He is one of only five golfers to win all four Major Championships in a career, known as the career Grand Slam, and is the only player to ever complete the career Grand Slam on both the PGA Tour and its seniors’ equivalent, the Champions Tour. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974 and received the PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012, making him the first international recipient of the award.

In addition to his legendary golf career, he is known for being a passionate fitness advocate, earning himself the nickname "Mr. Fitness." During the prime of his career, while many believed weightlifting would hurt his golf game, Gary remained dedicated to working out, diet, and overall fitness. He credits fitness for much of his success in golf, as well as his current health and wellness in retirement.

Since the early 1980s, he has also established himself as a renowned golf course architect, working on design projects in 3 countries on five continents; and a dedicated philanthropist, supporting underserved children formerly through the work of the Gary Player Foundation and currently through the Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation.