The PGA Tour (stylized in all capital letters as PGA TOUR by its officials) is the organizer of the main professional golf tours played by men in the United States and North America. The Tour had already distributed around 1,000 of the devices to players on the PGA Tour, Korn Ferry Tour and PGA TOUR Champions circuits. A pro whose Tour card is a no-doubter; who nails down a win in the occasional year; and who can be counted on each season to make it to—and sometimes through—the Dell Technologies event in the FedEx Cup playoffs. This varies from site to site. Annual average (at 7 percent): $140,000 Here’s where the rest of his money comes in each year. PGA TOUR pros have a lot of team members that attribute to their success, and all of them are on the payroll. By: Garry Smits, Florida Times-Union. After all, a membership can force you to get out and enjoy yourself. For a Top 10 guy, you’re looking north of $3 million and getting close to eight figures for the most marketable players in the world. PGA Tour 2018 Players Championship – Calculation #4: Initial Prize Money vs. Every course - the Championship Course at Bay Hill Club & Lodge, the Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club and the Champion Course at PGA National Resort & Spa - has been in the rotation since at least 2007, allowing fans to … On the PGA Tour so far this year, the average tour player has earned $780,994 playing golf. Whatever the price, consider the initiation table stakes — even if it’s the equivalent of a downpayment on a house. Those non-golf extras should be considered in determining the worth of a club membership. Average total outlay: $554,000 In 2006, the Champions Tour Division Board of the PGA Tour organization voted to allow players the option to use golf carts during most events on the tour . The financial arrangements between pro … If you’re on Tour, you can expect to get a ball-shoe-glove deal from Titleist—unless you get a ball deal from someone like Callaway, TaylorMade or Srixon. He combines equipment, clothing and corporate dollars.”, “Shoes can be a stand-alone dollar source, though it’s not very common. There are a few different men’s and women’s golf tours around the world, but the PGA Tour is the biggest and the most well-paid. On a normal week, we have to fly to the event, get to the airport and rent a car. Minor Leagues. PGA TOUR pros have a lot of team members that attribute to their success, and all of them are on the payroll. Stuff like hotels, flights, rental cars, food and more. Editor’s note: Welcome to the Money Game Mailbag, a new GOLF.com column in which we’re fielding all of your burning questions at the intersection of golf and, you guessed it, money! The top 25 money winners each year earn PGA Tour cards, and last year those players … A PGA Tour player who’s exempt from qualifying doesn’t have to pay entry fees for tour events. On the high end, this deal generally includes other inventory—bag, equipment—as well. If you had bought stock in Pebble Beach 20 years ago, here’s what it would be worth today, Money Game: The PGA Tour Champions is a lucrative option for late bloomers. Yearly fee of $25-40K, or hourly billing. His approximate 2017-18 season prize-money earnings was $2,000,000. Paul Sullivan writes the Money Game column for GOLF Magazine. Sweden's Madalene Sagstrom (a tour record $167,064) and Ally McDonald of the U.S. ($110,359) were the only Symetra Tour players to … international) for hotels/homes, food, flights. A $100K logo deal usually includes two player obligations: a content-generation day—like a commercial shoot—and a day in a golf setting, like a pro-am or clinic. ), As he told me recently, it’s expensive — and getting more so — to be on tour. In reimagining, for example, the tournament is planning a fall pro-am, with local celebrities and some PGA Tour players attending. If you’re a Top 30 player, you’re definitely making seven figures on this. Annual average: $40,000, Trainer’s Cut: Scully (2002) estimates that endorsement contracts for the average PGA TOUR player pays for most playing expenses, so this player typically will not experience cash flow problems. 2020-2021 Tournament Schedule; 2019-2020 Tournament Schedule; Buy Tickets; PGA TOUR … The dues are where you want to look to understand the difference between joining a club and using that same pot of money to play a rotation of nice public tracks. 17, 2021 Players Championship tee times: Third round pairings for Saturday. Monday-Sunday: Concessions available at own expense. THERE WILL BE TOUR SUPPORT/MEDIA DESIGNATED ENTRANCE Location: MAIN ENTRANCE AT CLUBHOUSE. The agent would be doing his client a disservice if he didn’t encourage this.”, Average total Tour earnings: $2,000,000 By most accounts, the average weekly base pay for caddies on the PGA Tour runs in the neighborhood of $1,800-$2,000 per week. You're probably looking at something on the order of $1,000 to $1,500 per week, depending on the air fare rates they get. Here are the answers — from PGA Tour caddies — to the questions we most often receive from you. No Tour pro gets it done by himself—to wit, Jordan Spieth’s proverbial “we.” All kinds of “team” members line up to say oui when it’s time for their share of a player’s earnings. One may also ask, does the Champions Tour use golf carts? Oh, that's another perk of being a TOUR member. What about activities around the holidays for children? Of the $120,000 that’s left, put aside the 30 percent for housing. Players operate as independent contractors. (Mickelson griped a few years back about paying 63 percent of his income in taxes alone, and that was before taking care of his then-caddie Bones Mackay and jetting around to tournaments. It’s 60 to 70 percent of what you make before you ever go home.”. -physio coaching expenses or trainer expenses But golf, presumably, is just one discretionary expense among many. Annual average: $10,000, “I’ve never done a policy for one of my guys for less than $1 million,” the agent says. There’s an old adage that says you shouldn’t spend more than 25 to 30 percent of your income on housing. But the dough doesn’t stop rolling there. The idea sprung from a gathering in the desert. In addition to golf, does the club have tennis, a pool, maybe a beach club? There’s a guy who for so many years felt it was ok to scream and yell all kinds of filthy language and cuss words on the course; he didn’t care who was in his hearing area. “The Tour has a policy that kicks in after a certain amount of months for a certain amount of time, but those policies are capped financially. But let’s parse this one. PGA Tour player Matt Kuchar and his fill-in caddie reportedly disagreed on what was fair pay after Kuchar won the Mayakoba Classic. The PGA Tour is like a traveling circus. I know some probably have free gifts, cars, hotels, etc. Generally, each name-and-likeness deal brings in $25K-plus, and requires two meet-and-greet appearances at PGA Tour locations. Caddies are an expense." Annual average: $40,000, Travel Expenses A typical professional golfer is always on the move, traveling from tournament to tournament. “You look at your prize money, the government takes almost half. Email your queries to him at moneymailbag@golf.com. Jordan Spieth’s candid hot-mic remarks at Players latest reminder that in golf Big Brother is watching, ‘It almost always hurts, but never more than this:’ DJ’s unlucky break at 17, Dustin Johnson confirms he will not play in the Tokyo Olympics this summer, Tiger Woods’ iconic ‘Better than most’ putt honored with identical pin placement on No. Hotels. Do PGA Tour caddies pay their own expenses? The PGA Tour’s ambitious “Every Shot Live” platform only got one round at the 2020 Players Championship. $3,000–$5,000 per week (non-majors, not We asked Patrick Cantlay’s looper, Matt Minister. • Professionals finishing within the Top-20 and ties at the immediately preceding Mackenzie Tour event (Osprey Valley Open, July 8th – 14th). Let’s say dues are $10,000 a year and the greens fees for a guest are $150. In reimagining, for example, the tournament is planning a fall pro-am, with local celebrities and some PGA Tour players attending. The Tour had already distributed around 1,000 of the devices to players on the PGA Tour, Korn Ferry Tour and PGA TOUR Champions circuits. One may also ask, does the Champions Tour use golf carts? It’s pretty much the same people each week, but in a different city. If you think in strictly financial terms, the answer is almost always no. Caddies are an expense." Annual average: $300, Locker Room Attendant/Valet Tips Drop him a line at moneymailbag@golf.com. — Stephen Alvare, Sante Fe, N.M. With all that travel comes plenty of expenses — expenses that caddies obviously have to pay with their own money. Quite the opposite, I believe most PGA Tour players receive a salary from their sponsor. A vice president at Nestle USA, Bentley organized a buddies’ outing in Las Vegas and invited former PGA Tour player Adrian Stills to join. This sum is often higher if the player takes his family on the... Airfare. If you were that guest, you’d need to play 67 rounds to get your $10,000 worth. But new full-time players on the Nationwide Tour are not likely to earn similar endorsement incomes that can … The PGA Tour is like a traveling circus. ; Collins said … Or Bridgestone, though they’re not as common because Bridgestone is way more selective.”, From one or all of a player’s sponsors… Caddies on the PGA Tour can make some good money. Is there a paddle program in the winter? The good rule of thumb, according to the TOUR veterans, is expenses and taxes eat up 70% of gross winnings. There are dinners out, non-golf vacations, maybe a ski or fishing trip. Travel and taxes are going to be the big expenses, with caddie fees coming in third. A base salary ($1,000-$2,000 per week on the PGA Tour to cover some travel expenses) ... At a tournament where the purse is $6.4 million, the player … COSTS AND EXPENSES OF LITIGATION ... • The top 60 players on the 2018 Mackenzie Tour Order of Merit. It’s pretty much the same people each week, but in a different city. They easily eat up close to 60 percent of a player’s winnings — even more if you’re Phil Mickelson living in super-high-tax California versus all the other pros living the good life in low-tax Florida or Texas. Here’s where the cheddar goes. There’s a guy who for so many years felt it was ok to scream and yell all kinds of filthy language and cuss words on the course; he didn’t care who was in his hearing area. In 2011, 90 of the PGA’s players earned over $1 million and another 200 players earned more than $100,000. He does pay a $100 initiation fee, then $100 in annual dues. For a Tour win: $25,000–$100,000 The math first. -coach's weekly fee plus travel expenses, usually -- or partial if shared among players. After travel and taxes, the pros don't make as much as you might think. Lets think about the profile of a PGA Tour player who is just starting out … He has finished playing college golf He completed a season on the Web.com Tour and earned his Tour card He does not have a lot of money left after expenses He just wants to get into events and play … Annual average: $32,000, Coach’s Cut: Additionally, all that travel to and from tournaments adds up, to the tune of $3,000 – $5,000 per week. Your initiation fee could range from a couple of thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars. -caddie's weekly salary ($1,300-2,000+ on TOUR) plus bonuses. Heck, a player like Justin Leonard is well taken care of, but I am talking players like Tim Wilkenson, Kevin Stadler, Greg Chalmers, etc. Developmental tours give aspiring pros a chance to compete and earn money while preparing to qualify for the "big leagues" of golf. Average total non-tournament earnings: $700,000 “The front of the hat is your No. A Top 125 guy. 1 to 3 percent of tournament winnings. ... Costs and Expenses. — tpowers319, via email, Did my wife submit this question? He has since announced he has plans to move to Jupiter, Fla.), But for players not making millions those expenses become more of a factor. However, tour players also have a range of expenses. For the normal Top 125 player, what’s happened over the years is the equipment dollars have gone down a bit, and the corporate and clothing dollars have come up. The PGA Tour’s ambitious “Every Shot Live” platform only got one round at the 2020 Players Championship. About 40 percent of that will disappear in taxes. Housing is a fixed expense that we all need, which is why that 25 to 30 percent of our income guide works well. Is there a similar calculus for golf? Annual average: $130,000, PGA Tour Membership Fees The PGA TOUR and Member or Player may also mutually agree to have the matter heard by a single arbitrator. For keeping his Tour card: $10,000–$25,000 The PGA Tour (stylized in all capital letters as PGA TOUR by its officials) is the organizer of the main professional golf tours played by men in the United States and North America. 1 to 3 percent of tournament winnings. Annual average: $5,000, Disability Insurance > at budget restaurants, what is the likely cost of a year on the PGA tour? ... says a full year of expenses hovers at $75,000. It adds up. A base salary ($1,000-$2,000 per week on the PGA Tour to cover some travel expenses) ... At a tournament where the purse is $6.4 million, the player would win $1,152,000 for the championship. (You’re the best, honey!). The higher-end deals generally don’t allow additional logos unless they’ve been grandfathered in. Despite very sizable paychecks for mailing in T-40 finishes every week, life on the PGA Tour can get expensive. On the LPGA, it’s closer to $1,200. So, while the earnings may look better than any day job, there are considerable expenses that have to be paid whether you make the cut or not. Have a question for him? While the pro-am during tournament week cost $10,000 a … In a DraftKings $10 50/50 league the “rake” is 10%. A vice president at Nestle USA, Bentley organized a buddies’ outing in Las Vegas and invited former PGA Tour player Adrian Stills to join. Table: PGA Tour & PGA Tour Champions player retirement plans. THERE WILL BE TOUR SUPPORT/MEDIA DESIGNATED ENTRANCE Location: MAIN ENTRANCE AT CLUBHOUSE. Money Game Mailbag: How much does it *really* cost to be a Tour pro? Players who qualify for a Professional Golfers' Association card may join any PGA-sanctioned event and compete throughout the year. Lets think about the profile of a PGA Tour player who is just starting out … He has finished playing college golf He completed a season on the Web.com Tour and earned his Tour card He does not have a lot of money left after expenses He just wants to get into events and play … The coolest part about the Florida Swing on the PGA Tour is the fact you can play all four host venues. There are numerous men’s and women’s tours worldwide, but the PGA Tour is the top of golf’s food chain. On top of helping players monitor their fitness, data from the strap may have indirectly identified the first case of COVID-19 on tour with player Nick Watney. Now what you see more of is, say, a Titleist equipment guy—but he’s got a corporation on the front of his hat, and he wears Puma clothes and shoes. By: Garry Smits, Florida Times-Union. It costs a minimum of $110,000 to compete for a year on the PGA Tour—$75,000 on the Nationwide—and there are no guaranteed paydays. Of course groceries, utilities, car payments have to get deducted from that, so maybe you really have $5,500 a month. Find comprehensive info about every player, including bios, performance stats, winnings, and past results. If you can play golf year-round, the strictly mathematical value proposition is easier to make, but if you’re up north — and even if you have the most loving, understanding golf spouse like I do — there’s no way you’re getting to 80 rounds, at least if you want to stay married, see your kids and hold down a job. Professionals entering through a Qualifying Event So what are a PGA Tour caddie’s expenses like? Adidas and Under Armour usually allow one extra logo on the sleeve.”, “It used to be, you’d be a full-staff Titleist guy, with a Titleist hat, Titleist on your sleeve, a Titleist golf bag, the ball, the glove. That leaves you $84,000, or $7,000 per month, to spend however you want. Take-Home Pay, ... not tied with any other professional golfer) in the field. The whole package will be (…) They’re usually tied to a clothing deal.”, “Typically dominated by Titleist. But there is a better way to look at this — at least it’s how I look at our club membership. Does a golf club membership ever pay for itself in a strictly financial sense? When Liberty National opened in the pre-crash boom time of 2006, it charged an initiation of fee of $500,000, but the story was that sum came with a “free” set of clubs. Additional Earnings. The PGA responded by lifting its "no cart" rule for all of the players playing in the third stage. Each party shall bear its own costs and attorneys fees. Let’s say a couple earns $200,000 a year. These include, caddies, agents, trainers, coaches, accountants, etc. You’re paying for it anyways! I mean PGA Tour players, and they make a hell of a lot of money, get their PGA Tour cards, but how are they handling expenses. — Josh LeClair, Seattle, Travel and taxes are going to be the big expenses, with caddie fees coming in third. The whole package will be (…) These include, caddies, agents, trainers, coaches, accountants, etc. 30 entries X $10 = $300 prize pool; 15 Players Win $18 ($270) DraftKings keeps $30 (10%) When you see guys with multiple logos on their chest, that’s a dead giveaway that their apparel deal isn’t paying much. Sponsors may also provide equipment, pay entry fees, travel expenses, caddy salaries, etc. But at the end of the day the best advice is to know your fixed costs, figure out how much of what you have left you want to spend on golf and then be realistic about sacrifices you may need to make elsewhere. And while I’d like to see you enjoy as much golf as you’d like, you really should save some of that money for the day when you retire and want to play golf whenever you’d like. Only the top 125 players, as ranked by tournament winnings, get to keep their magic “tour card,” which allows them to enter any of the PGA Tour’s official events. A PGA Tour player who’s exempt from qualifying doesn’t have to pay entry fees for tour events. Weekly travel stipend: $1,500-$3,000 Average annual total: $192,000, Agent’s Cut: The top 50 players in the world are in their own league anyhow. Guys generally buy a supplemental policy worth $1-5 million. Here are the answers — from PGA Tour caddies — to the questions we most often receive from you. 1 real estate. Just looking at my own math here, I’d venture something on the order of 5 to 10 percent wouldn’t be crazy to spend on golf. All PGA TOUR Photo IDs will receive a 15% discount (excluding alcohol) Locations:-1&9 Fairway-2 Green/7Tee-10 Tee-15 Green. That’s a pretty full season up north, and it doesn’t account for the times people invite you to their clubs. However the PGA Tour itself dates the formal establishment of the Tour to 1968, when the "Tournament Players Division" split from the PGA of America. Padraig Harrington says some European Tour players, along with the majority of caddies, will now be struggling financially because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Life of a Pro Golfer. Posted in PGA Tour Tagged Jamie Lovemark, Jimmy ... the numbers used for this site were not matching with the PGA Tour’s website. The ATP tour is currently way behind the PGA tour when it comes to pension expenses for their players; in fact, the ATP doesn't have a solid player pension fund at all. Similarly, the European Tour officially began in 1972, although it evolved from the British PGA circuit which merged with the Continental European circuit in 1977 before fully separating from the PGA in 1984. Former PGA Tour caddie Michael Collins revealed the standard payout caddies. Annual average: $105,000, Accountant’s Cut: A guide provided to the players of the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions, and Korn Ferry TOUR that gives individual tax guidelines for non-resident state tax filing requirements. Average net profit (before taxes): $2,146,000, GOLF.com and GOLF Magazine are published by EB GOLF MEDIA LLC, a division of 8AM GOLF, Big-time bucks: Here’s how much money is made (and paid) by the average Tour pro, TPC Sawgrass rates: The hefty price to play the Players Championship course, 9 smart ways to save money on your next golf buddies trip, How this major championship host became a 12-hole model for golf’s future, Why Orange Tree Golf Club is the best course you’ve never heard of. What does it really cost to be a tour pro? Then your travel could easily be another 10 percent or more depending on what you make. On top of helping players monitor their fitness, data from the strap may have indirectly identified the first case of COVID-19 on tour with player Nick Watney. PGA TOUR Travel (which handles travel arrangements for many of the players) gets very favorable rates. In 2006, the Champions Tour Division Board of the PGA Tour organization voted to allow players the option to use golf carts during most events on the tour . He does pay a $100 initiation fee, then $100 in annual dues. How much a player receives This is a fantastic question and it could be applied to any discretionary expense. As a result, they are responsible for all of their expenses which can include travel, lodging, entry fees, caddies, coaches and trainers to name just a … The ATP tour is currently way behind the PGA tour when it comes to pension expenses for their players; in fact, the ATP doesn't have a solid player pension fund at all. Your caddie takes almost 10 percent. In the 2013 season the player who finished 125 on the Money List earned $ 610,178 in winnings. The PGA Tour and its major tours under its umbrella do not have tournaments in Alaska, South Dakota or Wyoming. “What it used to cost me to go to Hawaii it now costs me to go to Iowa,” he said. The PGA Tour provides financial education to golfers by having both PGA Tour employees and people from Schwab at tournaments to assist players with retirement plan questions, Price says. The PGA responded by lifting its "no cart" rule for all of the players playing in the third stage. The portion or percentage of a player’s entry fee (or total prize pool) that goes to the sponsor/website for expenses/profits. “Our expenses are within maybe $500 to $700 of what a PGA Tour player spends each week, but they are usually playing for 10 times more,” India explained. Your earnings as a pro golfer depend on which tours you qualify for, how many tournaments you play, and your own performance. For making Top 30 in the FedEx Cup final: $100,000. Hi all, Was just curious to know if anyone had information on the expenses a PGA Touring pro coughs up every week to enter/lodge/play in an event. Some estimates place the annual expenditures on travel (including room and board) at upwards of $200,000 for a golfer who plays in events worldwide. (It’s an even more impressive accomplishment when you consider that not only did he not play on the PGA Tour, but he also didn’t play collegiately. Just like the golfers, they pay their own travel expenses, and though the PGA Tour will reimburse caddies who work at least 15 events up to $2,000 in … That’s $300 per night, seven nights per week. I am talking about the lower profile players who do not have the luxury of the superstars. Online Player Guide; 2021 Player Priority List (PDF) TOURNAMENTS. All dollars are before business expenses and taxes paid. Homa made his PGA Tour debut in 2013, finishing T-9 at the Frys.com Open. Monday-Sunday: Concessions available at own expense. He entered 27 events, made 12 cuts, and won a grand total of $380,339 in the 2015 PGA Tour season. From one or all of a player’s sponsors… For keeping his Tour card: $10,000–$25,000 ... Travel Expenses $3,000–$5,000 per week (non-majors, not ... PGA Tour … TTBOMK, no sponsor of a PGA Tour player takes any part of the player's winnings. PGA TOUR; Watch Now LIVE GOLFTV LIVE; Leaderboard; Tee Times; TOURCast; Schedule. All PGA TOUR Photo IDs will receive a 15% discount (excluding alcohol) Locations:-1&9 Fairway-2 Green/7Tee-10 Tee-15 Green. -luggage hauling fees if they're using that service. Similarly, the European Tour officially began in 1972, although it evolved from the British PGA circuit which merged with the Continental European circuit in 1977 before fully separating from the PGA in 1984. A professional golfer plays the game for a living, as opposed to a golf pro, who receives a salary from a club. Expenses. “If you go down to the Bahamas and miss the cut, you are automatically $2,000 or $2,500 in the hole. GOLF.com and GOLF Magazine are published by EB GOLF MEDIA LLC, a division of 8AM GOLF. PGA Tour player blog: KJ Choi on his journey to becoming the first Asian winner of The Players Championship KJ Choi became the first Asian winner of The Players … In 2012, the 45 PGA events offered a total of $279 million in prize money, averaging out to $2,232,000 for each of the 125 qualified players. Minister: In 99 percent of caddie cases, we pay all of our expenses. Despite very sizable paychecks for mailing in T-40 finishes every week, life on the PGA Tour can get expensive. Maybe that’s a chest deal, a sleeve deal, and a collar deal—plus maybe two other name-and-likeness deals that don’t require a logo. As a result, they are responsible for all of their expenses which can include travel, lodging, entry fees, caddies, coaches and trainers to name just a … One top sports agent—a 15-year vet whose clients have included multiple Top 30 players—went under the cover of anonymity to talk about the kind of bank made (and paid) by an average Tour pro.