of Sean O'Hair at RBC Canadian Open 2011 courtesy of Golf Canada/Bernard Brault.